George: Belief key against Honduras

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Head coach Dennis Lawrence and the majority of his 26- man squad checked into the residential training camp at Cara Suites Hotel in Claxton Bay yesterday prior to a late evening training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium and immediately there was sense of focus and business-like approach to the few days ahead.

According to Jacksonville Armada midfielder Kevan George, “We have to believe in our ability.. that is what can make the difference for us. I am very motivated and personally I’m ready to play this evening if the match is changed to that time,” George told TTFA Media.

“We need max points.

There’s nothing like a tie in either of these two games.

We have to get in their faces more and obstruct their rhythm.

They are a team that likes to keep possession — especially in midfield — and they build on that momentum.

If we can disrupt their play early, especially as we are home, and try to impose ourselves then that will be a key for us.

We have to stay focused and not focus on the game against Panama. We have to take care of Honduras.

“The main thing is belief and we need the fans to get behind us and keep supporting.

It will be an adjustment playing at Ato Boldon but football is football so we will just get accustomed to the surface over a couple days.

Our main thing is just to make it uncomfortable for Honduras,” George added.

“People underestimate belief. I have seen a lot of crazy things happen in my short life span.

The coaches believe in us and we believe in ourselves as players and this is something we have to maintain right through to the final whistle on Friday,” he said.

Among the players already in camp along with the home-based pros are Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino, Mekeil Williams, Honduras- based duo Jan Michael Williams and Daneil Cyrus, Jomal Williams, Khaleem Hyland, Cordell Cato, Joevin Jones, Aubrey David, Carlyle Mitchell, Willis Plaza, Jamille Boatswain and George. El Salvador- based midfielder Leston Paul, European- based duo Radanfah Abu Bakr and Sheldon Bateau and US-based forward Trevin Caesar are all expected to join the camp soon.

Tickets remain on sale for the encounter at all NLCB Lotto Locations priced at $350 (covered) and $200 (uncovered.) Trinidad and Tobago’s Kevan George, left, says three points is mandatory against Honduras on Friday.

Philippe Coutinho is fit for Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite the midfielder not having played for Liverpool this season because of a stated back injury, a federation spokesman told ESPN Brasil.

Coutinho, 25, is attempting to force through a move to Barcelona and has been the club’s main transfer target this summer, with the Reds turning down three bids for him thus far, with the latest being worth a total of £118 million.

Though he has not appeared in any of Liverpool’s four games on the young campaign, he was called into Tite’s Brazil squad for the team’s matches against Ecuador and Colombia on August 31 and September 5, respectively.

And a CBF spokesman yesterday said the former Inter Milan man was without any injuries and will begin training with his teammates today.

Before joining the national team in Porto Alegre, Coutinho paid a quick visit on Sunday to Rio de Janeiro- based doctor Michael Simoni, who has known the former Vasco da Gama star for years.

With the transfer window closing on Thursday, there was speculation the midfielder had undergone a physical with Simoni ahead of a move.

However, Simoni denied there had been any examination when asked by ESPN Brasil.

“When he had surgery on his shoulder and stayed alone in Europe — he was very young — who helped was me. This was shortly after he moved to Europe. He called me [Sunday]. I didn’t examine him, nothing medical,” Simoni, who serves as Fluminense’s health director, explained.

“Belief in our ability and believing that we have what it takes.” That will be the sentiment echoing throughout the next few days in the Trinidad and Tobago camp ahead of Friday’s all-important 2018 World Cup Qualifying match against Honduras.