he get tie up with the opening line....
Ian Prescott
Trinidad Express
YOU have to go back almost 19 years to find the only time Costa Rica took a point off Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup qualifier in San Jose.
Veteran midfielder Russell Latapy, the oldest player in the T&T squad at age 37, was just starting his senior team career as an 18-year-old when the teams drew 1-1 on January 20, 1986. However, tonight at 10 o'clock (T&T time), the Warriors throw caution to the wind and try to not just beat Costa Rica, but to do it on an artificial surface as well.
Trinidad and Tobago have a dismal record against Costa Rica, beating them just twice in 17 meetings, both coming at the CONCACAF Gold Cup (in 1996 & 2000).
The one thing the Warriors have in their favour is recent performances-their last two matches having ended in draws.
Coach Leo Beenhakker has made no bones about the fact that he wants to win. But facing reality yesterday, it was apparent to many of the T&T technical staff that a draw will be an excellent result.
The Costa Ricans have more than made full advantage of playing at home, from using an artificial surface which Trinidad and Tobago are unaccustomed to, to the deliberate choice of bypassing the Costa Rica National Stadium and instead playing the game at the very small Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, located just outside the capital in Tibas.
Everything the Costa Ricans have done is meant to give their team a chance to win. They want to book their World Cup place with a victory tonight which will take them to an almost uncatchable 13 points for the third qualifying spot available to CONCACAF.
Had there been suspicious minds around the Warriors, one might even think there was a conspiracy brewing.
The Warriors arrived in Costa Rica just after seven o'clock on Monday night to find out they had to change hotels after the Costa Rican national team had already booked the Melia Caliari. Warriors assistant manager George Joseph, who arrived ahead of the team, quickly made reservations at the Coribici instead.
And after a first look, one quickly realised that the choice of the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium was no accident. The ground belongs to the Saprissa club and looks more like a training pitch. Yes, the artificial surface is smooth, but imagine playing international football on a ground as small as the Marvin Lee Stadium, with an intimidating crowd hovering ridiculously close to the pitch.
The Warriors are not even sure what type of visibility the lights atop the Saprissa will give tonight. Added to that, there is a very strong breeze which could well serve to keep the team running opposite to it pinned in their half. Trinidad and Tobago's Dutch coach Beenhakker was obviously concerned by the size of the ground and the kind of pressure the slick-passing Costa Ricans may put on his Warriors.
Should Trinidad and Tobago resort to the long ball, it is unlikely to work. There is simply no where to go on this tight ground if you do not play neat, quick passes.
It was those factors which were partly responsible for the Saprissa club seeing off Brazilians Santos by a 3-0 margin on June 25.
T&T defender Brent Sancho was among the first to enquire whether Costa Rica always played on that ground and commented that is is about time Trinidad and Tobago start playing teams at the Marvin Lee "quarry" when they have home games.
Yesterday, Beenhakker was drilling his team in playing quickly and freeing up the flanks for the likes of Carlos Edwards. He knew exactly what he wanted tonight.
"You play two touches. Two touches and you open up the game," the Dutchman instructed his players.
When winger Edwards ran onto a brilliant pass from veteran midfielder Russell Latapy, but played about three touches, Beenhakker was livid. "You get two chances in 90 minutes in a game like this. Finish. Kill it! Kill it!" Beenhakker screamed.
Finally, after an hour or so, he was satisfied he had done enough and instructed his Warriors to take ten minutes more to do what ever they wanted to work on.
Most, including captain Dwight Yorke, Jason Scotland, Scott Sealy and Stern John, opted for shooting practice against goalkeeper Kelvin Jack mainly and also Shaka Hislop. Nine defenders, including possible starter Glenton Wolfe, worked hard on their defending with assistant coach Theo De Jong. All indications are they are in for a tough night, but they trained yesterday like they are not planning to give in easily.
