Rival coaches Russell Latapy and Bob Bradley are eager to square off against each other as Trinidad and Tobago and the United States meet in a 2010 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round Qualifier today at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Both teams had training sessions at the match venue yesterday and they were each cautiously optimistic about their respective team chances today.
Latapy, when asked about the confidence within the TT team, after their 4-1 loss away to Honduras on Saturday, replied: “We know that we’re in a very difficult situation right now but we have to represent our country with pride and desire.
“We want to play to win the last three games that we have,” he added.
The 41-year-old Latapy refused to concede that the team’s prospects of qualification for next year’s World Cup in South Africa is over.
“Realistically it is very difficult now,” he admitted. “We’re in a situation (where) in order to qualify or get to the play-offs, we have to win our three games and we have to depend on the other results of the other teams.
Bradley, on the other hand, noted that a number of his players are one caution away from suspension. “We need guys to be disciplined and not pick up yellow cards,” noted the 51-year-old.
There was debate, within the American media, about the slow starts from their team in recent matches. “That has been something that we’ve had to deal with, in three of our qualifiers,” said Bradley.
“We’ve talked about concentration at the beginning of the game, finishing the game properly, good decisions, good energy and hopefully those are things we’ll have (today).”
He is also wary of the threat of TT striker Cornell Glen, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS. “When Cornell plays, you have to keep an eye on him. He’s fast, his movements are very good so he’s a dangerous striker.”