Tridents hoping to cool Vincy Heat

Barbados senior men’s football team has nothing to lose, says head coach Orlando da Costa as the Bajan Tridents remain thirsty for a win ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

During a press conference held today via Zoom, da Costa called for the Bajan Tridents to be ambitious but at the same time respectful when they take on the ‘Vincy Heat’ starting at 8 p.m. at the Wildey AstroTurf.

It will be their first home game in almost four years and given their recent performances against Grenada where they drew all three friendly matches, da Costa urged the public to come out and throw their support behind the Tridents.

“I think you already see that my style is offense and I prefer that you win 5-4 than win 1-0 because football is spectacular. It is a beautiful game and for our country and supporters they want to see goals,” da Costa said.

“The training camp of Grenada was beautiful for us and in football, you cannot do magic in a short time. We are very happy with what our squad did in Grenada. After the training camp, we agreed that we have some problems to correct. This is step by step, we need time as the coaches, and the players need time because, of course, the most important thing is building a squad with a good family spirit.”

Da Costa said he expected a competitive match between the 166th ranked Tridents and the Vincy Heat, who are ranked 178.

The last time the two sides played each other in 2015, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.   

“Of course, we try to study something about the opponent but I am focusing now at this moment on my team, on what we must work on now, what we must correct in the game. In my opinion, St Vincent is also a good national team and it will be an honour and a pleasure to play with St Vincent because we already know St Vincent is similar to our national team.

“I think tomorrow we can see a good game, two teams fighting to win the game. Of course, I am the head coach of the Barbados national team and I will do everything along with my coaching staff to help our players win the game and deserve support. Our players are good quality, they just need to believe more in themselves. I believe that we can win and will do everything to win tomorrow,” da Costa added.

The Bajan Tridents are using these friendly matches as preparation for their upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Cuba on March 23 and Antigua and Barbuda on March 26.

Tridents’ captain Jomo Harris gave the assurance that the team would be playing for a victory.

He said he was happy to see the younger players such as Nadre Butcher, Tajio James and Devonte Richards performing well and giving their all to the squad.

“I think it is important that we play well tomorrow and we get the win. The guys are excited. I could tell by how we are training with intensity and how we pass the ball and everything. They are comfortable because we are at home on the turf as well so they are accustomed to it.

“I think it is our duty to play good football and to get the fans supporting us and the only way that could happen is if we get the win,” Harris said.

BARBADOS SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Liam Brathwaite, Kevin Allsopp, Raheem Agard.

Defenders: Rashad Smith, Ramon Griffith, Shane Codrington, Kemar Holligan, Mario Williams, Andre Applewhaite, Ramon Manning.

Midfielders: Jomo Harris, Devonte Richards, Akeem Chandler, Omani Leacock, Ackeel Applewhaite, Nadre Butcher, Rashad Jules, Elijah Downey, Shaquan Collymore, Shaquan Clarke.

Forwards: Tajio James, Armando Lashley, Antoine Greaves.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb