Three Points: T&T targets victory in World Cup qualifier

Three points will again be the order of the day when T&T’s Soca Warriors face St Vincent and the Grenadines in their second World Cup qualifying meeting in five day at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 7pm. 

The  Warriors will be aiming for a marked improved in their display but more importantly will know that anything but three points could increase their challenge of making it into the final qualifying round when the two final semi-final phase matches  come around in September.

 According to head coach Stephen Hart, his players are fully aware of the scenario as it relates to their position at the moment and what the requirements will become by the time they face Guatemala in Port of Spain and then travel to face the USA in a few months time.

 “Oh yes, for sure everyone is quite aware of the position we are in at this time,” Hart said following a morning session at the Hasely Crawford yesterday. 

“We have this game to focus on and there is a strong purpose heading into it which is to not just play well but to ensure we gather the three points. We do not intend to get into a false sense of believing anything is achieved before we actually take care of business,” Hart said.

Currently T&T top the group with seven points, closely followed by Guatemala (six points) with the USA (four) and St Vincent in the bottom place without a point. The top two teams will qualify for the final round in 2017. The mood in the T&T camp remains an upbeat one coming off the spirited 3-2 victory at Arnos Vale on Friday.

“The spirit is fantastic. There is good competition among the players and then there is a bit of banter and some jokes flying around but when it’s time to be serious they have trained very well.

“I think the words I said is that we approached the wrong game with the wrong attitude  which is very different. These players have a fantastic attitude. They work well, they have good camaraderie but sometimes we switch of mentally and that’s what I meant. You have to go into the game in the same way as if you were playing the US or Mexico. You have to approach games in a very professional manner,” Hart added.

The squad is injury free heading into the match but Hart did not count out the possibility of changes to his line up.

“I think we might have to make a few adjustments just or keep us fresh but the nucleus of the squad will remain. I watched the game twice and really when I watched it back a second time, we didn’t do as badly as I thought. We just didn’t take our chances and just sometimes we were a bit disorganised in terms of defending  the ball,” Hart said. “And it would be nice to see a good crowd and it’s important that we have that push for the next three games,” Hart added.

In the last World Cup qualifying meeting between the two teams at the Hasely Crawford it took second half goals from Hector Sam and Angus Eve to erase a 1-0 deficit in the final semi-final round game in the qualification for Germany 2006. Gates open at 4pm and the match kicks off at 7pm.

Tickets will be on sale at the game venue from 10 am. The United States will host Guatemala in the group’s other encounter in Columbus today.