Latapy tipped to start today

Latapy figured prominently in a number of attacking plays and formations used by coach Leo Beenhakker over the past few days and looks certain to don the number ten jersey that has been his hallmark for most of his international career.

With four matches to go including today’s game, the TT squad are currently fifth on the six-team table with four points from six matches, while the Guatemalans are fourth with seven points.

Following Thursday evening’s practice, Beenhakker said, "at least (Latapy is) fit to start the game.

"He has, in his luggage, only the last four years at club level in Scotland," Beenhakker continued. "There will be a difference (today). He made a very good impression on me. Let’s see if he has the strength and physical preparation to play 90 minutes."

Beenhakker made it clear that the team has welcomed the 37-year-old Latapy with open arms.

"It’s one teammate more and they all respect him," said Beenhakker. "We’re still in the process of integration because, for him, it’s a big change to be here.

"Most of the players of (this) group (haven’t) played with him except Yorke and one or two others," Beenhakker added. "He’s really a professional. You can see it in every way inside the pitch and outside the pitch."

The Dutch-born coach remarked that the team spirit is good and the team is keen on reversing the 5-1 drubbing inflicted by the Guatemalans, in Guatemala, on March 26. Noting that there are no injury worries within the camp, he was quick to point out that he had to work with his resources since Tuesday night.

"With Russell in the team, we had to re-organise our schedule a little bit," was his response to a question about his closed-door sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. "Why I should play my cards open before (today)?

"I think it’s actually, more or less, normal in international football. Most of the countries do it," he continued. "Sometimes its good to work within the team without any (interference) from outside. Once again, especially if you make some changes within the team, I think we have the right to keep it until (today)." A burning issue within the team is a lack of goalscoring, with the squad netting only four goals while conceeding ten.

"That’s always a problem," responded Beenhakker.

"I only have three or four sessions before a match so I’m not able to change a ‘not-scoring’ striker (referring to Stern John) within three sessions into a scoring striker.

Focussing on the midfield, he stated: "ball-possession is very important for us, to control more of the game, arriving in the box and scoring goals.

"It’s the quality (of players) that you have, if you don’t have it, you can train on it but it’s not so easy to do that in three sessions." Asked whether captain Dwight Yorke will be used as a striker or as a midfielder, Beenhakker replied: "he’s a great player and you have to understand that we’re not only working in the field when we are together in the camp but we also talk a lot about football. So he’s playing where he is the best for the team, that’s his mentality and that’s what it has to be."

The Guatemalans attack is expected to revolve around Carlos Ruiz, who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the American MLS.

The striker pointed out that "the game (today) is very important for everybody, for Trinidad and for us."

Commenting on the TT team he said, "I think this Trinidad side is different (from their previous meeting) because (they) have a new coach. "I think Leo Beenhakker has more discipline in his team and I think Trinidad played much better in their game against the United States," he added.

Teams: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Kelvin Jack, Shaka Hislop (goalkeepers); David Atiba Charles, Brent Sancho, Marvin Andrews, Avery John, Cyd Gray, Glenton Wolfe, Anton Pierre (defenders); Russell Latapy, Silvio Spann, Carlos Edwards, Aurtis Whitley, Chris Birchall, Densil Theobald (midfielders); Stern John, Dwight Yorke, Jason Scotland, Scott Sealy (strikers).

GUATEMALA - Miguel Klee Coban, Luis Molina, Paulo Motta (goalkeepers); Angel Sanabria, Elmer Ponciano, Nelson Morales, Victor Hernandez, Selvyn Ponciano, Gustavo Cabrera (defenders); Fredy Thompson, Rigoberto Gomez, Maynor Davila, Julio Giron, Gonzalo Romero, Carlos Figueroa, Fredy Garcia, Guillermo Ramirez (midfielders); Juan Carlos Plata, Edwin Villatoro, Carlos Ruiz (strikers).