Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Head Coach Ramiro Amarelle says this country has been drawn in the "worst possible group" at the 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championships.
Trinidad and Tobago have been drawn in Group C along with the USA, hosts Costa Rica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The former Spain and Barcelona player joined the team in preparation for the tournament last week, just days before the draw.
"We got the worst possible group, with the host country and the team with the most history in beach soccer (USA). By anyway, any group will be high level at that point. It is a qualifier. All the six teams in the first two pots have experience in the World Cup. For us also, any of them will be difficult," he said in an Instagram post.
"From our point of view, obviously, the USA will be the strongest team. All players, the goalkeeper and also the staff, they have a lot of experience, knowledge and great quality," Amarelle added.
The top teams and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Amarelle identified Costa Rica as another powerful threat in Group C.
"Costa Rica, not only for being the hosts but also they are preparing very well, with many friendly matches and a great national development plan," Amarelle said.
The tournament will be staged in Costa Rica from 17-23 of May and only the two finalists qualify for the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia later this year.
Amarelle said that his team is aware of the great challenge facing them but they will put in the hard yards.
"We are going to prepare as well as possible and make our country and the people feel proud of the national team. We will work hard to give our best," Amarelle.
Trinidad and Tobago made it to the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament losing to eventual champions Mexico 5-4 at Puerto Vallarta.