<p>The tour itself was in doubt with the clubs refusing to release their players before they relented and then it was reduced to a two-match affair instead of three after coach Armando Colaco cancelled the first game against Barbados in protest against the cold reception by the local organisers.<br /><br />With 65 places above India at 88th in the FIFA rankings and having played in the 2006 World Cup, Trinidad & Tobago start as firm favourites at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The visitors, however, will have the advantage of having played more international matches in recent times.<br /><br />The ‘Socca Warriors’ under German coach Otto Pfister has not played any international match since November last year and Sunday’s match would be their first big one before the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.<br /><br />India, on the other hand, have played four matches after Colaco took over as coach -- against Maldives, Qatar and two against United Arab Emirates. India are playing against Trinidad & Tobago for the first time in 27 years after their 1-2 loss in the three-match series under the captaincy of Parminder Singh.<br /><br />Colaco said he was confident his young team will give a competitive performance against their opponents. <br /><br />“We are a youthful team in the midst of a transition period, so anything that we can take from the game, we will. We are hoping that everything goes well because our Caribbean tour ends with an encounter against Guyana,” Colaco said.<br /><br />“We have not done any research on the playing style of the opponents but consider them a formidable side, as they had qualified for the 2006 World Cup,” said Colaco. Striker Sunil Chhetri said his side have prepared well for the match and they are ready for the challenge.<br /><br />“We are very excited. It’s a very big match. It’s not every day we play teams ranked higher than us. It’s going to be a good test,” Chhetri said.<br /><br />“It’s been a long national camp for a month and a half and it’s a good way to see where we’ve reached. I’m looking forward to it as a player and the whole team is geared up for the match. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match. India will definitely give 100 per cent,” he said.<br /><br />T&T coach Pfister has named only home-based players as the friendly is not on an official FIFA match. The German has selected some players who did not take part in the 2010 Caribbean Cup. Veteran midfielder Densill Theobald has been named captain.<br /></p>
<p>The tour itself was in doubt with the clubs refusing to release their players before they relented and then it was reduced to a two-match affair instead of three after coach Armando Colaco cancelled the first game against Barbados in protest against the cold reception by the local organisers.<br /><br />With 65 places above India at 88th in the FIFA rankings and having played in the 2006 World Cup, Trinidad & Tobago start as firm favourites at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The visitors, however, will have the advantage of having played more international matches in recent times.<br /><br />The ‘Socca Warriors’ under German coach Otto Pfister has not played any international match since November last year and Sunday’s match would be their first big one before the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.<br /><br />India, on the other hand, have played four matches after Colaco took over as coach -- against Maldives, Qatar and two against United Arab Emirates. India are playing against Trinidad & Tobago for the first time in 27 years after their 1-2 loss in the three-match series under the captaincy of Parminder Singh.<br /><br />Colaco said he was confident his young team will give a competitive performance against their opponents. <br /><br />“We are a youthful team in the midst of a transition period, so anything that we can take from the game, we will. We are hoping that everything goes well because our Caribbean tour ends with an encounter against Guyana,” Colaco said.<br /><br />“We have not done any research on the playing style of the opponents but consider them a formidable side, as they had qualified for the 2006 World Cup,” said Colaco. Striker Sunil Chhetri said his side have prepared well for the match and they are ready for the challenge.<br /><br />“We are very excited. It’s a very big match. It’s not every day we play teams ranked higher than us. It’s going to be a good test,” Chhetri said.<br /><br />“It’s been a long national camp for a month and a half and it’s a good way to see where we’ve reached. I’m looking forward to it as a player and the whole team is geared up for the match. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match. India will definitely give 100 per cent,” he said.<br /><br />T&T coach Pfister has named only home-based players as the friendly is not on an official FIFA match. The German has selected some players who did not take part in the 2010 Caribbean Cup. Veteran midfielder Densill Theobald has been named captain.<br /></p>
