Trinidad and Tobago defender Neveal Hackshaw believes it is critical to match the focus of defending champions Mexico if they are to have a chance at getting a positive result when the team kicks off its CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in Texas on Saturday.
Trinidad and Tobago defender Neveal Hackshaw believes it is critical to match the focus of defending champions Mexico if they are to have a chance at getting a positive result when the team kicks off its CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in Texas on Saturday.
The Soca Warriors booked their place in the Gold Cup after advancing from the preliminary round with an 8-7 penalty shootout win over French Guiana.
The win saw the Caribbean team advance to Group A alongside Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico the defending champions and the region’s top-ranked team.
It is expected to be a tough start for a Trinidad team that recently entered a rebuilding phase, about to go head-to-head with the 11-time tournament winners. Hackshaw, however, believes the team can still find a way to be competitive in their opening fixture.
“They’re a tough opponent, they always stick to the game plan, they stay focused for 90 minutes plus,” Hackshaw told SportsMax.tv’s InCaseYouMissedIt.
“In order for us to stand up against them we have to do the same or even better,” he added.
The teams have met 26 times, with the Soca Warriors winning 5, drawing 5, and losing 16 overall.