Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men’s Team will help mark the return of international football to the Sylvio Cator National Stadium in Port-Au- Prince since last January’s devastating earthquake with a friendly international against Haiti’s Senior Team on August 10.
The game will also be Otto Pfister’s first since he took charge of the “Soca Warriors” earlier this year.
TTFF Technical Adviser Keith Look Loy said the game was confirmed on Friday and the T&T team will comprise of its best available players including those based overseas. Both teams will also meet in a return match at a date to be confirmed.
“We’ve agreed to play there on August 10th in Port-au-Prince. The venue has been used a shelter since then and we are looking forward with great anticipation to that day. Despite the tragedy of the 2010 earthquake, they remain one of Caribbean football's powers. At the same time, playing the Haitian national selection in Haiti, and on such a meaningful occasion, allows us to demonstrate our solidarity with the Haitian people in a tangible manner, and via a medium that they will readily appreciate - football. This will undoubtedly be a tough match and a good measure of where we are immediately prior to the beginning of World Cup 2014 qualification” Look Loy told TTFF Media.
It had been mentioned earlier that talks had been ongoing with Central American teams but they all proved to be unavailable on the FIFA date.
“We have no problems playing against Haiti. They have proven to be formidable opponents and have started their World Cup preparations and will take this match seriously in their own backyard. It will be a massive occasion for the players and the people of Haiti on that day,” Look Loy added.
T&T last played Haiti on August 10, 2008 at the same stadium, losing the friendly 1-0.
Haiti is currently coached by Brazilian Edson Tavarez and among their recent call ups for a 1-0 loss to El Salvador in February included Jean-Francois Lescinel of English club Swindon Town as well as Kenold Versailles of US club Rochester Rhinos, same as T&T duo Kendall Jagdeosingh and Yohance Marshall, James Marcellin of Portland Timbers, Mechack Jerome of Orlando City (team of Kevin Molino and Devorn Jorsling) and goalkeeper Steward Ceus of MLS club Colorado Rapids. Some of their other international include Sporting Braga midfielder Joseph Peterson and defender Judelin Aveska of Argentine club Independiente . Haiti defeated Qatar 1-0 in a friendly in Doha last November.
The T&T senior team has been in training twice per week at the Ato Boldon Stadium and Pfister will select his squad for the encounter later this month.