Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum

Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on November 21, 2006, 02:06:55 PM

Title: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Flex on November 21, 2006, 02:06:55 PM
Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Interview Conducted By: Inshan "Flex" Mohammed.
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1. Since you were named interim head coach of the Canadian senior national men's team, your record shows you had 1 win (Jamaica) & 2 losses (Jamaica & Hungary). Do you feel your chances are good to keep your current position on a permanent basis?
SH: The Interim position is difficult but the players performed well and were unfortunate not to get better results out of the last two games. As for me I am not sure I am interested in the position on a full time basis. Who ever gets the job will need time to build on his ideas and player selection. Most of all he will require patience from the football public, Canada is in a rebuilding stage.

2. In 1980 you were selected to the Trinidad and Tobago national football team. How come you never became a regular on the squad?
SH: I was having a good season in the league and got selected just before the second Haiti game in the qualifications for WC 82. I was 20 at the time, so it was a gamble by the coaching staff. Unfortunately I had already made a commitment to attend University abroad. At that time the National Team also was in transition and the staff decided to build on a local squad. I did return home and played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team.

3. How was football in your time growing up in T&T compared to the times we have now? What is lacking from our football in general?
SH: Football back then along with Cricket were the only sports. Local club football still had a huge following and there was also a huge North / South rivalry, that fired the appetite. Now I think there are too many Leagues. T&T Football needs one top League and a Second division with promotion and relegation. Football must find a way for the better players to compete against each other week in week out.

4. Obviously, you are the most successful T&T born coach we have today. A person like you we could surely utilize to our advantage because of the experience and knowledge you bring to the table. Tell me, if given the chance to coach T&T in any capacity (youth, senior, women) will you accept the job? Explain.
SH: Coaching is how I feed my family and I will obviously listen to any proposal that is to my benefit.

5. Do you feel you get respected from the T&T federation whenever you visit T&T? As I understand you came to T&T with the Canadian under 15 team and won the U-15 Cup 2 years ago and you were not even acknowledged by the federation. Why would they treat you like this?   Did you have past run-ins with the federation?  Please explain.
SH: hahaha, I am not a person that promotes myself, I think most people involved did not even know I was from T&T.

6. While you were the coach of the Canadian under 17 team you once called T&T youth and QRC player Jason Devenish to play for your team. He played once and was cut. What are your thoughts on him?
SH: Not accurate! Jason was called by another Canadian Youth Team coach. I have never met or even seen Jason Devenish play.

7. You came to T&T twice with your Canadian youth teams. You saw T&T play among other countries of course. How do you feel T&T will cope for the future? Did you spot any outstanding talents etc?
SH: Youth Team football is marked by inconsistency as players develop at different rates. Today’s talented player is seldom a future star at the younger ages. Yes I saw many players with potential, but most of CONCACAF Youth programs suffer from similar problems, as the youth players are not training consistently at their highest level. My times spent in Mexico observing their programs confirms this. They have hundreds of players in our age group training daily, we have less that 40. This is also true for USA who have a youth coaches dream in terms of their organization.

8. If you manage to stay on as Canadian head coach will you accept a friendly or two with the T&T national team?
SH: Yes it is important to play many games in CONCACAF.

9. What’s your thoughts on T&T performance at the 2006 World Cup? Give us your full view.
SH: Very organized and with a well thought out game plan. It took the coach many months to put it in place and even in the exhibition games he still looked uncertain as to his approach. The opening game was important and though at times fortunate, he got the result that gave the players confidence. Shaka was simply a wall in that game.
Game two versus England was another well thought out game plan. Trinidad actually had the best chance just on the half and it seemed England were running out of patience (which seemed to be the aim), but Crouch saved the day.
The Paraguay game plan went out the window with the own goal, and then losing Glenn. T&T style in the first two games used a lot of energy mentally and physically, so this game was always going to be difficult.

10. Do you feel Wim Rijsbergen can repeat T&T 2006 World Cup success in 2010? What do you feel should or can be done to help make this a reality?
SH: Not for me to say, but T&T will have to rebuild and with no recognized leaders this will take time.

11. Do you agree with Anton Corneal wanting to limit our SSFL players in the league in order to help the national youth teams prepare for the youth championship cups?
SH: Why not? Ask yourself what is the priority and what are the potential gains.

12. There is a rumor floating around that you were offered a position with new MLS side Toronto FC. Any truth in this?
SH: Maybe they lost my phone number.

13. Canada is always a force at women and youth level, but at senior men’s level most of the times fail. Why do you think this happens?
SH: After WCQ 1986 Canada suffered from the collapse of the NASL. Canada also failed to develop its professional domestic game, so the player pool declined. To date many talented players drop out of the game because they simply have no where to play and the reality of making a living leads them down another path.

14. As Canada's head coach. Do you get the support to carry out your job the way you would like?
SH: Difficult to answer this as I am simply only in an Interim position. I will say this, Canada needs to play far more International games than they have in the past few years.

15. Which Canadian players you think will be a force to reckon when the 2010 world cup qualifiers starts back?
SH: The force would have to be an efficient well balanced TEAM.

16. Jamaica did the ultimate, the hiring of Bora Milutinovic.  Mexico got midfield genius Hugo Sanchez as their boss, and Costa Rica handed talented midfielder Hernan Medford the job to carry out the task for them.  The USA may get Jurgen Klinsman. You will obviously meet them sometime down the road. Do you think you have the knowledge to out-coach these men?
SH: That is assuming I am the coach! Bora is a proven coach but he has only qualified one team China; Korea and Japan were automatic due to being host. I do not mean any disrespect by this statement. I am simply saying that his task is very different.
Klinsman had success with Germany in a WC at home. I think he will find USA and dealing with CONCACAF quite a challenge. Sanchez and Medford are theories.

17. If you were asked by the Canadian federation to hire anyone you like to work with you, who will you choose?
SH: I would rather not say.

18. If Canada does not keep you as head coach, where will you like to go from there?
SH: Hopefully, I will remain with the youth program. I think the program is on the right track and can be built upon.

19. Do you still visit T&T?  If yes, where do you stay when you go?
SH: Yes I try to visit as often as I can. Most of my family are in T&T. I stay in Tobago as my parents live there.

20. Do you think Brian Haynes, Russell Latapy and Hannibal Najjar are some decent coaches T&T should consider?
SH: Yes all have excellent experience.

21. What's your thoughts of Anton Corneal being in-charge of the entire youth and women T&T teams?
SH: I don't really think about it.

22. Are you still a regular visitor to the Soca Warriors Online. If so, what's your thoughts?
SH: Its a great site. Informative, Amusing, Serious, and Entertaining.

23. Under former T&T coach Ian Porterfield, T&T sabotaged Canada in the 2001 world cup qualifiers. Were you surprised? Anything you would like to share with us on those victories?
SH: Game 1 was very interesting as I felt Canada played the better game, but two great goals gave T&T the victory, away from home which is never easy. Game 2 was another story from the opening whistle, one Canada will rather forget.

24. What was your proudest moment in your career?
SH: As a youth coach watching players progress.

25. Do you feel many good players got over-looked by the T&T national team while you were growing up as a player in T&T? Can you brief us?
SH: Definitely, T&T could have done a better job tracking its players. But
its all water under the bridge now.

26. Under the great Dom Basil Mathews. St Benedicts College was a force. Can you describe your experience under him? If he was alive, do you think T&T football would have been the same today? Anything you would like to share with us on these topics? Benedicts & Dom.....
SH: The Dom came before my time at St Benedicts but I grew up watching their team and lived near to St Benedicts ground and played my club football with many of its graduates.
The Dom created T&T first football Academy. He searched far and wide for genuine talent, gave them the best facilities and coaching. He proved what I think he set out to prove, that talent nurtured properly can achieve excellent results. Its amazing how many of those players went on to represent T&T. It is a shame the Dom was never placed in a position of influence in T&T Football.

Thank You...
Stephen Hart.

Note:
On behalf of the Soca Warriors Online I just what to say Thank You to Mr. Stephen Hart for taking the time to do this interview for us. Please keep up the great work you are doing and we wish you all the best in the future... you make us proud.

21-Nov-2006.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: TrinInfinite on November 21, 2006, 02:37:53 PM
Boss interview flex :beermug: :applause: :applause: you iz a boss breds, SH for tt nat'l coach in the near future, i have said this before and will continue to say this... :beermug:
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: vb on November 21, 2006, 03:12:43 PM
21. What's your thoughts of Anton Corneal being in-charge of the entire youth and women T&T teams.
SH: I don't really think about it
   ;D :rotfl:

VB

Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Grande on November 21, 2006, 03:25:13 PM
Thanks Flex  :beermug:

T&T, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico fuh SA 2010
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sam on November 21, 2006, 03:30:19 PM
Meh boy SH wicked !!!!!!!! nice interview Flex.

We need to get this man to take over Corneals job....

Didn't Bora qualified Nigeria and USA too ? I didn't know Korea and Japan was host...
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: WestCoast on November 21, 2006, 05:38:29 PM
"2. In 1980 you were selected to the Trinidad and Tobago national football team. How come you never became a regular on the squad?
SH: I was having a good season in the league and got selected just before the second Haiti game in the qualifications for WC 82. I was 20 at the time, so it was a gamble by the coaching staff. Unfortunately I had already made a commitment to attend University abroad. At that time the National Team also was in transition and the staff decided to build on a local squad. I did return home and played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team."

what is the deal with SO MANY players in TnT getting Banned over the years ???
Is it a Alpha Male thing with TTFF?
People in the TTFF need to Grow-Up and Be MEN!!!
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: kounty on November 21, 2006, 07:54:55 PM
Quote
played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team

any of the older heads care to explain to the youths what went on here? what is this premier and why they were banning players?
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Cocorite on November 21, 2006, 10:58:53 PM
23. Under former T&T coach Ian Porterfield, T&T sabotaged Canada in the 2001 world cup qualifiers. Were you surprised? Anything you would like to share with us on those victories?
SH: Game 1 was very interesting as I felt Canada played the better game, but two great goals gave T&T the victory, away from home which is never easy. Game 2 was another story from the opening whistle, one Canada will rather forget

Calling Warrior Nation officials.....Look, I don't think we can afford to wait for the federation to help make the HC Stadium an intimidating environment for opponents. . . .maybe the Warrior Nation could look into a strategy to organize a fan base to implement that environment
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Trini on November 22, 2006, 05:22:20 AM
Boss interview Flex.Good to see he still cruising the site from time to time, although I can understand why he doesnt post anymore.

Yea, he could def. be one for the future for leading T&T. I am sure he will not be as expensive as Beenie.
With regard to this coaching thing, I personally feel we shoulda have a big name international coach here for the next drive. Do disrespect to WIM, but sometimes a big name coach with credentials alone is tonic for players to believe in them fully and put out that extra something. Not to mention they are tried and tested, experienced coaches.
You all might laugh, but I find we shoulda be looking at names like Scolari, Hiddink, Klinsman, Simoes again, Bora, Carlos Albero P, etc etc. It all depends on our priorities and vision. We have made it to the WC finally, we should be aiming to take it to the next level now and getting there consistently and winning games in the first round...I just think we have made a slight stutter step in our development. In theory, we are doing things that could easily see us become another ran, like Canada, Honduras, El Salvador and Jamaica. We have to think bigger than ever now.

About making the HC stadium more intimidating, first of all, it will never really be too intimidating.
lets be realistic, in CONCACAF's elite 6, we have perhaps the worse support, plus the smallest stadium.
Our opponents will be used to playing in much more hostile environments than anything they will get in POS. The running track around the stadium doesnt help either, keeping the already quiet fans further away from the field. What we have to aim for is a stadium that inspires our players to put out more, with the sounds, and colour, not really to intimidate our opponents.
Thats not also our culture.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sando on November 22, 2006, 06:37:14 AM
This is another piece of excellence Flex.

Keep up the good work, good questions and good replies, not like the Dexter Skeene interview which was piss poor by him.

I am sure Bora took USA and Nigeria to the world cup ? maybe I am wrong. ??

Wonder if Canada still holds that grudge from 2001.

I also like question number 7. Its shows how poor we are with our programs, preprations and training and then we expect miracles in de end. Ask Marlon Charles and the T&T women team.....

Good luck Stephen Hart.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Lower St. John on November 22, 2006, 07:54:15 AM
Quote
played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team

any of the older heads care to explain to the youths what went on here? what is this premier and why they were banning players?

The Premier League was run by Arthur Suite and came at a time when the National Players and team administrators were truly frustrated with Jack Warner and the TTFA.  Imagine winning the league and then being told that there is no prize money but look a trophy.  One would have to experience a TTFA election to understand how corrupt the TTFA was back then. Thinking back on it now it was really funny. 

Arthur Suite was the owner of ASL which offered decent salaries to players because the truth be told in those times the only professional teams in T&T were Police and the Defense Force (and still football was not their first job).  The Premier League provided serious dollars to the teams, most from Arthur Suite pocket but gate receipts were good back then.  When you went to a Premier game in PSA ground on a Friday night it had real crowd.  Rivalries from the South, East and North was still alive and kicking.  The brand of football was good, real good.

The sad thing was the entire national team was in the Premier League with the exception of the Army and Police players who stayed in the TTFA league.  ASL had players like Spann, Sammy Llewelyn, Ralph "Arab" Nelson, Ron La, Spiderman Carter, Marlon Charles.  Although it is my belief that Jack Warner was at his weakest and on his way out then,  Arthur Suite made a deal with the devil to join back with the TTFA. 

Banning the players was what Jack and the TTFA thought would force the players back from this breakaway league that was threatening his position.  I believe the main reason Suite entertain rejoining the TTFA was in the best interest of the players and the country (and not to appear like Jack a dictator doing things against the wishes of the players), to allow them to represent the National Team once again.  Although there was not as great an interest from England for our players in thos times, the banned players could not play for the National team or particpate in Concacaf Club championship and as a result really could not be exposed to the likes of the NASL at the time (although it was a dying league showed interst in a number of player). Also players could showcase their skills when Suite brought some real big teams home to play ASL: Flamengo with Zico, Arsenal, All Black EPL team with Cyril Regis, Cosmos with Pele, etc.  The fact is having known a lot of those players, the National Team with all the crap from Jack was a major accomplishment and was what most of them played for.  So most of them actually voted to join back with with the TTFA.

I also think Arthur Suite had big personal plans but after he joined back with the TTFA, Jack cut his throat.  He again formed another breakaway league but the initial momentum was lost and that soon merged with the TTFA which had regained its strength in Local football.  Suite had some money problems at the same time with his business, so he could not (or did not care to) pump the same sort of funding into the football as previously.  The gates were not as big as in the Premier League days and the best of the best were split between the leagues unlike before where all of the big players not tied to Police and the Defense Force went with Suite.

Those were some good times.

Blessings

Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Rodney on November 22, 2006, 08:32:13 AM
Is true what yuh say about Warner being at his weakest at that time. I truely thought he was gone, I guess the only trump card he had was banning players from national selection. The Premier had better quality games, bigger name players and fuh T&T ....some of the biggest crowds I have ever seen watching a local club game. I know they apparently had bigger crowds watching local club ball in the mid 70's and earlier but that was before my time. Did'nt the breakaway league call themselves the TTFF? I remember Jack critisising TTT fuh showing highlights of the breakaway leagues games. ASL real miss out on being ah big team in Concacaf then....they were definitely the equals if not better than Defence Force at the time.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: TrinInfinite on November 22, 2006, 09:03:55 AM
Quote
played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team

any of the older heads care to explain to the youths what went on here? what is this premier and why they were banning players?

The Premier League was run by Arthur Suite and came at a time when the National Players and team administrators were truly frustrated with Jack Warner and the TTFA.  Imagine winning the league and then being told that there is no prize money but look a trophy.  One would have to experience a TTFA election to understand how corrupt the TTFA was back then. Thinking back on it now it was really funny. 

Arthur Suite was the owner of ASL which offered decent salaries to players because the truth be told in those times the only professional teams in T&T were Police and the Defense Force (and still football was not their first job).  The Premier League provided serious dollars to the teams, most from Arthur Suite pocket but gate receipts were good back then.  When you went to a Premier game in PSA ground on a Friday night it had real crowd.  Rivalries from the South, East and North was still alive and kicking.  The brand of football was good, real good.

The sad thing was the entire national team was in the Premier League with the exception of the Army and Police players who stayed in the TTFA league.  ASL had players like Spann, Sammy Llewelyn, Ralph "Arab" Nelson, Ron La, Spiderman Carter, Marlon Charles.  Although it is my belief that Jack Warner was at his weakest and on his way out then,  Arthur Suite made a deal with the devil to join back with the TTFA. 

Banning the players was what Jack and the TTFA thought would force the players back from this breakaway league that was threatening his position.  I believe the main reason Suite entertain rejoining the TTFA was in the best interest of the players and the country (and not to appear like Jack a dictator doing things against the wishes of the players), to allow them to represent the National Team once again.  Although there was not as great an interest from England for our players in thos times, the banned players could not play for the National team or particpate in Concacaf Club championship and as a result really could not be exposed to the likes of the NASL at the time (although it was a dying league showed interst in a number of player). Also players could showcase their skills when Suite brought some real big teams home to play ASL: Flamengo with Zico, Arsenal, All Black EPL team with Cyril Regis, Cosmos with Pele, etc.  The fact is having known a lot of those players, the National Team with all the crap from Jack was a major accomplishment and was what most of them played for.  So most of them actually voted to join back with with the TTFA.

I also think Arthur Suite had big personal plans but after he joined back with the TTFF, Jack cut his throat.  He again formed another breakaway league but the initial momentum was lost and that soon merged with the TTFA which had regained its strength in Local football.  Suite had some money problems at the same time with his business, so he could not (or did not care to) pump the same sort of funding into the football as previously.  The gates were not as big as in the Premier League days and the best of the best were split between the leagues unlike before where all of the big players not tied to Police and the Defense Force went with Suite.

Those were some good times.

Blessings



this was very sad to hear, JW has done alot to destroy our football if you really think about it, its sickening to know how far our football program would be if we didnt have blue crabs in our football running it...
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Trini on November 22, 2006, 10:37:29 AM
Nice read above....
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: palos on November 22, 2006, 11:16:19 AM
I am sure Bora took USA and Nigeria to the world cup ? maybe I am wrong. ??

The USA were hosts in 1994 when Milutivonic coached them so saying he took them to the World Cup is not erxactly correct.  They had no qualifying matches to play.

Nigeria had already qualified for the World Cup when Milutivonic took over.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Coop's on November 22, 2006, 01:40:30 PM
Lower St John you could not have explained it better,it's the best account of what went on with that Premier League i've heard,i was involved at the time but coaching the other top team in the league ECM Mowtown,this league brought back Football in T&T then Jack got involved and the rest is history. 
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Cowen on November 22, 2006, 02:06:44 PM
3. How was football in your time growing up in T&T compared to the times we have now? What is lacking from our football in general?
SH: Football back then along with Cricket were the only sports. Local club football still had a huge following and there was also a huge North / South rivalry, that fired the appetite. Now I think there are too many Leagues. T&T Football needs one top League and a Second division with promotion and relegation. Football must find a way for the better players to compete against each other week in week out.


Totally agree with this point of view. Way to many leagues exist and the support for teams are spread way to thin. PFL with the team finishing bottom being demoted and the top team of the second division being promoted. Niceness

Great interview..... Keep up the good work SH
 :beermug:
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: truetrini on November 22, 2006, 02:18:56 PM
Lower St John you could not have explained it better,it's the best account of what went on with that Premier League i've heard,i was involved at the time but coaching the other top team in the league ECM Mowtown,this league brought back Football in T&T then Jack got involved and the rest is history. 

ent?

SH hit it on de head too, when he said too manyleagues..Jack destroued regional ball to win elections and when Lower St. John said yuh had to experience ah elections tuh understand de corruption..lol  he eh understate de shit dat went on.

Imagine ah team get ah set ah boots from Jack..lol and and dem he take dem back LOL

Voe for me!///lol

I was around and although ah was young..ah heard de shit and saw some of it.

real tief head ting went on.  Jack and Ollie change de constitution to consolidate dey power.

Ah surprised TI didnt know dis shit went on..afterall he family so involved in T&T football.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: TrinInfinite on November 22, 2006, 03:18:21 PM
Lower St John you could not have explained it better,it's the best account of what went on with that Premier League i've heard,i was involved at the time but coaching the other top team in the league ECM Mowtown,this league brought back Football in T&T then Jack got involved and the rest is history. 

ent?

SH hit it on de head too, when he said too manyleagues..Jack destroued regional ball to win elections and when Lower St. John said yuh had to experience ah elections tuh understand de corruption..lol he eh understate de shit dat went on.

Imagine ah team get ah set ah boots from Jack..lol and and dem he take dem back LOL

Voe for me!///lol

I was around and although ah was young..ah heard de shit and saw some of it.

real tief head ting went on. Jack and Ollie change de constitution to consolidate dey power.

Ah surprised TI didnt know dis shit went on..afterall he family so involved in T&T football.

i knew there was corruption of all sorts, i didnt know all the details bc we never got indept into all of it, i know my uncle told me about jw bc he was friends with him but that was a long time ago...
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Lower St. John on November 22, 2006, 03:27:26 PM
To be honest ah felt guilty about posting such negatives after such a great interview with Steve but men on this forum need to understand the history in Trinbago Football.  So I had to oblige the young man who needed a history lesson.

The Football was real sweet in the PFL.  Coops, man yuh bring back memories when yuh mention ECM Motown, big team, when ECM show up yuh know yuh have hard football from the first whistle.

It seems every time there was a general election in the TTFA, the constitution was changed.  If man did not want to be blacklisted, then don't not make a note when Jack did his thing.

Our football was really put back in the stone ages.

Blessings
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: maxg on November 22, 2006, 03:46:32 PM
Very informative interview and Post..thanks gentlemen
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Socapro on November 22, 2006, 04:09:08 PM
Boss interview Flex and boss replys from SH.

Also add to that some of the expansions on info by some of the older posters and this makes for my nomination for post/discussion string of the month.

Big up to Flex and the crew for the continued hardwork in keeping this site a gem!  ;)
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: kounty on November 22, 2006, 04:23:23 PM
Lower St John you just increase my knowledge about T&T football by 100% dey.  Thanks very much soldier.  and thanks every body else who added in they bit too.  Hopefully everybody take note of the history so that some great day when Jack Warner and Ollie camps and them fellas gone, we ent make them same mistakes again.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: truetrini on November 22, 2006, 05:43:30 PM
Dey have some men here who living in Canada who does feel dat jack is some kinda god.  Jack and dem eh lay dey do serious damage tuh we football nah.

back in de days ah de North/South Classic, real ball used to run.  I can rememerb as a youth..a real small youth , going to de savannah tuh see football...is real crowds.

King George de Fifth park and PSA had real ball too!  Nuff men get their careers ended by Jack Warner, dat is why when de shit about Nahkid did break out, I told everyone to consider de source.

Dey had some real jackasses here like Rotato Poti (wey day waggonist gorn) whosay i only speculating and dat jack is a great trini.  steups.

We went to we first world cup in spite ah jack and he bungling, we should have done so at least 2 more times in the past.
Will we ever make it back?  I eh so sure, seriously, we need new blood to take over, so we can rise up.

I remember going t de oval to see St. marys put ah cut arse on QRC....dat was real good ball  De Oval almost totally sold out.

School boy football could do dat now?  Ask yuhself why not.

Ask yuhself why de stadium does be empty no arse when we national teams playing.

Ask yuhself why de women's team got treated so shabbily in the Gold cup.

Ask yuhself wey all de money gorn.

And ask yuhself if is true that everytime T&T play Mexico if is true dat de Mexicans does pay about $1,000,000 in TV rightas tuh de TTFF?

Ask yuhself if dat is why we national teams does always draw mexico in all dem damn tournaments.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: TrinInfinite on November 22, 2006, 05:51:11 PM
Dey have some men here who living in Canada who does feel dat jack is some kinda god. Jack and dem eh lay dey do serious damage tuh we football nah.

back in de days ah de North/South Classic, real ball used to run. I can rememerb as a youth..a real small youth , going to de savannah tuh see football...is real crowds.

King George de Fifth park and PSA had real ball too! Nuff men get their careers ended by Jack Warner, dat is why when de shit about Nahkid did break out, I told everyone to consider de source.

Dey had some real jackasses here like Rotato Poti (wey day waggonist gorn) whosay i only speculating and dat jack is a great trini. steups.

We went to we first world cup in spite ah jack and he bungling, we should have done so at least 2 more times in the past.
Will we ever make it back? I eh so sure, seriously, we need new blood to take over, so we can rise up.

I remember going t de oval to see St. marys put ah cut arse on QRC....dat was real good ball De Oval almost totally sold out.

School boy football could do dat now? Ask yuhself why not.

Ask yuhself why de stadium does be empty no arse when we national teams playing.

Ask yuhself why de women's team got treated so shabbily in the Gold cup.

Ask yuhself wey all de money gorn.

And ask yuhself if is true that everytime T&T play Mexico if is true dat de Mexicans does pay about $1,000,000 in TV rightas tuh de TTFF?

Ask yuhself if dat is why we national teams does always draw mexico in all dem damn tournaments.

when yuh refer to some men living in canada please specify names nah bc i dont worship jw, i worship god and a man who destroys our football, i cant even appreciate, so please dont categorize me with other fellahs bc i know my football and footbal history, the only thing that got by me was the ban of the players, so please when yuh refer, make a detailed reference of who yuh speaking about...

God is de BOSS... fellahs on this board better remember dat, including some in the states...
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: truetrini on November 22, 2006, 06:18:35 PM
see how defensive yuh is?  I was referring tuh triniman and some odders.

I know you doh worship JW, yuh still learing a lot doh..so doh try tuh make yuhself sound like no footbal guru.,,,remember dat!
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: WestCoast on November 22, 2006, 10:27:19 PM
To be honest ah felt guilty about posting such negatives after such a great interview with Steve but men on this forum need to understand the history in Trinbago Football.  So I had to oblige the young man who needed a history lesson.
The Football was real sweet in the PFL.  Coops, man yuh bring back memories when yuh mention ECM Motown, big team, when ECM show up yuh know yuh have hard football from the first whistle.
It seems every time there was a general election in the TTFA, the constitution was changed.  If man did not want to be blacklisted, then don't not make a note when Jack did his thing.
Our football was really put back in the stone ages.
Blessings
Thanks VERY MUCH for your account.
Many people in TnT Football had a hard time from Austin...just unbelievable
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Coach on November 22, 2006, 10:36:59 PM
It's sad that another country can make use of our home grown talent but we in TT can't.

You all must read each post carefully, cause SH still post often, the man is roots, you all think he will leave the forum, he always post informative information.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: fishs on November 24, 2006, 12:13:26 AM
Lower St John you could not have explained it better,it's the best account of what went on with that Premier League i've heard,i was involved at the time but coaching the other top team in the league ECM Mowtown,this league brought back Football in T&T then Jack got involved and the rest is history. 

 Greatest local club vs foreign club game ah ever see was ASL vs Tottenham Hotspurs.
ASL had all the guns La Forest et al.
Ah ball head man for Spurs (ah does always forget his name) run on second half rest two hurry hurry goal on spiderman , walk off after fifteen minutes an game done.
Ah fine out after he did not start the game because he had a hang over from drinking whole day by hilton pool.
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Star Child on November 24, 2006, 06:13:41 AM
Nice article Flex.

I have two questions about Bora ? why when they doing a write up on him they does always say he took 4 countries to the world cup when in reality he only took one ? that dont make sense then. And Bora should clear that up, then he's over rated....

And what is his record in the actual world cup.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Tallman on November 24, 2006, 07:43:21 AM
I have two questions about Bora ? why when they doing a write up on him they does always say he took 4 countries to the world cup when in reality he only took one ? that dont make sense then. And Bora should clear that up, then he's over rated....

And what is his record in the actual world cup.

The press isn't lying when they say that he took 5 teams to the World Cup. It's just that some people automatically assume that "take" means "qualified". Also, most of the time they say that he "coached" 5 teams at the WC. I don't see how that means he's overrated. After all, he took 4 of those 5 teams to the second round of the WC.

His overall international record is:
Played: 276, Won: 110, Draw: 80, Lost: 86

His WC record is:
Played: 20, Won: 8, Drawn: 2, Lost: 10
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Observer on November 24, 2006, 07:56:19 AM
Nice article Flex.

I have two questions about Bora ? why when they doing a write up on him they does always say he took 4 countries to the world cup when in reality he only took one ? that dont make sense then. And Bora should clear that up, then he's over rated....

And what is his record in the actual world cup.


he is not overated. And it is the media that have to clear up the facts about what they write
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: ANC2 on November 25, 2006, 06:37:03 PM
Man have real class, I spoke with him a couple of times. I really hope to link up, sit down and old talk.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Bakes on June 22, 2007, 08:36:21 AM
Quote
played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team

any of the older heads care to explain to the youths what went on here? what is this premier and why they were banning players?

The Premier League was run by Arthur Suite and came at a time when the National Players and team administrators were truly frustrated with Jack Warner and the TTFA.  Imagine winning the league and then being told that there is no prize money but look a trophy.  One would have to experience a TTFA election to understand how corrupt the TTFA was back then. Thinking back on it now it was really funny. 

Arthur Suite was the owner of ASL which offered decent salaries to players because the truth be told in those times the only professional teams in T&T were Police and the Defense Force (and still football was not their first job).  The Premier League provided serious dollars to the teams, most from Arthur Suite pocket but gate receipts were good back then.  When you went to a Premier game in PSA ground on a Friday night it had real crowd.  Rivalries from the South, East and North was still alive and kicking.  The brand of football was good, real good.

The sad thing was the entire national team was in the Premier League with the exception of the Army and Police players who stayed in the TTFA league.  ASL had players like Spann, Sammy Llewelyn, Ralph "Arab" Nelson, Ron La, Spiderman Carter, Marlon Charles.  Although it is my belief that Jack Warner was at his weakest and on his way out then,  Arthur Suite made a deal with the devil to join back with the TTFA. 

Banning the players was what Jack and the TTFA thought would force the players back from this breakaway league that was threatening his position.  I believe the main reason Suite entertain rejoining the TTFA was in the best interest of the players and the country (and not to appear like Jack a dictator doing things against the wishes of the players), to allow them to represent the National Team once again.  Although there was not as great an interest from England for our players in thos times, the banned players could not play for the National team or particpate in Concacaf Club championship and as a result really could not be exposed to the likes of the NASL at the time (although it was a dying league showed interst in a number of player). Also players could showcase their skills when Suite brought some real big teams home to play ASL: Flamengo with Zico, Arsenal, All Black EPL team with Cyril Regis, Cosmos with Pele, etc.  The fact is having known a lot of those players, the National Team with all the crap from Jack was a major accomplishment and was what most of them played for.  So most of them actually voted to join back with with the TTFA.

I also think Arthur Suite had big personal plans but after he joined back with the TTFA, Jack cut his throat.  He again formed another breakaway league but the initial momentum was lost and that soon merged with the TTFA which had regained its strength in Local football.  Suite had some money problems at the same time with his business, so he could not (or did not care to) pump the same sort of funding into the football as previously.  The gates were not as big as in the Premier League days and the best of the best were split between the leagues unlike before where all of the big players not tied to Police and the Defense Force went with Suite.

Those were some good times.

Blessings



Excellent run down  :beermug:



Great interview by Flex, and superb responses by Steve Hart.  I had to bring this back up having missed it the first go around.

Hard luck Canada.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Bakes on June 22, 2007, 08:40:27 AM
To be honest ah felt guilty about posting such negatives after such a great interview with Steve but men on this forum need to understand the history in Trinbago Football.  So I had to oblige the young man who needed a history lesson.

The Football was real sweet in the PFL.  Coops, man yuh bring back memories when yuh mention ECM Motown, big team, when ECM show up yuh know yuh have hard football from the first whistle.

It seems every time there was a general election in the TTFA, the constitution was changed.  If man did not want to be blacklisted, then don't not make a note when Jack did his thing.

Our football was really put back in the stone ages.

Blessings

You have nothing to be ashamed of breds...that was an excellent, excellent account...and seemed totally devoid of bias.  We definitely need to understand what happened before out time.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: fivers on June 22, 2007, 11:29:47 AM
Quote
played in the Premier, but as you know most players who played in that League got banned from the National Team

any of the older heads care to explain to the youths what went on here? what is this premier and why they were banning players?

The Premier League was run by Arthur Suite and came at a time when the National Players and team administrators were truly frustrated with Jack Warner and the TTFA.  Imagine winning the league and then being told that there is no prize money but look a trophy.  One would have to experience a TTFA election to understand how corrupt the TTFA was back then. Thinking back on it now it was really funny. 

Arthur Suite was the owner of ASL which offered decent salaries to players because the truth be told in those times the only professional teams in T&T were Police and the Defense Force (and still football was not their first job).  The Premier League provided serious dollars to the teams, most from Arthur Suite pocket but gate receipts were good back then.  When you went to a Premier game in PSA ground on a Friday night it had real crowd.  Rivalries from the South, East and North was still alive and kicking.  The brand of football was good, real good.

The sad thing was the entire national team was in the Premier League with the exception of the Army and Police players who stayed in the TTFA league.  ASL had players like Spann, Sammy Llewelyn, Ralph "Arab" Nelson, Ron La, Spiderman Carter, Marlon Charles.  Although it is my belief that Jack Warner was at his weakest and on his way out then,  Arthur Suite made a deal with the devil to join back with the TTFA. 

Banning the players was what Jack and the TTFA thought would force the players back from this breakaway league that was threatening his position.  I believe the main reason Suite entertain rejoining the TTFA was in the best interest of the players and the country (and not to appear like Jack a dictator doing things against the wishes of the players), to allow them to represent the National Team once again.  Although there was not as great an interest from England for our players in thos times, the banned players could not play for the National team or particpate in Concacaf Club championship and as a result really could not be exposed to the likes of the NASL at the time (although it was a dying league showed interst in a number of player). Also players could showcase their skills when Suite brought some real big teams home to play ASL: Flamengo with Zico, Arsenal, All Black EPL team with Cyril Regis, Cosmos with Pele, etc.  The fact is having known a lot of those players, the National Team with all the crap from Jack was a major accomplishment and was what most of them played for.  So most of them actually voted to join back with with the TTFA.

I also think Arthur Suite had big personal plans but after he joined back with the TTFA, Jack cut his throat.  He again formed another breakaway league but the initial momentum was lost and that soon merged with the TTFA which had regained its strength in Local football.  Suite had some money problems at the same time with his business, so he could not (or did not care to) pump the same sort of funding into the football as previously.  The gates were not as big as in the Premier League days and the best of the best were split between the leagues unlike before where all of the big players not tied to Police and the Defense Force went with Suite.

Those were some good times.

Blessings



Jack Warner is a real snake boy. My father told me about him along time ago. He said, "Imagine, back in the day the country wanted to start a professional league and Jack Warner banned it because he was not directly involved in it and that he could not profit from it". This guy is totally destroying football in T&T, even from so far back. very sad. What I want to know is, why our government is just sitting by and watch this happen?
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: kounty on June 22, 2007, 05:16:00 PM
gov't cyah fix everything homey...from road to hospital to corruption in ttff.   we not livin in a communist society, so the onus have to be on we to check NGOs like TTFF.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: WestCoast on June 23, 2007, 07:54:16 PM
To be honest ah felt guilty about posting such negatives after such a great interview with Steve but men on this forum need to understand the history in Trinbago Football.  So I had to oblige the young man who needed a history lesson.
The Football was real sweet in the PFL.  Coops, man yuh bring back memories when yuh mention ECM Motown, big team, when ECM show up yuh know yuh have hard football from the first whistle.
It seems every time there was a general election in the TTFA, the constitution was changed.  If man did not want to be blacklisted, then don't not make a note when Jack did his thing.
Our football was really put back in the stone ages.
Blessings
You have nothing to be ashamed of breds...that was an excellent, excellent account...and seemed totally devoid of bias.  We definitely need to understand what happened before out time.
I wonder if Mr. Arthur Suite still looking for his 50% cut from Austin? ;)
Lower St. John, my hope is that one day all this will NEVER be able to happen.
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sam on November 13, 2007, 07:22:15 AM
How come this interview was never published in the Canadian official football website ? I believe it is tops. !!! and seeing that we have nuff Canadians posters here and a Trini coaching de Canadian team I taught it would have been published there.....
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sam on November 05, 2008, 10:04:29 AM
Flex get mention here for this interview.

http://soccerpaper.com/edition/?p=121
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: acb on November 05, 2008, 10:52:02 AM
Flex get mention here for this interview.

http://soccerpaper.com/edition/?p=121

buss up the man government name like if he pitch marbles with him.
Title: Stephen Hart on FOX sports 11'15pm fri 26th march
Post by: Big Magician on March 26, 2010, 09:12:09 PM
check it

well done harty..
good luck vz  argentina ( small game..as harty said in joke..lol)
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Flex on July 05, 2010, 07:08:51 AM
Coach hopes to take Canada to World Cup.
By Glenn MacDonald (TheChronicleHerald).


Stephen Hart enjoys watching the FIFA World Cup.

The head coach of Canada’s men’s national soccer team would enjoy it even more if Canada was involved.

The 50-year-old Hart, a Halifax resident, took over as head coach in December. He had served as interim coach since March 2009 after Dale Mitchell was fired for Canada’s weak 0-4-2 record in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Canada has appeared in only one World Cup (1986). They are ranked 63rd in the latest FIFA world rankings, ahead of New Zealand, North Korea and South Africa, all of which had a team in this year’s World Cup.

With the international spectacle heading into its final week, Hart, who moved to Canada from his native Trinidad and Tobago in 1980 to attend Saint Mary’s University, said his goal is to lead Canada back to the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.

Q: How does the national team look at this stage?

A: We are in a process of rebuilding, so to speak. We are trying to increase the roster depth on our national team and we have been looking at quite a few players in our last three games. We’ll continue that trend until the end of 2010.

Q: Do you see Canada playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?

A: Our whole goal is to have a squad prepared and with a complete understanding of each other going into qualification in late 2011. That time is going to rush up on us. We have prioritized what needs to be done. There’s always a possibility that we’ll have a team there. But it all comes down to how well we can compete in the (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football championship).

Q: What would a World Cup appearance mean to the sport in this country?

A: We weren’t at the World Cup before 1986 and we haven’t been there since. I think the whole country would get behind the team. The whole soccer infrastructure would probably grow out of it, hopefully. It would be a very, very healthy situation.

Q: Would we see a trickle-down effect if Canada qualified for the World Cup?

A: It could mean better infrastructure. A lot of young players would have a place to play. The biggest downfall for Canada has been the infrastructure on the professional side. Right now, they are dependent on a U.S. league. We have to take care of that as well as university soccer and senior soccer in each of the provinces. It’s that complete sort of thinking that is needed for our game to grow.

Q: Who do you like in the World Cup?

A: I think the way it’s shaping up, Holland are a very, very difficult team to beat. I don’t think they’re necessarily playing the best soccer but they’re a difficult team to beat and of course we’ve seen the consistency of Germany throughout the tournament.

But I think whichever team wins the Germany-Spain matchup will probably go on to win the World Cup.

(http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/xlarge/cl063010hart_Provincial_07-05-10_4SF93QN.jpg)
Stephen Hart, Canada’s national men’s soccer team coach, at Mainland North Common in Halifax. (CHRISTIAN LAFORCE / Staff)

( gmacdonald@herald.ca)
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: maxg on July 05, 2010, 09:22:07 AM
Wha is all dis starboy ting tantana...allyuh go swell the man head, anybody could coach, when we get results we go talk...the man encourage me to get back into coaching, so ah gone to coach ah div 2 womens team..if ah stop dey, ah could put that on meh resume...nice...but we is 0-7, 1 goal for and 20 against,  MzG cussin meh, boy wha you get into, why yuh wastin we time, who send yuh back in this thing ? and the man nowhere in sight....doh matter the women ah have only ever play house league before(the tryouts end up being ah waste, fren ting), results is wha eventually matter...well I watchin he now, he better get some results, otherwise next time MzG see him, I go leave him to face d music  :arguing: ...even if after, we still  :cheers:  ..... cause I doh wha she hit meh with "Da iz d man who send yuh"  ;)   :rotfl:
Title: Stephen Hart hopes to take Canada to World Cup
Post by: pecan on July 07, 2010, 06:53:46 PM
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1190440.html (http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1190440.html)

(http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/large/07-05-10_hart.jpg)

Stephen Hart enjoys watching the FIFA World Cup.

The head coach of Canada’s men’s national soccer team would enjoy it even more if Canada was involved.

The 50-year-old Hart, a Halifax resident, took over as head coach in December. He had served as interim coach since March 2009 after Dale Mitchell was fired for Canada’s weak 0-4-2 record in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Canada has appeared in only one World Cup (1986). They are ranked 63rd in the latest FIFA world rankings, ahead of New Zealand, North Korea and South Africa, all of which had a team in this year’s World Cup.

With the international spectacle heading into its final week, Hart, who moved to Canada from his native Trinidad and Tobago in 1980 to attend Saint Mary’s University, said his goal is to lead Canada back to the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.

Q: How does the national team look at this stage?

A: We are in a process of rebuilding, so to speak. We are trying to increase the roster depth on our national team and we have been looking at quite a few players in our last three games. We’ll continue that trend until the end of 2010.

Q: Do you see Canada playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?

A: Our whole goal is to have a squad prepared and with a complete understanding of each other going into qualification in late 2011. That time is going to rush up on us. We have prioritized what needs to be done. There’s always a possibility that we’ll have a team there. But it all comes down to how well we can compete in the (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football championship).

Q: What would a World Cup appearance mean to the sport in this country?

A: We weren’t at the World Cup before 1986 and we haven’t been there since. I think the whole country would get behind the team. The whole soccer infrastructure would probably grow out of it, hopefully. It would be a very, very healthy situation.

Q: Would we see a trickle-down effect if Canada qualified for the World Cup?

A: It could mean better infrastructure. A lot of young players would have a place to play. The biggest downfall for Canada has been the infrastructure on the professional side. Right now, they are dependent on a U.S. league. We have to take care of that as well as university soccer and senior soccer in each of the provinces. It’s that complete sort of thinking that is needed for our game to grow.

Q: Who do you like in the World Cup?

A: I think the way it’s shaping up, Holland are a very, very difficult team to beat. I don’t think they’re necessarily playing the best soccer but they’re a difficult team to beat and of course we’ve seen the consistency of Germany throughout the tournament.

But I think whichever team wins the Germany-Spain matchup will probably go on to win the World Cup.


Title: Re: Stephen Hart hopes to take Canada to World Cup
Post by: Controversial on July 07, 2010, 08:05:11 PM
should have been the head coach for tt long time >:(
Title: Re: Stephen Hart hopes to take Canada to World Cup
Post by: Mose on July 07, 2010, 08:40:39 PM
Let him stay right where he is. He wouldn't last in TT. He would either leave after getting fed of Jack and he sh*t or he would tell Jack where to go and get fired!
Title: Stephen Hart Canada's friendlies and WC2014
Post by: socachynee on September 01, 2010, 01:22:07 PM
http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20100901_135916_8900

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/09/02/sp-stephen-hart-canada.html
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sam on November 17, 2010, 06:06:40 AM
White follows his heart

After a tough, drawn-out wrestling match, with the decision of whether to play for the land of his birth or his adopted country, striker O'Brian White is set to make his senior team debut for Jamaica in tonight's friendly football inter-national here against Costa Rica.

The St Ann-born White, who recently finished his second professional season for Toronto FC in North America's Major League Soccer (MLS), had been strongly wooed by Canada. According to Canada's head coach Stephen Hart, White was invited to that country's senior team camp in January, but declined, citing studies.

In late August, White, who represented Jamaica at several youth levels, indicated he would make a decision on which country to represent at the end of the MLS season.

He was then invited to play for Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago last month, but he did not make that game, due to business with his club. Now, it appears he has finally made up his mind. But the call, White admitted, was not easy.

"Yeah, very hard decision," he said, after completing his first training session with the Boyz here yesterday.

According to White, who migrated to Canada as a teenager, he was not contacted by Jamaica earlier on, although he was willing to represent the country. Canada's persistence also gave him second thoughts.

"My heart was always with Jamaica," the 24-year-old said. "I was disappointed that I never got called back [to the national programme] for such a long time. And then, I live in Toronto and (Canada) came knocking, so obviously I was thinking about playing for Canada, definitely."

Yet the 6'1", 175-pound White claimed there was no dramatic turning point for his final decision.

"I just think it is in my best interest to come out and play this game [for Jamaica]," he said.

The choice left Stephen Hart disappointed, but the Trinidad and Tobago-born coach said there were no hard feelings against White.

"Players make these decisions based on what they think is best for them," Hart said on Monday after learning that White was joining the Reggae Boyz at the same hotel where he is with Canada's Under-23 squad. "I wish him the best of luck."

SOURCE - Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
Title: Re: Exclusive Interview with Canada's head coach Stephen Hart.
Post by: Sando on April 21, 2011, 09:44:47 AM
Hart has Canucks on the beat
(FIFA.com)
Thursday 21 April 2011


Canada’s history in the world’s game has been one of feast or famine. Playing officially for the first time in 1924 (although they have an unofficial match on the books dating  back to 1885), the huge North America nation – known for a sporting devotion to ice hockey – has failed to find consistency in their footballing ability. They have, however, experienced moments of great triumph, most notably qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™ finals in Mexico in 1986 and shocking the region’s big two of Mexico and bordering neighbours USA by picking up a CONCACAF Gold Cup crown under the tutelage of current Australia coach Holger Osieck.

New manager Stephen Hart, a former Trinidad and Tobago international who earned seven caps for the Soca Warriors, is left with the task of reviving those glory days and carving out a path for steadier development and performance on the international stage. Team Canada’s start to 2011 is cause for optimism as it comes with some heartening results and a nine-point jump up in the most recent release of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Recent friendly action has seen the team beat Belarus 1-0 in Turkey. A lone goal from defender Andre Hainault was the decider in a game that Hart described as “a mixed performance.” Regardless of the coach’s assessment, the result was significantly better than the drab 1-0 loss to Greece in Larissa in February, Canada’s only other game so far this year after ending 2010 with a creditable draw against Ukraine.

Canada are now up to 75th overall in the world and seventh in their CONCACAF zone. Though it is still a long way off their best-ever ranking of 40th achieved in 1996, it is cause for hope in the camp and on the terraces too.

The next opportunity for Hart to take his side into competitive action will be at the 2011 Gold Cup this June in the USA. The Canadians, or the Canucks as they are fondly known, have been drawn into Group C alongside the USA, who knocked the men in red out at the semi-final stage of the 2007 finals, and Caribbean up-and-comers Guadeloupe. Panama is the other team in the section and coach Hart rates them as one of the trickier sides to face: “They [Panama] have been playing a very dynamic sort of game, very athletic.”

There will be a drive in the side to re-create the heroics of 2000, when Canada defeated Mexico and Colombia to lift the country’s only regional title and fill up some space in a decidedly sparse trophy cabinet, in the process becoming the only side other than Mexico or the USA to win the Gold Cup. Hart and his men will prepare for this latest instalment of the Gold Cup finals with a friendly against Ecuador on the first of June.

The Gold Cup will act as the logical springboard for a run toward the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014. With standout players like captain and all-time caps leader Paul Stalteri of Borussia Monchengladbach and PSV Eindhoven’s rising star Atiba Hutchinson, Hart hopes he has enough firepower to send Canada to its first world finals in 25 years, or at least do better than the poor showings they put in over the past two qualifying cycles, going out on both occasions at the first group stage.

“The World Cup qualification is everything to us, everything to us.  That’s what we want,” said a determined coach as he looks to end the downward trajectory and aim Canada skywards once again.
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