PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — With their World Cup dreams hanging in the balance, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s national team have received a clear message from the backline: Start fast, or risk it all.

Central defender Kobi Henry has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, demanding they shed their habit of slow starts and take the fight to Jamaica from the opening whistle in their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier this Thursday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“The mood is positive, everyone is excited, and we know what’s on the line,” Henry stated after a training session on Monday. “Now, it’s about showing up and proving who wants it more.”

The mission for head coach Dwight Yorke’s squad is starkly simple. Sitting third in Concacaf Group B with five points, T&T must secure maximum points from their final two fixtures.

Those fixtures are against group leaders Jamaica on November 13 and Bermuda on November 18, if they are to have any hope of winning the group and securing an automatic berth for the 2026 World Cup.

A recurring theme in their campaign has been a frustrating tendency to find their rhythm only after falling behind. Henry, a steady presence in defence, identified this as the key area for improvement.

“I think that is one thing we can improve, set the tone and not wait however long to get into the game. We are at home, we have everything geared towards us, so we could start strong from the beginning.”

The young, United States-based defender is counting on a roaring home crowd to provide the spark needed for a fast start.

“It is extremely important. The crowd will be the biggest thing for us,” Henry said. “It will be a big help. We have the last two games at home, so it is almost set up for us, and we have to take control.”

The team, which includes one new face in striker Roald Mitchell, will have to overcome the absence of injured regular starter Rio Cardines.

T&T squad:

Goalkeepers — Jabari Brice, Marvin Phillip, Denzil Smith.

Defenders — Isaiah Garcia, Justin Garcia, Kobi Henry, Deron Payne, Noah Powder, Andre Raymond, Josiah Trimmingham.

Midfielders — Kaile Auvray, Daniel David, Wayne Frederick II, Real Gill, Jerrin Jackie, Kevin Molino, Daniel Phillips, Andre Rampersad, Dante Sealy, Tyrese Spicer, Lindell Sween, Steffen Yeates.

Forwards — Levi Garcia, Nathaniel James, Roald Mitchell, Ryan Telfer.