|
Flex
|
 |
« on: June 29, 2008, 07:09:26 AM » |
|
Stern John eyes more goals for T&T.
T&T Expreess Reports.[/size]
Trinidad and Tobago striker Stern John is counting on the national team to produce a greater effort both on and off the pitch as they look ahead to the semi-final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins for T&T away to Cuba on August 20.
John, speaking last week prior to his return to English club Southampton FC for pre-season training after leading T&T to the next round of qualifying with a 65th minute goal in last Sunday's 2-0 victory over Bermuda, expressed a certain amount of satisfaction with the team's progress, but feels more is needed, particularly if the "Soca Warriors" are to have any chance of defeating the United States in a competitive outing.
"I was a bit disappointed because over the past decade or so we would have been able to beat Bermuda by about five goals. I think we took them for granted in the first game and we gave ourselvesĀ a hard hurdle to get over. We showed character as a team in Bermuda and we dug deep for it. But, at the end of the day, it was a professional job and we did what we had to advance to the next round," John told Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) media officer Shaun Fuentes.
John confessed he was disappointed with being left on the bench for the start of Sunday's match, but he was able to put it behind him.
"As a player you will be disappointed when you don't start and I was disappointed, but when you are playing for your country it's about Trinidad and Tobago and the team and not about Stern John anymore.
"I had to sit on the bench and wait until the manager called upon me as that was part of the tactics. That's part of the game and right now it's all about Trinidad and Tobago and qualifying for the World Cup."
The former Sunderland striker, now with 69 goals in 103 internationals, gave his impression on the current state of the team and what he hopes to see regarding any improvements.
Trinidad and Tobago next meet Cuba in Havana and then have a home game scheduled for September 6 against Guatemala, an affair which could be played outside of T&T.
The "Soca Warriors" then face the USA in Illinois on September 10.
"I think we have a very young team and we will be looking to get back a couple more of the senior players. With the last team I think we had a lot more togetherness and it's something we are working on now both on and off the pitch. Everyone was willing to work for each other back then. When you got on the pitch, everyone played for each other and that's what we need more of. We need to believe more in ourselves as a team and believe that we can beat teams like USA and Guatemala, as well as Cuba. We just have to stay on working and become more of a unit.
"I think some of the other guys deserve a second chance as they are still good enough to make the team. We will be coming up against stronger teams and we need our strongest squad, which also means that we may need a couple of the senior players to get involved again.
"Even if it means guys like Dwight (Yorke) coming back into the team, then we have to go that way to ensure we have our best squad together. I know a couple of the guys need to start back playing for clubs if they are to get a chance with the national team again and they need to look after that as well," John added.
The ex-Birmingham City hitman is also eyeing a return to the English Premiership.
"Definitely I would love to return to the Premiership and I think the first step to that is keeping myself in good shape and scoring as much goals for my club and also doing well on the international stage for my country.
"When you enter the 30s as a forward they say that's when you are in the twilight of your career and I'm just trying to keep myself in good physical condition and hopefully continue to produce the goods," he concluded.
|
