“This is the match in which we have the possibility to certify ourselves one step closer.’
Kick off is at 9pm and by many might be thinking that T&T should be celebrating another three points as easy as it comes by 10:30pm but Maturana, the coach with a long track record, isn’t taking anything for granted against the Cubans.
“We haven’t been triumphant as yet but we know we can do it and we have the passion and belief to win,” Maturana told TTFF Media following an early morning session at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
“It is important for the public to be educated about our journey and particularly games like these which they sometime feel we have won even before the game has started. Everyone needs to be educated about things like these because it can have a lasting effect against us.”
He knows though that T&T are highly fancied to get the three points having already beaten the opponents 3-1 in Havana a couple months ago.
“We have already done exceptional so far at least to get to this point and we must finish the round just as we started… in an exceptional way. That must be our motivation for this game against Cuba. Also, we must think nothing about what is happening between USA and Guatemala.” he added.
“But we have to respect our rivals at every time because football has changed and just how we will like the next team to respect us, we must also do the same. The same goes for everything else in life. But we also must note that we can have all the respect, play the best football and still lose the match. So with that, we need to be good in every department.”
The team had a full two hour session under the heat in Arima with Hull City goalkeeper Anthony Warner also being looked after by Michael Maurice, having arrived only last evening. Falkirk midfielder Russell Latapy and Yorke also ran through their paces with the rest of the team with Welsh-based winger Josh Johnson giving a first look of himself to Maturana and staff. The Colombian also spent some time observing some build up play and finishing on goal with Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, Bristol City’s Stern John and Swansea City’s Jason Scotland worked on hitting the target.
Crewe Alexandra defender Dennis Lawrence, who shouldered the blame when T&T conceded their only goal in Havana, looked to be keen on ensuring that his defence gives nothing up on this November 19.
And Coventry City workhorse Chris Birchall, forced to go off in the first half because of stomach cramps in the 3-1 win, is more than willing to bet that he’s in much better shape this time.
“I feel great at the moment. Obviously all the lads are in good shape at the moment and I think we just need to stay focused and finish the job which at this point is to get to the next round and then start planning again for the other teams,” Birchall told TTFF Media.
“Obviously we’re not going to just go on the pitch and think Cuba are going to lie down and give us the match. The last time we played them they were very good for the first half of the match until we took our chances well so I think they will definitely come to try and prove something to us. We must guard against that and take care of them in the best possible manner which is to try and win the game convincingly,” Birchall added.
The T&T vs Suriname Under 20 friendly has been shifted to the Marvin Lee Stadium from 4pm due to the inclement weather which means only the feature World Cup qualifier can be played at the HCS.
The Teams
T&T: - Anthony Warner (Hull City), Clayton Ince (Walsall), Makan Hislop (Petrotrin), Dennis Lawrence (Crewe Alexandra), Aklie Edwards (Defence Force), Cyd Gray (Clico San Juan Jabloteh), Keyeno Thomas (Joe Public), Dwight Yorke (Sunderland), Josh Johnson (Rhyl FC), Keon Daniel (United Petrotrin), Khaleem Hyland (SV Zulte Waregem), Carlos Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Chris Birchall (Coventry City), Clyde Leon (W Connection), Russell Latapy (Falkirk), Stern John (Bristol City), Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) and Jason Scotland (Swansea City).
Cuba: - Odeli Molina, Danis Quintero Chevans, Yusbani Caballeros, Jenier Marquez Molina, Silvio Minoso, Alianni Montoya, Juan Gonzalez, Dranguet Cantillo, Reysander Cervates, Joel Colome Valencia, Luis Ramirez, Jensee Munoz, Leonel Duarte Pla, Carlos Serano, Lazaro Pratt, Mario Ruiz Leonard, Evier Gonzalez, Roberto Balmaseda.
View Warriors Gym Session.
Lots of high rank officials & fun for T&T match.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation will host a number of dignitaries and high ranking officials at Wednesday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match between this country and Cuba at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
With the “Soca Warriors” needing just a point to go one step closer towards qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, skipper Dwight Yorke and company will have the attention of Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards, Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Mrs Archie, House Speaker Barendra Sinanan and Mrs Sinanan, United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Mr Roy Austin and Mrs Austin, Cuban Ambassador Mr Sergio Oliva, British High Commissioner Eric Jenkinson and Mrs Jenkinson and President of the Cuban Football Association Mr Luis Hernandez.
They will all be hosted by Special Advisor to the TTFF Jack Warner as well as TTFF President Oliver Camps and other Executive Members of the local governing body.
Fans turning out in their “Red” will also be treated to fine entertainment by Roy Cape All Stars, Angostura Woodbrook Payboyz and Gypsy with his 2009 hits. And as if that’s not enough on an evening of football which falls three days after the country’s three-year anniversary of 2006 World Cup qualification, all supporters at the match venue will also receive fun bMobile giveaways as well as other treats from KC Confectionery, SM Jaleel and Hand Arnold.
For those fans not yet having a ticket in hand, they can purchase those from 9am on Wednesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.