Over to you now Mr Rijsbergen.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
Newly appointed head coach of the national team Wim Rijsbergen made his first public appearance on Monday following the announcement of his position as head coach of this country’s National Senior and Olympic teams.
In what was initially carded as the launch of the 2006 Caribbean Football Union Youth Cup, the opportunity was taken to allow Rijsbergen to present his opening statements and Leo Beenhakker to give his farewell remarks as he heads back to Europe on Tuesday.
Both Dutchmen arrived in the country on Saturday and after meeting with TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner and Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Manning on Sunday, they will both receive their cash awards with Beenhakker also to collect his Chaconia Gold Medal on Tuesday at President’s House.
“Football is still a struggle if there is no support from the Government or sponsorships. Hopefully we can find the young kids to be the future of this country. That’s why Mr Warner is always interested in getting tournaments in this place because we need that future and that’s the same challenge we have to try and qualify for the China Olympics and that would probably be the future for the next qualification round in 2010. I will help you as soon as possible to reach that goal with the help from all the people we have already and maybe some other people in the future, We have already all the experience of the World Cup and hopefully it’s not the last one,” Rijsbergen stated.
Rijsbergen said Lincoln Phillips and Anton Corneal will also oversee the preparation of the Under 16 team but he will also have some form of involvement at the various age groups.
“It’s never easy if you have to follow what you have done so far and that means another qualification for the other World Cup. There are other things coming up like qualification for the Olympics and after the World Cup it would be nice to get a follow up at the Olympics in China. Our screening has to be very good because some of these players can be part of our World Cup team along with the others we already have from the UK and the USA. Then of course we have the Gold Cup,” he added.
He stressed the importance of the T&T U16 teams at the CFU Youth Cup.
“It is vital because maybe in four years time there could be some talent coming out of this tournament. It’s important to start now and develop players for the future.”
“You have to try and qualify for every event possible. That’s better than playing here against the same teams all the time. It will be a process of trying to get the best players from the younger groups and develop players ready to be another Russell Latapy or Dwight Yorke. It will be for a period of three and a half years before the next World Cup phase begins.”
He added that he still has to sit with members of the “Soca Warriors” regarding their future involvement, mentioning that Dwight Yorke wants to play for another year.
“First of all we have to sit down because I understand Dwight wants to play another year and Russell has to relax for a little while and start thinking about his new career. Hopefully he will be a great help in developing young players because he is just finishing his career as a soccer player and he has to start developing his career as a coach. All the young players know him very well so that will be a great help in developing young players for the next World Cup. Hoepfully we will sit down and have some conversations and find the best way to get to South Africa,” said the 54-year-old former Dutch World Cup player who also worked at in Dutch television between August 2001 to June 2002 as a commentator and soccer analyst for the Dutch competition, the Champions League and the World Cup 2002 in Japan/Korea.
