T&T will be looking to advance to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup for the third time in the history of the competition when it faces off with Caribbean rival Cuba at the University of Phoenix Stadium from 3.30 pm (6.30 pm local time) today.
Cuba has problems of its own, as aside from conceding six in its first match, it was without six players with another player, Keiler Garcia defecting in Chicago. Also missing at their last match was head coach Raul Gonzalez due to travel issues. Hart wants T&T to take nothing for granted against the Cubans which they drew with 0-0 at the 2014 Caribbean Cup and also lost 1-0 to in the final in 2012.
T&T has lost to Caribbean opponents at the Gold Cup in 2002 and 2013. Under Rene Simoes, after drawing with World Cup bound Costa Rica 1-1 in the opening match on a Stern John last minute penalty, T&T then lost to Martinique 1-0 to be sent packing. And in 2013, Haiti were 2-0 winners in Miami before T&T bounced back to defeat Honduras 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
“I don’t worry about tradition. It is a matter of different game, different time and different environment and what we have to do is improve on the things that we did well and cut down on the number of errors we made in crucial parts of the field,” Hart said after a training session at Arizona State University yesterday morning.
“A win is the motive for every game. You don’t play otherwise but yes it would help us because this is a very quick turn around before the game tomorrow. “Traditionally our second game after a win, we have a tendency to lose focus and concentration. Nothing comes easy in a tournament. In a tournament environment anything can happen. I keep trying to remind them about that. They have to play this next game as if it’s a final because this game guarantees you going to the knockout stage and that’s where everyone wants to be.”
It’s expected to be around 40 degrees celsius in Phoenix today but the T&T head coach says T&T will handle it. “Both teams will be accustomed to the conditions even though it’s that hot over here but we’ll get on with it. We have no excuses.” Hart is also eyeing what could be a record of some sorts in his fifth Concacaf Gold Cup as a head coach. He’s taken Canada to two quarterfinals and a semi-final, also guiding T&T to the quarterfinals in 2013.
“The main focus is the team at the moment. With everything that been happening, I think it will be a boost for us and that’s our focus at the moment,” he said.
Skipper Jones will be looking to push his teammates towards another win. “It’s important for us to get another good result and book our place in the next stage. I think at the moment we know what it will take and come game time we will take the game on its own merit and do what is required of us,” Jones said.
Hart will have all 23 players at his disposal with no injuries to report. Four players are on yellow cards including Andre Boucaud, Khaleem Hyland, Daneil Cyrus and Radanfah Abu Bakr from the first match. Local fans can view the match live on Fox Soccer 2.
VIDEO: - WARRIORS PREPARE FOR CUBA... HEAD COACH HART WANTS OUTRIGHT WIN