Trinidad & Tobago (pictured) walks the pitch before a training session on May 16, 2016. (Photo: TTFA Media)
MARABELLA, Trinidad -- It's never too early to begin preparing for FIFA World Cup Qualifying, even if the next match is more than three months away.
Trinidad & Tobago opened camp at Manny Ramjohn Stadium on Monday to train for three away international friendlies over the next two weeks.
Head coach Stephen Hart welcomed several new players, including San Juan Jabloteh forward Nathan Lewis and North East Stars goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel.
Trinidad will visit Peru (May 23), Uruguay (May 27) and China (June 3).
"It’s good for them to come in and get a feel of international football and they are going to be getting that taste against three top quality teams," said defender Yohance Marshall, who plays for Mexican second-division side Murcielagos. "We have welcomed them and trying to get them settled in as obviously we were there at one point in our careers as well. But now it’s down to business and we will try to do as much as we can this week in training before the start of a hectic tour."
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Levi Garcia has two goals in as many games for the Soca Warriors and is eager to become more familiar with the senior set-up.
“This for me is a very exciting period in my career and for everyone in the team right now," said the 18-year-old. "We are about to play three good teams with some of the top players in the game. This is the kind of games any player wants to be involved in.
"We have some young players coming in and it’s always exciting for us as young players we get to learn off the senior players. It’s just about taking in what the coach says, following instructions and being ready for the matches."
T&T (3-1-1, 10 points) leads Group C in the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for Russia 2018, three points ahead of the USA.
