Jones arrives Monday for World Cup qualifiers.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Stoke City striker and National Team captain Kenwyne Jones is scheduled to arrive in Port of Spain on Monday afternoon to join the rest of the national team in preparation for Friday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda and Barbados (September 6)
Jones played the full 90 minutes in Stoke’s 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premiership on Sunday.
The ex-W Connection player has been named as captain of the team by head coach Otto Pfister and says he’s looking forward to the challenge of leading the “Soca Warriors” onwards on the journey to Brazil 2014.
“It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. We know what is ahead of us and what we need to accomplish on our way to the World Cup. No qualifying campaign is easy and in saying that I don’t expect any match to be easy. But we will maintain a level of focus that can see us advance in the tournament,” Jones told TTFF Media.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Anthony Warner arrived at midday on Sunday with Clyde Leon, Jake Thomson and Carlos Edwards expected in later in the evening along with US-based duo Keon Daniel and Julius James. Chris Birchall is scheduled in on Monday with Lester Peltier and Khaleem Hyland.
Meantime, Bermuda’s English-based striker Nahki Wells will join the Bermuda team for their training camp in Florida on Monday before the team arrives in Port of Spain on Wednesday.
Wells stated that he was still available for Friday’s game despite the resignation of Peter Jackson as manager of Bradford City.
“This (resignation) won’t allow me to miss any of Bermuda’s games, I have spoken with him and nothing will change from what was previously sorted out,” said Wells.
New Bermuda call up Kaymen Tucker said he would not be fazed by the likes of Jones and Carlos Edwards in the T&T line up.
“I’m not going off the names of their players or anything like that,” said the Dandy Town defender. “It’s a challenge but at the end of the day the game is played on the field. I’ll just go out there and stick to my own game, if I get out on the pitch.
I’m excited about being involved, especially with our first game against Trinidad which is going to be a tough one. Hopefully our boys will give a good showing of themselves. I think we could go down there and nick a point, maybe even three.”
