The Bajan Tridents will be looking to stamp their name on history’s page as they aim for qualification in their first major tournament, while opponents Bermuda are looking to qualify for a second consecutive time.
Led by midfield wizard, Russell “The Little Magician” Latapy, the Bajan Tridents are two wins away from securing a place in the Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage.
Captain Rashad Jules and his teammates are hungry for a taste of the Gold Cup pie and are set to put their best foot forward in an effort to bring home the bragging rights.
Barbados are set to face the Gombey Warriors on July 2 in the Preliminary stage of the Gold Cup at the DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 7 p.m.
In a previous interview, Jules said that if the team got to the Group Stage from the Prelims, the focus must be on the learning process.
Echoing Latapy’s mantra of “trust the process”, Jules said this was the perfect opportunity to be recognized both as a nation and also to showcase Barbados’ ability.
“We will continue to work on the way we want to play with the intentions of improving on the area that requires improvement,” he said.
Vice-captain Hadan Holligan said he was “banking on every player to do his part”.
“Once that happens, we have a greater chance at success,” he said.
In addition to a solid crop of homegrown players, the Tridents will be bolstered by Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Nick Blackman, Redditch United’s winger Curtis Hutson, and Holland-based FC Den Bosch Dwayne Green.
Also returning to the roster are international forwards and Green’s clubmate Ryan Trotman, Oldham Athletic’s Hallam Hope, and Boreham Wood’s Krystian “The Chief” Pearce.
However, Ricardio Morris, Jamol “Molly” Williams, Romario Drakes, Devonte Richards, and Thierry Gale will not feature on this outing, but Tajio James and Trotman have both returned to the lineup.
In the 2019-2020 Concacaf Nations League (CNL) tournament, the homeboys triumphed after a hard-fought campaign and a strong challenge from the Cayman Islands Turtles to end Group A with four wins, two losses, and no draws in front of a home crowd. This win propelled them to secure a spot in the Gold Cup Prelims and promotion to League B in the CNL.
After 14 months of no football activity and very little training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bajan Tridents went on to end the first round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 with one win, two draws and one loss, securing a third-place finish.
Meanwhile, the Bermudians will return to the Gold Cup after first featuring in 2019 and will be seeking to make it to the Group Stage once again.
Once successful, the Bajan Tridents will go on to face Haiti or St Vincent on July 6 at the same venue.
FULL SQUAD: Akeem Hill; Andre Applewhaite; Carl Hinkson; Dwayne Green; Krystian Pearce; Rashad Smith; Ackeel Applewhaite; Antone “Pookie” Greaves; Hadan “Fatty” Holligan; Jomo Harris; Mario “Bagga” Williams; Niall Reid-Stephen; Omani “The Chemist” Leacock; Rashad Jules; Curtis Hutson; Emile Saimovici; Hallam Hope; Keon Atkins; Nick Blackman; Ryan Trotman; Tajio James. (BFA)
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