BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, CMC-Trinidad and Tobago footballers have arrived in Buenos Aires for one of its biggest football assignments, a clash with former FIFA World Cup holders Argentina.
The Trinidadians are reportedly pumped up for their battle with the two times world champions after touching down in the Argentina capital Monday night ahead of their friendly international at the Estadio Monumental today.
“It was a long day so the players will get some rest and have the morning off,” said T&T head coach Stephen Hart.
“We’ll have a session in the afternoon and just continue focusing on what’s ahead of us on Wednesday”.
The 22-man squad, led by skipper Kenwyne Jones, is backed by a travelling contingent which includes double world record-holder Brian Lara and the Siparia rhythm section, a tassa group and steelband.
“It’s good to be here,” Hart told said.
“We’ve known about this game since the start of the year and getting to the country and settling in is always something you want to get out of the way”.
T&T President Anthony Carmona is also scheduled to be in Buenos Aires to see his country take on Argentina, who won the FIFA World Cup in 1978 and 1986.
“I don’t think it’s going to be something where we are going to freeze on the day. Obviously, it’s a big occasion for the
players but we’re going to be ready for it,” said Jones.
“My players know what they have to do…they will press as they should, they will put in their tackles and they will be going all out to put in a good showing,” Jones said yesterday prior to the team’s training session.
The Argentineans are using the game to fine-tune their preparations for the FIFA World Cup which starts in a matter of days while Trinidad and Tobago are preparing for the Caribbean Cup later this year.
The game will now kick off at 7.30 p.m. (6.30 p.m. T&T time) following a change by the Argentina Football Association.