David: Trinidad and Tobago has right mix of experience and youth

TT MEN’S football team defender Aubrey David is pleased with the blend of experience and youth players in the 26-man squad, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifier against Guyana at the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

The game is set to take place on Thursday from 7 pm (TT time).

The 30-year-old David, who can play in both full-back positions, as well as central defence, spoke to the TT Football Association (TTFA) media ahead of Tuesday evening’s training session at Santa Fe.

David said, “We have a lot of senior players and we have a lot of young players with talent. I think we have the right mix, in order to get the right result. We just have to be determined, play hard, work for each other and I think the result will go our way.” David last played for TT in November 2019, during the team’s 4-0 defeat away to Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League – the final game of previous coach Dennis Lawrence’s regime.

The former TT Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup player was not called up by current coach Terry Fenwick for their 7-0 hammering against the United States on January 31.

“It was a disappointing result against the USA,” said David, who plays for Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica. “We learnt a lot of lessons and we learnt a lot about the guys we have, and what we need to work on. I think now, with the senior players coming in, it will be much better. We’ll have more experience. Now it’s just to get the instructions from the coach, know what he wants to go and complete the task.” Asked how he feels to be back in the national squad, David replied, “I’m thankful to God for this selection. It’s always a good feeling to come back and play with the boys, to put on that jersey and represent your country. It feels good to be back. I’m just looking forward to the qualifiers ahead.”

This game against Guyana was shifted from the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo due to TT’s covid19 quarantine rules.

“It’s a little bit disappointing to play our home game in another country,” David acknowledged. “It would have been a big advantage for us if we had the home stadium and the support from home, but it is what it is. We just have to look forward to starting the campaign on the right way and to get three points.”

He is relishing the opportunity to face the land of his birth (David migrated to TT as a toddler).

David said, “The last time we played them was in the Gold Cup (in 2019 and) we drew 1-1. We know a little bit about them and some things about their game plan. What is most important is for us to go out on the field and put everything together that we have learnt so far, to ensure we get the campaign on the right start.”

Also, on Tuesday, Greece-based forward Levi Garcia, Belgium-based defender Sheldon Bateau and US-based defender Noah Powder, were the final TT players to join the squad.