Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior footballers will depart for their next 2010 World Cup assignment at 7am on Friday as they begin a two-nation road trip before arriving in Cuba for their August 20 fixture.
The squad went through its final training session on local soil at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Wednesday without any hiccups with Whitley the only member who is not fully fit as he is coming off an ankle problem. He is however expected to be ready to play a part in the upcoming matches.
In his absence, defender Cyd Gray has led the team and the Tobago-born is expecting nothing but three points for the “Soca Warriors” in Havana.
“We are working hard and our focus is Cuba. We need to start the round on a winning note” Gray told TTFF Media. “The next two friendlies will allow us to see where we are in terms of our preparations and the coach will make his observations and plans for the Cuba game. Winning matches is always a boost and we have come victorious in our last three matches. Now we have another three to win hopefully.
Midfielder Densill Theobald, an ex-captain, believes that the team is improving in good stride though he expects Cuba to be tougher than most expect.
“We could never afford to underestimate any team and Cuba is always a tricky team to face. I think playing them away from home is going to be difficult and we need to ensure everything is spot on for us. This game could open up a lot for the rest of the semi-final stage because they will not want to lose first at home and a win for us would be a great start,” Theobald added.
He also commented on the absence of Dwight Yorke, due to injury, from the squad to face Cuba.
“Having Dwight in the team will always be a plus. I think he can definitely bring a lot to the team even at his age now but its unfortunate that he may not be with us for the Cuba match. The players would have loved to have him around because he brings a certain spark when he’s around. At the same time though I think the players in the team at this moment are progressing nicely and we should be able to pull it off in Cuba. But Dwight coming back in will definitely be a boost for the upcoming games,” the Caledonia AIA midfielder said.
The team will travel without trainer/physio Wayne Lawson who was forced to sit out the trip at the last moment due to medical reasons and his place will be filled by Dave Isaac. The selected quota of overseas-based players will join the team in Havana for the qualifying encounter.
Warner wishes team well.
All the way from Beijing where he’s witnessing the Olympic Football Finals, FIFA Vice President Jack Warner commented on the team’s shaping towards the Cuba encounter.
“I expect that the team will perform at a level that will make us proud and bring home the win. It would be a perfect way to start the semi-final round but they shall be advised that playing Cuba in Cuba will be no easy task and we will have to dig deep to get the desired result. And the games in Haiti or against El Salvador should not be taken lightly. The team’s encounter in Haiti is much more than a mere friendly. The trip holds much more significance because of the type of country of which Haiti is. Our boys must realize playing there is in many ways a gift to the people who live in struggle everyday. They will no doubt want to win at home but we shall continue our winning ways,’ Warner said.
The Concacaf President also shared his views on the appearance of Lionel Messi in Argentina’s 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire.
“I am advised that Messi said he became an International star because of having first represented his country and therefore he's prepared to represent his country once again whenever he's called - CAS or no CAS - his country comes before his club, whatever the consequences. This is the mettle of which true national players are made and for whom I am sure every country will dream to have in its National Team."
Squad of players for matches vs Haiti and El Salvador
1.Marvin Phillips
2.Cleon John
3.Makan Hislop
4.Densill Theobold
5.Cyd Gray
6.Aurtis Whitley
7.Aklie Edwards
8.Keyeno Thomas
9.Radanfah Abu Bakr
10.Keon Daniel
11.Khaleem Hyland
12.Gyasi Joyce
13.Kerry Baptiste
14.Akeil Guevara
15.Anthony Wolfe
16.Clyde Leon
17.Cornell Glen
18.Andre Toussaint