National team coach Leo Beenhakker says that he knows little about the Slovenia team this country will face in Wednesday’s friendly international in Celje but he is rather focused on what his “Soca Warriors” will offer as the team continues it’s build up to the 2006 World Cup.
Beenhakker was speaking on the eve of the encounter which will kick off at 8:15pm (2:15pm TT time) and the Arena Petrol in Celje,Slovenia and will see Dwight Yorke and his men coming up against a team of seemingly more established players as head coach Branko Oblak has selected the likes of Bayern Munich midfielder Borut Semler, Dalibor Stevanovic of Spanish side Real Sociedad and Lazio goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Playmaker Milenko Acimovic of French club Lille is also expected to be involved as he returns from a broken ankle injury. The majority of their squad comprises of players campaigning in Germany, Norway and Cyprus.
The Slovenians who qualified for the 2002 World Cup, finished fourth in their 2006 qualifying group behind Italy, Norway and Scotland but they had some favourable results in a 1-0 win over Italy and 3-0 shut out of Moldova.
“I don’t know too much about them at this stage but right now we are more focused on how we have to play and we will play our own game against them,” Beenhakker told TTFF Media on Tuesday. “This is another part of our preparations and as we get closer to the start, our preparations will go more in relation to our first game against Sweden and we will look at different things as it relates to us. I am sure they will be looking forward to the game just as much but our main focus is how we play our game,” he added.
Captain Yorke said he expects a stiff contest which was just what his team needed at this point.
“I feel they will have some skillful players and they will be quick. They will be eager to do against a team like us and so it should be a good game,” he said. “Obviously both federations made it possible for this game to be played because 20 years ago or so you would not have imagined this game will be played.”
The good news for T&T is that West Ham United goalie Shaka Hislop is available for action after missing the recent outing versus Wales and LA Galaxy forward Cornell Glen is also in contention for selection. However, there is some doubt over Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones due to some soreness in the ankle. His situation is not a major concern though and he will resume training after Wednesday’s game and will be available for Saturday’s affair with Czech Republic in Prague.
On Tuesday, the T&T team spent another day out under wet conditions as the rain fell continuously at a temperature averaging around six degrees. But team chef Cecil Wint had just the right idea on how to warm things up at the Hotel IM Park as he prepared a finger licking curry dish for dinner which was undoubtedly some compensation for the “Soca Warriors” being away from home on the celebration of Indian Arrival Day.
With assistant coach Anton Corneal away scouting the England versus Hungry match in Manchester, the rest of the contingent will remain for most of Wednesday at hotel before making the journey by bus to Celje in time for the encounter which will be shown live in NCC Channel 4.
T&T 23-man World Cup squad
Goalkeepers - Kelvin Jack (Unattached), Shaka Hislop (West Ham United), Clayton Ince (Coventry City)
Defenders - Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham) Cyd Gray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Avery John (New England Revolution)
Midfielders - Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Aurtis Whitley (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Evans Wise(Waldhof Mannheim), Anthony Wolfe (Jabloteh), Densill Theobald (Falkirk), Carlos Edwards (Luton Town), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Russell Latapy (Falkirk),
Forwards - Stern John (Coventry City), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton FC), Collin Samuel (Dundee United), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy).
Slovenia Squad
Goalkeepers - Handanovič Samir (Lazio (ITA), Mavrič Borut ( Greuther Furth (GER)
Defenders - Cipot Fabijan (Nafta), Ilič Branko (Domžale), Jokić Bojan (ND Gorica), Kokot Aleš (Greuther Furth (GER), Mavrič Matej (Molde (NOR), Zavrl Janez (SK Brann (NOR)
Midfielder - Ačimovič Milenko (Lille (FRA), Brečko Mišo (Hansa Rostock (GER), Čeh Nastja FK Austria Wien (AUT), Komac Andrej (ND Gorica), Koren Robert (Lillestrom SK (NOR), Semler Borut Bayern Munich (GER), Stevanović Dalibor (Real Sociedad (ESP), Šukalo Goran (Alemannia Aachen (GER), Žlogar Anton, Enosis Neon ( Paralimni FC (CYP).
Forwards - Birsa Valter (ND Gorica), Lavrič Klemen (MSV Duisburg (GER), Ljubijankič Zlatan (Domžale), Novakovič Milivoje (Litex Lovech (BUL).
(Shaun Fuentes in Bad Radkersburg, May 30, 2006)
