PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Skipper Kenwyne Jones says Trinidad and Tobago football team has grown stronger, enough to eye a spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup scheduled to be played in July. Jones’ assessment comes as the Soca Warriors begin to focus on preparation for the tournament set to run from July 7 to 26 in 14 different cities in the US and Canada. “I think we will be looking to do better than we did last time.

Since that last Gold Cup we’ve been through quite a few growing experiences like the games against Argentina, Iran and the Caribbean Cup,” said Jones, striker for Cardiff City. “I think the team now has grown stronger. We will be at least looking to get into the quarter-finals again and try to get to the semi-finals.

We have a good bunch and I know this is what the team will aspire towards.” “From the time Mr Hart took over the team, we have been building and growing since then with focus on the World Cup campaign. Every game we have played since then counts as experience, no matter who the opponent is. These games coming up will be another step in preparation for us for the World Cup qualifiers because it’s against similar teams we will play in the qualifiers also.

T&T are drawn alongside six-time Gold Cup champions Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba, in a group that will be played across the US cities of Chicago, Phoenix and Charlotte. They will kick-off their campaign against Guatemala on July 9 at Soldier Field. The Soca Warriors’ captain says the Gold Cup also represents an opportunity for his team to begin preparations to relaunch their campaign for the FIFA World Cup finals.

Trinidad and Tobago are due to play Panama in a friendly international at the Ato Boldon Stadium on March 27.