Soca Warriors aim for glory
19 Jun 2006 - 12:16:54
Trinidad & Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker is expected to start with Kelvin Jack in goal rather than Shaka Hislop for the must-win Group B clash against Paraguay in Kaiserslautern.
The 30-year-old Dundee shot-stopper was initially named in the team for the opening group game with Sweden before injuring himself in the warm-up. Hislop came in to replace him and was outstanding in the 0-0 draw and kept his place for the 2-0 defeat to England.
However, Beenhakker looks certain to revert to his original decision as the Soca Warriors cling to the hope that they can qualify for the last 16. Trinidad & Tobago need to beat Paraguay and hope Sweden lose to England for that to happen.
The injured Cyd Gray will be replaced in defence by Avery John, who returns from suspension.
Paraguay are already out of the tournament after losing 1-0 to both England and Sweden. Their lack of a cutting edge has cost them dearly with Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz clearly lacking match fitness.
First-choice goalkeeper Justo Villar was forced out of the competition after pulling a thigh muscle in the early stages of the defeat against England so Aldo Bobadilla will again deputise as he did against Sweden.
Midfielder Carlos Bonet is missing with a hamstring strain and is likely to be replaced by Julio Dos Santos.
Coach Anibal Ruiz is looking to end a difficult tournament on a high, saying: "I am so sad we lost both games but they were narrow defeats by England and Sweden.
"The players have no reason to blame themselves. Now we must do our best and produce a good performance and try to beat Trinidad."