Trinidad and Tobago head coach Leo Beenhakker had his first on field interaction with several of this country’s overseas-based professionals in two sessions ahead of Wednesday’s warm up encounter against Peru club champions Alianza Lima at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 6:30pm.
Team skipper Dwight Yorke joined the team in the afternoon session at the Mucurapo venue along with New England Revolution defender Avery John who arrived home earlier in the day. Wrexham trio Carlos Edwards, Dennis Lawrence and Hector Sam were scheduled in Monday night from London along with Kenwyne Jones while Real Salt Lake duo Marlon Rojas and Leslie Fitzpatrick had to reschedule their flights and were carded to arrive on Monday night as well with Coventry City striker Stern John coming in on Tuesday from Miami.
Beenhakker, soaking from the heavy shower with his players throughout the morning session, expressed optimism ahead of the upcoming clashes but was adamant that every player in the current camp would have to earn their places on the team and he stressed the need for strong work ethic.
“The game against the Alianza team from Peru is important for us because it gives us another chance to see how some of the players will fit into the shape of things before our upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. We have several of the more experienced players who are employed in the UK and United States back in the team and which many of the people here are well aware of and obviously they are expected to bring something of value to the team but at the same time we are emphasizing the need for everyone including the local based players to step it up and take this exercise seriously. It’s not just another training game but rather one which is a key part of our preparations for the two World Cup games ahead,” Beenhakker told TTFF Media.
Among the players working under Beenhakker is CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh midfielder Aurtis Whitley who last played for the “Warriors” in a friendly against Bermuda last February. He previously made his senior debut in a 1-0 win over Panama in a 2002 World Cup qualifier. Whitley explained that he is up for the current challenge and is going all out to earn a final team pick.
“I know a lot of people were raising questions as to why I stayed away from the National Team over the past few months even though my name was appearing on the list but there were a few reasons and a lot of it had to do with me not feeling too comfortable with the last set up and maybe there were some problems with myself and the past coach but I have put that behind me now. The chance is here for me again to make a big impression and I think I am up for it. I’m injury free and I’m ready to give it my all under the new coach and I am hoping that I can do something good for the team,” Whitley said.
English-born midfielder Chris Birchall appeared comfortable in his first session on Monday morning at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
“It was a good first session for me but my only complaint was the humidity. I’ve been drinking water all morning,” Birchall joked. “Overall though I felt good being out there and I’m really just looking forward to the rest of the camp with a lot of high hopes to do well.”
The Alianza team will be spearheaded by Peru International Guillermo Salas. They are known as Peru’s oldest club and has won the domestic title numerous times including the 1997, 2001 and 2004 seasons. Outstanding Peruvian striker Nolberto Solano is also a past member of the Lima club which will train at 5:30pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday following a scheduled 8:30pm arrival on Monday.