Vranes: We are in good form

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ best chance of advancing to the final stage of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers is just a few days away.

This country meets Trinidad and Tobago next Wednesday night in Port of Spain, needing to beat the host by three clear goals to advance along with Mexico from Group C.{{more}}

But the local team will have to draw on all its mental resources in achieving their feat. Although training has been stepped up, the technical staff had their plans wrinkled within the past week.

Two planned warm-up friendlies against Barbados and Jamaica never materialized. Also the proposed camp for the locally based players had to be cancelled.

Coach of Vincy Heat, Yugoslavian Zoran Vranes, is disappointed that the friendlies did not come to fruition but is confident of his team making a good show.

“We are in good form,” Vranes acknowledged.

“The players are focused and determined to accomplish (their) mission,” Vranes observed.

He admitted that the upcoming match will be a hard task, but is assuring the local public that “my boys will perform well”.

It is expected, though, that the overseas-based players will be available for the November 17 match and will be banking on Vincentian support there, as well as contingents that should journey to the twin island republic in the next few days.

Expected are Wesley John, Wesley Charles, Ezra Hendrickson, Kendall Velox and Cornelius Huggins.

The availability of Rodney “Chang” Jack still hangs in the balance. Jack injured his right knee here versus Mexico, October 10th, and was sidelined for one month, but he is yet to confirm his readiness.

An effervescent Vincy Heat is expected to show their worth next Wednesday versus their CFU counterparts.

Both teams played their last qualifiers last month and entered the fray with psychological differences.

Trinidad and Tobago lost to Mexico 3-0 in Mexico, while St. Vincent and the Grenadines convincingly whipped St. Kitts/Nevis by a similar margin in Basseterre.

Trinidad and Tobago, on nine points, are not taking the Vincentians lightly and have employed the services of Englishman Graeme Taylor to beef up its technical staff.

If Vincy Heat is to overcome their opponents, it will be an achievement that few teams have accomplished.

Trinidad lost to Mexico 3-1 last month and have a proud record at home, but a record that could be quashed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The local team leaves here Sunday for Trinidad.