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The “Soca Warriors” are preparing a hot welcome for the Nicaragua football team from 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday October 13) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, as coach Stephen Hart challenged his players to assert themselves.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Last Thursday, the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team managed their first win in Panama City in 10 years, after a 2-1 triumph courtesy of strikes by captain Kenwyne Jones and defender Radanfah Abu Bakr.
But Hart was not satisfied with his team’s performance and wants the Warriors to go up a gear or two in Port of Spain against another Central American opponent.
“I think it is important to establish your dominance at home, even if it means long periods with the ball,” Hart told Wired868. “I thought the Panama performance was extremely nervous. Yes, we created a lot of chances but I think it is important to establish some dominance on the ball and manage the game better.
“(Although we do not want to) lose what we have, which is quite an efficient counter attack.”
Pace, patience and spatial awareness are the watchwords then, as the Warriors enter their last dress rehearsal before their opening Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers away to Guatemala on November 13 and then at home to the United States on November 17.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
“It is not so much about being more offensive or defensive, it is about balance,” said Hart. “It is about recognising when you can do things and how you can fill the space going forward. And how you can fill the space going backwards or deny them the space as high up the pitch as possible…
“The general formula in a home and away series like the World Cup (qualifying series) is to take care of your business at home and try to pinch points on the road… “We (must) understand that (at home) we should try to be the team that dictates how and where the game is played and at what speed.”
Nicaragua, who are led by Costa Rican coach Henry Duarte and Austria-based captain and playmaker Juan Barrera, have won six of their eight outings this year including wins on the road against 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup finalists, Jamaica, and quarterfinalists, Cuba.
“Los Pinoleros” were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup qualifying series by Jamaica on goal difference. Hart is uncertain what frame of mind the Central American outfit will travel with but warned that they are a capable team.
“I watched the game versus Jamaica (and Nicaragua) are a neat, typical sort of Latin team,” said Hart. “They take a fair amount of risk and it will be interesting to see how they approach this game because it is a (very) different situation (to when) they went in Jamaica.”
(Copyright AFP 2014/Rich Schultz)
Incidentally, the Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua Football Associations have studiously ignored each other for decades. Official stats suggest that the two nations only met once in a senior international match.
Their sole clash came in 1967 at a forerunner to the current CONCACAF Gold Cup competition. Trinidad and Tobago, with Alvin Corneal in the squad, won 3-1 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, courtesy a Kelvin Berassa double and a solitary Gerry Brown strike.
The Warriors will aim to maintain their 100 percent record against Nicaragua then. But, naturally, Hart already has one eye on next month’s clash with Guatemala. And he is taking nothing for granted, despite Trinidad and Tobago’s 3-1 win over Guatemala at the July Gold Cup.
“(Playing) Guatemala in Guatemala is a different sort of animal altogether and historically it has been a difficult place to go and play,” said Hart. “It is almost impossible to recreate that sort of environment in an exhibition setting. But the (Central America) style of play on the field, we have to get familiar with.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s last win in Guatemala City came 26 years ago in 1989, when current goalkeeper coach Michael “Brow” Maurice kept a clean sheet, assistant coach Hutson “Barber” Charles started in midfield and spiky ball-winner Kerry Jamerson settled the game with a blast from outside the penalty box.
(Courtesy TTfootballhistory.com)
Since then, the boys from the “Land of the Hummingbird” have travelled to Guatemala four times and returned with one goalless draw and three heavy defeats, including a 5-1 loss in 2005 that led to Dutchman Leo Beenhakker being summoned to replace local coach Bertille St Clair in the Warriors’ unforgettable Germany 2006 World Cup campaign.
Jones and company are preparing to create their own history.
They cannot do it alone, though. Hart urged patriots to get behind the “Red, Black and White” tomorrow and warned that the Warriors cannot make it to Russia without support from the stands.
“I think it is important to have a lot of support (tomorrow),” said Hart. “Players need to feel loved, they need to feel wanted. And I think these players have not only sacrificed a lot but they have been showing a dedication to not only Trinidad and Tobago’s colours but (also) to what we have been trying to do.
“And that deserves a lot of support and a lot of push and positive energy. And we will need that right through the campaign—believe me.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
He credited the spirit of his squad and their resilience in overcoming the absence of playmaker Kevin Molino as well as midfielder Hughtun Hector and defender Carlyle Mitchell and Robert Primus.
“We have a group of players who will do anything that is asked, even if it is uncomfortable,” said Hart. “And for me that is very, very important. This is not a club team (so) we cannot go out and buy somebody.
“Look at big teams in the world (who lost) one or two players and (they) are in a disaster. Holland lost (Arjen) Robben, they are in trouble. Argentina lost one player, (Lionel) Messi, and they lost at home to Ecuador.
“We lost Molino, we haven’t had Hector, we haven’t had Carlyle Mitchell, we haven’t had Primus, who was a solid full back, and the other players have stepped in and done the job.
“For me, that shows a lot of quality in terms of dedication to the cause and that is very important for the building of a team.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The Trinidad and Tobago footballers aim to make another step towards becoming the slick, intelligent and aggressive outfit that Hart envisions. Against Nicaragua, Hart wants his Warriors to show who is the boss in Port of Spain.
(Trinidad and Tobago team)
Goalkeepers: 21.Jan-Michael Williams, 1.Marvin Phillip;
Defenders: 23.Daneil Cyrus, 4.Sheldon Bateau, 18.Yohance Marshall, 2.Aubrey David, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 17.Mekeil Williams;
Midfielders: 8.Khaleem Hyland, 14.Andre Boucaud, 19.Kevan George, 15.Neveal Hackshaw;
Attacking midfielders: 11.Trevin Caesar, 20.Keron Cummings, 3.Joevin Jones, 13.Aikim Andrews;
Forwards: 9.Kenwyne Jones, 7.Jonathan Glenn, 10.Willis Plaza.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Flow channel 99 should start airing pro league matches too!
they wont lol
Port of Pain? Sounds like the Parliament these days 🙂
I c in complete domination. 4 – 1 in favour of d S W
He sounds like he can take us to the promise land with the right support from the ppl at the top because he is doing great with wht he has
I think we have a very good chance under him but CONCACAF is also perhaps the toughest it has ever been… Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Panama & JA
Yes it is…. what we have to do is make our home games count because we are showing tht we can play with these teams
Yes. Everyone will take points from everyone now. So the teams with the best home records will advance.
Mexico has the Azteca, the US has all kinds of variety in the climates they can stick you in, Costa Rica has turf…
We need to create some sort of home advantage for our team.
So true Lasana Liburd tht where the country and the crowd support come in not only packing the stadium when we are almost there they have to come out from tomorrow
Let’s get to the hex first guys 🙂
Yeah but we need the support from now tho
Did Hart say anything about a replacement for Gavin Hoyte?
No replacement. He said he considered bringing in a full back but he has now been playing in central defence for his club.
He didn’t name player but I’m pretty sure it was Triston Hodge.
In any case, no additions for this game.
Lasana Liburd could be alvin jones as well
True James Saunders. I have a haunch though. And he will already be using his third right back in two games tomorrow.
Also he stopped using Alvin long before he started playing in central defence.
If anything, I think Alvin’s stock has risen in central defence. It is just that there is so much competition there.
And why not….we have to play like we’re boss!!!
i feel there will be lots of anxiety from the boys playing home!! after so much yrs now!!
hmmm!!! if only we can eh!!!