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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2021 4:28:27 GMT
Shabazz: Montserrat will not be easy opponents guardian.co.tt/sports/shabazz-montserrat-will-not-be-easy-opponents-6.2.1344475.dfd7c0a95cIt's not usually familiar for T&T footballers to dwell on low-ranking regional opponents, but it seems obvious now, with Montserrat in the path of the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification. Jamal Shabazz, the T&T football coach who has had stints in charge of the Guyanese and St Lucia national teams, and is equipped with first-hand knowledge of the Montserratian team, having had mixed results against them as the St Lucia coach in the CONCACAF Nations League in recent times, is urging new national coach Angus Eve and the public to not take Montserrat for granted. The Montserratian team appears to be no push-over team with some 18 to 20 of its players plying their trade in the lower Leagues in England and the UK, such as centre defender Donervon Daniels at Crewe Alexandra, centre forward Lyle Taylor at Nottingham Forrest, defensive midfielders James Comley and Rohan Ince representing Maidenhead United, and Brandon Comley at Bolton Wanderers, among many others. Ranked 180th on the FIFA rankings, the regional team held the Shabazz-led St Lucians to a 1-1 tie, as well as defeated them 1-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League last year. They were also highly competitive against Central American opponents El Salvador in the same competition. Shabazz told Guardian Media Sports on Friday that: "First of all, they would be a formidable opponent for T&T, and we must not believe that they are just Montserrat, a small island that was ravaged by a hurricane. In the last three years alone they have emerged as a very challenging opponent, not just in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) but in the CONCACAF. They have had good match-ups against teams like El Salvador and other Central American and Caribbean opponents." He explained that: "Montserrat has at least 20 players in the squad who play in the lower leagues in England and the UK, and that alone makes them a huge challenge. They are very organised defensively and they are tactically disciplined, similar to what we've seen in Puerto Rico. However, given the talent that's available to T&T, while it might be a tough encounter, we're very capable of getting the desired result against them." T&T wounded from their failure to advance past the first round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the Soca Warriors have since replaced its coach Terry Fenwick with Angus Eve, as the team need to get past the Montserratians on July 2 if T&T is to progress to the next round of the qualifiers where the twin island Republic will face either Cuba or French Guiana on July 6. Guardian Media Sports was reliable informed that Eve selected a provisional squad of 60 players which also highlights a welcome return of Columbus Crew midfielder Kevin Molino, who missed the country's four qualifying matches of the World Cup due to injury. Without Molino, Shabazz believes the team already has a diverse collection of midfielders who can get the job done, as he pointed to Duane Muckette, the scorer of one of the two goals against St Kitts & Nevis on June 8, along with Neveal Hackshaw and Kevan George. However, he called on Eve to not be burdened by the challenge ahead of him and to do what he thinks is necessary to get the result. "I think Eve got to trust himself and his own judgement because he got the job based on something that the Normalisation Committee believes he can bring to the table. When you're in a position like that, self-belief is the most important thing," Shabazz advised. Tagged in:
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2021 4:30:51 GMT
Trinidad and Tobago choose 60-man provisional squad for Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers
JELANI BECKLES 7 HRS AGO TT midfielder Kevin Molino - newsday.co.tt/2021/06/18/trinidad-and-tobago-choose-60-man-provisional-squad-for-concacaf-gold-cup-qualifiers/Trinidad and Tobago have selected a provisional 60-man squad, which includes several seasoned players, for the preliminary stage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifying tournament, next month. TT will play Montserrat in the first round qualifier at the DRV PNK Stadium in Ft Lauderdale on July 2. If successful, TT will play the second round qualifier on July 6 for a chance to play in the tournament from July 10 to August 1. The players who recently represented TT in the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament have been named on the squad. Goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, defenders Sheldon Bateau, Aubrey David and Shannon Gomez along with midfielders Khaleem Hyland, Joevin Jones, Levi Garcia and Kevin Molino are in the squad. Molino has returned after recovering from an injury. TT will head into the Gold Cup qualifying tournament under new interim head coach Angus Eve. Eve was announced as the coach on Sunday, following the removal of Terry Fenwick. Gary Griffith III, who trained under Fenwick for the past year, has been included in the provisional squad. SQUAD Goalkeepers Aaron Enill, Adrian Foncette, Nicklas Frenderup, Marvin Phillip, Gregory Ranjitsingh, Denzil Smith Defenders Radanfah Abu Bakr, Leland Archer, Sheldon Bateau, Jamal Creighton, Aubrey David, Justin Garcia, Shannon Gomez, Curtis Gonzales, Triston Hodge, Darnell Hospedales, Alvin Jones, Keston Julien, Jelani Peters, Noah Powder, Ross Russell Jnr, Jesse Williams, Mekeil Williams Midfielders Aikim Andrews, Hashim Arcia, Che Benny, Sean Bonval, Jelani Felix, Andre Fortune, Akeem Garcia, Judah Garcia, Levi Garcia, Keston George, Kevon Goddard, Gary Griffith III, Neveal Hackshaw, Isaiah Hudson, Khaleem Hyland, Nathaniel James, Joevin Jones, Shaqkeem Joseph, Molik Khan, Dylan King, Aaron Lester, Jabari Mitchell, Kevin Molino, Reon Moore, Duane Muckette, Jameel Neptune, Daniel Phillips, Michel Poon-Angeron, Andre Rampersad, John Paul Rochford, Justin Sadoo, Adrian Welch, Jomal Williams, Matthew Woo Ling Forwards Ryan Telfer, Marcus Joseph, Isaiah Lee
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2021 6:04:03 GMT
Sheldon Bateau, Levi Garcia unavailable...Trinidad and Tobago team named for Gold Cup qualifiers
YOHANCE SIMONETTE 3 DAYS AGO Trinidad and Tobago senior men's football team head coach Angus Eve, during a press conference, on Wednesday, announced his 26-man team for the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers. - Vidya Thurab newsday.co.tt/2021/06/23/sheldon-bateau-levi-garcia-unavailable-trinidad-and-tobago-team-named-for-gold-cup-qualifiers/INTERIM head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s senior football team Angus Eve has trimmed his provisional 60-man squad for the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers to 26. The team will leave Trinidad on Thursday for the qualifiers which will be held in Florida, USA. Experienced defender Sheldon Bateau and midfielder Levi Garcia, who have been both regular members of the team in recent years, are not in the squad. On Wednesday, Eve told the media at a training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva that the players are unavailable. The squad includes several players who were part of the first round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. TT did not advance past the first round. Goalkeepers Adrian Foncette and Nicklas Frenderup have been selected, along with defenders Aubrey David and Radanfah Abu Bakr. Midfielders Khaleem Hyland, Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino have been named and striker Ryan Telfer. TT will play Montserrat in the Gold Cup first round qualifier at the DRV PNK Stadium in Ft Lauderdale on July 2. If successful, TT will play the second round qualifier on July 6 for a chance to play in the tournament from July 10 to August 1. SQUAD Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim I.L), Marvin Phillip (unattached), Radanfah Abu Bakr, Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Triston Hodge (Switchbacks F.C), Alvin Jones (unattached), Jelani Peters (Pittsburgh Riverhounds S.C), Ross Russell Jnr (Terminex La Horquetta Rangers), Jesse Williams, Andre Fortune, Judah Garcia, Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven), Khaleem Hyland (Al Batin F.C), Joevin Jones (Inter Miami F.C), Molik Khan, Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew S.C), Reon Moore (Defence Force), Duane Muckette (unattached), Ryan Telfer (Atletico Ottawa), Michel Poon-Angeron (unattached), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force), Marcus Joseph (unattached), Isaiah Lee (Terminex La Horquetta Rangers)
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2021 6:06:09 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2021 6:28:54 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 30, 2021 9:28:51 GMT
Joevin Jones to miss Gold Cup qualifiers for Trinidad and Tobago
JELANI BECKLES 3 DAYS AGO Trinidad and Tobago's Joevin Jones in action recently for his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. - newsday.co.tt/2021/06/27/joevin-jones-to-miss-gold-cup-qualifiers-for-trinidad-and-tobago/THE Trinidad and Tobago men’s senior football team received a huge blow ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers as Joevin Jones will not be available after picking up an injury. Jones injured his left leg while playing for Inter Miami FC against Orlando City in a Major League Soccer match at the DRV PNK Stadium in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday. Jones has been one of TT’s leading players over the past few years. TT will play Montserrat in the Gold Cup first round qualifier at the DRV PNK Stadium in Ft Lauderdale on Friday. If successful, TT will play the second round qualifier on July 6 for a chance to play in the tournament from July 10 to August 1. TT will also be without Sheldon Bateau and Levi Garcia because they are unavailable.
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Post by Admin on Jun 30, 2021 9:33:38 GMT
SPORTS CoP Gary Griffith has change of heart, helps Trinidad and Tobago footballers, staff get visa
JELANI BECKLES 4 HRS AGO Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith speaks during a press conference, at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, on Tuesday. - SUREASH CHOLAI newsday.co.tt/2021/06/30/cop-gary-griffith-has-change-of-heart-helps-trinidad-and-tobago-footballers-staff-get-visa/COMMISSIONER of Police Gary Griffith has continued to lend assistance to the national men’s senior football team weeks after saying he will no longer support the team. Over the past decade, Griffith has thrown support behind the national team. Over the past year, he has come to the aid of national players under former coach Terry Fenwick which included providing meals and transport. He has also allowed the team to train at the St James Police Barracks. Angus Eve replaced Fenwick as interim head coach on June 13. Eve contacted Griffith in an effort to get visas for two of his players and two technical staff members. At a Police briefing on Tuesday, Griffith said, “As the Commissioner of Police at times I would interact with the US Embassy…I was liaising with the immigration department to try to see how we could fast track to get those passports to have players that might very well have competed or even replaced my son (Gary Griffith III). In this same situation, Angus Eve got the job yesterday for today. He had to fly out a couple days later, he contacted me and there were two players he needed to get on board.” Griffith confirmed two members of the technical staff also needed help getting visas. “There were four persons that he asked for me to assist desperately…I interact on a regular basis with our international allies so I was able to liaise with them and explain the situation (that) it was national duty for national players and if they were able to assist.” Griffith has been criticised for his connection with the national team and was questioned if he was trying to get his son Griffith III on the team. In a statement on Facebook on June 4, Griffith said he will no longer support the team following criticism that his involvement was in an effort to get his son chosen. “Today, I am more convinced than ever, that my decision to now, walk away completely from any further assistance, support of, or with the men’s national senior team is the correct thing to do, as nothing in this world is more important to me than my family. Today, Express journalist, (named reporter), in her continued attempts to obtain an ‘ah ketch yuh’ moment, has now moved into sport reporting, and joined the ranks of the many in this country who have found it fulfilling to discredit, disrespect, and pour disdain upon my son.” On Tuesday, implying that his son may be next in line, Griffith, who is not a TT football selector, said, “These two individuals got their US visas and because of that my son who was on the previous squad of 23 for the last World Cup (qualifying) game against St Kitts was then dropped for another player who I got the visa for. So persons who claim that I have influence on getting my son on the national team put that in your pipe and smoke it.” Griffith III was part of the 60-man provisional squad for the Gold Cup qualifying tournament named on June 18. When the squad was cut to 26 a week later Griffith III was not included. TT will face Montserrat in the first round of the qualifiers on Friday in Ft Lauderdale. Newsday tried to call normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad but was not successful. Newsday also sent a few questions to Hadad via WhatsApp on Tuesday night. Newsday asked whether the normalisation committee planned to continue working with Griffith, whether team management or the Ministry of Sport should facilitate the process in getting visas for the players instead of Griffith and if the normalisation committee is concerned by the conflict of interest because Griffith's son is part of the training squad. The normalisation committee is in charge of the operations of the TT Football Association.
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Post by Admin on Jun 30, 2021 11:13:08 GMT
Molino not taking Montserrat lightly
by Walter Alibey 12 hours ago Tue Jun 29 2021 guardian.co.tt/sports/molino-not-taking-montserrat-lightly-6.2.1349255.48941210afT&T midfielder Kevin Molino Kevin Molino, on return from injury, is promising to give his all to bring back the smiles on the faces of the T&T's fans and country. The Columbus Crew attacking midfielder has come into the team just when another key player, Joevin Jones was ruled out due to injury. Molino had some words of encouragement and comfort for his teammate, also sharing in an interview yesterday that he is excited to be back in the T&T team and is eager to help the team get the result, it needs. The Soca Warriors, now under new coach Angus Eve, will need to get a win against Montserrat when the two teams meet in a CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier on Friday at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The reward for a win against the Montserratians is the right to face the winner of either Cuba or French Guiana for a place in the group phase of the Gold Cup. Molino’s arrival completes the cadre of overseas-based professionals who were expected to join the team to begin preparation - formulating a structure of play, coupled with a strategy for the Montserratians. That preparation began yesterday at the South County Regional Park. Molino believes a good result on Friday lies in their preparation and approach. “Once we work together as a team, it’s possible to win. If you look at the Euros what happens. Football is played on the day, it’s not on paper. "So we have to go into each and every game with the right mentality. Play Montserrat as though we’re playing Mexico. And we just have to continue progressing in training. We know it’s a new staff and new players in the mix, but we need to go out there and give it our best shot. Work hard, but not just for us but for the people back home who have been suffering because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)." National coach Eve was expected to select his 23-man team for the match yesterday which would require him to cut just three players. But with Jones, going down injured, Eve would now be required to drop just two. Molino, speaking about the injury to his fellow Carenage resident and close friend, said Jones’ injury is a huge blow for the T&T team, but he noted also that it would present an opportunity for some of the younger players on the team.
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Post by Admin on Jul 1, 2021 12:58:33 GMT
Eve under no pressure for Montserrat contest
by Walter Alibey Yesterday Thu Jul 01 2021 guardian.co.tt/sports/eve-under-no-pressure-for-montserrat-contest-6.2.1349694.6236daf07eMembers of the T&T senior men’s football team go through a practice session at the team’s base in Florida, USA. Courtesy TTFA Media. National coach Angus Eve is feeling no real pressure ahead of tomorrow's CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier against Montserrat, but he has been working on a few key areas that would, not only get the desired result but will ensure a good performance. The former national midfielder told the media at a virtual press conference from the team base at the Embassy Suites hotel in Florida, USA on Wednesday that: "I don't know what pressure the team is under because they just missed out on qualifying for the World Cup, so this is actually a rebuilding stage. We have had to pick the players up mentally and get them to think refresh again. And then get them to perform at a particular level. So it's almost like a computer, they're rebooting. I think once the players go and they perform, they put the work in and we can see a difference in the attitude of the guys, I think, in this short space of time, these are the things that we're looking for. Of course, we want a result, we're playing for a result. We want to win both games and qualify for the group stage," Eve explained. Despite not having a planned warm-up match on Monday due to unsafe COVID-19 conditions, a highly intense scrimmage among all the players, both overseas-based professionals and the local players, helped him in selecting the 23-man team for the match, which came from the 26-man roster he took to the United States, basically just leaving out midfielders Molik Khan and Michel Poon-Angeron. Eve, a former Mucurapo Secondary School standout said that while the preparation may not have been ideal, he is extremely confident in the work put in with his players so far. 'Gus' as he is normally called, has been formalising a system of play, amid a few concerns he has had, inclusive of a search for a number#9 player: "We have been working with the T&T based guys, we had a mini-camp which you know, and then we came up here and we were still working on the systems. The players who were brought in would have been to compliment the positions I know that they can play, what they can bring to the team when they do come in, thereby making the process more seamless." With Ryan Telfer, the Atletico Ottawa player the lone recognised target man for T&T, Eve believes only time will tell if he has found his number #9 player: "We have Marcus Joseph and Isaiah Lee, a young man with a lot of potential in the number #9 position. We also have, as I said Marcus 'Lobo' Joseph. Marcus has a great deal of experience playing abroad and doing well in the local leagues. He hasn't had a proper run out at the senior level, so we're hoping he can come good because that is a problem area. We also have Ryan Telfer who can play a number #9 also- and we have a couple of other stuff that we're working on also." On Tuesday defensive midfielder Khaleem Hyland was confirmed as the captain and Kevin Molino the vice-captain, but the team will be without instrumental midfielder Joevin Jones who was injured during an MLS match last weekend, while Levi Garcia is not available. The combination of Jones and Garcia has been used to telling effect, and their absence has left Eve hoping that other players will step up and grasp at the opportunity. T&T plays Montserrat tomorrow in a Gold Cup Tournament qualifier at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida, USA.
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Post by Admin on Jul 1, 2021 22:58:40 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2021 0:55:37 GMT
Trinidad and Tobago blast Montserrat 6-1, on 'Eve' of Gold Cup
JOEL BAILEY 11 HRS AGO Trinidad and Tobago's Ryan Telfer (centre) scores his team's third goal during the Gold Cup prelims maatch against Montserrat at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States on Friday. (AFP PHOTO) - Trinidad and Tobago's Ryan Telfer (centre) scores his team's third goal during the Gold Cup prelims maatch against Montserrat at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States on Friday. (AFP PHOTO) - newsday.co.tt/2021/07/03/trinidad-and-tobago-blast-montserrat-6-1-on-eve-of-gold-cup/TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO got a pair from Reon Moore as they trounced Montserrat 6-1 on Friday night, in their Concacaf Gold Cup qualifier, at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Ironically, the TT team scored as much goals against Montserrat as they did in the five games under previous coach Terry Fenwick, who was fired in mid-June, after TT's failed 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. Angus Eve, who made his TT coaching debut against Montserrat – ranked 180 in the latest FIFA rankings (May 2021) – will now switch his attention to the Cuba-French Guiana tie, which is carded for 7 pm. Montserrat's Dean Mason (centre) fight for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago striker Marcus Joseph during the Gold Cup Prelims football match at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States on Friday. (AFP PHOTO) - The winner of the Cuba-French Guiana contest will face TT on July 6, for a spot in the group stage of the Gold Cup. Friday's match began 45 minutes late owing to poor weather conditions at the venue, and it took TT 21 minutes to break the deadlock through Kevin Molino, who sent goalkeeper Corrin Brooks-Meade the wrong way (to his left) from the penalty spot. Referee Bryan Lopez of Guatemala used VAR to award the spotkick, after defender Nathan Pond (one of ten English-born players on the Montserrat's starting lineup) caught TT's Aubrey David in the mouth with a high right boot. Striker Marcus Joseph, who was recalled by Eve after being discarded by Fenwick, got his name on the scoresheet in the 37th minute. Brooks-Meade's clearance was intercepted by TT skipper Khaleem Hyland, who teed up Joseph who, in turn, saw a vacant net and delicately chipped his 40-metre left-footed effort over the goalie, who lost his footing in his attempt to protect his net. Montserrat's Brandon Comley (left) and Trinidad and Tobago's Kevin Molino fight for the ball during the Gold Cup Prelims football match at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States on Friday. (AFP PHOTO) - Ryan Telfer got among the act, slotting his shot through Brooks-Meade's legs, in first half stoppage time, after he eluded defenders Joseph Taylor and Pond. Montserrat pulled one back ten minutes into the second half, when captain Lyle Taylor headed home from close range, after TT goalie Nicklas Frenderup tipped Spencer Weir's effot onto the crossbar. But Judah Garcia netted TT's fourth a minute later, collecting a long ball from the recalled centre-back Jelani Peters and finishing with a neatly-placed left-footed shot. Moore, who replaced Joseph in the 67th (along with playmaker Duane Muckette) put the icing on the cake with two well-taken goals. A minute after entering the field, Moore raced onto a ball from Muckette, left defender Dean Mason on his back with a left-footed cut-back, and lifted his right-footed shot over the advancing Brooks-Meade. And, in the 82nd, Moore was again a recipient of a through ball from Muckette, as he skipped past Mason and guided his shot beyond the left of the hapless Montserrat keeper.
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Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2021 0:57:08 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2021 1:05:20 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2021 5:34:40 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2021 18:08:51 GMT
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