Trinidad and Tobago will be hoping to put Peru to the test in their friendly football match at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from eight o'clock tonight.

T&T co-head coach Jamaal Shabazz said the management and the players were happy to have the opportunity to go toe to toe with a South American team as they start their preparations for the 2013 Gold Cup.

The T&T coach said all his players were excited about coming up against Peru, and he insisted that the game is not just another football match.

"This game is not just about football for us. It is about reviving the programme and trying to create an entity that could again lift the spirit of our people because I think at this point we need our spirits lifted again," the coach told the media at a press conference at Trinidad Hilton, yesterday.

"It is going to be a very testing time for us because we are sure they are taking this game (very serious as they try) to build confidence in their team....It means we are in for a very difficult game, and we look forward to it very eagerly."

Asked about the style of play expected from his charges, Shabazz said: "Our style is evolving. We know Peru is a strong opponent and we will try to give them respect and play smart and defend when we have to defend, but we know that when we win the ball they will be forced to defend too because we have some clever players and very talented players and some athletic ones as well, so we think it is going to be a tough game and a game we intend to come out and compete."

The T&T squad includes foreign-based players Carlos Edwards, Darryl Roberts, Kenwyne Jones and Sheldon Bateau.

"We have decided that we would use different players at different times," said Shabazz, "trying to put together a team for the grand finale which is the Gold Cup. We intend to take a firsthand look at the players we have who have been playing in Europe and who have not been in the national set up for a long time.

"I think we are happy with the opportunities for players going outside of the country but we have this policy where we don't look too much at the passport of the player or where they play but we look forward to putting together a team that will do well."

Shabazz said the foreign-based players have already had a positive impact on the squad, ahead of today's encounter.

"They bought in to the tactical approach. They are like leaders on the pitch, helping and encouraging the players."

T&T squad:

Marvin Phillip, Cleon John, Carlyle Mitchell, Carlos Edwards, Daneil Cyrus, Aubrey David, Curtis Gonzales, Kareem Moses, Densill Theobald (captain), Khaleem Hyland, Kevon Carter, Ataullah Guerra, Darryl Roberts, Kenwyne Jones, Keon Edwards, Devorn Jorsling, Jemel Sebro, Sheldon Bateau.

Peru squad:

Raul Fernandez, Diego Penny, Alberto Rodriguez, Christian Ramos, Carlos Zambrano, Renzo Revoredo, Roberto Guizasola, Aurelio Saco Vertiz, Jefferson Farfan, Renaldo Cruzado, Carlos Lobaton, Luis Ramirez, Juan Carlos Marino, Edwin Retamoso, Alfred Rojas, Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, Junior Ross, Andre Carrillo, Victor Yotun.