Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation - TTFF

Trinidad and Tobago’s 22-man squad will depart for Buenos Aires on Sunday morning with all intentions of producing a spirited performance in next Wednesday’s Friendly International against South American giants Argentina at the Estadio Monumental.

Head Coach Stephen Hart conducted his last two sessions on home soil at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Saturday and will be hoping to see his squad members give everything in the highly anticipated encounter at the home venue for top Argentina club River Plate.

Team captain Kenwyne Jones says his teammates will not be bothered by who Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella includes in his starting eleven for the 4:30pm kick off (3:30pm T&T Time).

“We are happy to be going to play the game and we are going to put our best foot forward. We’re focused and we intend to take that into the match. We’re not too bothered about who their coach is going to select in his starting team,” Jones told TTFA Media.

“We’ve been in camp since the 20th and preparation have been coming along quite well. We had a nice blow out in the final scrimmage and the team and everyone seems in pretty good condition as we head into Argentina.

“Of course it’s a big test to play Argentina . It’s no different to us going to play Guatemala or Honduras in Honduras. I think it’s going to be the same kind of atmosphere. Of course they are preparing for a World Cup and they have some of the world’s best players but we are going to go there to try and improve on the things we have done in the past and also work on some new stuff. For us it’s all about moving forward with our preparation for the next World Cup campaign,” the Cardiff City forward stated.

DirecTV W Connection midfielder Joevin Jones is also keen on taking the field against the two-time World Cup winners.

“I’ve been in some big games before but this has to be the biggest of my career. I’m just concentrating on my task. I’d like to play my part in trying to help the team give a strong showing. I’ll be thinking about everything that I have to do on matchday over the next few days,” Jones said.

Hart’s squad does not include Carlos Edwards who was excused due to personal matters.  Hart made it clear that the Millwall player was not omitted as the original plan was to in fact carry a 23-man squad with Edwards included, even with Columbus Crew eventually deciding to allow Kevan George to  join the T&T squad.

“I’m a bit disappointed because I had all intentions of traveling with the team. Unfortunately a matter came up which has forced me to sit out this one. I’m rooting for the boys and I’ll be definitely cheering them on from home on Wednesday,” said Edwards who after holding discussions with Hart over the decision to sit out the trip, still managed to be part of the training match on Thursday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Meantime, the team, along with the local supporters will now depart on a Caribbean Airlines charter at 9:30am on Sunday, instead of the previously scheduled 1am departure.

Trinidad and Tobago team for Argentina

Jan Michael Williams (Central FC)
Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin CC)
Justin Hoyte (Millwall)
Gavin Hoyte (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Radanfah Abu Bakr (FK Kruoja Pakruojis)
Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force)
Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen)
Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk)
Ataullah Guerra (Central FC)
Andre Boucaud (unattached)
Kevan George (Dayton Dutch Lions)
Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava)
Joevin Jones (W Connection)
Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA)
Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin CC)
Kevin Molino (Orlando City)
Rundell Winchester (Central FC)
Willis Plaza (Central FC)
Trevin Caesar (North East Stars)
Yohance Marshall (Central FC)
Kenwyne Jones (Captain,Cardiff City)

Staff
Stephen Hart – Head Coach
Hutson Charles – Assistant Coach
Derek King – Assistant Coach
Michael Maurice – Goalkeeper Coach
William Wallace – Manager
David Muhammad –Manager
Peter Rampersad –Manager
Dave Isaac – Football Therapist
Michael Williams – Equipment Manager
Israel Dowlat – Doctor
Shaun Fuentes – Press Officer