Trinidad & Tobago head coach Stephen Hart (white shirt. center) gives instruction during a training session on October 10, 2015, in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: TTFA Media)
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago – With the start of its qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup quickly approaching, Trinidad & Tobago experimented somewhat in last week’s 2-1 international-friendly win at Panama.
And, with another friendly on Tuesday against visiting Nicaragua, the Soca Warriors may do some more.
Attacking midfielder Keron Cummings and forward Jonathan Glenn are both ready to do whatever is asked of them by head coach Stephen Hart. Against the Panamanians, Glenn made his first start up front alongside Kenwyne Jones, while Cummings began the game in an outside right position rather than his usual role in the middle of the attack.
“We did a bit of experimenting on how we would play with two strikers up front and Cummings, we were hoping would come in from the right side on his left foot,” said Hart. “It’s something we said, well okay, look, we don’t have a lot of time with the two World Cup games coming up, so let’s see how it looks.”
The results and reviews were mixed, but very encouraging.
“It didn’t work out especially on the defensive end because we were struggling to get it right down Gavin Hoyte’s side as he was put under too much pressure,” Hart continued. “But we solved the problem in the second half and we did much better. We created a lot of chances and if we score those chances, especially away from home, the crowd would get on the home team and they would feel it a lot more.”
Glenn, who scored in a 3-3 draw with Mexico last month, feels that partnership with Jones will evolve.
“It’s something new for both of us because we are both usually playing alone up top for our clubs, so it took a bit of adjusting,” said the 28-year-old. “But as professionals, it’s something we knew the coach wanted do so we had to go out there and do it to the best of our abilities.
“It was good that we combined for that first goal. We are both physically strong, so we were a bit of a handful for the two center backs.”
Trinidad will the fourth round of qualifying away to Guatemala on November 13.
