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UNDER 20S TACKLE CUBANS IN CONCACAF OPENER TODAY Print

 Update: Trinidad and Tobago had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Cuba in their opening match on Wednesday night in Guatemala City. A victory would have booked a place in the quarter finals for Zoran Vranes' team but they will now have to at least earn a draw or avoid a defeat by three or more goals to Mexico on Friday to keep their qualifying hopes alive for the 2011 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Colombia.

Trinidad and Tobago's National Under 20 footballers will kick of their CONCACAF final round campaign towards the 2011 FIFA Under 20 World Cup against Cuba tonight (Weds) from 8pm in Guatemala City.


Coach Zoran Vranes, after several weeks of intense preparation since TT's last victory in the Caribbean Football Union Qualifying Round over Suriname last December, is expecting his side to overcome their first hurdle but not without a challenge from the usually tricky Cubans.


Fellow Caribbean team Guadeloupe were edged by Canada on day one action on Monday while Cuba proved to be little match for Mexico losing 3-0. Vranes expects Cuba to come all out from the opening whistle.

"Well it's clear that they need to win to remain with any chance and it means they will come at us from early," Vranes told TTFF Media on Tuesday.

"But we are prepared. We know what is required of us. A good result will set the pace for us. We know the Mexico game is expected to be the toughest for us on paper in this first round but we will not take Cuba for granted," he added.

"We have been talking a lot to the players and mentally they are prepared. Our fitness level is quite good and now we have to see how well the players respond to instructions and adjust to suit depending on the match situation. I'm not worried about our readiness because I think we have done our work," added Vranes.

The current side under captain Sheldon Bateau could consider history to be on their side as in 1990 TT booked their first World Cup spot at the games in Guatemala City under head coach Bertille St Clair and captain Dwight Yorke. That TT squad  included the likes of Angus Eve, Anthony Sherwood, Jerren Nixon, Clayton Ince, Michael Mccomie and Shawn Boney, the late Richard Theodore,Glen Benjamin, Nigel Davidson, Granville Millington, Gavin Moze, Dean Pacheco and Roger Henry among others.

TT finished second behind Mexico and both advanced to the 1991 Under 20 World Cup in Portugal . Yorke's team defeated El Salvador (3-1), USA (1-0), Guatemala (2-1), drew scoreless with Canada and lost 2-1 to the Mexicans in the qualifiers. Fans can follow the action via www.concacaf.net
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