|
Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2020 8:24:02 GMT
Warriors open against Guyana on March 25 www.guardian.co.tt/sports/warriors-open-against-guyana-on-march-25-6.2.1259414.3b6bb03c1dNational men’s senior football coach Terry Fenwick can feel a bit of relief finally knowing the dates of his team’s first phase on the road to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On Friday, Concacaf confirmed the schedule for the eagerly anticipated regional qualifiers for the World Cup. This after FIFA, the sport’s governing body, announced that certain international match windows will be extended to enable Confederations to schedule triple-match dates. This is due to the challenges faced by global football due to COVID-19, in particular for those regions where several 2020 FIFA international match windows were suspended. In Concacaf’s case, FIFA’s decision means the Confederation can schedule three matches in each of the September and October 2021 and January and March 2022 FIFA international match windows. This will enable Concacaf to begin its eight-team Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers in September 2021, following a First Round played in March and June 2021 and a Second Round in June 2021 (June 2021 includes two FIFA international match windows). On learning, the Warriors’ opening match is at home to Guyana on March 25, Fenwick said: “It’s a bit of important information for us at this stage as it relates to the schedule of the World Cup qualifiers. We knew the teams before but now we know exactly what we’re going to face. “Being at home in the opening game is good and we will prepare as best as possible for this first game against Guyana which we know has a bit of history with T&T and will certainly be no pushovers. Matter of fact, no team will be a walkover in these qualifiers.” The draw for the Concacaf Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 took place in August 2020 and with the certainty provided by FIFA’s decision regarding the triple-windows, Concacaf can now confirm the schedule. The First Round will be played between the Concacaf Member Associations ranked 6-35 based on the FIFA Men’s Ranking as of July 16, 2020. Fenwick continued: “With this schedule before us now it tells you how important it was for us to have gotten the suspension lifted and having the Normalisation Committee in charge of our football. “I know for a fact that chairman Robert Hadad and the rest of the Normalisation Committee are at work and are putting things together for us to be able to breathe a bit easier and for all the right conditions to be in place for our teams. I’m grateful that we’d been able to restart training last month and now we can look forward to executing our plans ahead of March.” The FIFA Council also voted that the 2021 Club World Cup will be hosted by Japan in late 2021 with seven teams. A Major League Soccer (MLS) team has never advanced to that tournament, though four remain in contention when the Concacaf Champions League returns to action December 15 with Atlanta United, LAFC, New York City FC and the Montreal Impact all competing. The 2021 Club World Cup ensures there will be two editions held within the same calendar year, since this year’s tournament is being held February 1-11, 2021 in Qatar. The reigning Club World Cup champion is Liverpool, snapping a streak of three straight titles by Real Madrid. Tagged in: Sponsored Content How to Choose the Right Generator for Your Needs Looking to buy a generator but intimated by the technical info? Find the one that's right for you by… Yamaha Motor Canada Born Into Billions: Kevin Bacon's Wife is one of the Richest Heiresses in America Investing.com Cancelled TV Shows: Effective Immediately The Delite 35 Dubai Photos That Will Definitely Make You Think Twice Ice Pop [Pics] After Getting The Drone Footage Back, They Spotted This… Maternity Week [Gallery] 25 Photos of Young Donald Trump You've Never Seen History A2Z RESPONSES RELATED CONTENT TRENDING Hundreds more lose money in new sou-sou scheme Mother on murder of teen: 'They are monsters' Rowley hoping daughter in US returns home for Christmas Women, girls under attack—47 killed so far this year Man blocked from putting teen into car detained Supermarkets, goods retailers to open 24 hours daily, James: Kamla will win but Vasant better for growing party base Mother of two: Sorry, I lied about being homeless! Supermarkets happy with PM's moves Virtual school from Jan 4 among latest COVID announcements
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 15, 2021 17:07:50 GMT
WORLD CUP PERIL
TTFA still to get clearance to stage Guyana qualifier
TRINIDAD and Tobago's 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifying football campaign may get off to a false start.
With one official indicating CONCACAF had set a deadline of today to indicate this country's ability to host its opening Group F match against Guyana, the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee headed by Robert Hadad is still awaiting clearance from the Chief Medical Officer( CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram and Ministry of Health (MoH) officials to be able to stage the March 25 game.
Asked if they had received clearance to date, senior team manager Adrian Romain stated:'No. We are awaiting that approval. This is pending the revision of the 14-day quarantine period. As is, that length of time is (a) considerable inconvenience for international play.'
Romain added that today is the deadline for a decision, although Amiel Mohammed, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) interim general secretary said he wouldn't like to venture into confirming deadlines as yet.
'But it is a very pressing matter,' Mohammed emphasised. 'All I could confirm is that it is an extremely, extremely pressing matter for T& T to get the necessary clearance.'
Mohammed added that the normalisation committee is still in discussions with the CMO regarding the qualifier, and with the game fast approaching, clearance would be important 'sooner rather than later to facilitate preparations.'
'At the moment, the Ministry of Health's overarching position regarding the regulations has remained the same for all bodies,' Mohammed said. 'We are just petitioning to see what accommodations can be made for this crucial WCQ.'
The country's borders remain closed for everyone except nationals. They must seek exemptions from the Ministry of National Security, with a mandatory 14-day quarantine period required, to be split evenly between a State-approved facility and the national's home.
One of the proposals being put forward by the normalisation committee and TTFA officials is creating a bio-secure, confined environment.
'We have even mentioned to do a bubble where the teams will come in and be tested. Everyone will be tested during their stay and we will have our doctors monitor it with the assistance of the Ministry of Health. So that's the plan but we haven't gotten any word as yet,' said Romain.
Asked what would be the result if CONCACAF withdraws the game, Romain said:' We will have to give up home advantage and (end up) losing the game by default.'
The manager added that forfeiting the match would be a massive blow for the team that lost 0-7 to a second-string USA team on January 31, 'The Guyana game for us is like a final, not that we are writing off the other teams but the Guyana game is a big game for us, so we really want to get ourselves in order and get the approval by the Ministry to assist us at this stage during this WCQ round,' said Romain.
Ministry of Health corporate communications manager Candace Alcantara referred to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh's response at the Wednesday Covid-19 briefing.
Deyalsingh was reported to have said:'We are very concerned about people coming into the country and not quarantining properly and possibly bringing in the new variants...So, the decision would be made in the best interest of protecting the safety of our population.'
WhatsApp questions about clearance for the Guyana game sent to CMO Pararam went unanswered yesterday.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 15, 2021 17:33:43 GMT
Upset Fenwick wants football in a 'bubble'by Walter Alibey - Senior Sports Reporter 2 days ago Sun Feb 14 2021 guardian.co.tt/sports/upset-fenwick-wants-football-in-a-bubble-6.2.1289176.94faab74b7T&T senior men’s team headcoach Terry Fenwick. ANTHONY HARRIS 'Unfair' if how national coach Terry Fenwick feels his team is being treated by government officials ahead of the country's opening World Cup qualifying against Guyana on March 25 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. The Soca Warriors face the possibility of the match not coming off because of precaution being taken by government officials toward the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Both the government, through the Ministry of Health and its Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram, and the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, which is being led by businessman Robert Hadad, have been locked in talks on whether the Guyanese team will be allowed to enter local shores for the match. The NC is proposing a football bubble which is similar to what was done with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here in Trinidad and Tobago from August 18- September 10 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, but it is unsure of what's the government's position, as the national team has had to wait not knowing what will happen. On Friday, a frustrated Fenwick told Guardian Media Sports that: "We've got to be realistic, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. We've got the CPL which is a money-generating operation, nothing was said about it, they got on with it, players were happy. Why can't the national football team do the same? I'm not asking for anything bigger or better, no more expense, why can't we do the same thing?" On July 8, 2020, Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe told the media at a news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in Scarborough, Tobago that a contingent of over 251 people, including the players, staff and other officials attached to the six CPL teams—the Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St Lucia Zouks and the Trinbago Knight Riders—will come into T&T for the series and will be quarantined at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain and must adhere to strict COVID protocols She continued: “They would be doing their quarantine period there and they would be tested before leaving home (countries) to ensure they are negative, tested when they get here to Trinidad and Tobago and going to quarantine, tested on their seventh day and tested again on their fourteenth day. This is the first time we are hosting this type of sporting activity under COVID regulations and this COVID situation." She also said that the Government had reached an agreement with the CPL where they will host the tournament to the tune of US$1 million, broken down into US$500 in cash and US$500 in kind. The country's borders have been closed since the deadly outbreak of the coronavirus in March last year, and since then the government has used a cautious approach in returning nationals who were caught abroad. Yesterday Dr Parasram did not respond to a Whatsapp message that asked for an update on the matter, neither did he say whether a tri-nation bubble tournament among the national teams of T&T, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia will go on as planned later this month (February), due to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for people entering the country. According to Fenwick: "We're in the dark ourselves and we are waiting on normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad to find out what we can actually do. We've had CPL played in a bubble, placed in big hotels, travel to the Brian Lara Stadium, and because it was an income-generating competition, they've allowed it to happen, but they are now frustrating our national team in a World Cup qualifying game that should be at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. As well as the CPL, there are multiple businessmen/expatriates to arrive here in T&T and spend one day in quarantine. They spend one week wherever they're coming from, but when they arrive in T&T they do one day. So I am frustrated because I don't want to give anything away, that is a plus." The English-born coach, whose team was hammered 7-0 by the United States in an international friendly encounter on January 31 in Orlando Florida, USA, lamented the horrible past four years that local football has had to endure, saying it had to face countless court matters with the world-governing body for the sport- FIFA, as well as other private citizens, to the administrations' inability to get structured football going. He said he intends to reach to the powers that be to help them: "We're reaching out to the powers that be, the ministers and indeed the Prime Minister who loves his football. We cannot ignore these opportunities that came by. This first game is all-important and we have an opportunity to play it in Port-of-Spain, and we're ignoring that, we're not taking it on. We've got the CMO, the Health Ministry stopping this. We've been in quarantine for 14 days. We were in the United States for a week and we were tested every single day. since we've been back, we've had three tests and daily monitors to make sure we are okay." Since returning from the USA on February 3, the local players and technical staff have been in isolation quarantine for seven days and are now under home quarantine for a further seven days until Tuesday.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2021 2:44:24 GMT
Soca Warriors coach defends recall of veteran quartet
JOEL BAILEY 20 HRS AGO newsday.co.tt/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/9578646-1-1024x741.jpgTrinidad and Tobago men's football coach Terry Fenwick - Ayanna Kinsale NATIONAL men’s football team coach Terry Fenwick has defended the recalls of defenders Radanfah Abu Bakr and Robert Primus, English-born midfielder Andre Boucaud and striker Willis Plaza to the TT team for two 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifiers, against Guyana (March 25) and Puerto Rico (March 28). The 34-year-old Abu Bakr, who made his international debut in 2008, played the last of his 37 caps in 2017. Primus, aged 30, played seven matches for TT between 2009 and 2013. Boucaud was a consistent member of the team during the tenure of Stephen Hart (2013-2016). Aged 36, he played 47 times for TT between 2004 and 2017. Plaza, the 33-year-old attacker, has netted seven times in 30 appearances for TT, since making his debut in 2012. He last featured for TT against Wales on March 20, 2019. Fenwick has been a constant advocate for younger players to be allowed to play for TT, but he surprised even his ardent critics with the selection of the veteran quartet. At a media conference at the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport on Thursday, Fenwick acknowledged, “With all successful teams, you would recognise there are senior players within that group that are role models, good examples. That’s what I’m trying to do. “I’ve watched Boucaud for a long time playing for TT. I think he’s an excellent player, very talented guy and a good guy off the field. (He is) somebody that the young guys can look up to, who they would get good advice and I think that’s what I’m looking for, with my senior players.” Defender Josiah Trimmingham was a shock appointment as captain for TT for their disastrous 7-0 defeat away to the United States on January 31. However, the 24-year-old was not selected in Fenwick’s 26-man squad, who left TT on Thursday. “He’s had one or two injury problems and we’ve left him out because of that,” said the TT coach. A major absentee is central midfielder Kevin Molino, who suffered a hamstring injury, during a pre-season training session with American MLS club Columbus Crew. “That’s a very big blow,” Fenwick noted. “He’s somebody that blends very well with the youngsters and (experienced) players. He would be missed but we’ve got to move on. We’ve got to be tough, resilient.” Fenwick confirmed that TT will be playing a warm-up match against the Turks and Caicos Islands before the Guyana encounter. The former San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC coach said, “We’re going into this (qualifiers) with a very positive attitude. I’m trying to move my players away from some of this negativity that we have on the ground, in the press and in social media, because they deserve more than we’re giving them at the moment.” He continued, “It’s up to me to look after my players, to be as positive as I possibly can, to bring the youngsters through. The youngsters can’t all come at once, it can’t happen in my national side. At the top of the tree, where I am, it’s all about results. I’ve got to nurture what I’ve got, bring out the quality players that we’ve got.”
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2021 3:10:30 GMT
I’m not done yet!Rawle Toney By Rawle Toney | March 19, 2021 Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on google Share on whatsapp FLASHBACK: Neil Danns in celebration mode after scoring against Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Samuel Maughn photo) FLASHBACK: Neil Danns in celebration mode after scoring against Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Samuel Maughn photo) … Neil Danns not retired from International Football A HAILSTORM of criticism fell on the roof of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and head coach Marcio Maximo, following the non-selection of Neil Danns for Guyana’s opening matches of their FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier campaign. However, most pundits and fans who vented their frustration were a bit more perturbed by the manner in which the former Leicester City and Crystal Palace midfield player was treated by the Brazilian coach who, Danns said, refused to even engage him on his involvement with the Golden Jaguars. Since lacing up for Golden Jaguars in 2015, Danns found the net nine times, while assisting on most of Guyana’s goals since then. “I haven’t retired from international football,” the 38-year-old told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview from Wales where he’s based, having signed for Connah’s Quay Nomads, the reigning Wales Premier League champions. “But unfortunately at this point in time I’ve been omitted from the squad and at the moment, I’ll see what will happen,” Danns said. Danns, who has made over 400 appearances in the Football League with stellar careers at Blackpool, Hartlepool United and Colchester United, was vocal on social media about his omission and how it unfolded, while adding that “I just think that it’s important for the future of the programme that players do speak up sometimes.” “The last thing I want to do is cause any distraction to the players going into the World Cup qualifying games and I wish them all the luck. They’re like brothers to me. But I just feel like for everything that we’ve all worked for to get in this position, this sort of treatment coming from the head coach, someone has to speak up and if that someone has to be me it’s a sacrifice to the greater cause then so be it,” Danns opined. Danns noted that “at the moment, I just want to wish the players on the squad the best of luck and I will be wearing my Golden Jaguars top and cheering on the boys.” Age is nothing but a number for Danns, who made his Golden Jaguars debut against Grenada at the Guyana National Stadium. He has placed himself in the discussion as one of the best players to ever lace-up their cleats for the National team. Asked what fuels his competitiveness to keep playing, Danns said, “Just the pure love for football.” “Anyone who would have seen me play would say I have the same enthusiasm as a youngster and I’m filled with passion for the game, which helps me to keep going and keep myself in good condition and always ready,” Danns reasoned. The Guyana international made 103 appearances for Crystal Palace, whilst also having permanent spells in the Football League at Leicester City, Bolton, Bury and Tranmere Rovers. Most recently, Danns has played for the likes of Radcliffe, Halifax Town and was on trial at Chorley, where the Nomads spotted him after their season was curtailed. The Golden Jaguars arrived in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday ahead of their March 25 and 30 clash against the Soca Warriors and The Bahamas.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2021 0:55:09 GMT
The moment I see Willis Plaza on a TT team, I know we FKD!!!
VB
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2021 5:37:21 GMT
SPORTS Primus delighted for Soca Warriors recallJELANI BECKLES 21 HRS AGO newsday.co.tt/2021/03/20/primus-delighted-for-soca-warriors-recall/Members of the TT football team during a training session in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Friday. PHOTO COURTESY TTFA MEDIA. NATIONAL defender Robert Primus, who last represented TT in 2013, said he is delighted to reunite with players he grew up with and is anticipating TT's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guyana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, next Thursday. Primus, 30, played seven matches for TT between 2009 and 2013. The national team arrived in Dominican Republic on Thursday. Speaking to the TT Football Association media officer Shaun Fuentes, Primus said, "I feel very excited to be with the guys. It has been awhile, but I am here and ready to get to work." Primus, who is based in India, was not surprised to get the call. He said, "I was in the training. I was always around, I just left for club duties so in my mind I always think positive so I believe that I would have gotten the call." Primus is relishing the opportunity to wear the national colours again. "Playing back then with the likes of (Andre) Boucaud, (Radanfah) Abu Bakr, (Willis) Plaza. It feels good actually being with those guys again. It is guys you can put your trust in on and off the field as well." Speaking about playing again with Sheldon Bateau and Khaleem Hyland, he said, "These are guys I played with since Under-13, Under-14 so we have a really good relationship – me, Khaleem, Sheldon. Sheldon is like my brother, so we have a really good relationship. It feels good to be with them again." Primus said the next few days are key. "These are the important times now...we got to get our heads together, get our playing style together and just feel off each other energy going into this game." Head coach Terry Fenwick said, "The camaraderie has been fantastic. The pool of players that we have got are very positive, very vibrant. I am loving it." Fenwick also got the chance to look at the venue where the match will be held. "It is not the best, but it is not as bad as the (Queen's Park) Savannah and that is where all our players have all been brought up. They have been brought up on community grounds and I think that will be a massive benefit to us." He added, "We are tightening everything up and as I said the camaraderie on the inside now (is great). I can feel the passion within the group and everything is moving in the right direction. I am enjoying it."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 4:21:58 GMT
David focuses on 3 points from Guyana
From left, T&T midfielder Duane Muckett, defender Leland Archer, forward Jabari Mitchell and Radanfah Abu Bakr warm-up during the T&T Soca Warriors practice session leading up to tomorrow’s Concacaf World Cup qualifying match against Guyana in the Dominican Republic. "It was a disappointing result against the USA but I think we've learnt a lot of lessons and we've learnt a lot about the guys we have, and what we need to work on." T&T defender Aubrey David wants all hands on deck as T&T tackles the country of his birth- Guyana in their opening World Cup Qualifying match on Thursday night in the Dominican Republic. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 7 pm. The Deportivo Saprissa defender is destined to make up for the 0-7 defeat by the United States on January 31 by calling on his teammates to stick to the instructions of coach Terry Fenwick, if they are to secure maximum points on Thursday. "We need to have confidence within ourselves and confidence with each other. We need to stick to the game plan and unity will be very vital out there, so we need to work hard for each other, and with these ingredients, we can get the job done." "I think now with the senior players coming in, it would be much better and we would have a lot more experience so that we can learn how to move forward in the future. It's just for us to get the instructions from the coach and know what he wants, so we can get the job done." David who was born in Guyana and was adopted by T&T admitted that having played against the Guyanese in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA in 2019 where the game ended in a 1-1 result, they may have an idea of their game plan and who they may have playing for them. The Guyanese have since recruited Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo for the qualifiers and could provide an unexpected style of play on Thursday. David is one of few overseas-based players who have joined the T&T camp for the match. The others being midfielder Khaleem Hyland (Club Al Batin) of the Saudi Arabian League, midfielder Daniel Phillips (Watford), goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup (Stjordals Blink) of the Norwegian League, Ronald Primus who plays in India, among others. "It feels good to be in the camp and getting to know some new faces and seeing some old faces that you haven't seen in a while because of the pandemic." Tagged in:
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 7:35:04 GMT
Play on: Covid19 blow won't stop Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana qualifier
JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH JUST NOW TT senior men's football team players take part in a team training session, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on March 17. TT will play Guyana, on Thursday, in their first Concacaf World Cup qualifier in the Dominican Republic. - Marvin Hamilton TT Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad confirmed that Thursday’s opening Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guyana will go on as planned. This comes after the TTFA announced, on the eve of the first round qualifier, that one of its senior players tested positive for covid19, on Tuesday, following the latest set of PCR testing done on national team members in the Dominican Republic. When asked if the player’s positive test would force the opening qualifier to be postponed, Hadad disagreed and said the team had been operating under Concacaf’s Return to Play protocol. “All remaining players and staff are moving ahead in preparation for the game as per the protocol. Postponement is not on the table at this moment in time. “Only if (like) half the team or many players test positive, where it’s a spread, then postponement becomes a serious option where risk of transmission is too great. “As per the Concacaf protocol and advice, if there is evidence of a serious spread involving multiple players and staff (multiple positive cases for example) then a risk assessment is done to consider a postponement. That’s when risk of transmission is too great,” Hadad said. Concacaf’s Return to Play policy states, if an individual (player/official) tests positive for covid19, he/she must be isolated in a room that is away from the rest of the teams to minimise the risk of transmission. It says, “The individual will be retested to make sure there isn’t a false positive. If a positive result is confirmed, the individual will begin treatment and will undergo a period of rest and recovery lasting at least 10 days or as recommended by local health authorities. “If more than half of the players in the final list test positive for covid19, the entire delegation should be isolated and possibly sent home from the competition and/or be isolated in that location for ten days or as recommended by local health authorities. Re-testing considerations can be considered.” Hadad said the TT player has been isolated and, according to Concacaf’s protocols, is being re-tested. A TTFA source told Newsday the team immediately stopped eating meals in groups. Meanwhile, national senior men’s team manager Adrian Romain also confirmed the squad is keeping positive amid the setback. “We remain positive. The team captain Khaleem Hyland, the senior players along with the staff are rallying everyone together. The medical staff is ensuring all covid19 protocols are followed and we are dealing with everything before us,” he said via WhatsApp. Up to press time on Wednesday, Romain said the team was still going through its usual plans and were on their way to a training session. “The boys (team) are looking forward to competing on the pitch and bringing home three points,” he added. Newsday also reached out to Guyana Football Association president Wayne Forde for a comment but he responded saying he was “in a meeting.” A TTFA media release on Wednesday said, “The individual (TT player) tested positive and was immediately isolated at the team’s hotel. All covid19 protocols are being followed and he is presently awaiting a retest for confirmation purposes. “Strict contact tracing was then performed and all primary contacts have been quarantined. They would then be tested accordingly following the player's retest results. The player is asymptomatic at this time. The TTFA also respects the confidentiality wishes of the player.” The TT men’s national senior football team kicks off its Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Guyana at Pan American Stadium, Dominican Republic, on Thursday, from 7 pm. The neutral location serves as TT’s first home game of the qualifiers since the Ministry of Health disallowed the TT Football Association (TTFA) to host the match in a hot-bubble environment owing to the pandemic.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 7:38:39 GMT
David: Trinidad and Tobago has right mix of experience and youth
JOEL BAILEY 21 HRS AGO TT's Aubrey David TT MEN’S football team defender Aubrey David is pleased with the blend of experience and youth players in the 26-man squad, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifier against Guyana at the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. The game is set to take place on Thursday from 7 pm (TT time). The 30-year-old David, who can play in both full-back positions, as well as central defence, spoke to the TT Football Association (TTFA) media ahead of Tuesday evening’s training session at Santa Fe. David said, “We have a lot of senior players and we have a lot of young players with talent. I think we have the right mix, in order to get the right result. We just have to be determined, play hard, work for each other and I think the result will go our way.” David last played for TT in November 2019, during the team’s 4-0 defeat away to Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League – the final game of previous coach Dennis Lawrence’s regime. The former TT Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup player was not called up by current coach Terry Fenwick for their 7-0 hammering against the United States on January 31. “It was a disappointing result against the USA,” said David, who plays for Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica. “We learnt a lot of lessons and we learnt a lot about the guys we have, and what we need to work on. I think now, with the senior players coming in, it will be much better. We’ll have more experience. Now it’s just to get the instructions from the coach, know what he wants to go and complete the task.” Asked how he feels to be back in the national squad, David replied, “I’m thankful to God for this selection. It’s always a good feeling to come back and play with the boys, to put on that jersey and represent your country. It feels good to be back. I’m just looking forward to the qualifiers ahead.” This game against Guyana was shifted from the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo due to TT’s covid19 quarantine rules. “It’s a little bit disappointing to play our home game in another country,” David acknowledged. “It would have been a big advantage for us if we had the home stadium and the support from home, but it is what it is. We just have to look forward to starting the campaign on the right way and to get three points.” He is relishing the opportunity to face the land of his birth (David migrated to TT as a toddler). David said, “The last time we played them was in the Gold Cup (in 2019 and) we drew 1-1. We know a little bit about them and some things about their game plan. What is most important is for us to go out on the field and put everything together that we have learnt so far, to ensure we get the campaign on the right start.” Also, on Tuesday, Greece-based forward Levi Garcia, Belgium-based defender Sheldon Bateau and US-based defender Noah Powder, were the final TT players to join the squad
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 11:59:38 GMT
Shortt: We will get a result from Guyana
by Walter Alibey 3 days ago Tue Mar 23 2021 Jeremy Shortt, a former national footballer. guardian.co.tt/sports/shortt-we-will-get-a-result-from-guyana-6.2.1305185.6ee47efe21T&T's senior football team did not have the ideal preparations it wanted, but the players should have what it takes to get a positive result against Guyana in their opening World Cup Qualifying match in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, said Jeremy Shortt, a former national footballer. Shortt, a multitalented player who represented Queen's Royal College (QRC) in the Secondary Schools Football League before moving to the various youth teams, as well as the senior team in the 1990s, said despite the rift in the T&T camp which threatened to derail the team's performance, they will get the edge on the Guyanese based on their talent. "I just don't think we are prepared to go into qualifying right now as a team. With clubs not releasing players, that didn't help, with the rift we're hearing within the team camp, that doesn't help either. I would say the positive side of it is, in following some of the other teams as well, not too many teams are prepared any way, so we might be on good footing. There is no real home advantage in this pandemic. I think from a talent point of view, knowing some of the players from Guyana and the preparation they had, that T&T has a headway in this game and should come out of this game with a win." Shortt, an attacking, who is now a highly qualified coach in the United States with the International Football Club (IFC), told Guardain Media Sports on Monday that while he does not know too much about Group F contender Bahamas, he believes the country's biggest threat will come from Puerto Rico, who recently recruited the services of former US national coach Dave Sarachan for the qualifiers. "Puerto Rico just hired Dave Sarachan. I had the opportunity to meet and have a few sessions under him at Chicago Fire. Just as we said with preparation, he has had only 12 days to work with Puerto Rico, but he is very good at what he does. So he is definitely going to be implementing some differences for Puerto Rico and they could be a very tricky hurdle for T&T." The Puerto Ricans will be T&T's next match on March 28, which is three days after the Guyana clash. The other two teams in the group are Bahamas and St Kitts/Nevis. Coach Terry Fenwick and his men will have to win the group to move on in the qualifiers, where they will meet the winner of Group A, which features the likes of El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, and the US Virgin Islands. Fenwick's team was recently boosted by the inclusion of Watford midfielder Daniel Phillips, defender Ronald Primus, and Al-Batin's defensive midfielder Khaleem Hyland among others. Shortt, a native of La Horquetta, said with the few overseas-based players, meshing with the young, inexperienced players in the T&T team, we will get over the first hurdle. Shortt said he is expecting the Guyanese to sit back and play on the counter-attack come Thursday.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 12:16:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 2:23:50 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 2:30:27 GMT
Soca Warriors off to winning World Cup qualifying start after beating Guyana 3-0JOEL BAILEY 5 HRS AGO In this Oct 10, 2019 file photo, TT's Levi Garcia, left, dribbles past Honduras' Maynor Figueroa during a Concacaf Nations League match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Garcia scored the first goal against Guyana, on Thursday, in TT's first World Cup qualifier, in the Dominican Republic. - AFP newsday.co.tt/2021/03/25/soca-warriors-off-to-winning-world-cup-qualifying-start-after-beating-guyana-3-0/ TT MEN’S football team got their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign off on a winning note when they brushed aside Guyana 3-0 on Thursday, in their Concacaf Zone Group F fixture at the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. Levi Garcia, Sheldon Bateau and Ryan Telfer got their names on the scoresheet for TT, as they took advantage of an under-par Guyanese squad on a day and uneven surface. With the result, TT moved to the top of the five-team standings with a superior goal-difference of plus-three, compared to St Kitts/Nevis’ plus-one. St Kitts/Nevis edged Puerto Rico 1-0 at the Estadio Panamericano on Wednesday. Garcia, who has been in fine form for his Greek club AEK Athens, capitalised on poor defending to break the deadlock, after seven minutes. Wing-back Aubrey David’s long ball was chased down by Garcia, on the right flank. Garcia spun between defenders Kadell Daniel and Matthew Briggs before drilling his left-footed shot past goalkeeper Akel Clarke. The Guyanese team, coached by Brazilian Marcio Maximo, featured seven English-born players (Daniel, Briggs, fellow defenders Miquel Scarlett and Terence Vancooten, as well as midfielders Samuel Cox, Callum Harriott and Keanu Marsh-Brown) and a Canadian-born striker (Emery Welshman). TT’s coach Terry Fenwick handed fellow English-born player, 19-year-old Daniel Phillips, his international debut and the defensive midfielder gave a mature performance, while a surprise selection between the uprights, Denmark-born Nicklas Frenderup, looked mostly assured. Garcia had a hand in TT’s second goal. In the 15th minute, the winger swung a freekick from the right which grazed the left hip of central defender Bateau and nestled into the back of the net. Guyana had a couple of chances to trim the deficit. In the 23rd, Marsh-Brown intercepted a poor clearance from Phillip in the penalty box, but his deflected left-footed effort went wide. Five minutes later, Welshman got a through ball from his skipper Trayon Bobb but could only watch in agony as his right-footed drive struck the post, with only Frenderup to beat. Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz awarded TT a penalty in the 35th when Telfer was brought down by Marsh-Brown, but Joevin Jones was thwarted three times by Clarke, a former St Ann’s Rangers, Central FC and North East Stars goalie. Clarke dived to his right to deny Jones’ first effort, used his right hand when Jones tried to chip home the rebound, while the third try smashed off Clarke’s right leg. Frenderup was alert to save a right-footer from midfielder Daniel Wilson, after he capitalised on a weak pass from Michel Poon-Angeron. Guyana were made to pay for their mistakes when Telfer smashed his right-footed shot into an open net, two minutes before the half-time interval, after Clarke failed to hold a long ball from Frenderup. Both teams made changes in the second half and the tempo was not the same. In a rare attempt on goal, TT substitute Brent Sam met a ball from Poon-Angeron but he headed straight at Clarke. This game was played in the Dominican Republic, instead of TT, due to the government’s covid19 quarantine regulations. TT will continue their World Cup quest on Sunday when they meet hosts Puerto Rico at Mayaquez while Guyana will remain in the Dominican Republic to face Bahamas on Tuesday, at Santo Domingo. Teams – TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Nicklas Frenderup; Sheldon Bateau (Justin Garcia 46th), Robert Primus, Neveal Hackshaw, Aubrey David; Michel Poon Angeron, Daniel Phillips, Joevin Jones (Judah Garcia 76th), Levi Garcia (Noah Powder 68th), Khaleem Hyland (capt); Ryan Telfer (Brent Sam 76th). GUYANA: Akel Clarke; Matthew Briggs, Terence Vancooten, Kadell Daniel, Miquel Scarlett (Bayli Spencer-Adams 64th); Daniel Wilson (Omari Glasgow 64th), Samuel Cox (Pernell Schultz 71st), Callum Harriott (Kelsey Benjamin 76th), Trayon Bobb (capt), Keanu Marsh-Brown (Jobe Caesar 64th); Emery Welshman.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 2:34:35 GMT
Trinidad and Tobago football coach, captain pleased with 3-0 victory in opening W/Cup qualifier
JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH 7 HRS AGO TT captain Khaleem Hyland (left) moves past Guyana midfielder Daniel Wilson during Thursday's 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifier at the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. PHOTO COURTESY TTFA. - newsday.co.tt/2021/03/26/tt-coach-captain-pleased-with-3-0-victory-in-opening-w-cup-qualifier/ - NATIONAL MEN'S football team coach Terry Fenwick and skipper Khaleem Hyland expressed pleasure with the squad’s overall performance following Thursday’s 3-0 triumph against Guyana in their opening 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Group F qualifier. At the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, a rejuvenated Trinidad and Tobago unit was led to victory by first-half goals from midfielder Levi Garcia (eighth), defender Sheldon Bateau (15th) and forward Ryan Telfer (44th). The result serves as Fenwick’s first official win as national coach after losing 7-0 to the United States, on debut, in an international friendly in January. “Obviously very pleased with the result," said Fenwick. "These are my players that want to make football and the football fans back in TT proud again about our performances. “The general performance was excellent. Very professional, organised, structured. But again, one step at a time. We got another game in three days. But I’m pleased with my team and I’m hoping the public at large (backing) TT will get behind our players and support us,” he said. Fenwick said the team stuck to its game plan and was able to precisely execute what was need for a crucial win. The English-born coach had a good mixture of experience and youth on the pitch as he blended 20-year-old Daniel Phillips and inexperienced goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup among the likes of seasoned starters such as Hyland, Bateau, Garcia, Joevin Jones and Aubrey David. Jones, however, wasted a golden chance to send TT 3-0 ahead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Fenwick rued the missed opportunity but overshadowed Jones’ error with praise for a composed performance. “I’m really upset that we missed a penalty, in the fashion that we did miss on the rebound. But we had to keep our composure. We were working with a very high press (attack), which we’ve done in TT over the last 12 months. “From that high press, it’s 100 miles per hour and then we’ve got to slow it down and be composed when we’re on the ball. I thought our passing and movement were excellent. “We were very direct and got our goals. (Our) set play worked very well with the in-swinging free kick. We’re pleased but this is just the first (win) of hopefully many. One step at a time, get behind us,” he added. Looking ahead to Sunday’s second qualifier away to Puerto Rico, Fenwick said the team will have a chance to view some of their opponent’s playing style and statistics via WyScout, thanks to the TT Football Association normalisation committee. Similarly, Hyland showered praises on his teammates for their effort and, more importantly, three points towards TT’s FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. “I want to say thanks to the players," said the TT captain. "We went out with a game plan. We worked hard from the start to the end. “It was important for us to go out fast, to get the victory. We need to come back to that standard where we belong. "Although we missed a penalty, Joevin is a great player and I know he will bounce back from there. The guys worked their socks off and thumbs up to them, to everybody,” the captain said. Hyland added that, for the past couple days, the team has been working smartly and trying to put their strategy into practice. Having secured an early 2-0 lead, the skipper credited the squad’s never-say-die attitude which eventually got them over the line. “We came out with a game plan and stuck to it and worked it until the end. We know the quality of our players. Everyone is in good shape. The local players have been working hard back at home. We just have to keep going forward and build TT going forward,” he said. On Sunday’s encounter with Puerto Rico, Hyland added, “The next game is very important. We just want to rest up the niggling injuries we have right now. “Hopefully we can have a safe flight to Puerto Rico and take it from there. We trying to work had to win every game. From now it’s just forward ever, backward never.”
|
|