Mitchell calls for ‘sea of red’ at Friday’s qualifier

Carlyle Mitchell
Carlyle Mitchell

The national men’s football team will begin a residential training camp today as they enter the final leg of preparations for Friday’s all-important 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round qualifier against Honduras at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Dennis Lawrence will lead a training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium today. He is expected to have his full contingent of players by tomorrow.

The Honduran team is expected here on Wednesday.

Defender Carlyle Mitchell is among the overseas-based players selected by Lawrence for the fixture and he is anticipating a sold-out venue on Friday.

“It’s not often we get to take such a big game outside of Port of Spain. I think the last time we played in Couva was against Panama couple years ago and then we had the warm up against Barbados. But this match is very big one as it’s a World Cup qualifier with both teams needed points to stay alive,” Mitchell said after his arrival on Saturday.

“I expect to see the Stadium rammed to capacity and a sea of red because we need that extra support. When we played in Honduras it was a sea of blue from two hours before kick off and their fans lined the streets hours before the game. It is something that players take note of when we are in the bus heading to the match. This time we are at home and we need to make it count,” Mitchell said.

“I think that with the right approach and putting in the hard work and staying focused this week is what will make the difference on Friday. Honduras are coming to win because they always feel they have an edge over us but we need to show them that as a football country and as a team we are not a walk over,” said the India-based player.

“At the moment my form is good. I’m really happy to be back in the mix because I missed the last couple games with injury. I know Dennis (Lawrence) has been focusing heavily on getting the team to a level that will make us competitive but now we need to demonstrate that on the field by taking chances, avoiding soft goals and putting points on the board,” he ended.

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"Mitchell calls for ‘sea of red’ at Friday’s qualifier"

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