Hart names team for Mexico

This is a highly anticipated encounter on the back of the Soca Warriors’ impressive showing at the 2015 Gold Cup, in which the two teams engaged in an exciting and classic 4-4 drawn result in the group phase — a match that football pundits called the “Greatest Gold Cup Match Ever.” Speaking at the press briefing yesterday at the TT FA Office, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Hart, TT FA Operations Manager William Wallace and General Secretary Sheldon Phillips addressed the media about the squad and other issues related to the game. “We have to view the game in two ways,” Hart said. “It’s a difficult game looking at the timing of it, considering we won’t have much time together to prepare.

“In terms of the qualifiers in November, I am trying to keep much of the core squad together from the Gold Cup that I believe will be important going into those World Cup qualifying fixtures,” he explained.

Hart continued: “But at the same time I wanted to inject a few players that might create competition for places.

But for example given the TT Pro League hasn’t started yet, it made it difficult to put too many players in at the same time.” The new players Hart has brought in for this encounter are English League One, Gillingham FC defender Gavin Hoyte, USA based Austin Austex forward Trevin Caesar, Marcus Joseph from Central FC and mid-fielder Nevel Hackshaw from North East Stars.

Hart explained that captain Kenwyne Jones and defender Sheldon Bateau were excused, given pending moves in the upcoming European transfer window with their respective English and Russian League clubs.

Mid-fielder Atuallah Guerra and Winger Lester Peltier are the other absent Gold Cup squad members.

Operations Manager Wallace explained it is a basic contract for the game where expenses such as travel and airfare are being taken care of by the Mexican Federation, while the TT FA is responsible for match fees and extra days. He said the funding for this is coming from the Ministry of Sport and the Sport Company.

General Secretary Phillips also confirmed that according to the contract, TT FA has access to the television rights in Trinidad and Tobago, and are in the process organising to have the game shown locally.

Hart noted that his contract with the TT FA is not yet finalised and he hopes to do that after returning from this match; however, he noted he is fully focused on the job at hand.

In closing, he encouraged fans to maintain support of the national team as they build towards the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in November.

“Fans have to understand, before the Gold Cup people didn’t give us a chance because they based everything on what occurred in exhibition games,” he said.’ “Basically, all the experimenting that goes on in such games is all done so that when you get into tournaments all players are on the same page – so we have to put things into perspective.” Goal Keepers: Marvin Phillip – Caledonia AIA (TRI), Jan Michael Williams – Central FC (TRI) Defenders: Daneil Cyrus – Chicago Fire (USA), Yohance Marshall - Murcielagos FC (Mexico), Radanfah Abu Bakr – HB Koge (Denmark), Gavin Hoyte – Barnet (England), Aubrey David – Shakhter Karagandy (Kazakhstan), Mekeil Williams – Antigua GFC ( Guatemala) Mid-Fielders: Andre Boucaud – Dagenham & Redbridge (England), Khaleem Hyland – KVC Westerlo (Belgium), Kevan George – Columbus Crew (USA), Keron Cummings – North East Stars (TRI), Cordell Cato – San Jose Earthquakes (USA), Joevin Jones – Chicago Fire (USA), Neveal Hackshaw – North East Stars (TRI) Forwards: Rundell Winchester – Portland Timbers 2 (USA), Willis Plaza – Central FC (TRI), Trevin Caesar – Austin Aztex (USA), Jonathan Glenn – Breioablik (Iceland), Marcus Joseph – Central FC (TRI).