Final tune-up for T&T.
By Nigel Simon (Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors will be looking to secure a second straight win against Cenral American opponents, when they host Nicaragua at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7pm tonight.
It will be the final tune-up for the 59th ranked Soca Warriors ahead of their start to their 2018 Concacaf semifinal round World Cup qualifying campaign on November away to Guatamela, which will be followed by a home tie versus USA, four days later. St Vincent and The Grenadines is the other team in T&T's pool from which the top two will advance to the hexagonal Concacaf Final Round World Cup qualifiers to Russia.
But before coach Stephen Hart can focus on Guatemala, he will have his eyes on another victory in their first match on home soil, since a 1-0 loss to Panama back on March 27, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Speaking last night ahead of today's encounter, Hart was very eager to see how his team performs following the positive result with Panama. “We are coming off a positive result, but sometimes when you get a positive result, there is a tendency to believe that everything is okay and I am challenging the players to do better in this game in terms of how they manage the game and how they possess the ball and to be a little bit cleaner in that respect.”
With this being the final tune ahead of next month's start to another World Cup campaign the T&T coach he will continue to do some experimenting with his squad. Hart said a couple of players who did not start the last match will get in for this game.
While admitting that Guatemala will be a different opposition, Hart was quick to point out that the match against the Nicaraguans is still an important exercise.
“Guatemala in Guatemala is a different sort of animal and historically it has been a difficult place to play, and that sort of environment cannot be recreated in a friendly, but the style of play on the field is what we need to get familiar with that's why we choose these games, even though these matches sort of fell in our laps, but it has worked out for us.”
Hart believes it is important to have a lot of support tonight. “Players need to feel love, and they need to feel wanted. I think these players have not only sacrificed a lot, they have been showing a dedication not only towards T&T colours, but a dedication towards what we have been trying to do and that deserves a lot of support, a lot of push and a lot of positive energy and we will need that right through the campaign” stated Hart.
Hart also expressed his satisfaction with the mood and vibes in the team saying, “Right now we have a group of players that will do anything when asked even if its uncomfortable and for me that is very important.”
Soca Warriors
Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC)
Defenders: Daneil Cyrus (Chicago Fire), Mekeil Williams (Antigua FC), Yohance Marshall (Murcielago), Abrey David (Shaktar Karagandy), Radanfah Abu Bakr (HB Hoge), Sheldon Bateau (FC Krylia Sovetov), Aikim Andrews (W Connection)
Midfielders: Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire), Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Khaleem Hyland (KVC Westerlo), Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge), Keron Cummings (North East Stars), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars), Willis Plaza (Central FC)
Forwards: Trevin Caesar (Austin Aztex), Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City), Jonathan Glen (Breioablik).
Nicaragua:
Goalkeepers: Justo Lorente, Dierich Tellez, Mauricio Sanchez.
Defenders: Luis Copete, Axel Silva, Oscar Lopez, Cristian Gutierrez, Manuel Rosas, Josue Quijano, Jessie Lopez, Alejandro Tapia.
Midfielders: Marlon Lopez, Carlos Membreno, Franklin Lopez, Luis Peralta, Brayan Garcia, Norlan Cuadra, Carlos Chavarria, Elvis Figueroa, Eulises Pavon, Juan Barrera, Luis Galeano.
Forwards: Daniel Reyes, Erick Lazo, Raul Leguias, Norfran Lazo.
