North East Stars sign two former national strikers.
By: Joel Villafana.[/size]
The 2004 Pro League Champions National Quarries North East Stars completed two major signings—and their attacking force may have a totally different out look when they take the field against San Juan Jabloteh on Friday in the Toyota Classic.
Strikers Gary Glasgow and Kevin Jeffrey both signed on the dotted line for the Sangre Grande Stars—Glasgow who has not been able to make the cut in Leo Beenhakker’s Warriors was transferred from Chinese club Gaungzhou FC, while Kevin Jeffries was brought from American A League’s Richmond Kickers.
North East have been pursuing the two strikers during the last transfer window but was unable to close the deals before the closing of the window, September 14.
The move was held up after the Stars were unable to get the International Transfer Clearance in time.
Club Owner Darryl Mahabir, said he is excited about the prospect of the two former national players joining the ranks, he told ttproleague.com. “I am extremely happy with the signings—we have been struggling this season to score goals on a consistent basis—I am hoping with both Glasgow and Jeffries coming to partner Jerren Nixon and Anthony Wolfe—we can be a serious attacking force to be reckoned with.”
Glasgow and Jeffrey should be able to be in time to take their place in the squad for the all important Toyota Classic quarter final clash against the in form CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday 21.
Meanwhile, former Trinidad and Tobago utility player Anthony Rougier is back home and now playing his trade with United Petrotrin and is hoping to make a return to the National team and join the Soca Warriors on the Road to Germany 2006.
Rougier said that he has always been committed to Trinidad and Tobago football and still wants to contribute.
The former TT captain has returned home and has been snapped up by the ‘oilmen’.
Rougier transfer from American "A" League outfit Rochester Rhinos was completed this weekend and will make his first appearance for the Petrotrin in the Pro League when the southerners go up against Caledonia AIA Fire at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium.
Petrotrin have just come off a hard-fought 4-3 win over Superstar Rangers in the first round of matches of the Toyota Classic, and coach Brian Williams is looking forward to the inclusion of Rougier.
“I am really happy to have Tony back—he is originally from La Brea and he wants to finish his career at home,” said Williams.
Williams added, “At 33 years Rougier is still fit and has a lot to offer and can pass on his immense knowledge and experience to the local players.”
The 33-year old Rougier intends to prove his worth while playing for Petrotrin, and at the same time, impress National coach, Dutchman Leo Beenhakker with a place in the TT squad his ultimate goal.
"I am satisfied that I made my contribution to the World Cup campaign and it’s great to see the team doing well," Rougier said.
Trinidad and Tobago earned a place in a play-off when they defeated CONCACAF giants Mexico 2-1 in the final match of the World Cup qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Wednesday.
With the result Trinidad and Tobago earned the right to face Bahrain in a two-match play-off at home and away, for a World Cup berth.
"I have always been committed to Trinidad and Tobago and doing whatever I can to assist the national team. It wasn't always easy for me especially when I was playing in China and I had to travel halfway around the world to come back home and play for my country," he said.
The rugged defender, concluded, “My years abroad have taught me a lot and I have seen how football can make a big difference in peoples' lives especially the youngsters. I still have a few years of playing left in me and I want to give something back to the country especially down south where I began my career".
Fenwick promises no slip-ups in Toyota Classic.
By: Joel Villafana.[/size]
Still smarting from missing out on the First Citizens Bank Cup, having lost to arch rivals W Connection on penalty kicks in the finals of the tournament, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh is determined to bring home the bacon in the Toyota Classic.
Fenwick is of the strong belief that Jabloteh is the team to beat on the local scene, despite W Connection’s dominance in the League this season.
The former English International was talking tough, “Our attitude is that we want to win everything we play and the entire team and technical staff are determined to have no slip-ups in the Toyota Classic.”
“Currently we are controlling every game we play, but somehow we are finding it difficult to hit the back of the net—in our recent game against North East Stars where we drew 1-1, we should have at least come away winning that game by a 5-2 margin and then in the FCB Cup finals against W Connection, we should have won that game in regulation time,” said Fenwick.
Nevertheless, the straight-forward English born coach is not worried saying, “We have been polishing things up and working especially hard on getting it right in the attacking third of the field.”
Looking ahead at Jabloteh’s quarter final Toyota Classic clash against National Quarries North East Stars on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium—the Jabloteh Coach was mindful of their recent 1-1 draw against the Stars and admitted, “North East are a difficult outfit to play against as they use a 3-4-3 formation and sometimes they can prove difficult to breakdown when they are playing well—but come Friday, we will be going for the jugular, we will be doing our best to ensure that teams don’t try to send our games into penalty kicks.”
The Toyota Classic is a unique knockout tournament, as it brings together the top two leagues in the country (pro league and super league)—the seven Pro League teams and the top five Super League teams were all drawn in this exciting knockout competition—playing for a grand prize of $75,000.00.
Jabloteh, enjoyed a bye in the opening round of the tourney and they will meet fellow Pro League outfit North East Stars in the first game of a double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 6 p.m.
