National football coach Bertille St Clair is not in the least scared of Mexico when the “Soca Warriors” take on the CONCACAF ‘giants” in a Group “C” World Cup qualifying match tomorrow at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Amidst two unimpressive performances against lowly-ranked St Vincent and the Grenadines (2-0) and St Kitts/Nevis (2-1), T&T will take on the Mexicans, who have not played in a single match in the group to date.
Their first against St Kitts/Nevis was postponed because of their engagement in the Athens Olympics and the second against St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday was put off because of a storm-watch.
The Mexicans, also called the “Tricolores”, were expected to arrive here last night aboard a chartered flight.
The world’s eight-ranked team will be staying at the Trinidad Hilton.
“We know that Mexico is one of the top teams in the world,” said St Clair yesterday, before conducting a training session at the national stadium.
“But what is happening these days is that the gaps are getting closer and closer. Therefore, we have an equal chance as them (Mexico).”
Taking into consideration the slim win over the determined St Kitts/Nevis outfit on Saturday, St Clair added: “It is important that we understand the importance of the game on Wednesday.”
Asked if he is concerned that his team is not getting the ball in the net regularly, St Clair said, “If you score one goal you get three points. And, if you score nine you will also get the same three points.”
The Tobagonian who was brought back to coach the national side after being sacked after the 2000 Gold Cup in the United States feels that the determination showed by his players in the second-half on Saturday gave an indication that the team is building in confidence.
“What it shows is the sort of confidence the T&T players have started to generate. Long ago they would have bent their ears. Now we could fight to the end. And that is important. No game is lost until the last whistle.”
St Clair hinted that there may be some changes to the T&T team.
“We got the desired three points in St Kitts, but it’s a different game against the Mexicans and we may need to make some adjustments to suit.
“Definitely if there were players who were not up to par in the last game, then there is a cause for change, but we will be working on getting things in order for Wednesday’s game.”
Skipper Angus Eve is back in the squad but is well aware that his place in the starting 11 is not guaranteed.
Also expected back from China last night is utility player Anthony Rougier who is to link up with the rest of the team which returned home on Sunday night from Basseterre.
The rest of the team will be spearheaded by Stern John, Glasgow Rangers defender Marvin Andrews, Dundee defender Brent Sancho who received five stitches to a cut above the eye against St Kitts, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, Wrexham’s Dennis Lawrence, Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim, Peterborough midfielder Andre Boucaud, China-based playmaker Arnold Dwarika, Southampton defender Kenwyne Jones, striker Jason Scotland, Cornell Glen and Errol McFarlane with Crewe Alexandra’s Clayton Ince as the back up goalie.
The local-based players in the team are Angus Eve, Denzil Theobald, Marlon Rojas, Silvio Spann and Derek King.
“Hopefully, we’ll get Angus (Eve) and Tony (Rougier) back into the team which will put a little more experience into the midfield,” stated St Clair. “I thought the two inexperienced young guys Boucaud and Rahim handled it fairly well in midfield, especially in the second half,” St Clair pointed out. “I believe all we need to do is to keep our feet on the ground and keep fighting on,” he ended.
Trinidad & Tobago:
Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Angus Eve (Jabloteh), Marlon Rojas (Joe Public), Marvin Andrews (Rangers), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Andre Boucaud (Peterborough), Cornell Glen (MetroStars), Arnold Dwarika (Beijing Guoan), Brent Rahim (Falkirk), Stern John (Birmingham City), Errol McFarlane (Al Nejmeh), Denzil Theobald (Arima Morvant Fire), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Kenwyne Jones (Southhamton), Anthony Rougier (Un-attached), Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexandra), Derek King (Joe Public), Jason Scotland (Dundee United), Silvio Spann (W Connection).
Mexico:
Moisis Munoz (Morelia), Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara), Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara), Hugo Sanchez (Tigres), Javier Rodriguez (Guadalajara), Hector Altamirano (Santos), Salvador Carmona (Guadalajara), Ismael Rodriguez (Monterrey), Gonzalo Pineda (U.N.A.M.), Mario Perez (America), Pavel Pardo (America), Israel Lopez (Toluca), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Luis Ernesto Perez (Guadalajara), Jose de Jesus Arellano (Monterrey), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara),Sergio Santana (Pachuca), Jared Borgetti (Dorados), Daniel Osorno (Atlas).