T&T test for local Boyz

WESTERN BUREAU:

The local-based players could well lead the lineup for the Reggae Boyz in this evening’s first of two friendly internationals against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at Montego Bay Sports Complex according to hints by national senior men’s head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Speaking in Montego Bay yesterday ahead of their second training session, Hallgrimsson, who has called up at least two training camps for local-based players since his appointment, said these players are already familiar with his “tactical approach”.

“It will be a mixture of both (local and overseas) but it is good to have players that know the tactical approach we will have. Having them on the pitch they can help guide the others in what we want to do,” Hallgrimsson said.

“Of course, we would like to have a longer preparation but yesterday (Thursday) went well. Today we will get to prepare even better. The good thing is that we have been working with the guys in the local league here. They know what we want, what kind of football and our tactical approach, so hopefully it’s going to be a smooth game for us,” he added.

PHYSICAL GAME

Despite T&T going through a rebuilding phase, Hallgrimsson is expecting a tough game.

“We expect them to be physical, and maybe intimidating, so it’s going to be a tough match. Based on statistics, I think everything is equal in terms of head-to-head. Hopefully, the win will fall on our side,” said Hallgrimsson, who added that he is not just focused on the result.

“Of course, it’s preparation for the Mexico match and the future so we are not solely focused on winning the match. We want to see some players and rotate for sure. For me, yes performance, but also to give all the players a chance to stake a claim to be in the next squad against Mexico,” Hallgrimsson.

When asked if top teenager Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards has impressed enough to start, coach Hallgrimsson said “we’ll see” while adding that there is no pressure on him.

“Technically he is a good kid and physically he is ready. However, it will be a challenge for him to step up to men’s football, especially jumping straight into the international level,” Hallgrimsson said.

“There is no pressure on that kid, he is a future player. If he is ready or not, is not important to me. It’s just to see where he is at and I’m impressed with him so far,” he added.

While admitting that the pitch is not exactly what he wanted, coach Hallgrimsson said he is grateful for the work put into remedying concerns over the playing surface.

“I wish it was I little bit better but I give all the respect to the guys working on it. It still has some way to get to the one in Kingston but they are working hard so hopefully, soon it will be the best in Jamaica.”

Meanwhile T&T’s national senior men’s head coach Angus Eve is hoping that today’s match will present the chance for a change in the culture that will lead the nation on the road back to prominence.

“We want to see how the guys compete. It is well documented that we haven’t had a proper football league for a while. It is no excuse. So to see the guys implement and try to do the right things, the things that we have been teaching are most important,” Eve told The Gleaner on Thursday.

The T&T programme is undergoing restructuring on and off the field with FIFA recently extending the term of the normalisation committee currently managing the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association until the end of the month. The committee was put in place three years ago to not only settle its outstanding financial issues but to ensure compliance with FIFA statutes and rules.

On the field, Eve is hoping that a renaissance can be triggered with his team, in how they play for them to be in a position to achieve long-term success.

“We have been trying to change the culture back to what we used to do a long time ago. We want to make the team very strong defensively. That is an area that we lacked in the past and we always had attacking flair,” Eve said.