I dont see a problem with us playing Belize.......can please trinis atall.........no game for 12 months, now we getting 3 games in 2 months and people vex.
They also qualified for the Gold Cup.
Precisely.
Wow, based on the responses, it seems that some have forgotten that T&T is ranked 71 and not likely to get major teams on a regular basis. What is important is they don't let FIFA dates go to waste. Can't please em all I guess.
FULLY AGREE!
Ranking isn't part of my objection. Heck, we played India the other day, and I didn't express a contrary view. If we were playing Vanuatu or Yemen this rounds, it would raise meh eyebrow but I wouldn't object on the basis that I'm objecting.
We have footage of complete UNCAF games (including Belize's ... I posted them a while back) ... maybe through this "venture" we get to test Belize versus what we can glean from the footage. If Corneal, Shabazz and Charles really paying attention, then ah doh have to remind them that they could
also source some looks from the WC qualifier that Belize played v. Montserrat on our soil at the Ato Boldon oh not so long ago.
Ah not asking for a major team ... that would be fanciful. I'm asking for a team
appropriate for our preparations.
I'm dubious about the wisdom of playing a fellow GC qualifier at
this juncture. Frankly, when I read "Belize", I thought ... hmmm, good opponent for our U23s. Also, equally good opportunity to scout them without sacrificing anything. I didn't believe we were thinking senior international game.
The happy revelation here is that FS suggests Belize is a default or accidental opponent. Less happy is that we wanted El Salvador
at this juncture. Wham we picking willy nilly?
Playing Peru in the two legs brought and brings a lot to the table. Although the invitation emanated from the Peruvians, I credit the TTFF for making it happen. (That arrangement came at a time when I had already looked into seeing Peru play Chile on 3/22 @ home and then ketch Chile v Uruguay on 3/26. If it comes down to it ... ah still ketching Chile v Uruguay over our return leg v Peru on the same date).
I think we all appreciate that we got more than a mere sweat from the Peru match. However, I'm not sold on the value of playing Belize.
There are other opponents that could provide the rigour in preparation that we seek without sacrificing actually playing a GC qualifier. Since someone sure to ask ... let me be specific.
In Central America, I would have gone with Guatemala. (They were undefeated during the group stages at the UNCAF but couldn't get out of the group in the Italian way ... 3 draws, 3 points; this includes a draw v. Costa Rica). They're also not involved in the Hex ... so at least on paper available.
From the island chain, I would suggest Martinique, the Dominican Republic or possibly Guadeloupe.
Ah really not trying to be difficult. Belize in the past has played Honduran club opposition to prepare for competition, lehwe not geh outsmarted please. And on that ... reminds me of something else regarding WC qualifications to come, not this tourney ... we could benefit from playing teams in the Ascenso (Mexican second division) ... play mirrors the look of Central American opponents that are not Mexico.