TT footballers want full points in St Kitts

TRINIDAD AND Tobago senior football team, currently rated 65th team in the world according to the latest FIFA World Rankings, will set their sights for another three points in Group “C” of their CONCACAF Semi-final Round. They come up against St Kitts at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts at 8 pm on Saturday. The national team, minus midfielder Arnold Dwarika and striker Errol McFarlane, will leave for St Kitts at 6 am today. Dwarika and McFarlane will join the team today in the tiny Leeward island. Also out of Saturday’s match is national captain Angus Eve, who will be serving a one-match suspension. Team coach Bertille St Clair noted that the choice of captain for Saturday’s match would be made between veteran defender Marvin “Dog” Andrews and midfielder Anthony Rougier.

Following a training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday, St Clair stated that, “In any sport you play to win. We’re going to St Kitts with that expectation.” When asked if he had any knowledge of his team’s opposition, he replied: “No, not really. When we go to a foreign place, we have to play accordingly and I hope that we can adjust to the situation.” St Clair had a full workout with the players including those from CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and former captain David Nakhid showed up a second time for the week and spoke to the players. “It is always good when former players, especially captains, come around the national team and give their support. David was an outstanding captain and he always put the team first.  He was a true leader with a great work ethic who always made the players around him play better,” St Clair said.

“This upcoming match is not going to be easy because no match is easy at this stage. We will maintain our focus and take the right approach to get a positive result away from home.” Nakhid, back home on a short visit, implored the players to aspire to greatness and never doubt themselves. “You must also choose the right people to emulate. Do not follow those who will encourage you to be indisciplined and lazy. Follow those who will push you to be the best and who will be straightforward with you.

Try to develop the right attitude and a strong character and everything else will fall into place because you already have the talent,” he said. The team departing for St Kitts include Birmingham City striker Stern John, Dundee goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, Crewe Alexandra’s Clayton Ince, Glasgow Rangers defender Marvin Andrews, Wrexham’s Dennis Lawrence, Dundee’s Brent Sancho, Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim, Peterborough midfielder Andre Boucaud, Southampton defender Kenwyne Jones, Dundee striker Jason Scotland, Cornell Glen along with local-based pros Densil Theobald of Arima/Morvant Fire, Superstar Rangers defender Marlon Rojas, Silvio Spann and Joe Public’s Derek King.