Caretaker Head Coach Derek King has assembled a group of home-based players as preparations commenced for the two upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Cuba in Santiago on October 10th and at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on October 14th.
King, who led the team in last months matches versus Honduras and French Guiana, has focused on strength and conditioning before switching to outfield work at the Larry Gomes and Hasely Crawford Stadum training field this week.
Among the players in the provisional mix are regulars Duane Muckette, Ross Russell jr, Alvin Jones, Kevon Woodley, Denzil Smith, Christopher Biggette, Michel Poon-Angeron and Justin Garcia. Recalled is Miscellaneous Police’s Joevin Jones while Kevin Molino has also been invited and has participated in the sessions.
“We have maintained a strong focus on fitness, strength and conditioning, along with mental fitness training,” King told TTFA Media.
“Our primary goal remains ensuring that each player is both physically and mentally prepared to compete at the highest level. The commitment and energy from the team thus far have been exemplary, and we are confident in our progress as we build toward these crucial fixtures. I want to thank the local clubs, the TTPFL and the TTFA for all the cooperation so far.
“We will continue to refine our strategies, improve individual and collective performances, and ensure the team is in peak condition to achieve the results we need,” King added. Among other players King has invited to be part of the provisional squad include John-Paul Rochford, Jelani Peters, Ezekiel Kesar and Jamal Jack.
The Final squad will be announced on the weekend with the contingent departing for Santiago on October 6th.
The 12 matches that will be played in October will determine the four teams (group winners and runners-up) that will join Concacaf’s four top-ranked teams – Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States (listed alphabetically) – in the Quarterfinals, as well as the third and fourth-place finishers and fifth and sixth-place finishers that will progress to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims and CNL Play-In, respectively.
The CNL Quarterfinals will be played in a home-and-away format in November 2024, with the aggregate score winner in each matchup advancing to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals and qualifying for the 2025 Gold Cup. The Quarterfinal losers will advance to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims.
CNL Quarterfinal pairings will be determined based on the Concacaf Rankings as of October 2024 (after the FIFA Window) and the Group Stage results, as follows:
QF1: Fourth-ranked seeded team vs Best first place (1A/1B)
QF2: Third-ranked seeded team vs Next first place (1A/1B)
QF3: Second-ranked seeded team vs Best second place (2A/2B)
QF4: Best-ranked seeded team vs Next second place (2A/2B)
The CNL Play-In will take place in November 2024, and the Gold Cup Prelims will be in March 2025.
SOURCE: TTFA Media