Former stars keep fingers crossed

One such player is Philbert Jones, who played in the memorable November 19, 1989 clash against the United States at the then National Stadium (now Hasely Crawford Stadium) in Mucurapo.

The current TT squad face Bahrain in a home-and-away play-off, the first today at Mucurapo, and on Wednesday in Manama, Bahrain.

Jones said since Leo Beenhakker took over the reins as coach in April there has been a difference.

"We’ve seen the team play more organised football which is very good, not hustling too much but playing the ball," he said.

With his nephew Kenwyne as one of the 22 players vying for a spot in today’s starting line-up, Jones pointed out that "he’s just carrying on the show."

"With his eagerness, it could take him very far on the national team," he said referring to his nephew, who started off as a defender but now plays as a striker.

"It’s just a matter of time, probably (for him to be) a starter. But, coming off the bench is how the coach intends to use him and it’s a very great asset to the team," he said.

Jones currently serves as the assistant coach to United Petrotrin and, looking at the game from a coach’s perspective, stressed that keeping possession of the ball is important.

"Because if you have the ball the next team can’t score," he said.

He said that the ghost of November 19 will never die but will continue to live on.

Jones’ senior (coach) at Petrotrin is Brian Williams, who filled the role of right-back during the Strike Squad campaign.

While he said that there has been a new spirit since Beenhakker replaced Bertille St Clair, Williams said today’s match is vitally important to the TT lads.

"What we have to guard against is complacency or taking Bahrain for granted," said the dreadlocked Williams. "We need to go out there and play positively because we know (on Wednesday) we’ll be playing in Bahrain and we must get a proper cushion here," he said.

"Trinidad and Tobago must win by at least two clear goals today," Williams said.

From a defender’s perspective, Williams highlighted the team’s defensive discipline because, besides the Mexico match (on October 12), he said they have been starting very poorly.

"I’m hoping they continue from the Mexico match and have a proper start and, defensively, we have to be a little bit more disciplined in defence," he added. "As it’s our home game, our offensive game have to be also (good) because we have to get a victory (today).

Leonson Lewis, who played as a striker alongside Jones against the Americans 16 years ago, noted that, under Beenhakker, "it’s a definite improvement from when St Clair had the team.

Ex-national striker Dexter Skeene noted that "Trinidad has an excellent chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

"The players just need to concentrate on the task at hand and not get overconfident," he said."We need to get goals today and possibly come out with a 2-0 victory so going into Bahrain, we’ll have a cushion and we’ll have an advantage.

"They’ll have to come at us which will make it more difficult because they play a more defensive and counter-attacking style," Skeene continued. "If we can get the advantage coming out of the first leg, it would make it much easier for us in Bahrain," he said.