Host T&T senior men's water polo team will start as underdogs when it comes up against Canada in the feature match of a double-header in the 2017 Union Americana de Natacion (UANA) Water Polo Cup at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva, tonight, from 7.30 pm.
In the opener of the four-team qualifier hosted by the Amateur Swimming Association of T&T (ASATT), South American rivals, Argentina and Brazil do battle from 6 pm.
Speaking on the eve of the competition, T&T team manager Ryan Smith praised coach Andrew Francis for the work he has done with the relatively young team.
"The team which comprises ten members of the Royhill Seals has prepared as best as they can and we are not going into the tournament holding any illusions about our chances."
"We are the least experienced team of the four in the competition so we don't expect to top the table when its all over.
However, we have set ourselves a target of qualifying to the Olympic Games by 2028 and its tournament like these we need to compete in to gain that much needed experience by exposing the players to high level competition."
Francis, while not expecting to realistically top the competition, wants members of his squad to give it their best shot as they prepare to medal at the upcoming Caribbean and Central American (CCCAN) championships, which will also be hosted at the Aquatic Centre.
The Canadians have experienced a renewal after several veterans retired last year, but several experienced players remain including goaltender Dusan Aleksic and field players Nicolas Constantin-Bicari, David Lapins, Dusan Radojcic, Scott Robinson and George Torakis, who will help guide the team and its younger recruits in their quest for international recognition.
"We have been working really hard and we are excited to now play a big tournament. This is our first step towards Tokyo 2020," commented Lapins.
"This one is important for us as this is the first tournament for this team. We need to go to FINA World Championships in Budapest. These teams will not be easy but we are ready. We are a young team, but I am confident we can qualify," added head coach Pino Porzio of Italy.
The Brazilian team arrived in T&T on Wednesday and is hoping to join the national women's team which has already qualified to the World Championship along with Canada, the only two teams which registered in the competition while their neighbours, Argentina also arrived in mid-week.
Looking ahead to the tournament, president of the ASAT&T Wendell Lai Hing, expressed his excitement on this country's hosting of the UANA Waterpolo Cup.
"The National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva, has opened a myriad of opportunities to host tournaments even at a world standard.
This not only gives our own national team international exposure right on our shores, but assists us in promoting T&T as a destination for sports tourism in water polo and all aquatic sports. As an association we will continue to seek opportunities to ensure that, as a country, we get a great return on investment on our world class facility."
At the end of the tournament, the top two teams will qualify to the FINA Water Polo World Championships carded for Budapest, Hungary later this year.
Teams
T&T water polo team: Russell Ferreira, Leon Daniel, Daniel Alvarez, Jesus Badal, Kyle Ferreira, Ethan Elliott, Kris Thomas, Tyrece Joseph, Sergio Des Vignes, Gregorio Felician, Kyle Simmons, Nathaniel Porter, Jon-Mycal Palmer.
Technical staff: Ryan Smith (manager), Andrew Francis (coach), Kester Scanterbury (assistant coach), Charissa Hackshaw (referee).
Canada water polo team: Dusan Aleksic, Jeremie Blanchard, Nicolas Constantin-Bicari, Reuel D'Souza, Ronen Grosz, Matthew Halajian, David Lapins, Gaelan Patterson, Milan Radenovic, Dusan Radojcic, Scott Robinson, Aria Soleimani, Devon Thumwood, George Torakis.
Technical staff: Pino Porzio (head coach), Brian Parillo (lead coach), Robin Randall (assistant coach/manager)
Tonight's Matches
Argentina vs Brazil, 6pm
T&T vs Canada, 7.30pm