Footballers tackle Koreans

Trinidad and Tobago’s footballers will face one of their toughest assignments today (6 am TT time) when they clash with 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea at the 65,000 capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium. The affair promises to be a gripping one and is expected to attract at least 25,000 fans keen to see their home team finish off their preparations on a high note before going into Asian Cup action against Thailand. For the TT players, the match is an opportunity for them to play at a venue which has been graced by some of the best in the world —  Frenchmen Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Germany’s Michael Ballack among others.

While some of the TT footballers have had only the chance to hear how pulsating the Island People “Caution” party was on the north west coast on the weekend, today they will without a doubt be forced into taking caution against a team ranked 20th in the world and one which will be coming full force at them. Bertille St Clair’s men are also low on confidence following a 3-2 loss to Thailand last Saturday and are already under strength without Birmingham City striker Stern John, Rangers defender Marvin Andrews, Wrexham duo Dennis Lawrence and Carlos Edwards, Dundee’s Brent Sancho, Crewe Alexandra’s Clayton Ince and China-based duo Arnold Dwarika and Gary Glasgow. But St Clair is hopeful of a positive result nevertheless. “We are here on a training outing. While we may not have the best team, I won’t go as far as to say that the players are not capable because this is now their chance to take the centre stage and show what they are capable of,” said St Clair.

“We are playing against a World Cup team at a World Cup venue and this is what it’s all about. You go into all matches with the intention of winning. There’s no reason why that should be impossible,” he said after seeing his team squander at least nine scoring opportunities in a 2-1 loss to Korea University yesterday morning. Midfielder Silvio Spann scored with a right-footer from just inside the right of the penalty box in the 67th minute to tie the scores. But Kim Sung Min got the winner six minutes later after Lee Hyun Jin had beaten goalkeeper Kelvin Jack on his near post inside the first minute. The Koreans, inclusive of six 2002 World Cup team members, and recently hired Dutchman Jo Bonfrere is looking for a win at home under his belt before going into the Asian Cup. Possible

TT start team: Kelvin Jack, Keyeno Thomas, Derek King, Kenwyne Jones, Marlon Rojas, Angus Eve, Brent Rahim, Anthony Rougier, Silvio Spann, Scott Sealy and Jason Scotland. Subs: Duarance Williams, Derek Phillips, Michael Celestine, Kerry Baptiste and Densil Theobald.