Head coach Leo Beenhakker has made it known that his expectations are realistic and Trinidad and Tobago will not win the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
By Ian PrescottThe experienced Dutch coach is also unsure of his own future after next month's tournament.
Before leaving for a one-week camp in Manchester, England, Beenhakker had a final training session yesterday with the T&T Soca Warriors at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
There, he dismissed as silly any speculation that Trinidad and Tobago could win the World Cup.
"No, that's silly. We know exactly where we are. We have both feet very well on the ground. You have to realise that in inhabitants, we are much smaller than Paris. I can assure you that in inhabitants we are 1.2 million but we will defend ourselves."
Beenhakker's main area of concentration will be on getting his team physically prepared and encouraging his charges to play their natural games despite the opponents they face.
"We know what we have to do. We know the possibility of the team. We know that we have to play three very, very tough opponents, so that it will not be easy. The only guarantee I can give you is that we will have a perfect preparation to bring the guys in perfect condition for the first match.
"They will play with courage. They will play with personality and they will play with pride to defend the colours of their country."
Beenhakker also briefly spoke of his decision to cut Anthony Rougier from his squad, stating his decision is similar to ones every World Cup coach has to make.
"I have to make a choice and FIFA allows us to take 23 players to the World Cup. If it is not Anthony Rougier, I have to drop another guy. I make my decision based on his skill, his conditioning, and if he is ready for it. Yes or no...and if the other guys is ready for it.
