T&T Soca Warriors will be going after a first win over Costa Rica in World Cup qualification in their CONCACAF Final Round 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7 pm.
The teams have met in ten previous World Cup qualifiers, five each at home and away, with the best result for T&T, a 0-0 draw at tonight's venue on March 3, 2005. Coach Stephen Hart is not underestimating his task against what he described as quality opposition.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Maracas Room, Courtyard Mariott Hotel, Wrightson Road, yesterday, Hart said his opponents have a good balance. "What we have to do is not be afraid to play when we are in possesion. We will need to try and disrupt the way they play as much as possible and make them uncomfortable."
The Central Americans who reached the quarterfinal round of the last World Cup, have several international faces in their line up including Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Sporting Lisbon attackers Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz and Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa. "They are quality players and we are all aware of them. We have an idea of what we will like to do when they are in certain parts of the field and we also know who are their main supply lines, and will try and take that away from them and keep them away from the areas that they are comfortable in."
Hart said there was no doubt that Costa Rica had pedigree. "They have just recently played in the European Champions League, but we also have our own qualities and hopefully we get it right."
Concerning his team's preparation, Hart said, "I think we have modified our training a little bit to address some things that we weren't sure about, so we have done that and we are now in a situation now of having to do the things that have gotten us this far over the last three years. If we do the things that we know we are capable of doing, then this team can play with anyone. We have proven that, but the margins in international football are very very slim, and the USA game is a prime example."
Reflecting on a 4-0 semifinal round loss to USA in September, Hart explained, "We played one of the best halves we have ever played and came away 1-0 down and then things fall apart. The game is over 90 minutes and there is no room for complacency, no room for error and no room for relaxation. We have to play, we have to fight and we have to play again, that's how it is."
With only captain and striker Kenwyne Jones, midfielder Khaleem Hyland and goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams being members of past T&T teams to reach the final round of World Cup, Hart said he expects some nerves among his players.
"To be honest I think everything is new. The scrutiny, the anticipation of the game, everybody is talking about it, it's all new for most of the players."
"But this is what you have to deal with when you reach this stage in the final six, it's the six best team in the conference and you have to be at your best physically and mentally as I keep saying and I think a number of players realise that."
"Yes there will be some nerves, if there is no butterflies and nerves, then they are dead," stated.
Concerning the lapses in defence, Hart said he and his technical staff have been addressing it.
"The thing about football is that if your back-line is doing one versus one defending and winning a lot of balls, and defending well, it means the team is not defending well.
"If the ball doesn't get to the backline it means the team is defending well, so defending is about the team."
The T&T coach noted that his team had no real injury concerns, but just the usual little knocks.