Colombian head-coach Francisco Maturana wants all the points against Guatemala today at home, before his "Soca Warriors" face potentially their toughest test in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying series against the United States in Chicago on Wednesday.
Guatemala have never beaten T&T here. Even so, the national team should meet a very competitive Guatemala, who are desperate for points after losing their opening home match 1-0 to the Americans.
In contrast, T&T made the perfect start, coming away with a 3-1 victory over Cuba in Havana on August 20. Maturana has said he would like to see a continuation of the recent momentum which also saw the Warriors defeat El Salvador 3-1 in a friendly match last month. He said victory in recent matches was very important to building the level of confidence within his team.
Maturana plays almost the same squad which defeated Cuba except for defender Makan Hislop and Khaleem Hyland, who are both suspended. Former captain Dwight Yorke also comes into the team and big Keyeno Thomas may replace Hislop at central defence. Thirty-seven year-old Yorke was very prominent in training on Thursday and is expected to take up the central midfield position, which Chris Birchall and Hyland shared against Cuba.
Despite having to shrug off a niggling groin problem over the past couple days since returning to national duty, Yorke expressed excitement about returning to competitive international football today against Guatemala.
"I feel good about making a return and trying to help Trinidad and Tobago again. Being here for the game against England brought back a bit of that desire again. Obviously I thought about it, had a talk with Mr Warner about it (and) here I am to representing my country again in an attempt to get to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010," Yorke said.
Trinidad and Tobago Squad:
1.Marvin Phillip - W. Connection; 2.Jan Michael Williams - Ferencvaros; 4.Avery John - Miami F.C.; 5.Dennis Lawrence - Swansea City FC; 6.Cyd Gray - Clico San Juan Jabloteh ; 7. Julius James - Toronto F.C; 8.Keyeno Thomas- Joe Public F.C.; 9.Aklie Edwards- Defence Force; 10.Osei Telesford - Puerto Rico Islanders; 11.Carlos Edwards - Sunderland FC; 12.Anthony Wolfe - North East Stars, 13.Densill Theobald - Caledonia AIA; 14.Dwight Yorke - Sunderland FC; 15.Keon Daniel - United Petrotrin; 16. Clyde Leon - W. Connection; 18. Kerry Baptiste - Joe Public FC; 19. Andre Toussaint - W. Connection; 20. Jason Scotland - Swansea City FC; 21. Cornell Glen - Unattached.