Pfister's first game could be vs Central American opposition.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Trinidad and Tobago’s men senior team is likely to be in action on August 10, the next FIFA international date against CONCACAF opposition.
Otto Pfister’s team had been in talks over a friendly match against European opposition Armenia but that has not materialized and the TTFF is now awaiting feedback from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
An approach was also made to Canada but the one time Gold Cup champions through head coach Stephen Hart have since said they are unavailable while Jamaica is a possible opponent but outside of the FIFA window.
“We have some oppositions from CONCACAF that we have approached and we are currently awaiting feedback from them regarding the next FIFA date on August 10,” Technical adviser Keith Look Loy told TTFF Media.
Pfister has met with some of T&T’s European-based players over the past couple weeks including Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones. So far, Khaleem Hyland, Lester Peltier, Darryl Roberts, Carlos Edwards, Collin Samuel and Jason Scotland have been part of the training sessions at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Striker Stern John has also been part of Pfister’s sessions as he continues to work on his fitness and is currently in talks leading towards a new deal ahead of the coming season.
English-based trio Andre Boucaud, Jake Thomson and Jlloyd Samuel were excused from turning up for the training session this month due to personal reasons while Samuel is likely to complete a new transfer.
Through an English-based agent, talks have also been held with Justin Hoyte and Anthony Warner who already has one cap for T&T.
Edwards who has been part of Pfister’s sessions recently, has responded well to the German’s way so far.
“It’s been good since I’ve been back with the boys. Obviously it was the first time for me working under the new head coach but I’ve done this before and it’s been a smooth process.
He has his philosophy and way of doing things the way he sees it and it seems to me that he definitely has good intentions and wants to see us back among the top three or four teams in CONCACAF,” Edwards told TTFF Media.
“He hasn’t allowed any distractions to affect his focus or the sessions. He’s been to the Gold Cup so he knows what to expect from our other opponents. I personally have enjoyed the sessions and so far things are looking good.
We are in a bit of a tight position because we didn’t make it to the Gold Cup and we haven’t played a game in six months or so but obviously we’re looking forward to the next match possibly in August and we’ll get kicking again from there heading into the qualifiers for 2014,” Edwards added.
