Williams, Peltier ready for Argentina
Monday, May 26 2014
With just under two weeks left before Trinidad and Tobago takes the field against Argentina, national team goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams says the opportunity to play in a match of such magnitude is something some players can only dream about.
Williams has been in training with the rest of the TT squad at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and enters the final week under Stephen Hart before they depart for Buenos Aires on Saturday.
“This is what we dream about as players. We follow football extensively. Some of us have played at the international level both for club and country and then there are those who are still working towards it. Some people say maybe we are not ready to play Argentina and Iran but I believe we could feel assured of our potential,” Williams said.
“I don’t think we need to feel afraid. Of course they will be well prepared and they have some of the best players in the world in their team. But we will be relish that challenge. This is a bit of a dream come true story for us. We want to see how far off we are. Maybe we have a long way to go but practicing with the best can only have benefits,” added the Central FC custodian who is one of two goalkeepers in the team alongside Point Fortin Civic Centre’s Marvin Phillips who played against Brazil, Croatia and Australia at the 2001 FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
Slovak-based winger Lester Peltier joined the camp on Saturday and is also gearing up for what he says will be perhaps his biggest international game to date.
“Everyone back in Slovakia has been talking about my country’s game with Argentina. It was a big piece of news for them when they heard we got the game scheduled and after winning the League there I think the coach and the rest of the team at Slovan will be rooting for Trinidad and Tobago,” Peltier said.
“I think the sessions have been quite good. It’s good that we get to train for some days together because it’s important that we are at our sharpest for the big game. Everybody knows what Argentina can do but for us it’s just a game where we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. I think we can go there and give a good account of ourselves,” Peltier added.
The TTFA is reminding fans that packages are still available for the charter to Buenos Aires with the deadline for bookings being Thursday. Fans can log onto nissitourandtravel or contact the TTFA at 623-9500. The package cost TT$16,000 inclusive of a four-night stay at the Marriott Hotel, match ticket, ground transportation, round trip on Copa Airlines and city tour.