Recently selected head coach of T&T, Angus Eve is impressed and encouraged by the 25 players he named ahead of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
In an interview with TTFA Media, Eve gave his thoughts on the training camp thus far. He said, “The camp has been fantastic; we get to do the different things that we couldn’t do at home. We are freer by the way of training facilities and being able to do video and blackboard sessions because we have all the players in one place.”
The former national midfielder added, “The initial reason for the camp was to get some legs under the locally-based players because they would not be in match-mood, so we’re trying to get them up to some kind of match-level speed.”
The first-time international senior coach who is in a basically do-or-die situation told his players to forget the World Cup Qualifiers because it’s a new tournament, new game and new objectives.
Joevin Jones’ younger brother, Alvin returned to squad after injury and is ready to make his country proud. Unfortunately, there would not be a Jones duo as Joevin suffered a long-term injury a day before he was expected to the join the squad. However, the younger Jones said, “T&T fans are dying for greatness, we have an opportunity here to change it around. This is one of the biggest tournaments in our region and I think the guys should do their best and hope we can qualify.”
The versatile player concluded, “It’s good. It’s a task we have. We didn’t do so well in the World Cup qualifiers and we have a chance now to change it. I hope all the guys are focused and can take their task and do well.”
The Soca warriors will not play any friendly matches before coming up against Montserrat in the preliminary round at the DRV PNK Stadium in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on July 2 from 9:30pm. Once victorious, they will play the second round qualifier against either Cuba or French Guyana at the same venue on July 6 for a chance to play in the Group A alongside Mexico, El Salvador and Curaçao.
T&T Squad:
Goalkeepers: Adrian Foncette, Nicklas Frenderup, Marvin Phillip
Defenders: Radanfah Abu Bakr, Aubrey David, Justin Garcia, Curtis Gonzales, Triston Hodge, Alvin Jones, Jelani Peters, Ross Russell Jnr, Jesse Williams, Neveal Hackshaw.
Midfielders: Andre Fortune II, Judah Garcia, Khaleem Hyland, Molik Jesse Khan, Kevin Molino, Duane Muckette, Michel Poon-Angeron.
Forwards: Ryan Telfer, Marcus Joseph, Isaiah Lee, Hashim Arcia, Reon Moore.
Technical staff: Angus Eve (head coach), Reynold Carrington (assistant coach), Hutson Charles (assistant coach), Clayton Ince (goalkeeper coach), Adaryll John (strength and conditioning coach), Saron Joseph (performance trainer/massage therapist), Roger Ryan (physiotherapist), Adrian Romain (team manager), Richard Piper (national team director), Basil Thompson (logistics manager), Dr Akash Dhanai (team doctor), Michael Williams (equipment manager), and Shaun Fuentes (press officer).
