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The Soca Warriors are desperate to get hex-ed.
Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart today selected his 24-man squad to tackle Guatemala and the United States in two pivotal Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers on 2 and 6 September respectively.
The Warriors, who currently sit atop Group C with ten points, only need a draw against Guatemala in Port of Spain to advance to the final six-team hexagonal stage. And Hart said he is determined to get the job done at the Hasely Crawford Stadium to avoid a must-win scenario against the US in Jacksonville, four days later.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“If we get in the Hex I’m satisfied, that’s all I care about at the moment,” said Hart, at a press conference in the TTFA’s headquarters. “Both Guatemala and the United States have a better set-up in that both teams will be playing their final games at home. But Guatemala knows very well that this is a game where they have to come and get the result and they are going to come and fight for that result.
“We have to be aware of that ourselves.”
Trinidad and Tobago, who are currently ranked 68th in the FIFA rankings, enjoyed success against the 82nd ranked Guatemalans last year as they prevailed 3-1 in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match in July, before coming away with a 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory in Guatemala City in November.
And Hart, who has all his goal scorers from those outings—Sheldon Bateau, Cordell Cato, Joevin Jones, Khaleem Hyland and Kenwyne Jones—within his squad, is hoping that his players can rekindle their fire after a six-month break from qualifying action.
“International football is very, very difficult to maintain levels of consistency,” said Hart. “The last time we played with this squad was March so we are going into a game in September where a number of players have only played a few games.
The “Soca Warriors” won their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier 2-1 in Guatemala City on 13 November 2015.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“And then we have more than half the squad that has played many games, so it’s important that I get the balance right and players find their feet within the squad and we get a good result from the game.”
One of the players who will be eager to wet his feet in the two upcoming qualifiers is England-born midfielder John Bostock.
The former England Under-17 captain, who recently transferred to French Ligue 2 outfit Racing Club de Lens, is enduring an agonising wait to represent the “Red, White and Black”. But with FIFA expected to give the final ruling on his eligibility in a few days time, the wait could soon be over for the stylish-looking central midfielder.
“There has been ongoing dialogue between the [Trinidad and Tobago Football Association] president David John-Williams and FIFA,” said Hart, “and the president has been persistent in his push to get this situation verified and we are almost 100 percent sure that the situation should be resolved by Monday.
“People who were involved in FIFA suffered a setback because people were on vacation or whatever but all the documentation and dialogue has been ongoing for about four weeks now.”
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Bostock was also named in the Warriors squad for a pair of qualifiers in March, but was unable to play due to an error in the TTFA’s application for his change of nationality. Hopefully, the TTFA can get the green light on this occasion.
“The situation from all indications is that it is supposed to be resolved by Monday,” said Hart. “And if I had waited till Monday then it would mean that John will not be in a situation where he can train or be part of the team.
“If it works out in the negative I have no control over that [as] I would have to work with my squad. That’s kinda the reason I went with 24 [players].”
While Bostock may have some nerves on his journey from France, Louisville City FC goalkeeper Gregory Ranjitsingh will be overjoyed at his first international senior team call-up.
The Canada-born goalkeeper previously represented T&T’s National Under-20 Team and has emerged as Louisville’s number one choice between the sticks in the United Soccer League (USL).
“I have had [Ranjitsingh] scouted quite extensively and he has been having a very consistent season,” Hart said. “I thought it would be an opportunity for him to come in to work with [goalkeeper coach] Michael Maurice and, of course, to push for selection in the squad.”
Ranjitsingh will vie for a starting spot with Police FC’s Adrian Foncette and Morvant Caledonia’s Marvin Phillip. The latter has deputised for the injured Jan-Michael Williams in the last two World Cup qualifiers against St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I anticipated the situation with Jan-Michael. He’s still in his recovery mode,” Hart said. “He has said to me that he thinks he’s a 100 percent but he has not played any football for a very, very long time and it was one of the most difficult decisions to not include him in the squad…
“Experience goes a long way but at the end of the day you need to be sharp like anybody else. And you know with goalkeepers it’s a difficult situation when you are not really playing consistently, and coming off of an injury that has not been tested.
“So I had to weigh all these factors in.”
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Ranjitsingh, according to Louisville City’s website, is the first player from the USL club to receive a senior international call-up.
“I’ve been working toward this my whole life, training and trying to improve myself,” Ranjitsingh told the Louisville City website. “On my birth certificate it doesn’t say it, but I grew up in a Trinidad house. That was the culture—the food, everything—and it’s so close to my heart.
“It’s great to be able to represent the country.”
Hart kept the majority of his squad that faced SVG with just Justin Hoyte, Willis Plaza and Sean De Silva failing to make the final cut. Both Hoyte and Plaza are currently unattached, while De Silva misses out despite being involved in CONCACAF Champions League action with Central FC.
“Justin unfortunately was on the verge of signing a contract with Kilmarnock, and from all indications the club wanted him to retire from international football before the contract was signed and he refused to do so. And he’s in search of a club…”
Gaining recalls to the Russia 2018 campaign were Kevan George, Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr and winger Cordell Cato, who was sidelined for a few months with a hamstring injury.
(Courtesy Jackson Armada FC)
“I’ve always been impressed with Cato, he’s one of those players who gives you everything,” Hart said. “He has come back from injury in a new position [at full back] and has adapted quite well. So once he’s fit, I see him as being an integral part of this squad.”
An experimental Trinidad and Tobago team conceded 11 goals on a three-match tour against Peru, Uruguay and China, three months ago. But Hart hopes his full-strength Warriors regain their focus and commitment quickly at their training camp, which starts on Monday.
Hart warned fans that they should come to the Hasely Crawford expecting to see a battle and not dazzling football.
“I don’t anticipate this game to be pretty at all,” said the Warriors coach.
The Guatemala fixture kicks off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain from 7pm. Gates will open at the venue from 4pm.
Tickets cost TT$300 (Covered Section) and TT$150 (Uncovered Section) and are available, through Sun Tixx, at any of the National Lotteries Control Board’s (NLCB) 900 Lotto outlets nationwide.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
(Trinidad and Tobago squad)
Goalkeepers: Greg Ranjitsingh (Louisville City FC—US), Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Adrian Foncette (Police);
Defenders: Aubrey David (FC Dallas—US), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Radanfah Abu Bakr (JK Silame Kalev—Estonia), Sheldon Bateau (KC Krylia Sovetov—Russia), Yohance Marshall (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Mekeil Williams (Colorado Rapids—USA), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E Land—Korea Republic);
Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (KV Westerlo—Belgium), Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Neveal Hackshaw (Charleston Battery—USA), Kevan George (Jackson Armada FC—US), John Bostock (RC Lens—France);
Attacking Midfielders: Levi Garcia (AZ Alkmaar—Netherlands), Jomal Williams (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Kevin Molino (Orlando City—US), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—US), Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders—US);
From left are Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Joevin Jones, Kevan George, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Mekeil Williams.
(Copyright AFP 2015/Johan Ordonez)
Forwards: Shahdon Winchester (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Kenwyne Jones (Central FC), Trevin Caesar (Orange County Blues—US).
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Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary’s College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.
How could Kilmarnock ask Hoyte to resign ?
I thought once you active as a player, and called up you’re obligated to attend, or face a penalty.
That’s why they asked him before they signed him. Because they knew they wouldn’t be able to stop him.
At one point, Zlatan was considering playing in the Rio Olympics but changed his mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jose had a word.
I don’t understand Kilmarnock, but don’t bother
They are probably just thinking of wear and tear on his aging body.
Most club managers don’t care for your international games unless it helps them in some way. Like it raises your market value or the club’s visibility.
They will think at his age and playing for Trinidad it will do neither.
Man City had rows with Kompany last season over his international career. And it can easily become a problem for Pep and Yaya too.
Yeah. But I saying retired or not, once he’s active Hart can call him up, whether he retires or not.
So them asking him to retire makes not much sense, unless Hart really don’t want Hoyte anymore.
He is not active. The club refused to sign him because he would not promise to retire. So he is still a free agent.
I meant if they signed him Lasana, lol.
Yep. And that’s why they didn’t
My main concern is the preparation we had not had any friendlies resently
I personally believe he can do the job if he can keep him self an the team forcuss the biggest problems here are the detractors . An he has to be carefull
We should really just forget the USA game. It is irrelevant. If we lose to Guatemala then we need to beat USA in the USA to knock them out of the hex. That just will not happen. So it is at least a draw against Guatemala to go through otherwise we out or hoping for a miracle from St Vincent.
On another note. Sean deserves to be in the side. Period. Most assists in the local league last year and experience at u-18 World cup etc. Anyways hopefully he will get his chance in the hex.
Could never forget…
That song brings back good memories of the $600 bet I won on that T&T vs U.S. game.
Less talk or better no talk only action
Not a fan of this “all we need is a draw” thing at all. First time i heard that, the match ended with me in tears.
On another note, just wanna say “great idea” to whoever decided to go the lotto booth route for ticket sales.
The Strike Squad made you cry?
Bawl. Had to leave the room.
Oh oh. Well hopefully you get a better ending this time around.
I agree….always play for a win!
Who DIDN’T cry for the Strike Squad? Strangers were hugging up and chipping down the road in tears?
We all did…even my mom who didnt know a thing about football at the time..
The Strike Squad never tried to play for a draw though. And the current Soca Warriors really are at their best when they are defending. Times have changed.
I’d fancy our chances to play for a draw these days.
The man sound like he agonize about cutting Sean yes…lol…
Lol. Well, Kenwyne said after that game that Sean had Zika. Which might explain why he was so poor in that Champions League game the other day.
They should drop KJ for that response
???
The Express headlined their story on the new Ligue 2 recruit “Awaiting Bostock.” I read this story and I immediately felt that the ehadline should have been “waiting for Bostock.” For those who don’t know the Beckett play, “Waiting for Godot,” the title character NEVER shows. Who’s to say we won’t end up like the two characters in the play, waiting for a God(ot) who never makes an appearance?
Che Abrams and Malik Johnson, I see Hart explained that Cordell Cato might play full back. So that means Cyrus will have to fight for his place.