McClaren expects tough T&T test for local-based Boyz
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren says he is expecting a highly competitive contest when his team take on Trinidad and Tobago in their two-match home friendly international series next week.
The first game will be played on Thursday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, starting at 7:30 pm, while the second match is scheduled for three days later at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 8:00 pm.
McClaren, who announced a 28-man local-based squad for both games on Thursday, noted that he is looking forward to facing newly-appointed Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwight Yorke in the encounters.
“It is going to be difficult to prepare, especially for the first game, because we don’t know if we are going to play a five, three, or four, we don’t know what formation. So we just have to focus and concentrate on ourselves and our squad,” he said.
“When he got the job, I had a quick chat with him, and I think it is fantastic for Concacaf and for the Caribbean. I think he is a big coach, and he did very well when he was in Australia. Coming back into this scene, it is great to see,” McClaren stated.
“He will bring so much difference. Already, I have seen what he is doing. Trinidad played Cuba when we were playing the US, and I have seen a couple of those games. They were very organized, and they played very well. They won those games, so we expect a very tough challenge,” he added.
Full squad: Goalkeepers: Shaquan Davis, Benjamin Williams, Joshua Grant, Jahmali Waite.
Defenders: Richard King, Fitzroy Cummings, Gadail Irving, Christopher Ainsworth, Robino Gordon, Kyle Ming, Stephen Young, Jeovanni Laing, Sue-Lae McCalla, Maliek Howell.
Midfielders: Jashshaun Anglin, Demario Phillips, Romeo Guthrie, Dwayne Atkinson, Shamar Watson, Nathaniel Howe, Daniel Green.
Forwards: Warner Brown, Kimani Arbourne, Ranaldo Biggs, Shaneil Thomas, Raheem Edwards, Kimoni Bailey, Jalmaro Calvin.
– Robert Bailey