Connection laud Colombian triallist.
… Fevrier praises T&T quintet.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Vibe CT 05 W. Connection seem set to introduce a new South American talent to Trinidad and Tobago football as Colombian triallist Oscar Torijano served notice of his ability with the equalizing goal on Friday afternoon as the Pro League team held Brazilian hosts, Portuguesa, 1-1.
Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier cooed about the impact of the 22-year-old Torijano in their first tour match.
“It was an exceptional goal,” said Fevrier, in a telephone interview. “He was under pressure and he screened off his marker (from just inside the box) and put it in the far corner… (Torijano) was in the Colombian national youth team program and he has deceptive speed and is technically good.
“I think we will keep him.”
The Connection squad found time to appreciate the quality of their opponents too and, in particular, 34-year-old former Brazil and Inter Milan full back Ze Maria.
“I felt real good that our players got an opportunity to play against such quality,” said Fevrier.
There was, according to Fevrier, plenty of value in the contribution from the club’s Trinidad and Tobago players as well.
Connection were regularly criticized for fielding a disproportionate number of foreign to local players since its inception in 1999. But, despite leaving midfielder Aurtis Whitley and full back Kern Cupid in Trinidad on national duty, Fevrier reckoned that present national coach Francisco Maturana could easily summon another four players from within the club’s ranks.
Fevrier, a former Trinidad and Tobago national coach, lauded the performances of right back Nickcolson Thomas and midfielders Andrei Pacheco, Clyde Leon and Hughton Hector against Portuguesa and claimed that all four sparked interest from a watching European scout. Pacheco, Leon and Thomas have only a handful of international caps between them while Hector, an attacking right side or central midfielder, is yet to interest the “Soca Warriors” technical staff.
“It is a pity that Maturana was not here to see them,” said Fevrier. “They were brilliant... (Striker) Dwight Scott did well too.”
Connection, who won the 2007 FCB Cup, Courts Pro Bowl and Lucozade Big Six titles, are preparing for the 2008 season, which kicks off on April 5. The “Savonetta Boys” would be without talisman striker Earl Jean, who joined defending league champs CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, and Brazilian playmaker Gefferson Goulart who has taken up a contract in Angola.
The acquisition of Torijano and the maturing of players like Hector, Fevrier hopes, would go some way towards compensating for their departures.
