Sidebar

29
Fri, Mar

Typography
Needing maximum points to keep its hopes alive for a berth in the 2006 Germany World Cup finals, T&T Warriors go on an all-out offensive against Guatemala in a crucial CONCACAF qualifier at Hasely Crawford Stadium today.


The match, one of three in the group today, kicks off at 4.30pm.

In the other two matches today, front-runners Mexico (16 points) travels to Columbus Ohio to meet USA from 7.30pm, while Panama (two points) is at home to Costa Rica at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium, from 8pm.

Following yesterday’s final practice session coach Leo Beenhakker was still silent on his final 18-man, but called on his players to play a total game from the first whistle.

“Against the USA we started badly, but in the second-half we came out and gave a better showing of ourselves despite being a player short.

“But with Guatemala, we have to get it right from the first whistle and play for 90 minutes in order to get the result we want.

“We have to bring everything to the pitch in this match, but at the moment I don’t know how we are going to play.

“Just as in the USA match. we had some great practice sessions, but did not get our game right and I have explained to them time and time again the importance of the match.

Guatemala held a one-hour session before T&T’s session. The coaching staff was reluctant to speak to the media.

Key striker Carlos Ruiz said his team was expecting a very difficult match from T&T.

“We have seven points and four more matches to play where we must get two wins.

“It’s going to be difficult because T&T has a lot of experience players.”

Ruiz also said that he does not feel the hot conditions will affect his team.

“Back home the weather is somewhat like this, very hot at times and I think the guys are experienced enough to cope with it,” said the L.A Galaxy forward.

Guatemala(seven points) holds an 8-5-4 record from 1967 over T&T (four points), currently fifth.

But the last four encounters has had each team winning two matches.

The last time the Warriors hosted the Chapines in a World Cup qualifying match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium was on October 6, 1996, during the CONCACAF semifinal Group One on the road to France 1998. The score was one-all.

For coach Ramon Maradiaga, a debut for Guatemala at the global showpiece in Germany is the true measure of success, making today’s match a crucial test.

Ruiz added “T&T is our direct rivals in the finals qualifying race. The others are Costa Rica and Panama. We must forget about the USA and Mexico as they are well out of our reach.

“They are a very different team from the one we beat 5-1, they have a new coach, new players and have been playing good football as we saw against USA.”

The Guatemalans are coming off a courageous 2-1 win over Panama and with the region's third top-scorer in Carlos Ruiz in fine fettle , the Central Americans are not to be taken lightly.

One thing is certain is that Guatemala is not expected to have as easy a time as the 5-1 win at home in March, as 37-year-old midfield talisman Russel Latapy has rejoined the T&T fold.

The Falkirk-based “Little Magician” is expected to start in midfield with the express purpose of getting the ball to his old mate Dwight Yorke and Stern John up front, should the two start in tandem.

Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, who frustrated the USA in a 1-0 losing effort in their last match and has emerged as one of the best keepers in the region, is feeling confident despite T&T's paltry points tally of four from six matches.

The teams will have hardly a moment’s peace as they get going again four days later on September 7.

Mexico host Panama as T&T travel to Costa Rica and Guatemala welcome the USA.

T&T team to be chosen from: Dwight Yorke, Kelvin Jack, Shaka Hislop, Marvin Andrews, Ian Cox, Brent Sancho, David Atiba Charles, Avery John, Glenton Wolfe, Russell Latapy, Aurtis Whitley, Christopher Birchall, Carlos Edwards, Silvio Spann, Stern John, Anton Pierre, Jason Scotland, Scott Sealy, Cyd Gray and Densil Theobald.