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Post by Admin on Mar 23, 2021 4:43:52 GMT
John embracing Anguilla challenge ...faces Latapy’s Barbados on March 30trinidadexpress.com/sports/local/john-embracing-anguilla-challenge/article_ac81dc4e-8b6a-11eb-95d8-6be6571b9708.htmlFORMER T&t STRIKER: Stern John at an Anguilla Football Association press conference before his team departed for the Dominican Republic for a World Cup qualifier. Stern John served as men’s national team assistant-coach to Dennis Lawrence during Trinidad and Tobago’s last World Cup qualifying campaign and was also T&T Boys’ Under-17 coach before taking over the reins to coach the Anguilla men’s national team. John will likely struggle to get Anguilla out of a group that includes Panama, Dominican republic, Dominica and Barbados. The former T&T striker faces a tough task first up, playing away to the Dominican Republic before going to Barbados on March 30 to face that nation’s team, ironically led by Russell Latapy, his former teammate and member of the T&T Soca Warriors that played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Ranked 209 in the world, Anguilla have been on the wrong end of wide margin losses, including a 15-0 to T&T and 10-0 to Guatemala two years ago. Nicaragua also whipped them 6-0 in 2018 and Guyana 7-0 in 2016, while in 2014 Caribbean and Central American Games qualifying they lost 10-0 to the Dominican Republic. But they have also had a close 3-2 home defeat to Puerto Rico and 1-1 draw with Bahamas in 2019 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying. John says the aim is to make Anguilla more competitive in matches. “We know that we have a couple of big games coming up. We just want to go and compete,” John said. “I told the guys those results we used to get before, we are not having that anymore. At least we go on the field and we compete.” At the team’s final media conference last Wednesday before leaving for the Dominican Republic, John said he embraces the challenge to build a better Anguillan team. “For me its a privilege and an honour coaching the island (Anguilla) team. When I got the job — especially in Trinidad and all around the world as well — everyone asked me why I wanted to come and coach the last team in the FIFA rankings.” He continued: “When I came to the island, everyone was telling me your biggest challenge is to get the players to come to training and so far since I have been here, on a bad day we had 15 players coming to training. So, that is a change as well.” ”We know the problems we have here. It is not a professional environment. The guys are not professionals. I know things can better and it will get better, but everything is process,” said John, adding, “I think the guys are buying what we are selling. I think we are trying to change the football culture. I think we have to have that mindset that we want to go and compete against the rest of the world.” John thanked his new employers for their support, having met his request for a Venezuelan physiotherapist, as well as advanced tracking equipment to monitor his players’ performance. He is also thrilled with the standard of the FIFA-built Anguilla Home of Football. “Our staff has been fantastic as well,” John said. “This Home of Football is just amazing. The kind of facilities we have here for a small country is really great. I think it is brilliant.”
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Post by Admin on Mar 23, 2021 4:49:11 GMT
BAJAN TR IDENTS AIM TO GIVE THEIR ALL IN UPCOMING OUTINGWed, 03/10/2021 - 5:54am Senior Men's team Head Coach Russell Latapy (left) with Barbados Football Association President Randy Harris. Despite not having all of their overseas-based players available for their next outing, the Bajan Tridents are still expected to put in a solid performance later this month when they finally begin their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification journey. These are the words of the national team's head coach Russell Latapy, as he spoke to members of the media yesterday during a ZOOM briefing. With the team leaving the island today on a chartered flight for the Dominican Republic, Latapy said that he was sure the boys would give their all in the upcoming two games. “We have our clear ideas that we have tried to transcript to the team – how we would like to play football. I think in the two years I have been here we have come a long way in trying to create our identity and philosophy of the way we play. And we have two games to go and play and we are fortunate that we are getting away for a two week camp before these two games so we can do the best we can in terms of our preparation,” he said. With the Barbados Football Association having Thierry Gale, Hallam Hope, Omani Leacock, Nick Blackman, Krystian Pearce and latest prospect Ryan Trotman on their radar for this upcoming assignment, Latapy revealed that it was highly likely that Gale and Hope would not be making it due to club commitments and other issues, and stated that he completely understood why they would be unavailable. “In relation to Thierry, it is difficult for him getting out of Hungary. We have also communicated with Hallam. In his particular situation – where his team is and the minutes that he is getting – it is difficult. We are not going to force the players to represent us. We're never going to put the players in a situation where it interferes with their livelihood.What we do is we invite the players and hopefully everything aligns in a way that these players can come and represent us when we are playing,” he said. The squad is to be named pending the results of COVID-19 PCR tests, and it was revealed that the entire delegation would be under heavy manners as it relates to health and safety protocols. Headed to a secure bubble at the Cap Cana facility in Punta Cana, the team will be subject to regular testing, including prior to each game and will also be in possession of rapid antigen tests. Having had most of the delegation vaccinated already, they will live and train in Punta Cana until March 22ndwhen they move over to Santo Domingo for the games. The team is set to return on March 31st. In addition to not having access to all the desired players, the team would have also faced the challenge of being unable to train for the last six to eight weeks due to the 'national pause'. However, Latapy said that they would be making the most of their time at Cap Cana as they were getting in a two-week training camp ahead of the games. “It is not an ideal situation for us going into these games. Really we haven't been as a unit on the football pitch for roughly eight weeks, so that makes it difficult. What is going to happen once we get to the DR the boys would have a decent level of physical fitness and then we work on our game preparation, getting us to gel as unit, playing the way we want to play, and just trying basically to get all the rust out and get us firing on all cylinders,” he said. Despite all of that Latapy said that his team had nothing to lose and that they were going to play football and get the best result they could. With Panama as the clear favourite in the group, which also includes Dominica, Anguilla and the hosts, Latapy said that there was a good chance of getting a practice game during their camp but the stars needed to align for that to happen. “I know there is a possibility, speaking with some of the other coaches, that we can get a game. The question is though, I don't know if we'll be ready to play when these other teams are ready to play. There is no point in us going and trying to play a training game if we are not where we should be in terms of our preparation. I think our first seven or eight days there will determine a lot in terms of our physical fitness, in terms of how we gel, the information that we give out that they take on board, and once we see where we are, then we can determine if we are ready for this game or not,” he said. With the assignment costing the association in the region $300,000, the Tridents are slated to take on the 78th ranked Panama on the 25th of March and Anguilla on the 28th. Players list: Kishmar Primus, Liam Brathwaite, Carl Hinkson, Mario Williams, Akeem Hill, Rashad Smith, Ackeel Applewhaite, Najee Holder, Jomo Harris, Nicoli Brathwaite, Darico King, Hadan Holligan, Raheim Sargeant, Roshon Gittens, Jamol Williams, Niall Reid-Stephen, Emile, Saimovici, Rashad Jules, Keon Atkins Omani Leacock, Krystian Pearce, Ryan Trotman, Nicholas Blackman. SPORTS
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 4:01:21 GMT
Two huge games - then it's World Cup duty for Linnets strikerAuthor Picture Icon Chris Lakey Two huge games - then it's World Cup duty for Linnets striker Author Picture Icon Chris Lakey www.edp24.co.uk/sport/kings-lynn-striker-on-grenada-duty-7824652Published: 6:00 AM March 14, 2021 Kairo Mitchell in action for King's Lynn Town against Sutton United Kairo Mitchell in action for King's Lynn Town against National League leaders Sutton United - Credit: Ian Burt Kairo Mitchell has reason to smile amid the gloom at The Walks. The 23-year-old has scored twice in the past four games for the Linnets and after a huge domestic week ahead, gets on a plane heading for El Salvador, via Mexico, to resume his international career with Grenada. Chris Smith in action for King's Lynn Town against Sutton Chris Smith keeps his eyes on the ball during King's Lynn Town's defeat to Sutton United - Credit: Ian Burt Mitchell has perhaps been a victim of the jigsaw puzzle planning that manager Ian Culverhouse has to put together for games – with not enough pieces to make it look as he wants, but nonetheless managing to hide the obvious gaps. It means tactics are dictated by meagre resources – and Mitchell, despite his recent form, is struggling to get a run in the team. On Saturday he had to watch from the stands for an hour, by which time Sutton United had scored the only goal of the game, after another defensive error, and were in management mode. “It was a tight game, they are a good outfit, but I feel that we went toe to toe with them and did ourselves justice, apart from one bit of sloppy play,” said Mitchell. Simeon Jackson leading the line for King's Lynn Town against Sutton Simeon Jackson leading the line for King's Lynn Town against Sutton - Credit: Ian Burt “I think we played well in the first half - it is just a lack of concentration and quality at times that pegs us back, but we go again, we have got to go again at the end of the day.” Culverhouse opted to miss post-match media duties, but Mitchell was happy to pass on the manager’s pre-match instructions – which were evident as the Linnets again lifted their game to match more illustrious opponents. Most Read 1 Father arrested after taking his baby from N&N 2 Pub boss fears 9pm outdoor curfew will keep punters away 3 Which Norfolk villages and towns have seen property interest rocket? “The gaffer gave clear instructions to the boys when they went out to just go and play our way, be consistent with it, and keep trying and believing in the way that we are playing and I think it showed in the first half that they were a bit surprised by it. “It came off at times, it’s that difference between levels at the top and not much goes for you at the bottom.” Sonny Carey in action for King's Lynn Town against Sutton United Sonny Carey was King's Lynn Town's man of the match against Sutton - Credit: Ian Burt The elephant in the Lynn dressing room is the absence of nine players through furlough – a number of them injured anyway – which leaves sharp focus on the rest. On Saturday, there were just 13 fit players available. Fitness is an issue. So is morale. “It’s as good as it can be,” Mitchell said. “We are here to focus on playing football. It is difficult, I’m not going to lie to you and say it isn’t, but we are here to play football. What we do on the pitch is all that matters really. “It is a short squad, not many bodies around us at the minute. All the boys are doing their best to keep themselves fit and able to give the team 100pc when they are called on.” The FA will soon rubber-stamp the decision not to relegate from the National League, which means Lynn are safe in that respect, and word is they will see out the season, rather than waiting to see the severity of Dover’s punishment for failing to fulfil fixtures before making a decision. King's Lynn Town v Sutton United Tai Fleming challenges for the ball during King's Lynn Town's defeat to Sutton United - Credit: Archant “Everyone wants to play football at the end of the day,” said Mitchell. “That was going around the changing room – are we going to continue and keep playing and obviously since we have been told that is the case and we are going to continue, everyone has been happy for that.” Mitchell will be available for Lynn’s tough games at home to second-placed Hartlepool on Tuesday and at third-placed Torquay on Saturday before jetting off to South America for a World Cup qualifying game for Grenada, who he first played for in October, 2017 “We have two games, but only one I am allowed to play in because of Covid regulations,” he added. “I will be flying out on the 21st and back on 29th. “It is an honour. They (El Salvador) will be a good team, strong. Obviously it is a different style of play that I will have to get used to but it will be enjoyable. “I have played previously, the Grenada national team is one that is developing and is developing well and it is under new management under Michael Findlay, a Canadian coach who has just come in. He has been looking to get a few of the UK-based players out there so he can look at the himself and I have been fortunate to be called up s that he can do that.” .
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 4:08:51 GMT
St Lucia has withdrawn from FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to begin tomorrow - sources By Leighton Levy March 23, 2021 Email www.sportsmax.tv/index.php/football/regional/item/79599-st-lucia-has-withdrawn-from-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-set-to-begin-tomorrow-sourcesEven though there has been no official word from the St Lucia Football Association, official sources have said ‘the FIFA office’ has confirmed that SLFA will not take part in the qualifiers that are set to begin tomorrow. No reason was given for the withdrawal. Phone calls to Ces Podd, the Technical Director of the St Lucia federation went unanswered. Official sources also say that the CFU has been trying to get in contact with SLFA President Lydon Cooper on unrelated matters for some time and has been unable to do so. Other sources indicate that logistic challenges are behind the decision to withdraw. There has been no domestic competition in St Lucia since March 2020, when the global pandemic lockdowns came into effect. There were also reported challenges in pulling players from across the globe for training camps for the national team. St Lucia were set to play Nicaragua tomorrow at the Nicaragua National Stadium in Group E action and then Haiti on March 28.
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 4:11:29 GMT
6 new English-based players in Reggae Boyz squad for USA friendly www.loopjamaica.com/content/6-new-english-based-players-reggae-boyz-squad-usa-friendlyCurtis Tilt of Wigan Athletic FC is among six new English-based players in Jamaica's national senior football squad for an exhibition game against the USA on March 25, 2021 in Austria. LOOP SPORTS CREATED : 17 MARCH 2021SPORTCurtis Tilt of Wigan Athletic FC is among six new English-based players in Jamaica's national senior football squad for an exhibition game against the USA on March 25, 2021 in Austria. Curtis Tilt of Wigan Athletic FC is among six new English-based players in Jamaica's national senior football squad for an exhibition game against the USA on March 25, 2021 in Austria. Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedInShare to WhatsAppShare to MessengerShare to EmailShare to TelegramShare to More Eight players, including six born in England, received their first call-ups to Jamaica's national senior football team for an exhibition match against the 22nd-ranked USA on March 25 at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The new English-based players called to a 19-man squad are defender Curtis Tilt (Wigan Athletic FC), left-back Amari Bell (Blackburn Rovers FC), central defender Elthan Pinnock (Brentford FC), centre-back Liam Moore (Reading FC), centre-back Wesley Harding (Rotherham United) and forward Andre Gray (Watford FC). The other two new faces are local-based players Renaldo Wellington from Montego Bay United and Jabari Hylton from UWI FC. Four other English-based players are included in the squad. They are Adrian Mariappia (Bristol City), Michael Hector (Fulham), Ravel Morrison (unattached), who made his debut for the Reggae Boyz last November against five-time World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia, and former Wolmer’s Manning Cup captain Omar Holness, who has been playing for National League North club side Darlington since 2019. Five regular members of the side, including captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake of US Major League Soccer team Philadelphia Union and central defender, Damion Lowe, who plays for Al-Ittihad in the Egyptian Premier League, have rejected the contract offered by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). The match will be the third for 47th-ranked Jamaica in over a year, a schedule caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Last November, the Reggae Boyz played a two-match series away to five-time World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia where they lost 3-0 before rebounding with a 2-1 victory. Jamaica and the USA are preparing for the Concacaf Gold Cup, which starts in July, and the delayed start of the World Cup qualifying from August 30 to September 8. The roster: Jeadine White (Cavalier), Kemar Foster (Portmore United), Adrian Mariappa (Bristol City), Michael Hector (Fulham), Curtis Tilt (Wigan Athletic), Amari Bell (Blackburn Rovers), Elthan Pinnock (Brentford), Liam Moore (Reading), Wesley Harding (Rotherham United), Renaldo Wellington (Montego Bay United), Chavany Willis (Portmore United), Ravel Morrison (Unattached), Ricardo Morris (Portmore United), Jabari Hylton (UWI FC), Andre Gray (Watford), Omar Holness (Darlington FC), Kevaughn Isaac (Mount Pleasant), Luca Levee (Harbour View FC), Shaven Paul (Mount Pleasant).
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 4:13:23 GMT
newsroom.gy/2021/03/09/wcq-guyana-in-competitive-winnable-group-gff-head/WCQ: Guyana in “competitive”, “winnable” group- GFF Head
By Editor On Mar 9, 2021 Last updated Mar 9, 2021 0 Share Guyana’s National Men’s football team has been drawn in Group F for the Concacaf qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, slated for Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022. President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, in giving an update on the squad’s preparation for the matches, said while the group is a competitive one, the Jaguars are capable of emerging as the top team. The senior men’s team, commonly called the Golden Jaguars, will face Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas in their first step to possible World Cup qualification. Forde confirmed that the first two games against Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas would be played in the Dominican Republic, and the Golden Jaguars’ final squad would be announced on March 17, the same day the team and staff will depart for the Dominican Republic. Forde said the Federation is investing heavily into this window, both in terms of training and operational costs for the matches. He added that the Federation is confident in the Jaguars chances of progressing beyond this stage of qualification. Guyana will play Trinidad and Tobago on March 25 and the Bahamas on March 30. Wayne Forde- President of the Guyana Football Federation “Our group is clearly very competitive, but it is also winnable. We all know that the first game against Trinidad and Tobago will be the crunch tie. Getting this campaign off to a good start is crucial – these matches will set the tone for the rest of the year, not just for our World Cup journey but also for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup,” Forde said on Tuesday during a press briefing. “Our expectation is to come away from the Trinidad and Tobago match with a win – and certainly nothing less than a draw – and to beat the Bahamas. We have the talent, both domestic and international, and the expertise in terms of our coaching staff to deliver these results.” A group of 27 domestic-based players have been in training under Head Coach Marcio Maximo five days a week since January 10 with ongoing weekly COVID-19 testing. The latest test results from March 4 showed that all staff and players were in the clear, Forde reported. “Training has been progressing well, with the squad showing the professional commitment, discipline and passion that we expect at this level. We are investing G$3.3 million monthly to cover the cost of the domestic training programme. This includes, travel, meals, medical, equipment and staffing,” Forde explained. From left: Technical Director Ian Greenwood, President Wayne Forde, Coach Marcio Maximo and Scout Faizal Khan The Football head further stated that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s move to switch the game to the Dominican Republic has contributed to the Guyana Federation opting to have the Bahamas game there as well, noting that it was more feasible from a logistical and financial standpoint. “We are also somewhat hamstrung by the UK’s decision to place Guyana on its COVID-19 “red list” of banned countries. This decision means that clubs would not be able or willing to release players for travel to Guyana. We are grateful to the Dominican Republic Football Association for accommodating us, and we have the full cooperation of the Bahamas Football Association, Concacaf and FIFA in this matter.” “It is obviously disappointing to not be able to host a home match this time around, but we are hopeful that conditions will allow this in the next window in June.” The switch to the Dominican Republic comes at an additional cost to the Guyana Football Federation, with the overall operating costs for this window being G$27 million, plus a further US$10,000 fee payable to the Dominican Republic Football Association for hosting the Bahamas contest. Forde said he is confident the Dominican Republic FA will provide a professional and safe environment, alongside Concacaf’s strict match-day testing schedule. The matches will be played behind closed doors, without spectators.
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2021 9:49:44 GMT
Haiti, Canada and El Salvador kick off WCQ in style
SHARE Concacaf Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 6 hours ago www.concacaf.com/en/world-cup-qualifying-men/article/haiti-canada-and-el-salvador-kick-off-wcq-in-styleCyle Larin # 9 bagged a hat-trick to lead Canada to a 5-1 win over Bermuda in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida on March 25, 2021. (Photo: Canada Soccer) MIAMI - Haiti kicked off the second day of the First Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 home victory against Belize. The home side dominated the proceedings in Port-au-Prince in the first half but was unable to beat Belize goalkeeper Woodrow West until the 50th minute, with Ricardo Ade getting free in the box to head in a corner kick. It was another corner kick that doubled Haiti’s lead, with Steven Seance taking advantage of some confusion in the box to knock in another in the 80th minute. Belize now makes the quick trip to the Dominican Republic for a contest with Turks and Caicos Islands, who also serve as Haiti’s next opponent when qualification resumes in June. Curacao 5 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0
The Guus Hiddink era got off to a strong start for Curacao, which beat Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5-0. Curacao applied a press from the opening window and forced a turnover that Juninho Bacuna was able to tap in for the opener. Anthony van den Hurk then scored in his debut in the 17th minute, with Bacuna adding his second of the night in the 35th minute. Jarchino Antonio sent the teams into the Ergilio Hato Stadium locker rooms at 4-0 with a goal just before the halftime break, before Curacao capped things in the 87th minute with Leandro Bacuna spurring a counter-attack and Elson Hooi finishing the move. Trinidad and Tobago 3 Guyana 0
Trinidad and Tobago also enjoyed a big win Thursday, getting past Guyana, 3-0. Levi Garcia got things started early with a lovely individual goal, squeezing past the defenders and the end line and then firing home in the seventh minute. A free kick from Ryan Telfer deflected off CB Sheldon Bateau’s thigh and into the goal in the 15th minute to extend the Trinidad and Tobago lead. It was three when Telfer pounced on an error from Guyana GK Akel Clarke in the 44th minute, with the goalkeeper fumbling an attempt to collect and Telfer able to finish into the open net. Canada 5 Bermuda 1 Canada kept pace with Suriname atop Group B, seeing off a challenge from Bermuda with a 5-1 win. Alphonso Davies whipped in a free kick from the right side in the 19th minute that found Cyle Larin and went in for the opening goal. In the 27th minute, Davies came down the left side of Canada’s attack and beat Bermuda GK Dale Eve to a ball. He once again connected with Larin, who was able to power his finish into the net before Eve fully recovered. Richie Laryea added to the lead, surging forward from left back in the 53rd minute and scoring the first goal of his national team career. Milan Borjan kept his net clean for more than an hour but dropped a ball that Kane Crichlow pounced on to bring one back. But Davies and Larin linked up once again in the 68th minute to complete Larin’s hat trick and Theo Corbeanu scored in his debut after his run took Bermuda by surprise and Liam Millar found him in the box. Panama 1 Barbados 0
Panama and Barbados looked destined for a scoreless draw with both teams getting opportunities, but sending them wide of the goal or off the post. Then, in the 82nd minute, Jair Catuy’s run into the box went unchecked and Jose Murillo found him for a diving header that put the 2018 FIFA World Cup participant in the lead. Thomas Christiansen’s squad saw out the 1-0 result to open qualification with a victory. El Salvador 2 Grenada 0 In the nightcap at the Estadio Cuscatlan, El Salvador scored a goal in each half to claim a 2-0 win over Grenada. Gerson Mayen brought a ball down in the box, used his left foot to move horizontally with the ball and then beat Grenada GK Jason Belfon. Mayen turned provider on the second goal, as El Salvador scored just one minute into the second half on a break. Mayen’s through ball found David Tony Rugamas, whose shot took a deflection and landed in the goal. El Salvador now travels to meet Montserrat, while Grenada returns to St. George’s to welcome the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2021 9:55:55 GMT
Soca Warriors off to winning World Cup qualifying start after beating Guyana 3-0
JOEL 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.
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Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 2:27:48 GMT
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Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 3:16:26 GMT
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Post by Admin on Mar 28, 2021 8:04:44 GMT
BARBADOS SHOULD BE PROUD
Sat, 03/27/2021 - 5:00am Barbados Head Coach Russell Latapy (left) and Barbados Football Association President Randy Harris. www.barbadosadvocate.com/sports/barbados-should-be-proudThe public of Barbados should be proud of their boys. That is the word coming from Head Coach of the Barbados Tridents Russell Latapy as he spoke about the team’s performance in Thursday night’s 1-0 defeat against Panama. With the Senior Men’s side going into their first match of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as an underdog, Latapy said that the squad deserved credit for what they were able to achieve in a short space of time. Speaking to members of the media yesterday during a Zoom media conference, Latapy said that he was extremely proud of all the players and what they were able to pull off. “By no means we thought that this was going to be a game that we were just going to walk into and it was going to be easy. We are talking about a team that is loaded with professionals who were playing in some of the top leagues in the region and around the world. And we are talking about – my boys – who had two weeks to prepare for this game under very difficult circumstances. I think what we did last night is that we showed the region and the world by extension that we could compete at this level,” he said. Going on to say that the boys fought as hard as they could and gave everything in both halves, Latapy said that if luck had smiled on them that they could have come away with a goal or two against one of the best teams in the region. Stating that where they were was a good place and that they can only build from there, Latapy added that the aim of the game was to now take the expected points in the group. “When we came to play these two games we knew the reality is that Panama was going to be a really tough game and we got through that game last night in my opinion, with flying colours.We know that the tables are turned a bit, whereby we’re the favourites against Anguilla. I think this is a game that we can go and try to impose the way that we want to play football and that is what we are going to try to do.” Noting that he was pleasantly surprised that the players were disappointed in the result, as it showed that they had come a really long way in their development, Latapy said that the focus remained working to get players to buy into his philosophy. “The further on we go with it, the better we become at it and I think last night was an excellent exercise in showing these players what is necessary, what is required, the intensity that we need to play at, the courage and commitment that we need to have. And again, I would give them a pass in every department,” he said. As he addressed the pundits of the public, Latapy noted that the level of discipline and professionalism shown by his amateur side was exemplary. “Sometimes for the general public, the expectations do not match the support that the players have. We’re competing with professional players and all we ask is that our players go out there and give 100% every time. To put things into perspective, I have boys who work in a warehouse, I have boys who work on a truck for eight hours and then they come to training for two, three times a week. And they are competing against boys whose livelihood is professional football. So I have boys who are working and training maybe 10, 12 hours a week against boys who are training 30 and 40 hours a week.” With many casting criticism at Latapy’s appointment and the results achieved in his short tenure, he cited the criticism of Zinedine Zidane, who was one of the most successful players in the world, before saying that he was not bothered in the least. “I know I’m going to get criticised– it comes with the job. My focus has always been on the same thing, which is the development of the players and to get the best out of them for the development of football. I understand that a lot of people will criticise, but what I would say is if they criticiseme, I have no problem with it. But I’ll defend my players down to the end. I think what the boys did last night, they deserve a lot of credit for it based on everything that we know,” Latapy stated. Barbados Football Association President Randy Harris was also present and he said that he was thankful to the executive of the Association for having the foresight to send the squad on the much-needed two-week training camp ahead of the first fixture. Having not played competitively for over a year and not touching a ball for two months due to the national pause did the team no favours against a side that recently had friendlies against the USA, Serbia and Japan. “Our players must be commended because Panama is number-five in the region and a team that even the top teams are wary of playing. We did the work, we did not play as we were training because we weren’t given the chance. It was as simple as that. But the players did not give up, which is a good sign. They tried, they did their best, they dug deep and I think they should be commended.” Noting that the players saw all comments made by members of the public, whether good or bad, Harris echoed the sentiments of Latapy and called for the public to support the team. “We need to support them! We need to uplift football in Barbados. Obviously we are going to all fall down at times and we will accept when we make mistakes and when we make decisions that did not work out. And we will pick up ourselves and move forward but we need the support,” he said. (MP)
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Post by Admin on Mar 29, 2021 10:40:01 GMT
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Post by Admin on Mar 29, 2021 10:43:26 GMT
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Post by Admin on Mar 29, 2021 10:48:30 GMT
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Post by Admin on Mar 29, 2021 11:03:44 GMT
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