Skipper Eve not sure of pick

TRINIDAD and Tobago football coach Bertille St Clair yesterday hinted that he may ring in several changes against Mexico tomorrow in the crucial 2006 World Cup semi-final qualifying match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. “We got the desired three points in St Kitts but it’s a different match against Mexico and we may need to make some adjustments to suit,” said St Clair. “Definitely if there are players who were not up to par in the last match, then there is a cause for change there but we will be working on getting things in order for tomorrow’s match,” the Tobagonian coach said. Team skipper Angus Eve is back in the squad and said he is well aware that his place in the starting eleven is not guaranteed. Also expected back from China last night was utility player Anthony Rougier who will link up with the rest of the team which returned home on Sunday following their 2-1 victory over St Kitts/Nevis in Basseterre the night before.

The rest of the team will be spearheaded by winning goalscorer Stern John, Glasgow Rangers defender Marvin Andrews, Dundee defender Brent Sancho — who received five stitches to a cut above the eye against St Kitts — and Dundee goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. Also expected to play a major role against the anxious Mexicans are Wrexham’s Dennis Lawrence, Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim, Peterborough midfielder Andre Boucaud, China-based playmaker Arnold Dwarika, Southampton defender Kenwyne Jones striker Jason Scotland, Cornell Glen and Errol McFarlane with Crewe Alexandra’s Clayton Ince as the back-up goalie. The locally-based players in the team are Densil Theobald, Marlon Rojas, Silvio Spann and Derek King. Eve, who looked on from the stands on Saturday after being forced to miss out due to suspension, praised his teammates for their gutsy display.

“We are in a very healthy position now with full points away from home. We did well to come away with the win because the pitch was horrible in St Kitts and the guys came through it,” he said. “Mexico at home is very important because the fans are expecting us to win tomorrow as well. We’re not going to just look for a draw but I think a result other than a loss will be a fine one for us at this stage. “It’s up to the coach now on how he selects the team for tomorrow because he should have a full compliment of players now and whether I step on the pitch from the opening whistle or not is not a major factor,” Eve said. “No player is guaranteed a place at this point. That seems to be the problem with the West Indies cricket team and we do not want the same to happen to our team. Right now we have a hardworking group of players with strong character and we just need to keep this going,” he said after the win in Basseterre.

Striker John said the team did not play their best against St Kitts and Nevis. “But the guys deserved credit for showing that fighting spirit and I think that’s one of the main qualities of this current team. I think if we can raise our performance a bit and maintain that fighting spirit then we will be able to hold our own against the CONCACAF giants,” John said. Mexican football officials have indicated that they will be coming here for nothing for a victory as their players are anxious to go into action having not yet played a match in this round. The world’s fourth-ranked team were scheduled to arrive on a charter flight last night and will be staying at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain. Mexican coach  Ricardo La Volpe has included in his team prolific scorer Jared Borgetti and Jaime Lorzano who both bagged four goals in their previous tie with Dominica. Also in the line-up are Adolfo Bautista, scorer of a hat-trick against the Dominicans, Daniel Osorno, midfielders Pavel Pardo of Club America and Jos de Jesus.