Coach tells Soca Warriors: No guts, no football glory

TRINIDAD and Tobago footballers will continue their training camp with a match against Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), in St John’s from 4 pm today. The match was an arrangement between the TT Football Federation  and the Antigua FA when the agreement was made to allow the Soca Warriors train in St John’s. TT coach Bertille St Clair and his players got their first feel of the ARG as they engaged in an intense three-hour session yesterday.

Tourists flocked by to get a glimpse of the venue and take photos at the ground which is more famous for cricket, particularly the world record-breaking innings by West Indies skipper Brian Lara. Early morning rain threatened to make things difficult for the players to train on the outfield. But St Clair was still able to put them through the paces and preparations are expected to continue in top gear with the scheduled arrival of technical consultant Graham Taylor from London today. Taylor’s presence will give him an opportunity to observe and work with the TT squad for the first time since his appointment last year. Since then he has been making checks on the progress of TT’s UK-based professionals.

St Clair says he intends to make full use of the remaining days of the camp. “It’s important that we utilise all the opportunities we have at our disposal in the next few days. The guys know the type of intensity we are trying to bring into our game and as a result of this our sessions are not anything like a stroll in the park,” he said. “They know that with no guts, there’s no glory and if we are to get the best performance out there on the pitch, then we must put in the required hard work,” St Clair said. “We are focusing on ensuring that the players are in good shape both physically and mentally and after a hard session we are also able to relax at the resort and get the bodies and minds in order.” For today’s friendly, TT will be without New York/New Jersey Metrostars striker Cornell Glen who is being treated for his hamstring injury by team physiotherapist Zeph Nicholas.

Also out is midfielder Densil Theobald, expected to be back to full fitness by Friday following a knock on his shin during Sunday’s 3-1 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Digicel Caribbean Cup match at the Mmanny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella. Both players are expected to be fit for Sunday’s return leg in St Vincent. St Clair is also making use of the excellent beach facilities at the All-Inclusive Jolly Beach Resort and Hotel where the team is based. Players took part in an evening warm-down session on the beach with trainer David Cumberbatch and Nicholas conducting the exercises .