T&T's senior footballers will attempt to make a winning start to their Caribbean Cup Finals campaign and cop their ninth regional title as well as secure a spot at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup when they battle Haiti from 5 pm today.
Venue is the Antigua Recreation Ground where an opening ceremony will precede the opener and 7 pm kick off between the hosts Antigua & Barbuda and Dominican Republic.
Team captain Jan-Michael Williams and his teammates were almost chased from the site on Wednesday by a facility engineer who became furious when the team attempted to hold a training session. Head coaches Jamaal Shabazz and Hutson Charles opted to train on the sidelines, away from the playing area but were forced to scamper for safety when the individual drove his pick up van towards them. Another brief discussion took place, but T&T continued with their workout which lasted 45 minutes. All this occurred after the coaching staff decided against using an unsuitable venue that was described as "not even good enough for a cow to graze on."
"It was not the actual face-off we were hoping for on our first day in Antigua," Shabazz noted afterwards."But we are here to complete a mission and we simply requested some time and space to prepare for the task before us on Friday. We knew it would be difficult in an away country."
T&T are based at the Halcyon Cove Beach Hotel along with Haiti, Cuba and Dominican Republic, less than ten minutes drive from the match venue. The conditions have been humid here so far but very much suitable for good play.
"The ground seems to be in good condition and we'll get ourselves ready for the match," Charles commented. "It's important to get off to a good start and set the pace for the rest of the tournament. The players know that. The vibe is good and we'll be looking to transfer that onto the pitch."
Former US-based midfielder Kevin Molino was part of the team in 2010 that lost the Finals opener 2-0 to Cuba. He's is hoping to see T&T through to the semifinals this time. "I think some of the players are a lot more experienced and have improved since we played in 2010. We know we cannot afford to settle late in the tournament. We have to be on top of our game from the word go. I'm looking forward to a good start," Molino said.
W Connection midfielder Hughtun Hector netted twice and Devorn Jorsling was also on the scoresheet when T&T pounded Haiti 4-0 in the previous Caribbean Cup qualifying meet between the teams in 2010. But Haiti will be keen to make up for that loss.
"They will be tougher this time and around and we have to be ready for that," said Shabazz who was in charge of Guyana during their 1-0 loss to the same opponents last month in Grenada."They will by no means be easy to overcome and it's important that we work harder than them and show exactly why we deserve to take the first three points in the group."
Skipper Williams, Lester Peltier, Joevin Jones, Daneil Cyrus and Jamal Gay were all on the substitutes bench during the 4-0 win and certainly will be looking to play their part in leading T&T to what would be a sixth victory over Haiti in the regional final dating back to 1998. Haiti have beaten T&T once in this tournament, a 2-1 result in the 2007 Final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.