Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2024 6:06:33 GMT
90 minutes from history
T&T skipper David exuding confidence
Ian Prescott Mar 19, 2024 Comments
trinidadexpress.com/sports/local/90-minutes-from-history/article_301a1a36-e65c-11ee-929a-33ac2b12d28d.html
Ian Prescott
Soca Warriors
FINE-TUNING: Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors during a training session, yesterday, in Texas, ahead of Saturday’s Copa America qualifier against Canada. Pictured are Andre Rampersad, right to left, Kevon Goddard and Levi Garcia. —Photo: TTFA Media.
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CAPTAIN Aubrey David has described the Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team as being just 90 minutes away from history —an hour and a half from taking part in the prestigious Copa America later this year.
Potentially, awaiting them, is a June 20 meeting with World Cup holders Argentina, a team captained by Lionel Messi—FIFA’s 2023 Footballer of the Year.
“It’s 90 minutes away from making history. So, I think that’s motivation for us,” stated David in an interview with TTFA media.
“It could change a lot of our lives.”
All that stands in the Soca Warriors’ way of getting to the Copa America is Canada’s “Golden generation”, a squad containing 12 European-based and 11 Major League Soccer players.
Among them is Bayern Munich’s Alfonzo Davis, Tajon Buchanan (Inter Milan), Jonathan David (Lille), Cyle Larin (RCD Mallorca) and Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), along with others playing in England’s Championship Division.
T&T and Canada, both beaten quarter-finalists at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL), meet in a play-off on Saturday at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, from 4 p.m. The prize is a spot in the 16-team Copa America.
“I think it’s a big opportunity for us to play in the Copa America, as a nation,” said the T&T skipper. “I think it’s the biggest thing for us after a World Cup. It’s a grand opportunity that we have.”
The Costa Rica-based defender continued: “Everybody knows it’s a chance to make history. Very important for the country. Very important for our careers personally, and as a team.”
With Levi Garcia as T&T’s only established Europe-based player, it is truly a ‘David versus Goliath’ scenario, as recently described by T&T head coach Angus Eve.
But these Soca Warriors have surpassed such obstacles before. Just a few months ago, in November, they upstaged an equally formidable and possibly more talented USA team 2-1 in their second-leg tie of a CNL quarter-final.
Skipper David believes that anything is possible.
“Being a one-off game, you have to give everything. We have to throw everything at it. It’s 90 minutes away from changing our lives forever,” he reiterated. “To die basically on the field...and in 90 minutes anything can happen.”
Greece-based AEK Athens striker Levi Garcia, 26, returns to the squad, having missed the Nations League runs which saw T&T register wins over Curacao, Guatemala, El Salvador and the USA.
Now injury-free and in good form, with five goals in five matches for his club, much will depend on Garcia, who also believes that the Soca Warriors have a chance to take the winner-takes-all pot.
“We have a nice squad. The guys are really gelling well together and I believe that if we get the right stuff done on game day, knowing that the game is a one-off, it is possible to get the win,” said Garcia.
“A lot of people don’t understand how grateful we are to represent our country; knowing that there are a lot of younger guys looking at us... For hope, for a way out, and this type of opportunity is one we should grasp with both hands and make the platform right for these guys,” he added.
Like Garcia, captain David is of the firm belief T&T has the squad to produce and upset come Saturday evening.
“It’s a good squad, of course. We basically have the core that we had last year in the Nations League group stage. Of course, Levi (Garcia) is back, Judah (Garcia) is back, that is a big plus for us. Ajani (Fortune) is back and we also have players with experience that are back, like Robert Primus and Adrian Foncette. That could help with the experience. So, it’s a good mix that we have.”
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