All assets expected onboard for World Cup Qualifiers

After setting themselves up in third place when they completed the first round of games in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Barbados is expected to have full service when they take in the second round of games early next month in the Dominican Republic. Slated to go up against the hosts and Dominica in their remaining Group D fixtures, the Tridents should have all of their players at their disposal for the June 4th and 8th games at the Felix Sanchez Stadium.

This from senior team Head Coach Russell Latapy as he spoke to members of the media yesterday in a Zoom meeting. Noting that the squad was about to enter an intensive two-week programme at home ahead of the games, Latapy revealed that requests were sent for six of the team’s overseas-based assets.

With the talents of Omani Leacock, Krystian Pearce, Thierry Gale, Hallam Hope, Ryan Trotman and Nick Blackman all expected to make the trip, Latapy said that they had all been favourable to the team in the past and merited their call-ups. With the likes of Hope, Blackman and Gale all notably missing from the last round of games against Panama and Anguilla, the Head Coach explained that their respective professional seasons were all at an end and that it was just a matter of making sure the right flights were booked and that the right protocols were in place as it related to quarantines.

Going on to say that there was a big squad in training at present, Latapy added that the aim over the next two weeks was to whittle it down to 24 for the trip. With several new players turning up for selection, Under-20 players making the transition and the return of players such as Armando Lashley and Ricardio Morris, who were also missing from the last squad, Latapy said that he preferred the dilemma he found himself in with too many players to choose from.

“This is the type of situation that I like when I have all my players fit and I have selection headaches. I much prefer it like that than being locked in a corner with a very small group to choose from. I am happy that these players are back. We’ve got a few with little niggles but there isn’t any serious situation that is going to keep anybody out presently.”

With the Barbados Football Association forced to take a decision to do a two-week training camp in Cap Cana ahead of the previous games due to restrictions here in Barbados, the situation is such that the team can train at home this time around. However, Latapy said that although it was comfortable to be training at home, Cap Cana was good for the team.

“We are getting time to get our work in but I also have to say that the last time in Cap Cana was absolutely fantastic as well because it was an opportunity for a coach to have the players to himself for two weeks – their undivided attention. It was a lot of time to prepare the team, but it was a really good time for me living with the players 24-7 and getting to know them, their habits, strengths and weaknesses and to build bonds and relationships. That was really important.”

The trip this time around will be costing the BFA in the region of $200,000 as the team will be taking a chartered flight to minimise possibilities of infection and President Randy Harris said that he hoped that it could become the standard.

“This is not a normal situation and at any rate, these are the things that we should have the ability to do for our national team – be able to send them away together. There's much to benefit from. If we do these things it builds a better friendship among the players as a group. Hopefully going forward we hope to be in this kind of position that we can assist our national teams in this manner.”

Booked to head out on May 30th and return June 9th, Coach Latapy said that the feeling in the camp was the same as always in terms of the objective, however, he said that the recent results have served as a catalyst for a new kind of thinking in the squad.

“What has changed a little bit is a sense that we are believing a bit more. I think with the performances against Panama and Anguilla, when you believe one thing, it's good, but if you put it into practice as well then that strengthens your belief and I think that happened over the last two games. Hopefully, moving into these two games, we could show exactly how we feel. Not only to ourselves and the people who are close to us, but hopefully the whole country can see the steps and strides we are taking moving forward.”  (MP)