Sancho out against Brazilians

NATIONAL defender Brent Sancho will not be coming for Tuesday’s game against a Brazilian All Stars team. The Dundee defender decided against making the trip home after suffering a groin strain in training on Thursday last. Coach Bertille St Clair was expected to finalise his squad for the game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, last night. The Brazilian squad including ex-World Cup star Bebeto is expected to arrive tomorrow. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Sports Minister Roger Boynes and the Brazilian Ambassador are expected to be at the match. And local soca artistes Machel Montano, Maximus Dan, Denise Belfon, Destra, Shurwayne Winchester and Bunji Garlin along with Laventille Rhythm Section and Woodbrook Pan Playboyz are scheduled to perform. St Clair held his first session with the national squad at the Larry Gomes Stadium yesterday, following their return from Bermuda and a two-match tour the previous night.

He is very upbeat and confident of a positive showing in the match. Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Clayton Ince was expected last night, while Birmingham City striker Stern John, Wrexham midfielder Carlos Edwards and Livingston defender Marvin Andrews are expected today. St Clair said, “at this stage of our preparations each game is an opportunity to use different players to see how they perform. “We have to build the team step-by-step, brick by brick. If we do not take time to put down a solid foundation, the structure will collapse when the first strong breeze blows.” He said fans can expect to see several other players based abroad joining the team for future warm-up internationals leading up to the start of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 World Cup campaign in June. Cornell Glenn who was outstanding on the Bermuda jaunt is expected to partner John up front on Tuesday.  He said, “I am feeling good after getting two goals in Bermuda and now I am looking forward to keeping up my form in this game.” Local stars expected in the line-up on Tuesday are midfielder and captain Angus Eve, Stokely Mason, Ansil Elcock, Cyd Gray and Conrod Smith.