FORMER national player Brian Williams is encouraging the “Soca Warriors” to go for victory when they take on Guyana today in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Providence, Guyana.
The countries will meet again on Tuesday in their final match of the second round at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Guyana currently enjoy a one point lead over TT and will be keen on securing a berth in the next round of qualifiers on home soil today.
Speaking to Newsday, Williams called on the “Warriors” to go for the three points and seize the initiative going into the final match.
“In every football game a win is necessary. We can’t play for a draw; we shouldn’t want to reach in Trinidad to win. I don’t see us trying to play conservatively and give Guyana all that respect, we should go with a positive approach. No football game is the same; we could get the draw and then we don’t know what will happen in Trinidad,” he explained.
Although believing TT should attack their opponents, Williams acknowledged that the game will be a difficult one.
“I am optimistic of national football and so passionate about TT that I want them to do well. In reality, Guyana have been doing well and haven’t lost a game. It would be a great challenge. It’s going to be difficult playing in Guyana because they have been playing good and will have lots of support,” he pointed out.
The ex-“Strike Squad” defender believes there will be a match within the match between Guyana coach Jamal Shabazz and his TT opposite Otto Pfister.
Shabazz, a Trinidadian, has been involved in local football for several years and also coaches Pro League team, Caledonia AIA.
“Jamal knows almost every single player in Trinidad football. He knows the national team inside-out. That is a battle which will be between Pfister and Shabazz,” Williams pointed out.
Meanwhile, the former Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) ‘Coach of the Year’, believes the return of captain Kenwyne Jones, Carlos Edwards and Chris Birchall could tip the match in TT’s favour.
“I expect they would bring value to us. Playing away from home is always difficult and a loss is out of the question so having the trio back is a plus. It’s how we play them (would count) because I was not too comfortable in seeing Edwards playing position the last time,” he explained.