T&T Pro League congratulates Pro League world cup stars.
By: Joel Villafana.
The T&T Pro League has offered its congratulations to all its players who have made the final cut to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
San Juan Jabloteh’s Aurtis Whitley, Anthony Wolfe and Cyd Gray as well as W Connection’s David Atiba Charles and United Petrotrin’s Anthony Rougier have all made coach Leo Beenhakker’s final cut.
T&T Pro League Chief executive Dexter Skeene highlighted the fact that over the qualification period the Pro League clubs contributed in a number of ways.
Skeene, a former national striker, sent his personal congratulations out to all the players involved, “It’s a gratifying life long dream come true for any footballer, from the time you kick that first ball all footballers want to play at the world cup, I applaud them all and wish them well—I know they will make the League and by extension the entire country proud.”
He added, “It’s a great for the League to have five current players involved and when you look at the players in the squad there are also a number of guys who started their careers right here in the T&T Pro League and proves the League has a place in local football,”
“Its obvious if Trinidad and Tobago is to continue to qualify for future world tournaments the Pro League has a major role to play—and there is no question for the betterment of local football it is important for all the forces in football to come together and ensure the success of the league and the game.”
Mr. Skeene also said “Credit must go to Mr. Jack Warner for the role he played.”
He also stated, “As a former player, I know how it feels to be left out and the disappointment certain players will be experiencing, but I call on all the T&T Pro League players who did not gain the nod to make this a learning experience and rededicate to striving for excellence.”
“The qualification for South Africa 2010 starts next year, so persevere, do not let your disappointment fuel any feelings of injustice or resentment.
Focus on what needs to be done to improve your game. Determine what is it going to take and create an action plan for self improvement and be sure when you are called on for national duty you are ready,” ended Skeene.
Skeene happy with local picks for WC.
By: Nigel Simon (Guardian).[/size]
Dexter Skeene, chief executive of the T&T Professional Football League, is happy that five locally-based players are among the 24 named (from which 23 will finally be listed by May 15) for the World Cup Finals in Germany by coach Leo Beenhakker. The five are CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh trio, Aurtis Whitley, Cyd Gray and Anthony Wolfe, utility player Anthony Rougier of United Petrotrin, and defender David Atiba Charles, of VIBE CT 105 W Connection.
Commenting on the five locals players named by Beenhakker on Wednesday, Skeene, a former national midfielder said: “I believe it’s every players’ dream from the time they start to play the game seriously to play in a World Cup Finals and for those guys to be actually selected in the team and getting a chance to play on the biggest football stage, it’s a fulfillment of a life long dream. The five local selections and those of the others who all began their professional careers in the PFL, is a testament to the importance the league has in the development of local football.
“The PFL has a rightful place in T&T football and we need to work together to ensure that the league continues to grow and be a viable product.
“I also believe that the PFL has a very critical role to play if future national teams are to continue to qualify for future World Cup tournaments,” ended Skeene.
John-Williams: Squad product of PFL
David John-Williams, owner of VIBE CT 105 W Connection, the club of defender David Atiba Charles, was also pleased to see five local players making the provisional squad of 24. He says they are the product of the PFL.
“It’s nice to see that the local guys were given an opportunity to show their worth on the biggest stage.
“At the same time it’s a great boost for the player’s morale and also helps to give his club some international recognition.
Having five local players in the team,said John-Williams, puts us on par with par with Mexico, in that they have a good part of their team as home-grown talent and this augurs well for the future of the league.
John-Williams boasted that the PFl should not only be proud of the five players currently campaigning in the league, but also in the likes of Collin Samuel, Carlos Edwards, Jason Scotland, Dennis Lawrence, Densil Theobald, Kenwyne Jones, Silvio Spann, Kelvin Jack and the goalkeeping duo of Kelvin Jack and Clayton Ince, who all began their careers in the local league.
Morris surprised at Rougier’s inclusion
Clayton Morris, a former national captain, said he was surprised by the inclusion of Anthony Rougier in the provisional World Cup squad announced by the national coach.
“I’m very happy to see that coach Beenhakker has decided to stick with most of the guys who were in the team from the initial stages of the campaign.
“I really respect him (Beenhakker) for looking out for those players. But at the same time I’m wondering why he decided to name his team so early and why he included Rougier.
“I believe there are a lot of guys in the local league who may have felt they still had a chance to make an impression on the coach. But by him selecting his team so early it may have put a damper on their hopes. With respect to Rougier, I was very surprised. But in the same breath it seems that he considered the player for his effort and experience in the past.
“He (Rougier) has played a great part in helping the team reach this far and once he is fit I know he can contribute in a positive way.”
Among some of the players Morris felt could have been selected in the list of reserves were defenders Anthony Noreiga and Anton Pierre and W Connection striker Kendall Davis.
Terry Fenwick delighted
Terry Fenwick, coach of the CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh was overwhelmed with the selection of three of his players. English-born Fenwick, a member of the England 1986 Mexico World Cup team said: “We at Jabloteh are very delighted with the guys. It’s an excellent once in a lifetime opportunity for the guys.
“With regards to the selection of Aurtis Whitley, Cyd Gray and Anthony Wolfe in the provisional squad, we are happy that we have two almost sure selections in the team in Whitley and Gray and are hoping that Wolfe gets a good opportunity to show what he is worth in the three friendly games that takes place over the next month.”
Peek at Round-2 with Joel Villafana.
Joe Public Gets Caledonia Test.
The Eastern Lions got the start they wanted on their return to the T&T Pro League, defeating North East Stars in the opening match—their objective now to push on and gather as many points as possible, as they aim to challenge the ‘big boys’ this season.
Their Jamaican strike force of Carlington Smith and Roen Nelson seemed to have picked up where they left off in the Super League, both men getting on the score sheet in their first game.
Caledonia AIA Fire will present somewhat of a sterner test for the Eastern Lions—Caledonia will go into the game confident as they are also coming off a victory over Defence Force in the first game—the battle for early points is on.
Rangers To Build On Dream Start
The new kids on the block, Superstar Rangers took care of Tobago United and got off to a dream start in their debut season in the T&T Pro League —their next mission – to topple the Lucozade Sport Big Six winners United Petrotrin.
The St. Anns based team did enough to defeat last season whipping boys Tobago United, but they should face a stronger challenge from Brian Williams and his Oilmen.
Petrotrin found life difficult in their first game of the season, having the unenviable task of meeting the defending champions W Connection—Petrotrin were outclassed losing 0-3.
So the Oilmen need to rebound and rebound quickly before they lose early ground on the forerunners and more importantly they would want to make a statement against the newcomers Rangers.
World Cup bound Anthony Rougier will lead the team and will be hoping to inspire the Oilmen.
Tobago United Seek To Match Jabloteh
The boys from the Sister Isle got off to another losing start and really
only have themselves to blame, as they missed a number goal scoring
opportunities against Superstar Rangers and they were made to pay the
ultimate price—it does not get any easier for Peter Granville’s men as they face the might of Jabloteh next.
Jabloteh are coming off a narrow 1-0 win over San Fernando Starworld
Strikers, and despite not playing the kind of football they are accustomed
too—the Jabloteh technical staff will be demanding nothing less than a
victory over the little fancied Tobago Boys, as the San Juan based unit
strive for a fast start in the race for the League title this season.
The San Juan boys will however, have to do without their head coach Terry Fenwick, as the English born coach has been banned for 2 games, after he allegedly used obscene language at a 4th official.
The Army Meet The Stars.
Both Defence Force and North East Stars suffered defeats in their opening
games to Caledonia and Joe Public respectfully.
So the both camps will be eager to get some much needed points on the
board—both teams finished in the middle table last season and will be
determined to prove they belong where the air is rare in the top half of the table.
Both teams have new coaches in charge this season and both coaches will want to prove they are worth their salt.
Anthony Barrington is back in control of the Army and Miguel Hackett is in
charge of North East—none of them would like to get off to a shaky start.
Connection Aim For Victory Number 2
Convincing winners over United Petrotrin—the defending champions will want to continue in their rich vein of form as they face their neighbors San Fernando Starworld Strikers.
Connection looked the sharpest team in the opening round of games, slamming Petrotrin 3-0 and Coach Stuart Charles Fervier still believes his team is not operating at maximum mode just yet.
They may very well face a challenge from Starworld Strikers, who is being coached by the much-respected Gally Cummings.
Starworld gave Jabloteh a run for their money, Jabloteh could only muster a 1-0 win—it will be interesting to see how they match up against the Champions W Connection.
Round 2—Saturday 15th April, 2006
United Petrotrin vs Superstar Rangers—
Palo Seco Recreation Ground—6 p.m.
Joe Public vs Caledonia AIA Fire—
Centre of Excellence—6p.m.
San Juan Jabloteh vs Tobago United—
Larry Gomes Stadium—5p.m.
Defence Force vs North East Stars—
Larry Gomes Stadium—7p.m.
Round 2—Sunday 16th April, 2006
W Connection vs Starworld Strikers—
Ato Boldon Stadium—6p.m.
