Trinidad and Tobago’s top English-based striker Kenwyne Jones says he’s not going to let comments by Sunderland manager Rick Sbragia over his recent fitness level be a judging factor pertaining to his showing for this country in its 2010 World Cup efforts.
“To me the session was maybe one of the better ones for us and I am pleased with the way things looked. Now the important part is execution because what happens in the 90 minutes tomorrow against Honduras matters the most to all of us,” Maturana told TTFF Media.
“Everyone must believe that we can get everything possible from this game. At home you are under pressure to get all the points but I think we need to use it to our advantage. We must play the game using everything to that we have in our hands and I think if we can minimize our mistakes and capitalize on our chances then we can be happy tomorrow night.”
Jones thinks T&T can pull it off and he wants at least four games from the next two matches.
“I think every game is vital at this point. There’s a decent spirit in the camp leading up to the match and hopefully we will be able to bring forward that energy in these two upcoming games,” Jones told TTFF Media on Friday.
“Just like everyone else when they read the story, I read it as well. IT seems that every time we seem to be going away from an international there is a story that a player might be tired or he’s carrying injuries. It’s been happening in the past and I don’t think it’s going to stop. I feel very good with myself and I feel strong and confident enough that coming into these two games I’ll be able to put forth all my energy into. I’m not worried about the comments.”
“We’re at home and we want to get three point. I think Honduras are very similar to the teams we have played in the past. We just need to focus on the way we play and the things that we need to get what we want from this game,” the ex-Southampton striker added.
“We have players to take up the mantle with Dwight and Chris missing. In training this week you can see that we have the talent and potential but it’s about maximizing all of it. At the end of the day, that’s the nature of the job as it relates to preparing for two crucial back to back matches. What would make us happy would be six points or even six but moreso we’re not going to lose any matches,” Jones concluded.
The last time these two teams met, which was a warm up encounter prior to the 2007 Concacaf Gold Cup, Honduras came from a goal down to win 3-1 at home. In the two previous World Cup qualifiers in the 2002 campaign, Honduras were 4-2 winner at the Hasely Crawford Stadium while a Stern John winner gave T&T a 1-0 victory on the road in the second encounter. Both teams also drew 1-1 in the 2005 Gold Cup in Miami.