Ince set for Costa Rica test

Trinidad + Tobago and Costa Rica, at the opposite end of the points standings, will clash in a crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round qualifier today, from 6 pm at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.

The Soca Warriors, under new coach Russell Latapy, have two points from three matches and are in cellar place, while Costa Rica lead the six-team group with nine points from four fixtures.

TT, who installed Latapy after the resignation of Colombian-born Francisco Maturana, have not played an international match since the disastrous 3-0 loss to the United States, in their previous qualifier, on April 1 while Costa Rica's last game, on Wednesday, resulted in a convincing 3-1 victory at home over the Americans.

The Costa Ricans will also be buoyed by their record against Trinidad and Tobago, with 15 wins compared to three for TT in 22 internationals since 1964. In World Cup qualifiers, the Costa Rican record is just as impressive, with nine wins and three ties in 12 encounters.

Latapy has wasted little time in revamping the TT lineup, recalling 2006 World Cup members Marvin "Dog" Andrews, Avery John, Collin Samuel, Cornell Glen, as well as Hayden Tinto and Kerry Baptiste, while captain Dwight Yorke returns from a two-game ban imposed in the 2-2 draw in El Salvador on February 11.

For Yorke, this match holds additional significance as it will be his first major international at the venue which was named in his honour - and built for the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championships here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Yorke was a second-half substitute when the ground last staged an international match - a 3-0 loss to Northern Ireland exactly five years ago (June 6 2004). The absences of Stern John (back) and midfielder Clyde Leon (a hernia operation) may affect the balance of the TT team, but they will be motivated by another statistic - Costa Rica's three wins in this final phase of qualification have all occurred on their home ground, the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose, while their lone road game ended with a 2- 0 defeat to Mexico on March 28.

Squads -

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:

Goalkeepers: Clayton Ince (Walsall), Marvin Phillip (W Connection), Jan-Michael Williams (Ferencváros).

Defenders: Dennis Lawrence (Unattached), Marvin Andrews (Raith Rovers), Keyeno Thomas (Joe Public), Makan Hislop (United Petrotrin), Avery John (DC United).

Midfielders: Keon Daniel (Caledonia AIA), Khaleem Hyland (Zulte Waregem), Dwight Yorke (Unattached), Chris Birchall (LA Galaxy), Densil Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Trent Noel (United Petrotrin), Carlos Edwards (Sunderland), Silvio Spann (Wrexham), Kerry Baptiste (Joe Public), Collin Samuel (St Johnstone), Hayden Tinto (Joe Public).

Forwards: Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland), Cornell Glen (San Jose Earthquakes), Jason Scotland (Swansea City).

Coach: Russell Latapy.

COSTA RICA:

Goalkeepers: Keilor Navas (Saprissa), Ricardo Gonzalez (Herediano).

Defenders: Michael Umana (Ramonense), Esteban Sirias (Liberia), Dennis Marshall (Herediano), Dario Delgado (Puntarenas), Pablo Herrera (Alajuelense), Gonzalo Segares (Chicago).

Midfielders: Walter Centeno (Saprissa), Armando Alonso (Saprissa), Warren Granados (Ramonense), Pablo Brenes (Brujas), Cristian Oviedo (Alajuelense), Esteban Granados (Cartagines), Carlos Hernandez (Melbourne), Cristian Bolanos (Start), Celso Borges (Fredrikstad).

Forwards: Andy Furtado (Herediano), Andy Herron (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Gent), Alvaro Saborio (Sion).

Coach: Rodrigo Kenton.