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T&T ‘WARRIORS’ TO GET WORLD CUP FEEL Stephen Hart’s Men Off to Face Argentina and Iran Written by Shaun Fuentes – Director of Communications - TTFA
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior National Men’s Team will play what is undoubtedly one of its biggest ever international matches against World Cup favorites Argentina in Buenos Aires on June 4th, a mere eight days before the kick off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil. The encounter has been billed as a farewell clash for the Argentines as they face the “Soca Warriors” before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup opener in Rio de Janeiro on June15th. T&T has had its fair share of appearances against high-ranking international opposition. Unforgettable games against the likes of Sweden and England at the 2006 World Cup, a 2008 friendly in Port of Spain against England and a friendly international against Czech Republic (ranked number two in the world at the time of the match played) in Prague, just prior to the 2006 Finals. But this clash on June 4th is unique and perhaps of much higher profile, more so because of the fact that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi will be in the squad, currently touted as one of the world’s best players. The two-time World Cup champions will also have a star-studded line up comprising the likes of Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero; Napoli front man Gonzalo Higuain; Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano and Real Madrid midfielder Angel di Maria. This will be not be the first meeting between the 30
two countries on a football pitch, as T&T did in fact manage a memorable 1-0 victory over the South Americans at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. The stunning result was achieved by a team coached by Conrad Braithwaite and including players like: Lincoln Phillips, Queen’s Park’s very own Jean Mouttet (goalkeepers), Selwyn Murren, Bertram Grell, Tyrone de La Bastide, Hugh Mulzac (defenders), Victor Gamaldo, captain Sedley Joseph (midfielders), Alvin Corneal, Kelvin Berassa, Gerry Brown, Andy Aleong (forwards). With Reserves: Pat Small, Arnim David, and Richard Stewart. T&T also defeated Colombia 5-2 and drew 1-1 with Mexico before losing 3-1 to Bermuda in the semi-finals. Eventually they finished with
“This is a wonderful opportunity not just for our footballers but also for the country as it will allow us to match strides with one of the best teams in the world...”
the bronze medal by way of a 4-1 win over Canada. In other Pan American meetings, T&T lost 3-2 to Argentina in 1971, also losing 5-1 and 6-0 at the 1975 and 1987 Games. For head coach Stephen Hart, the affair is a unique opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago, being able to face one of the World Cup favorites this close to the tournament. It will not, however, be a first-time outing for him, having been at the helm of Canada for a friendly international in May 2010 against the Diego Maradona-coached team in Buenos Aires. The hosts were 5-0 winners before a crowd of 60,000 plus spectators with Maxi Rodriguez grabbing a double and Carlos Tevez, Aguero and di Maria among the scorers a few weeks before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. “It’s going to be a match of immense magnitude not just because of the fact that we’re playing against one of the world’s best teams with the world’s best player in it, but also because it’s an opportunity for us as a country to test ourselves and to take everything from such an experience,” Hart said. “We’ve wanted games like these because I believe you have to play against opponents of a higher quality than yourself in order to put yourselves under pressure and better your ability to deal with it both from a mental and physical standpoint.” The June 4th encounter will be played at the Estadio Monumental that has a capacity of 53,000
Trinidad and Tobago Team (against Jamaica in Friendly Match)
and is the home venue for top Argentina club River Plate. Additionally, the TTFA has teamed up with the Ministry of Tourism, which will set up a booth in Buenos Aires showcasing more of Trinidad and Tobago. The Ministry of Sports is also a key supporter of the National Team and will ensure all is in place for the team’s preparations for the trip. T&T’s journey to South America will see them in World Cup land too. The TTFA was able to book another friendly international against World Cup contenders Iran, this time in Sao Paolo on June 8th. TTFA President Raymond Tim Kee is maybe even more excited than the players abut the upcoming affairs. “This is a wonderful opportunity not just for our footballers but also for the country as it will allow us to match strides with one of the best teams in the world and we will have that opportunity to showcase Trinidad and Tobago in more ways than one. The opportunity to play in Brazil during the same week of the opening match is indeed another fantastic occasion for us,” Tim Kee said. Iran,
one of he Asian giants for the World Cup, is also in the same group with Argentina, and will kick off their World Cup against Nigeria on June 16th. Iran is coached by Carlos Queiroz, who was in line to take up the job as head coach of T&T in 2011 before Otto Pfister was handed the position. “This is another valuable training match for us. It will give our players the feel of being in the country that will host the World Cup a week or so later and by the time we are in Sao Paolo, the smell of the World Cup will be in the air” said Hart. “This is important for our players. Just being there and getting the opportunity to engage in a game against another World Cup bound team. Many of these players will be preparing for the next World Cup qualifying campaign for Russia 2018, which will begin some time in 2016. That’s not so far away and for us, this is all part of the build up for the qualification.” Hart will be banking on the experience of captain Kenwyne Jones, who recently moved to Premiership side Cardiff City, and has the experience of playing at the 2006 World Cup alongside the likes of Densill Theobald,
Cornell Glen and Carlos Edwards, who will all be in line for selection. English-based duo Andre Boucaud and Justin Hoyte will have to be on top of their games in June, while Ataulla Guerra, Belgium-based duo Khaleem Hyland and Sheldon Bateau, Joevin Jones and Slovak-based winger Lester Peltier will be among the likely names on the roster. Hart will also need goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip to be in top form. Jones will try to ensure that his teammates aren’t overawed by the occasion in La Plata: “It’s a game like any other but of course it will be a much anticipated one for both teams,” he said. “We will have to bring our A-game on the day because we want to make a good impression and it’s an opportunity for us to test ourselves against two World Cup teams. This is what you live for in terms of representing your country on the international stage,” Jones added. Following these two fixtures, T&T will look ahead to the Caribbean Cup Finals later in 2014 and a line-up of international friendlies against other recognized opponents. 31