Underdogs and lightweights
World Soccer|July 2023
From Caribbean minnows to former World Cup qualifiers, 12 teams will play-off for the three remaining places at the 2023 Gold Cup
STEVE MENARY
Underdogs and lightweights

The dizzying heights of the 2006 World Cup feel like a long time ago for Trinidad & Tobago. It is an achievement they have rarely looked like repeating, while the domestic game is being suffocated by a FIFA normalisation committee. Their last two appearances combined at the Gold Cup yielded no wins and only two goals scored; this time they may not even qualify.

Managed by former “Soca Warriors” stalwart Angus Eve, Trinidad & Tobago begin the preliminaries with a tough start against Guadeloupe. The French territory’s side is not as strong as the one that reached the last four in 2007, but Guadeloupe qualified for the last finals. If coach Jocelyn Angloma, the former France international, can secure all his European players, they will pose a major challenge. Andreaw Gravillon, who recently joined Torino on loan from Reims, Union Berlin left-back Jerome Roussillon and Oostende forward Thierry Ambrose would all make a significant difference.

The top section of the draw is the most even, and if Trinidad & Tobago can get past Guadeloupe their opponents could be Guyana, where former Soca Warriors boss Jamaal Shabazz is now in his fourth spell in charge. A diverse Golden Jaguars squad includes players from Thailand, New Zealand and Romania plus the lower reaches of the English pyramid. Midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh, who is on the books at English Premier League side Bournemouth, and striker Omari Glasgow from Chicago Fire II could make the difference against Grenada.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von World Soccer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von World Soccer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS WORLD SOCCERAlle anzeigen
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 Minuten  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024