BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A confident Barbados 20-man squad were scheduled to leave the island yesterday for Aruba, where they face the hosts in the first leg of their second round 2018 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
The game, scheduled for the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad, is expected to be a tough outing but technical director Marcos Falopa said Barbados were prepared and confident of a positive result.
“We have prepared for the changes from a physical aspect because recovery will be a little difficult and we also tried to work hard with the mental preparation,” the Brazilian said.
“We will try our best [because] it is not easy. It is a game and you can win, draw or lose but it is important to have the mentality that you will give something for Barbados because the Barbados national team wants to win.”
Falopa said Aruba would be strengthened by the inclusion of several players based in The Netherlands but noted that Barbados had prepared with this in mind.
Aruba is a constituent member of the European nation.
“The boys are very aware of the tactical things … there will be about six to eight players from Holland on their (Aruba) team,” Falopa said.
“They (Aruba) are well prepared I believe and they play a style of short passing [and] good counter-attacking. It will be a good game. We have some good hopes for this game.”
Experienced defender Emmerson Boyce and United States-based goalkeeper Keasel Broome are the two overseas-based players named in the squad for the Aruba contest.
The 35-year-old Boyce played for the recently relegated Wigan Athletic in the English Championship last season while the 23-year-old Broome is a member of the New York Cosmos which campaigns in the North American Soccer League.
Broome, who is seeking his first national cap, said he was also confident about achieving the team goals.
“I’m expecting us to work hard. It’s going to be a tough game against Aruba, both home and away. To get even a point on the road and a win at home is the expectation,” said Broome.
“Preparations have gone well. I’m trying to bring as much experience and professionalism to the team as possible. I think together as a unit we’re very solid especially in defence and we have a solid leader in Mario Harte, so I think that altogether we have a good side.”
Barbados return home to host Aruba in the second leg on Sunday at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Dario Weir, Keasel Broome
Defenders:
Emmerson Boyce, Ramon Manning, Akeene Browne, Rico Graham, Paul Alexander, Ricardio Morris, Ronaldo Bailey.
Midfielders:
Renaldo Marques, Rashad Jules, Jamal Chandler, Raheim Sargeant, Jomo Harris, Sebastian Hunte, Romario Harewood, Hadan Holligan, Rashad Jules.
Forwards:
Mario Harte, Jomo Harewood, Arantees Lawrence
CMC tm/ed/15