Head Coach Leo Beenhakker is expecting a tough challenge from Iceland in Tuesday’s friendly international against Iceland but has said that the type of affair is just what the “Soca Warriors” will accept at this stage of the team’s preparations for the 2006 World Cup.
Beenhakker, who arrived in England on Saturday morning along with assistant coaches Wim Rijsbergen and Anton Corneal, explained that he was hoping to get the best out of his newly selected players such as Kevon Neaves, Anthony Noreiga, Ricky Shakes and Nigel Henry.
“We have called these players because they have shown that they deserve a chance to play and we’ll see what they can bring to the team. This is why we have brought these players into the squad for this game,” Beenhakker told TTFF Media.
As to what he expects on Tuesday after three training sessions with the team from 4:30pm on Sunday and then twice on Monday, he added “Well it is the first time we are becoming a team again since November and it is important that we get it together again and try our best to work it out as a team. All the teams are preparing for the World Cup just as we are and this game is part of what we have set up to get ourselves ready for June. The Iceland team brings a good type of Scandanavian style similar to what Sweden will plan and we have to utilize every opportunity over the next three days that we are together as a team.”
Departing out of T&T on Saturday are players Silvio Spann, Nigel Henry, Aurtis Whitley and Cyd Gray and team officials, Bruce Aanensen (manager), Zeph Nicholas (physiotherapist), Wayne Lawson (trainer), Michael Maurice (goalkeeper coach) and Shaun Fuentes (Press Officer). Already in London are assistant manager George Joseph and equipment managers Ikin Williams and Esmond O’Brien as well as team doctor Terrence Babwah.
The rest of the squad arrives on Sunday morning with the exception of Fulham goalie Anthony Warner who is expected at the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow on Sunday night due to club commitments.