Only two members were missing from the Trinidad and Tobago camp at the Crowne Plaza ahead of Tuesday morning’s first training session under head coach Leo Beenhakker.
Those two, skipper Dwight Yorke and West Ham goalie Shaka Hislop will be arriving later on Tuesday after the 16 other overseas-based pros all touched down at Piarco on Monday. Among them being the likes of Russell Latapy, Clayton Ince, Kelvin Jack, Jason Scotland, Dennis Lawrence, Chris Birchall and others.
They came through immigration at Piarco just around the same time as the Bahrain team which had most members looking jaded following their long journey from Bahrain via London.
Head coach Luka Peruzovic looking a tired man himself, refused to talk to the local media, suggesting only “After.. after” as he seemed interested only in getting on the Public Transportation Bus which then took the team to the Hilton Trinidad.
The mood was a bright one over at the Crowne as the bus transporting those arriving on the evening arrived earlier than their counterparts which did not take the quicker priority bus route but rather came down the normal highway route which had a crawling Monday evening traffic down to traffic lights near Grand Bazaar.
“We are just glad to be home because something about this trip was not the usual. Maybe it’s the whole aspect going into such a match. It’s been on all our minds and just being here is a little more relaxing,” Luton Town midfielder Carlos Edwards told TTFF Media.
”I think it’s obviously exciting times for us and the sooner we can get things going on the pitch then I think the boys will all be comfortable and focused on the job ahead,” Stern John added: “We are confident yes but at the same time, nothing is certain and we have two very big games ahead of us. The country needs to realize that and be patient too at the same time.”
Beenhakker had everyone gathered for dinner at 8:30 pm and the mood was a relaxed one but you could sense that every man was moving around with something serious on his mind.
“Okay guys. We are here and that is most important. I always enjoy when we can get together again especially on the first night. We are ten days and 180 minutes away from glory,” Beenhakker reminded his ‘Warriors’.
The T&T team will engage in a closed door session at 9:30 am at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and then again at 5:30pm while Bahrain will train at the Larry Gomes Stadium in the evening.