Depleted TT aim to topple Thais

China-based striker Gary Glasgow is set to make his first appearance for the Trinidad and Tobago team in just over a year against Thailand at the Supachara-sai Stadium, Bangkok from 5.30 pm today (6.30 am TT time). Having last worn the national shirt under former coach Hannibal Najjar, Glasgow, a speedy forward with Chinese Pro League side Guangehou FC alongside skilful midfielder Arnold Dwarika will be hoping to make an impression on coach Bertille St Clair. His opportunity comes as St Clair is without the services of regular starters Stern John; injured trio of Carlos Edwards, Brent Sancho and goalkeeper Clayton Ince; Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence and Glasgow Rangers defender Marvin Andrews who is on pre-season duty. Despite the setback, St Clair is confident that his current team will get the job done with Dundee United striker Jason Scotland, experienced utility player Anthony Rougier, Wake Forest University forward Scott Sealy, Scottish-based midfielder Brent Rahim, local-based defenders Derek King, Keyeno Thomas, Marlon Rojas, Southampton’s Kenwyne Jones, Croatia Zagreb’s Silvio Spann and young midfielder Kerry Baptiste.

They are all eager to make an impression on the international stage. Former CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, coming off a stint with English side Reading FC, will start between the uprights in place of Ince. Experienced midfielder Angus Eve will skipper the team today and he is quietly optimistic that the team can get theirs two-match Asian tour off on a winning note. “The biggest problem despite not having at least five starters is the humidity out here. It’s been a different kind of heat but at the same time I think it’s the only kind of heat we will have to contend with out there in the match and therefore that means that we can get the job done,” Eve said yesterday following the final session at the Supacharasai  Stadium. The TT footballers who will run out in a red and white strip, also had an early morning session at the Thai Japanese Cultural  Stadium. “We saw the Thailand team play the day before and we realise that they’re a skilful and fast bunch and this should be  a good tune up ahead of the semi-final round of matches,” added the Jabloteh man.

“We know there are some players who are very eager to go out and show their capabilities on the pitch and that could be a major plus for the team. Gary is back for the first time under coach Bertille and we all know what Arnold is capable of. Those two guys are accustomed to these conditions. We have a young team out here with just about five starters missing and now the coach is giving some of the guys the opportunities to step into the light,” the captain said. Glasgow is confident of making a significant contribution. “It’s always great to be in the national team and more so this time it’s a special kind of feeling being able to join the guys out in this end of the world which is similar to where I am based,” Glasgow said. St Clair, riding on back to back wins over the Dominican Republic which saw TT jump 14 places to 63 on the latest FIFA rankings will be hoping for another positive display from his troops. Thailand, previously ranked higher than TT have slipped to 64th.

There has been some buzz over the match with the Thais  preparing for the Asian Cup and  Asian World Cup qualifiers. English-side Newcastle United are expected for pre-season training in Bangkok which has a population of around 17 million. The country has a population of 70 million. “Our form is getting better — especially the defence — compared to the last match against Bahrain (2-0 loss). Our defenders could break the opponent’s game and they were not afraid of the long ball anymore. I will test all players again in the next match against Trinidad and Tobago. It will be our last match before the team selection for the Asian Cup,” Thais head coach Chatchai Paholpat told reporters after the 0-0 draw with Jordan on Thursday. Meantime, the TT contingent which includes FIFA Vice President Jack Warner has been warmly received and some “Trinis” have stopped by the hotel and are expected to attend the match. A small TT contingent is also here for the International Aids Conference which runs in Bangkok this weekend.