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SOCA vs REGGAE
T&T tackle Jamaica at 'Marvin Lee'
Ian Prescott
iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Saturday, June 7th 2008
PUMPED UP: Trinidad and Tobago and Sunderland FC midfielder Carlos Edwards flies in on the ball during an intense national team training session on Thursday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The T&T Soca Warriors will clash with Jamaica's Reggae Boyz in another friendly international this evening at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. -Photo: Ian Prescott
CAPTAIN Aurtis Whitley has hinted that Caribbean rivals Jamaica may very well end up the unfortunate victims of Trinidad and Tobago rage, following the Soca Warriors' 3-0 defeat to England last Sunday.
Today, T&T meet Jamaica for the second time this year when playing from 6 p.m. at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
In the first clash at the end of March, a locally-based Warriors team battled from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Reggae Boyz at "the Office" in Kingston, Jamaica.
Trinidad and Tobago are now boosted by the inclusion of foreign-based players Carlos Edwards (Sunderland), Clayton Ince (Walsall), Jason Scotland (Swansea) and Dennis Lawrence (Swansea).
Southampton striker Stern John and left-back Aklie Edwards are also back in the squad following injuries, while Darryl Roberts, the former Sparta Rotterdam forward, picked up a knock in training but is expected to play.
Only Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones is missing after suffering a knee injury against England.
Skipper Whitley is confident T&T can win today.
"We played against them (Jamaica) before, so we know the game will be pretty intense," said Whitley. "For some reason, I think they have to watch out. We will be looking to put our best foot forward, so they have to 'brakes'. We are pretty confident right now."
Following the England defeat, Trinidad and Tobago assistant coach Anton Corneal hinted they were working on a little more compactness against Jamaica.
He said that was one of several lessons learnt from the England experience.
"I think we gave them (England) a little too much room...we are trying to adjust that right now. And then, England utilised that room properly," Corneal said. "England broke the mould...in that although we were compact in certain areas, we still gave a lot of space behind, which they exploited behind our backs. So, we realise against better teams, if we give them room, they will play. "
Corneal explained why his team did better against England in the second half. First, they settled and, secondly, T&T were also able to make a defensive adjustment by shifting to the 3-5-2 system.
He said the inclusion of substitute Osei Telesford above the defence allowed central midfielders Whitley and Khaleem Hyland a little more room in which to play.
And Corneal added that the Soca Warriors were also able to do some additional work in mid-week, when beating Guyana 3-0 in a friendly international.
"It was a very much a closed-door practice game...just to look at other players in different positions. It was really a matter of getting a different perspective of the game. Several players were playing out of position, just to see little areas that we may change that will help compliment the team," he said.
On the other side today, Jamaican forward Deon Burton is also looking for a better performance from the Reggae Boyz.
The Sheffield Wednesday player said while Trinidad and Tobago would be favourites because of home advantage, they will get nothing easy from Jamaica this time.
Burton said the Jamaicans were disappointed to allow the Soca Warriors a draw in their last meeting.
"Well, obviously we were disappointed with the result after being two-up at half-time. We made lots of changes at half-time and let the Trinidad team back in," he said. "But, obviously, this is all part of the building process."
Copyright Trinidad Express
T&T tackle Jamaica at 'Marvin Lee'
Ian Prescott
iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Saturday, June 7th 2008
PUMPED UP: Trinidad and Tobago and Sunderland FC midfielder Carlos Edwards flies in on the ball during an intense national team training session on Thursday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The T&T Soca Warriors will clash with Jamaica's Reggae Boyz in another friendly international this evening at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. -Photo: Ian Prescott
CAPTAIN Aurtis Whitley has hinted that Caribbean rivals Jamaica may very well end up the unfortunate victims of Trinidad and Tobago rage, following the Soca Warriors' 3-0 defeat to England last Sunday.
Today, T&T meet Jamaica for the second time this year when playing from 6 p.m. at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
In the first clash at the end of March, a locally-based Warriors team battled from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Reggae Boyz at "the Office" in Kingston, Jamaica.
Trinidad and Tobago are now boosted by the inclusion of foreign-based players Carlos Edwards (Sunderland), Clayton Ince (Walsall), Jason Scotland (Swansea) and Dennis Lawrence (Swansea).
Southampton striker Stern John and left-back Aklie Edwards are also back in the squad following injuries, while Darryl Roberts, the former Sparta Rotterdam forward, picked up a knock in training but is expected to play.
Only Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones is missing after suffering a knee injury against England.
Skipper Whitley is confident T&T can win today.
"We played against them (Jamaica) before, so we know the game will be pretty intense," said Whitley. "For some reason, I think they have to watch out. We will be looking to put our best foot forward, so they have to 'brakes'. We are pretty confident right now."
Following the England defeat, Trinidad and Tobago assistant coach Anton Corneal hinted they were working on a little more compactness against Jamaica.
He said that was one of several lessons learnt from the England experience.
"I think we gave them (England) a little too much room...we are trying to adjust that right now. And then, England utilised that room properly," Corneal said. "England broke the mould...in that although we were compact in certain areas, we still gave a lot of space behind, which they exploited behind our backs. So, we realise against better teams, if we give them room, they will play. "
Corneal explained why his team did better against England in the second half. First, they settled and, secondly, T&T were also able to make a defensive adjustment by shifting to the 3-5-2 system.
He said the inclusion of substitute Osei Telesford above the defence allowed central midfielders Whitley and Khaleem Hyland a little more room in which to play.
And Corneal added that the Soca Warriors were also able to do some additional work in mid-week, when beating Guyana 3-0 in a friendly international.
"It was a very much a closed-door practice game...just to look at other players in different positions. It was really a matter of getting a different perspective of the game. Several players were playing out of position, just to see little areas that we may change that will help compliment the team," he said.
On the other side today, Jamaican forward Deon Burton is also looking for a better performance from the Reggae Boyz.
The Sheffield Wednesday player said while Trinidad and Tobago would be favourites because of home advantage, they will get nothing easy from Jamaica this time.
Burton said the Jamaicans were disappointed to allow the Soca Warriors a draw in their last meeting.
"Well, obviously we were disappointed with the result after being two-up at half-time. We made lots of changes at half-time and let the Trinidad team back in," he said. "But, obviously, this is all part of the building process."
Copyright Trinidad Express
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