Soca Warriors will make their first home appearance

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Soca Warriors will make their first home appearance since contesting the World Cup Finals in Germany when they play two friendlies at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo next month.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) decided at its first planning committee meeting on Thursday that they will tackle Nicaragua on October 7 before facing Panama four days later on October 11.

“Originally there had been intentions of matches either against El Salvador or Canada but the Central American duo were the confirmed oppositions,” the TTFF said on its website.
The matches will provide coach Wim Rijsbergen with an ideal chance to work on building his team towards the 2007 Gold Cup and 2010 World Cup qualifiers.Rijsbergen has already indicated that his team for the two friendlies will comprise a balance of the overseas pros as well as locally-based professionals.Both matches will also be the last set for the senior team on home soil for 2006.“This is all part of building the team for the future competitions,” Rijsbergen said earlier this week.

ROY KEANE faces a club versus country clash with Trinidad & Tobago over Dwight Yorke.The Sunderland star is considering international retirement after leading his country in the World Cup this summer.

But the 34-year-old has been called-up for two low-key friendlies against Nicaragua and Panama next month — involving a gruelling 8,500-mile round trip.

Black Cats boss Keane said: “I’d never begrudge anyone a chance to play for their country.

"But we’ve got to be realistic because he’s not going to play in the next World Cup.”