Najjar confident of victory against Antigua

TRINIDAD and Tobago senior football squad is ready for any challenge posed by the Antigua national outfit as Group “B” action in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Gold Cup semi-final qualifying series kicks off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, today.

The Soca Warriors will face the Antiguans at 7 pm, a match which will follow the Cuba-Guadeloupe fixture which starts at 5 pm. “I think we’ll be ready for the match,” said head coach Hannibal Najjar yesterday, “I’m fairly comfortable that we have a good blend in experience and youth.” Ten foreign-based professionals are among the 18-man local squad —- captain Marvin “Dog” Andrews, Avery John, Stern John, Craig Demmin, Dwayne Demmin, Carlos Edwards, Collin Samuel, Evans Wise, Dennis Lawrence and Brent Rahim.

Najjar noted that the starting eleven for today’s match was decided last night following yesterday’s training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. But he bemoaned the fact that the team was unable to compete in any practice match before the qualifiers. “We haven’t had that luxury of seeing the other teams at all, in the eight teams that are competing (four in Group “A” based in Jamaica) we’ve been the only team without a practice match.” But Najjar is extremely confident that Trinidad and Tobago can open their campaign with full points against the Antiguans. Included in the Antiguan team are current Joe Public players —- defender George Dublin and striker Gayson Gregory, and ex-“Eastern Lions” midfielder Ranjae Christian.

Full Teams -
Trinidad and Tobago: Selwyn George, Craig Demmin, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews (captain), Anton Pierre, Avery John, Carlos Edwards, Andre Toussaint, Evans Wise, Jason Scotland, Brent Rahim, Devon Mitchell, Stern John, Kurt Williams, Dwayne Demmin, Hayden Fitzwilliams, Collin Samuel, Marlon Sylvester; Hannibal Najjar (coach).

Antigua: Janiel Simon, Rackley Thomas, Ranjae Christian, Neil Shyah Jeffers, George Dublin, Steveroy Anthony (captain), Kerry Skepple, Kevin Watts, Gayson Gregory, Troy Simon, Winston Roberts, Elvis Anthony, Tyio Simon, Arnold James, Verton Harris, Tamarley Thomas, Marvin O’Garro, Dave Carr; Ivor Luke (coach).

Cuba: Odelin Molina, Alexander Driggs, Yeniel Marquez, Silvio Pedro, Naryuri Rivero, Livan Perez, Jorge Ramirez, Lazaro Reyes, Rene Estrada, Lester More, Serguet Prodo, Alexis Reve, Maikel Galindo, Jaime Colome, Lazaro Ruiz, Reysander Fernandez, Juan Carlos Cabre, Alain Cervantes; Maximo Iznaga (coach).

Guadeloupe: Fabrice Mercury, Patrice Ramsamy, Jean Claude Lutin, Patrice Darcourt, Ruddy Likion, Alain Vertot, Dominique Mocha, Frederic Benon, Xavier Cassubie, Thierry Mocha, Samuel Denys, Jean Luc Lambourat, Courtant Theresine, Laurent Farnapoe, Michel Belia, Mario Adelaide, Pascal Chimbonia, Olivier Fauconnier; Roger Salnot (coach).