T&T books friendly with Saudi Arabia
T&T books friendly with Saudi Arabia
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men’s National Football Team will face Saudi Arabia in an international friendly match on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, at the Al Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh. This encounter serves as crucial preparation for the T&T ahead of their Gold Cup playoff against Cuba in March 2025. Saudi Arabia will use the match as part of their build-up for the Arabian Gulf Cup later in December.
The match, officially announced by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation on Wednesday, comes on the same day FIFA officially announced the country as the hosts for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
This fixture marks the first international outing for newly appointed head coach Dwight Yorke, as he begins his tenure aiming to build momentum and solidify his squad. Yorke will have the services of overseas-based players, including team captain Aubrey David, who plies his trade in Guatemala, and Canadian-based forward Reon Moore. The majority of the squad comprises home-based professionals and players from the recent training camp, reflecting Yorke’s commitment to fostering local talent.
Herve Renard was appointed as Saudi Arabia head coach for the 2nd time in late October. Renard previously led Saudi Arabia to a historic World Cup win over Argentina in 2022 and returns after Roberto Mancini’s departure.
The match being played outside of the FIFA international window
The team will depart Piarco International Airport on Friday night, December 13th, ahead of their journey to Riyadh.
Yorke’s Vision for T&T Football
Commenting on his debut match as head coach, Yorke emphasized the importance of the game as a step toward achieving long-term objectives.
“It will be an honour to lead the Trinidad and Tobago national team against Saudi Arabia later this month. The match represents a major opportunity to create lasting relationships with the Saudi football family and their passionate football fans,” Yorke told TTFA Media.
“This fixture will also showcase the progress of both ambitious, emerging countries and provide an important test ahead of our major tournament preparations which includes the Gold Cup playoff and the World Cup qualifiers. Saudi Arabia’s talented players gained friends all over the world including the Caribbean, with their win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and they will host major events in the future, and as we now know the 2034 FIFA World Cup will be played in that country.
“My exciting Trinidad and Tobago squad is motivated to return to the World Cup, 20 years after I was proud to captain my country at the tournament in 2006. This game will be the first step in a journey we take together with players who have given great service as others work for the opportunity to join us along the way,” Yorke ended.
“This is an excellent opportunity to assess the team’s readiness and implement our strategies ahead of a critical year. We are focused on building cohesion and ensuring we are fully prepared for the challenges ahead, starting with the Gold Cup playoff,” Yorke stated.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President Kieron Edwards extended his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting this match and looks forward to an exciting contest that will further enhance both teams’ preparations for their respective tournaments.
“Securing an international friendly against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh marks a significant step in our journey as we continue to build momentum for the future of Trinidad and Tobago football,” Edwards stated.
“This match offers a valuable opportunity for our team to test their skills against strong opposition on an international stage. It’s also a historic moment as Dwight Yorke leads the team for the first time in a international match as head coach.This is another part of the an exciting new chapter for Trinidad and Tobago football.”
Several of the T&T European-based players are unavailable due to the match being played outside of the FIFA Window.
Canadian-based duo Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad are unavailable while forward Tyrese Spicer and goalkeeper Denzil Smith are not fully fit,coming off injuries.
T&T Roster
