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07
Thu, Nov

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Yorke and Birchall in training.A 23-man Trinidad and Tobago squad led by captain Dwight Yorke arrived in Guatemala City just around 10pm on Thursday night ahead of this weekend’s crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier against the hosts.
Following its 9-0 win over Dominican Republic the previous evening, the T&T team arrived via Panama City and checked in to the Hotel Vista Real some ten minutes drive from the international airport and a similar time drive away from the Estadio Mateo Flores – venue for Saturday’s game.

Head coach Francisco Maturana is carded to conduct one session on Friday evening at the match venue but already officials from the Guatemalan Federation informed the team management on Thursday night that if the inclement weather continued here into Friday evening then both teams will be forced to train at another venue.

Maturana who was approached for photographs by several Latin American fans during the stop off at the Panama airport, didn’t appear too bothered over the possibility of having to train at another venue if the rain continues.

“We are here and we have to play the game no matter the circumstances. The main thing is that we are together as a squad and we have the game to look forward to. That is our main concern,” he told reporters upon the team’s arrival.

Speaking following the win over Dominican Republic, the Colombian added:

“I’m not comfortable with our position because I have learnt what is football and the day I don’t have that pressure or worry or pre-occupation about a match is the day I will be back home in Colombia seeing about my horses,” Maturana said.

“It was a serious practice game but we have some things to do better and we know that.

"(Latapy) is very humble," he added "and he is ready to do good things for the team to his capacity and limitations." Saturday's game kicks off at 8pm local time (10pm T&T Time).

Videos

See Team's arrival video

See Team's training session