Latapy: Nothing for T&T to prove
National senior men's team head coach Russell Latapy yesterday said there was nothing to prove when Trinidad and Tobago take on keen Caribbean rivals Jamaica in the first of two friendly internationals on Wednesday.
Latapy yesterday named a 22-man squad to face the Reggae Boyz and told TTFF Media, "the only point we have to prove is to play to the best of our ability."
Included in his squad are several high performers from the T&T Pro League, including top marksmen Kerry Baptiste of Joe Public and the Defence Force duo of Devorn Jorsling and Kevon Carter.
Also in the mix will be the Puerto Rico Islanders pair of Kendall Jagdeosingh and Keon Daniel whose club enjoyed a triumph over MLS side La Galaxy in the Concacaf Champions League last week.
However, San Jose Earthquakes striker Cornell Glen will not be available for Wednesday's friendly because of last minute overseas commitments.
Glen, who was invited for the encounter last week, has indicated his willingness to accept further invitations for upcoming international friendlies once called up again.
Also missing will be midfielders Densill Theobald and Clyde Leon through injury but experienced Joe Public midfielder Trent Noel and teammate Hayden Tinto are in the squad alongside W Connection's Hughton Hector. Both Jorsling and Carter are enjoying good runs, having scored in the recent 4-1 win over Antigua/Barbuda last month, while Baptiste is coming off a fine opening item in Joe Public's 4-2 win over Costa Rica's Brujas FC last Wednesday.
T&T's back line includes Defence Force players Aklie Edwards and Keston Edwards as well as W Connection's Kern Cupid and Makan Hislop. Joe Public's Carlyle Mitchell has gotten a first time call for the new year from Latapy.
Like T&T, the Jamaicans—who also face Costa Rica in another friendly later this month—are preparing for the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup. They will arrive in Port of Spain this evening.
Both Latapy and Jamaican head coach Theodore Whitmore are widely regarded as two of the most decorated and recognised players to represent their respective countries and will be coming head to head for the first time since taking over the top coaching positions of their countries. For Latapy, it is just another element of what promises to be anintriguing clash between the region's top two teams.
"Like I said before, we haven't seen Jamaica in a while and I wanted to see where they are at the moment and I'm pretty sure they will be hoping to do the same. It's going to give us another idea of where we are at right now in preparations for the Digicel Cup," Latapy said.
Wednesday's evening of matches kicks off at 4pm with the T&T's women's Under-17 team meeting the T&T women's senior team, followed by a 6pm start for the feature match between the "Soca Warriors" and the Reggae Boyz". Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children and will be available on Wednesday at the venue.
