Brazilian-born midfielder Jose Luis Seabra will be aiming to demonstrate his value to this countrys senior football team when he makes his debut for the Soca Warriors in Fridays friendly international against Azerbaijan at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 6pm.
And while hes waited long for this day, the Vibe CT 105 W Connection playmaker is hoping to make good what will turn out to be an early birthday present as he turns 31 on Tuesday.
I dont think there are words that can describe my emotions now. Its a feeling I have never had before because I have never played for a national team. I want to thank the Government and everyone else who have helped me so far, Seabra told TTFF Media as he checked in with the rest of the T&T team at the Royal Palm Hotel, Maraval on Thursday.
Seabra, who will wear the number 10 shirt, knows that all eyes will be on him as coach Bertille St Clair is hoping he can add some sting and stability to the T&T line up. Of course a solid performance will increase his stakes as he awaits word on his application for T&T citizenship which will then allow him to represent this country in World Cup qualification. Having received his official residency last week, Seabra can now play for T&T in the Digicel Cup and friendly international matches.
It is important for me to perform well because people meet me in the road and say that they are expecting me to do well and now that I have the chance I am hoping I can add value to the team. But I am not worried, I will just play my normal game and it will be a big honour for me to play in the T&T shirt, Seabra added.
St Clair has also added Kansas City Wizards striker Scott Sealy to the final team which also includes Dallas FC forward Cornell Glen, Gary Glasgow and CL Financial San Juan Jablotehs Nigel Pierre. Skipper Angus Eve is also there with Derek King, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Marlon Rojas, Anthony Rougier, Denzil Theobald and Anton Pierre all hoping to make a good impression.
"We are very happy that Seabra has been given permanent residence and it means that he can now play for us in the Digicel Cup. Hopefully he will get his application for citizenship approved so he can play in the World Cup.I want to thank the Ministry for making it possible for him to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the regional level.We now need to take it one step further, St Clair said.
Also making his debut as assistant coach for T&T will be David Nakhid who arrived in the country on Thursday while FIFA Vice President Jack Warner also arrived from Brazil to witness Fridays match.
Looking ahead to the game which will be followed by a second friendly at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Sunday from 3:30pm, St Clair added Its another chance for us to see the players ahead of the USA match and a chance to implement some of the things we have been working on. I am sure too that the guys will be coming all out to raise their level of play because the home stretch towards February 9 starts from Fridays game. Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto Torres has promised a good contest.
Both teams are preparing for the World Cup and therefore we are here to play a good competitive game. We are a team that can give a good showing and I am sure the fans will like what they see, Torres said. Referee Ramesh Ramdhan will carry the whistle in the first of the two friendlies.
T&T Squad:
Daurance Williams (Jabloteh), Jan Michael Wiiliams (W Connection), Marlon Rojas (Joe Public), Derek King (Joe Public), Anton Pierre (Defence Force), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Cyd Gray (Jabloteh), Anthony Rougier (Nanjing Yo), Avery John (New England Revolution), Leslie Fitzpatrick (Atlanta Silverback), Angus Eve (Jabloteh), Jose Luis Seabra (W Connection), Michael Celestine (Jabloteh), Nigel Pierre (Jabloteh), Denzil Theobald (Arima Morvant Fire), Scott Sealey (Kansas City Wizards), Cornell Glen (Dallas FC), Gary Glasgow (Guangehou FC).
Azerbaijan Squad:
Rauf Mehdiyev (Garabagh), Mikayil Yusifov (MOIK), Rafail Amirbeyov and Rail Melikov (Baki), Samir Abbasov (Garabagh), Aftandil Hajiyev (Turan), Mahir Shukurov (Karvan), Ilgar Abdulrahmanov (Khazar-Lankaran), Aslan Karimov, Ismayil Mammadov and Agil Mammadov (Garabagh), Rashad Abdullayev (Khazar-Lankaran), Vasif Hagverdiyev (MKT-Araz), Nadir Nabiyev (Turan), Vugar Nadirov (Garabagh), Daniel Akhyanov (Inter).