Warriors expecting tough battle from Finland.
By Kern De Freitas (Express).
For Trinidad and Tobago, today's friendly international against Finland from 5 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium should give some indication of what their short-term future will hold.
A new-look T&T squad will face the Scandinavians in their first outing since this country crashed out of 2014 World Cup qualifying in the first round in November, after away losses to Bermuda and Guyana.
For now, there are only questions about the future of Trinidad and Tobago football following disastrous performances on the field and numerous scandals and controversies off it. But interim coach Hutson Charles' men, also guided by Angus Eve, have a long way to go to renew public confidence in the "Soca Warriors".
The youthful T&T squad, which also has its fair share of experience, is a blend of previous senior national players infused with Under-23 players and Pro League talent. They will be led on the field by new captain, T&TEC goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
Promising midfielder Kevin Molino will join the more experienced Clyde Leon, Hayden Tinto and Caledonia AIA marksman Devorn Jorsling on the team.
Charles has already hinted at a no-nonsense, hard-working approach with T&T's own soca-style flair and their few training sessions have already shown some encouraging signs. But today will be a test of the mettle and potential of a squad named less than two weeks ago.
Phillips is expecting a tough match from the visitors.
"Finland are here because they want to get a result and they would not have travelled this far if they were not looking to play a good game and be serious about it," Phillip told TTFF media officer Shaun Fuentes at yesterday's training session at the match venue.
According to Phillip, who has 36 international caps, the Trinidad and Tobago players are motivated for the match despite being out of World Cup qualifying. The upcoming Caribbean Football Union Digicel Cup campaign later this year is their first major target and they are also hoping to win some favour with the home crowd.
"I think the boys know that a good result will help in winning back some confidence from the public," the 27-year-old custodian said. "It will also go a long way in helping with our preparations for tournaments like the (Digicel) Caribbean Cup and the (CONCACAF) Gold Cup. We have a lot of work to do to get back our respect but a good game on Sunday will assist us in getting there."
On the other side of the field, Finland are looking to get a good "workout" from the T&T fixture before they head to Austria for another series of friendlies.
"We have come here to get a good match in and of course we'd like to win the game," said Finnish coach Mixu Paatelainen, who is a former teammate of ex-T&T coach Russell Latapy at Scottish club Hibernian.
"I expect the match to be a good, competitive one. We have a lot of young players in our team and so does Trinidad but we are here on business which is to be serious in our preparation and to give a good account in the game," the former Finland striker added.
Given T&T's recent woes, the head-to-head profile between the teams may count for little in predicting today's result.
In five matches, all played in T&T, the teams have won two each and drawn the other. The latest was a 2-1 Finland win at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in 2003.
Still, a confident showing by Trinidad and Tobago may just go a long way towards convincing fans that T&T football does, at least, have some hope going forward.
T&T squad:
Marvin Phillip, Akeem Adams (T&TEC), Andre Marchan, Seon Power, Kendall Jagdeosingh (North East Stars), Joevin Jones, Leslie Russell, Mekeil Williams, Clyde Leon (W Connection), Ataullah Guerra, Devorn Jorsling, Aquil Selby (Caledonia AIA), Jean Luc Rochford (1st Santa Rosa FC), Hayden Tinto (Joe Public), Kevin Molino (Orlando City), Willis Plaza (San Juan Jabloteh), Richard Roy, Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Sean De Silva (College of Charleston), Keon Boucher (St Clair Coaching School).
