Tridents head coach: No easy games!

WITH Barbados’ next assignment of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers expected to be a bit less intense than their opener against Panama, Head Coach of the Tridents Russell Latapy reminded supporters that there were no easy games.

As Barbados stands 162 on the world standings, while opponents Anguilla are a bit further down the line at 209 at the bottom of the CONCACAF table, they are expected to do well on paper. However, Latapy said that they would not underestimate any team.

He was speaking to members of the media yesterday during a pre-game conference via Zoom and stated that the local boys had picked up and recovered from their last game and were now looking forward to facing Anguilla.

“I think when we left Barbados coming to these two games, we knew that in terms of these two games, the Panama game was always going to be a game that was difficult for us. And we knew that in terms of the Anguilla game, we were going to be favourites based on the standings and we are looking forward to getting some points on the board,” he said.

Latapy noted that the mindset of the players was positive and that there were only one or two players with minor issues. However, he revealed that the medical team was working feverishly to have everyone match fit, with Akeem Hill being the only player needing any special attention.

Going on to say that he was feeling quite confident of pulling out a positive result, Latapy, who draws on his personal experience having been a part of six or seven World Cup qualifying campaigns, said that all qualifying campaigns are extremely difficult.

“It doesn’t matter who you play against. You know you have to go out there and you have to work and fight and sweat for everything, and I’m sure this game is going to be no different. There are no easy games in international football. None at all! We try to stress to the players that it doesn’t matter who we play against. We go out there and give the best that we can give and try to play the way that we want to play. If we can do that better than the other team, then the result will come our way,” he said.

With Panama initially expected to have an easy game over Barbados and struggling for the 1-0 win, questions were raised about the perception of Anguilla. However, Latapy said that he was approaching every game with the same level of caution.

“I think it is a question of respect. The same way we don’t want anybody to underestimate us or take us for granted, we’re not going to do that. We are going to give the same respect to every team that we play against and we are going to go out and work as hard as we can to make Barbados proud and to follow the dreams and potential that we think that we have.”

When asked about if the team was feeling any pressure as the favourites going into tonight’s game at the Felix Sanchez Stadium, Latapy explained that there was always an element of pressure, but that it was his job to eliminate it.

“I think it is my job to keep the pressure away from the players and I try to deal with that and keep them as relaxed and focused as possible. On the other hand, I believe in the process and we try to get the players to buy into that thinking that if we get the process right, the results are going to come. If we can go out and try to play the way that we want to play and that we worked on the training pitch, then I’m certain that we will get a favourable result,” he said. (MP)