TT footballers to play Scotland

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior footballers will have the chance to play Scotland during a one-week training camp in the United Kingdom on May 30. Following Wednesday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Egypt in Cairo, FIFA Vice President and TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner confirmed the match with the Scots which will be played at a venue to be announced. TT will also face Iraq in London on May 23 as part of the goodwill tour organised in conjunction with the English FA. Warner had been in talks with the Scottish FA over the fixture but only confirmed it on Thursday as he checked in at the Thistle Hotel, London with the rest of the TT contingent returning from Cairo via Paris.

“The Scottish FA had requested a match with Trinidad and Tobago and it was only confirmed today following the performance of the team in Cairo. This sort of match can only auger well for Bertille St Clair and his team as they get themselves ready for the World Cup campaign which is getting nearer,” Warner said. “The performance on Wednesday was not a bad one and more matches against similar class or even better opposition can only allow the team to improve on a consistent basis.” Livingston defender Marvin Andrews, who left London to return to his club along with the other overseas pros, said the match in Scotland would be a big one.

“The fans there are accustomed seeing me playing for Livingston and it will be a treat for them to see me playing for my country now. The rivalry will be a really good one and I am excited over this. It will also be the first time for us to face Scotland there which makes it an even bigger contest,” Andrews said. Dundee defender Brent Sancho and Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim are also anticipating the clash. “Having the chance to represent your country where you play professionally is always something you hope for and the opportunity has arrived for us. I am certain that the match will be of tremendous benefit to us as a team and after giving a decent performance against Egypt we are all looking forward to continue playing together,” Sancho said.

Rahim added: “I have been playing in Scotland for just under a year now and the pace and the quality of the game there is gripping. Playing Scotland at home will be no easy task but again it’s the type of match that we need because at the end of the day we are trying to get better and get ready for the qualifiers.” Birmingham City striker Stern John who netted in the 65th minute against Egypt, said there was some pleasing aspects in the team’s performance. 

“I think overall our game needs to be worked on but when you consider the fact that this was our first major match under coach St Clair, you realise that we have some aspects to be pleased about. Some of the players like Shaka and Tony (Rougier) were coming back into the team after a short time away and it certainly showed that once we can keep this up, then we stand a really good chance of getting it right in time for the big qualifiers,” John said. The TT contingent was scheduled to return home yesterday.