Underdogs and lightweights

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

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.