CUBA will in no way, either on or off the field, make it easy for Trinidad and Tobago to leave with three points from this evening’s 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League A (CNL) match. The Cubans will host T&T on an artificial turf in Santiago from 4pm.
Cuba have so far tallied two draws, 0-0 with Jamaica and 1-1 with Nicaragua, to remain undefeated this campaign. Bottom of Group B from a 0-0 home draw against French Guiana last time out and an opening 4-0 loss away to Honduras, T&T are almost in a must-win situation before facing Cuba for a second time in Tobago on Monday night.
Abroad with the Soca Warriors is Kieron Edwards, president of the T&T Football Association (TTFA). Edwards is in Cuba to lend support to the team and to see first-hand the difficulties experienced by the Soca Warriors when abroad. He hinted at “mind games” being played, and spoke of challenges the team experienced to just get out of the airport in Cuba.
“Persons saying that they are not accustomed to this,” Edwards declared. “This is not the first time they (have) come to Cuba.”
On his first tour with the national team, Edwards said it is important as an administrator to know what the players encounter abroad. He gave an account of a situation in Honduras after the Soca Warriors lost 4-0 and were hurriedly trying to get to Tobago for the match four days later against French Guiana.
“I would have heard these stories of the long drive after the Honduras game, the bus shutting down, and persons almost missing the flight and what not,” Edwards explained.
“It’s important that we understand the atmosphere away as well,” he added. “As an FA we need to figure out what gives us the edge at home, and see what persons do away.”
Despite those issues, Edwards is impressed by the professionalism shown by the Soca Warriors.
“There is a quiet understanding of the task at hand. They are very serious. I don’t know if it’s because the president is here,” Edwards joked.
“The level of professionalism is really standing out to me. The understanding, the seriousness, the talk about we have to get it done--we have to get three points in Cuba, and giving the best to get those three points.”
Captain Aubrey David described the Soca Warriors as being supremely focused.
“It’s just for us to be together and stick to the game plan so that we can leave here with three points.”
David described Cuba as a young, committed team with a lot of footballers playing abroad in places such as the United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
“They (Cuba) are hungry and they want to prove themselves at home,” David said.
“We have a lot of young players as well, a lot of young players with quality,” David countered. “They stepped up in the last Nations League. We saw a lot of them jumping onto the international scene and making a big impact. It’s just for them to continue on that momentum.”
David also welcomed the return of veterans Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones and Sheldon Bateau, like him, all into their thirties, having played together since the Under-15 level.
“It’s good to have senior players that know and have been through the situation,” David stated, “so they can guide the younger ones, and advise them about the experiences (to expect).”
SOURCE: T&T Express