Marvin Phillip eager to help less experienced Soca Warriors

NATIONAL football team goalkeeper Marvin Phillip is eager to share his experiences with the younger Trinidad and Tobago players, particularly during the team’s camp in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The TT team are preparing for the start of their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, against Guyana, on Thursday. The game will be contested in Santo Domingo from 7 pm (TT time).

In a video interview with TT Football Association (TTFA) Media, Phillip said, “I was once a younger player and (there were) a lot of senior players around like Dennis (Lawrence and) Stern (John).

The veteran goalie continued, “I guess these guys are looking up to me. It’s just for me to lend my expertise of what I’ve learnt over the years.”

The 36-year-old, who plays for Neroca FC in India, has represented TT in 78 international matches, since making his debut in January 2007.

“I’ve been around a while,” Phillip said. “It’s a World Cup campaign we’re going into. A player’s pinnacle is always trying to play at the highest level, at the World Cup. This campaign is very important for us. We just need to get settled and get our minds focussed on our game.”

TT coach Terry Fenwick named four goalkeepers in his 26-man squad for the qualifiers against Guyana and Puerto Rico (in Puerto Rico on March 28) – Phillip, Adrian Foncette, newcomer Denzil Smith and Nicklas Frenderup.

The 28-year-old Denmark-born Frenderup said, “I’m very happy for the call-up. I’m looking forward to these two games. It’s nice to see the players and the staff again.”

According to Frenderup, “It’s very interesting to see what Terry is going to do with us in training. I think we can achieve some big things.”

In related news, midfielder Khaleem Hyland and defender Aubrey David joined the team camp on Sunday night and were due to train on Monday evening.