‘Red Day’ re-match to cost patrons $150, $100.
By: Nigel Simon (Guardian).[/size]
Spectators hoping to witness the rematch between T&T’s Strike Squad and USA on November 19, from 5 pm will have to fork out $150 for covered stands and $100 for uncovered.
This was announced by Neville Ferguson, chairman of the organising committtee for the game which is being labelled as ‘Red Day.’
Ferguson revealed at a press conference held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, yesterday that tickets are also being made available to schools at a price of $60 per student with $10 being given back to the schools for their football development.
Seventeen years ago, the Strike Squad needed a point from their final Concacaf World Cup qualifier to book a spot at Italia 90, however, the USA won 1-0 on a long-range goal by Paul Caliguri at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
In his brief address, Ferguson noted that since that dreadful day, the members of the Strike Squad have retained a special place in the hearts of the people of T&T.
Ferguson added: “The red-day match which is being put on by New Incorporated Company Limited shall consist of three parts.
“The first is the actual match, live entertainment and then the presentation of awards.”
Awards will be made to members of the 1966, 1974 and 1990 teams for their contributions to the development of local football.
The 1966-Sedley Joseph led team was the first T&T team to compete in a World Cup qualifying tournament while the 1973 team was denied of a place in Germany 1974 after being robbed in Haiti.
T&T scored five goals against the host and four were disallowed. The referee was then banned for life by Fifa, but the result stood.
In addition, Oliver Camps, president of the T&T Football Federation and mana-ger of both the 1973 and 1989 teams will be honoured.
While most of the senior members of the Strike Squad will be available for the match, current stars Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy will not be on show.
Both will be involved in club matches the day before (November 18), making it difficult for them to arrive in T&T on time.
Port-of-Spain attorney-at-law and football enthusiast Peter Taylor, of NEI also stated that efforts to get a definite response from both players proved futile.
Lincoln Phillips, technical director of the T&TFF and a goalkeeper for the 1966 emphasised that the re-match is much more than just a game.
Phillips said: “It’s a recognition of our players’ efforts and getting the people of T&T to understand a legacy. On too many occasions we fall short in recognising our heroes.”
An emotional Phillips, added that just thinking about the 1966 team brought back the vibes to him. “It’s a great moment,” he noted.
Speaking from the USA via phone, Caliguri and defender Desmond Armstrong said that the members of the USA team were anxiously looking forward to the match.
Caliguri who noted that his job on that day was not to score but to mark Latapy, said November 19 will also have a special feeling for him as it marked the beginning of something special in US soccer.
“Since then we have qualified for every World Cup and have gained a lot in popularity in the US, because before that match the sport was not that big here,” he ended.
Among the former Strike Squad players present at the launch were then captain Clayton Morris, Philbert Jones, Dexter Cyrus, Angus Eve, Hutson Charles, Jerren Nixon and coach Everald ‘Gally’ Cummings.
Morris said it was nice to have to relive the feeling of the 1989 clash.
He noted that the success of the Soca Warriors did not begin with the last World Cup campaign but through the progress of the teams from 1966, 1973 and 1989.
Prior to the T&T/USA match a clash between two of the top schools in the Girls’ Secondary Schools Football League will kick off at 3pm.
Teams
Strike Squad
Goalkeepers:[/b]
Earl ‘Spider-man’ Carter, Michael Muarice, Errol Lovell, Ross Russell.
Defenders:
Clayton Morris, Brian Williams, Dexter Francis, Floyd Lawrence, Marvin Faustin, Kelvin Jones, Russell Munroe, Dexter Lee.
Midfielders:
Jerren Nixon, Hutson Charles, Angus Eve, Larry Joseph, Paul Elliot-Alleyne, Kerry Jamerson, Clint Marcelle, Leroy Spann.
Forwards:
Philbert Jones, Maurice Alibey, Dexter Cyrus, Alvin Boisson.
Technical staff:
Everald ‘Gally’ Cummings (coach), Neville Chance (asst coach), Oliver Camps (manager), Ikin Williams (equipment manager), Wayne Lawson (physiotherapist).
USA:
Tony Meola, Desmond Armstrong, John Stollmeyer, Peter Vermes, John Doyle, Tab Ramos, John Harkes, Steve Trittschuh, Paul Crumpe, Jimmy Banks, Ted Eck, Phillip Gyau, Frank Klopas, Paul Caliguri, Brian Bliss, Mike Windishmen, Chris Henderson.