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Offline Tallman

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Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« on: December 17, 2018, 12:13:09 PM »
As usual, any updates/scores, shout-outs, reports, predictions, views, etc, on the T&T vs Wales in Wrexham on the 20th of March 2019 will be posted here, this way, we can maintain the message board and not make it look too scrappy with un-necessary or related headlines and postings on game day.

For the internet users, you can follow the game at:

To be updated.

Possible Online Streams.

To be updated.

Possible TV Station.

To be updated.

Trinidad & Tobago Squad

Goalkeepers:

Marvin Phillip (Central FC), Nicklas Frenderup (HB Koge—Denmark), Adrian Foncette (Police FC).

Defenders:

Alvin Jones (W Connection), Aubrey David  (Deportivo Saprissa, Costa Rica), Daneil Cyrus (Al Orobah—Saudi Arabia), Sheldon Bateau (Sarpsborg 08–Norway), Carlyle Mitchell (Unattached), Mekeil Williams (Oklahoma City Energy FC—USA), Triston Hodge (Memphis 901 FC—USA), Ross Russell Jr (Morvant Caledonia United).

Midfielders:

Kevan George (Charlotte Independence—USA), Duane Muckette, Leston Paul (both Memphis 901 FC—USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven—USA), Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando), Khaleem Hyland (Al Faisaly FC—Saudi Arabia), Cordell Cato (Oklahoma City Energy FC—USA), Nathan Lewis (Lansing Ignite—USA), Levi Garcia (Kiryat Shmona—Israel), Lester Peltier (Al Orobah—Saudi Arabia).

Forwards:

Willis Plaza (Churchill Brothers—India).

Coach - Dennis Lawrence (TRI).

Wales Squad

Goalkeepers

Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Barnsley), Chris Maxwell (Charlton, on loan from Preston).

Defenders

Ashley Williams (Stoke, on loan from Everton), Chris Gunter (Reading), Neil Taylor (Aston Villa), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Connor Roberts (Swansea), James Lawrence (Anderlecht), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Paul Dummett (Newcastle), Declan John (Swansea).

Midfielders

Ryan Hedges (Barnsley), Joe Allen (Stoke), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Ben Woodburn (Liverpool), Harry Wilson (Derby, on loan from Liverpool), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Matt Smith (FC Twente, on loan from Manchester City), Lee Evans (Wigan), Daniel James (Swansea), Will Vaulks (Rotherham United).

Forwards

Rabbi Matondo (Schalke), Sam Vokes (Stoke), Tom Lawrence (Derby), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Tyler Roberts (Leeds).

Coach - Ryan Giggs.


Updates to follow as we get more info, so keep checking back.

« Last Edit: March 21, 2019, 04:41:34 AM by Flex »
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2018, 08:07:02 PM »
Good friendly. Well done, Dennis. And, a great way to both appease Wrexham and keep things positive on multiple fronts.

Offline Cocorite

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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2018, 09:10:49 PM »
Yes this should certainly be a good test for T&T in March.

Just hope Dennis pick the right players. The team needs to play more friendlies.
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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2018, 10:06:21 PM »
Are we playing just one game in the window yet again? Hope not
THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES

Offline Deeks

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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2018, 11:00:15 PM »
Are we playing just one game in the window yet again? Hope not

Why can't they arrange against ah England B squad. We need playing time.

Offline Thomo

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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2018, 01:35:37 AM »
England B Team was scrapped a 10 decade ago

Offline Flex

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Re: Thread for Wales vs Trinidad and Tobago (20-March-2019)
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2018, 03:59:12 AM »
Trinidad and Tobago to face Wales in Wrexham
TTFA Media


Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men’s Team will step up their preparations for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup with an international friendly against Wales at the Racecourse Ground in Wales, home venue of Wrexham AFC, on March 20th, 2019.

The fixture has been confirmed for the venue which will mark a special return for Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dennis Lawrence who played there for Wrexham between 2001-2006.

T&T have met Wales once before in the build up to the 2006 World Cup, losing 2-1 at Graz , Austria in May of that year. Lawrence played in that encounter in which current assistant coach Stern John netted for the Leo Beenhakker-coached team to open the scoring on 32 minutes. Gareth Bale also marked his debut as Wales’ youngest international by setting up their late winner.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to face Wales in the next international window in March. The match comes at an ideal time for us which is just over a couple months before the CONCACAF Gold Cup and will obviously be a very good test for our team. Wales have shown themselves to be a formidable opponent with good quality players under the management of  Ryan Giggs and I expect the return of the Wales national team to Racecourse Ground to be special and both teams will be aiming to put on a competitive contest,” Lawrence told TTFA Media.

This will be the first game of 2019 for Ryan Giggs’ side, in preparation for their first EURO 2020 qualifying match against Slovakia 4 days later in Cardiff.

Ryan Giggs, the national team manager, is looking forward to returning to the Racecourse:
“I’m delighted that we’re able to play at the Racecourse for the first time in 10 years. We thoroughly enjoyed taking the team there for an open training session in May. The support was incredible and further fuelled our ambition to host a match at the historic ground. Trinidad & Tobago will prove an interesting test for us and will be great preparation ahead of the EURO 2020 qualifying campaign,” Giggs said.

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Offline Deeks

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2018, 08:14:01 AM »
England B Team was scrapped a 10 decade ago

Well, England U-23.

Offline Thomo

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2018, 11:26:28 PM »
There is no under 23 either, they use the under 21 as a feeder team to the national team but I get what you mean. Still I doubt it will happen for all types of reasons.

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2018, 06:23:04 AM »
Soca Warriors vow to boycott Wales match due to unkept DJW promises; still unpaid for USA win in October 2017.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago’s National Senior Team players have had enough of alleged broken promises by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and will not play against Wales next March unless all debts are wiped off.

At present—according to four senior players who spoke on condition of anonymity—the TTFA owes players and staff a combined TT$707,000 with the largest single payment due to a player believed to be TT$24,000.

Remarkably, the Soca Warriors still have not been paid for their 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the United States in Couva on 10 October 2017—a result which won global attention and remains the biggest triumph of the DJW-led TTFA administration to date.

The players—who all have over 30 international caps and represented Trinidad and Tobago for over a decade, counting national youth duty—believe they have shown good faith and patience to John-Williams and have only been met with discourtesy and dishonesty in return. Now, they want the public to know the extent of their discomfort.

“The players are just fed up,” said one anonymous player. “It’s over a year now we are just running on promises; and players are leaving their families and travelling far distances because we love our football and we can’t take it anymore.

“It is just one person who is doing this to us. He is always going back on his promises.”

Another accused John-Williams of playing politics with the players by offering false promises to keep them silent until after the TTFA AGM, at which he faced a motion for his dismissal.

In September, John-Williams offered to pay up all his debts on 30 November, which was a week after the AGM. However, when the AGM was reconvened for 9 December, he again shifted the date for his payment to the players.

Once FC Santa Rosa’s motion to remove John-Williams was defeated, however, the football president reneged again on 14 December and didn’t even bother to offer a new deadline. Four days later, the players have decided to air their dirty laundry in public.

“On December 1, we had a chat with the coach [Dennis Lawrence] and manager [Richard Piper] and told them that we were going to the press,” said the second player. “And the president called all of us personally and said we would be paid all our money within 14 days. So we all agreed to give him more time; but now when we’re calling him, we can’t even get a response.

“So now we think the whole thing was just a plot to keep us quiet until after the AGM.”

The issue of unpaid debts and John-Williams’ supposedly bullish attitude to employees has been an oft-repeated criticism from technical directors Kendall Walkes and Anton Corneal to National Under-20 coach Russell Latapy and many in-between.

Last month, Primary School coaches complained that they were unpaid for six months of service to the TTFA; although, according to a well-informed source, the title sponsor for the programme, Nu-Iron, has already paid the local football body in full for not only 2018 but 2019 as well.

At present, the Soca Warriors are owed match fees for outings against Mexico (6 October 2017), USA (10 October 2017), Grenada (11 November 2017), United Arab Emirates (6 September 2018), Thailand (14 October 2018) and Iran (15 November 2018).

The players are due US$1,500 for their win over USA and US$1,000 for their loss away to Mexico; all the other games are valued at US$300 each.

The national players initially agreed a deal for US$1,500 for each game in the Concacaf Hex with an additional US$1,000 per win and US$500 per draw. However, according to a third player, then team captain Kenwyne Jones and vice-captain Jan-Michael Williams accepted a suggestion from John-Williams that they drop their fees as soon as the team was out of contention for qualifying.

This concession from the players meant the value of their win over USA—in direct financial terms—was slashed by nearly half from US$2,500 to US$1,500.

“The players were always willing to try and find a solution because we understand the [financial] situation,” said the third player. “But when you agree to play for less money and you’re still not getting your money, players will obviously become unsettled.”

John-Williams did not respond to a request for comments from Wired868 on his debt to the national players and what his administration was doing to address it. However, during the day, the players said the TTFA president sent word that he would offer them match fees for two of the friendly games at US$300 each.

Unanimously, the players told Wired868 they rejected the offer and would only accept full payment now. The second player said he now doubts even the sincerity of such approaches from John-Williams.

“He probably only offered to pay for those [two] games so that, if anything comes out in the press, he can say it was us who rejected him,” said the anonymous player. “It is always games with him. We know for sure that the TTFA got appearance fees for our games against UAE, Thailand and Iran. So what did they do with that money?

“Why didn’t they pay us?”

The issue of the US$300 match fee for friendlies is one that divides even the playing squad.

The third player revealed that when the Warriors were offered US$300 to play against Grenada and Guyana in November 2017, ace midfielder Kevin Molino immediately said to count him out.

“Molino went to Dennis [Lawrence] and said he is not playing for US$300,” said the third player. “And Dennis said okay he respects that, and he will tell the media that Molino was injured [for the friendly against Guyana on 14 November].

“So we made a decision not to embarrass the TTFA then.”

John-Williams met the squad on the issue that same month. The players said that, going forward, they would not play for less than US$800—which was still below the US$1,000 mark that national players generally received for international friendlies since the turn of the millennium.

The football president, according to the third player, vowed to raise the fee to US$500 while he would bump it up to US$800 as soon as the financial health of the local football body improved.

Instead, John-Williams allegedly went back on his word by their next international engagement as the promised fee remained US$300. And, after three outings against Guadeloupe, Martinique and Panama, suddenly the players were receiving nothing at all—as they would wait for TTFA payments to hit their accounts, only to be left disappointed.

The situation was exacerbated, over a month ago, when John-Williams appeared on a TV6 programme and told the host that he convinced the Warriors to play for just US$300.

“When [John-Williams] jumped out and boasted that he can ‘proudly say’ his players are playing for US$300,” said the second player, “we were so angry about that…”

The first player swore that, due to John-Williams’ behaviour, he is now unwilling to ever play for US$300 or even US$500 again.

“All the time the standard price was US$1,000 under [former TTFA president Raymond] Tim Kee and just so he want to change it and still he is not paying us,” said the first players. “And for him to go on tv and boast about paying us that; I will never come to play for that again!

“And I am playing away but think about the local players who have to pay for their own gas to attend training and the TTFA doesn’t even provide meals. And all that for US$300 that you’re not even sure to get.

“[…] If my club asks me how much we play for, I wouldn’t even be able to tell them. I would be too embarrassed.

“If my plane is delayed and I have to change flights or something, that US$300 won’t even cover that.”

A fourth player revealed that, for their last trips away to Thailand and Iran, some of the foreign-based players had to dip in their own pockets so that the younger Pro League players could even get something to eat at the airport.

“Some of us were having a meal and we noticed that one player (name called) was just outside sitting down and not doing anything,” said the fourth player. “So when we called him to talk, we found out that he had no money for the trip. You’re talking about players travelling for 14 hours by six hours and they can’t even afford to get something to eat.

“[…] We just can’t take this anymore. If we don’t get our money, we are not playing!”

The non-payment of match fees, according to the third anonymous player, was just one of several perceived slights that Soca Warriors players endure at present. He said a shortage of ‘hotel wear’—which they are mandated to wear for meals and meetings—and travelling gear was another sore point.

“Most times, they give us one jersey and one pants to wear for the whole camp as hotel wear and obviously it gets a scent after a while,” he said. “We are asked to turn up at breakfast and everything else with that one tee-shirt.

“For the Iran game, we were not even given any travelling clothes so we had to use one of the game uniforms instead. We feel like a minor league team!

“[…] As far as the senior guys are concerned, it is a disrespect to ask us to make these kind of sacrifices. Normally with an international break, we would get three or four days off, which is time we can spend with our families. Instead, we fly all over the world to play for our National Team and this is the kind of thing we have to put up with.”

All the players who spoke to Wired868 said they were accustomed to being owed by the TTFA and having to put up with the occasional shabby treatment, but they suggested that John-Williams was worse than his predecessors because of his attitude.

“It is worse now than before,” said the second player. “Tim Kee didn’t always have the funds but he would always talk to you and try to sort out things for us. Under John-Williams, it seems like he just doesn’t care.”

The first player, who is a former W Connection employee, blamed John-Williams for the demise of all the national teams as well as for forcing out former coach Stephen Hart.

“From the beginning [of his term as president] there was never a time when Coach Hart wasn’t under pressure,” he said, “and there was a time when ‘Pressie’ was [allegedly] telling him who to pick. I know of one player (name called) for sure who he pressured Hart to pick.

“[…] Since ‘Pressie’ come in, everything is going bad with the senior team, the girls team, the youth teams, etc. And he is getting too comfortable with giving us this kind of bad treatment.”

The fourth player moaned about John-Williams’ supposed focus on his controversial Home of Football project at the expense of everything else.

“I understand he wants to build this Home of Football but he is bypassing all these current problems and issues to fix that instead,” he said. “He is showing us that he doesn’t care. When we told him we will go the media, he told us it doesn’t matter and it wouldn’t solve anything as we will still have the same problem after.

“The president has no respect for his players. Some of us have 80 caps and anywhere else in the world, a player with that number of caps would at least get some respect from his federation. But not in Trinidad.”

So where does head coach Dennis Lawrence—who supposedly turned down an offer from England National League club Wrexham AFC to stay with the Warriors—stand in the impasse between players and the president?

The third player suggested Lawrence and manager Richard Piper have been professional and sympathetic, although he suggested that not all players are convinced.

“Some players see it as he is on the side of the TTFA but I think he is on both sides, in terms of trying to find a solution,” he said. “I think he really tries to help the players and I will continue to give 100 per cent for Dennis.

“It is hard for him because John-Williams will tell him something and he will relay that to us; and then ‘Pressie’ would up and do something else and leave him and Piper in a shit position.”

The players claimed they have had enough now and said their position is mirrored by their teammates who they speak to regularly via What’s App.

“Since ‘Pressie’ came in, it is just a whole set of run around and we never showed him up,” said the first player. “I think this is the right time to let everyone know what is happening. Next year is an important one for us with the Gold Cup and the Nations League; and we want to go into it with the right frame of mind.

“We want to go into the New Year stress free.”

« Last Edit: December 22, 2018, 08:49:15 AM by Flex »
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Offline Deeks

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2018, 07:16:31 AM »
Stand your grounds Warriors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Offline Controversial

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2018, 05:44:00 PM »
Been saying the players should strike

End this nonsense, cripple the federation, so the right admin can step in who cares about our national team and is not interested in selling out or being controlled by others abroad

Offline Tallman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2019, 07:39:52 AM »
WATCH: Sheldon Bateau challenges his teammates to be ready for the challenge when Trinidad and Tobago face Wales on March 20th at Racecourse Ground in Wrexham

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/jcfpo3nArnk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/jcfpo3nArnk</a>
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Offline andre samuel

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2019, 01:09:25 PM »
Quick question....

Did Dennis Lawrence sign an extension? Is he still under contract as the National Coach?
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Offline Tallman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2019, 02:42:41 PM »
Quick question....

Did Dennis Lawrence sign an extension? Is he still under contract as the National Coach?

Nothing official has been said, but there is a Board meeting next Wednesday (Feb 20th), and that is one of de items on de agenda.
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Bateau: We must be ready for Wales test
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2019, 02:43:08 PM »
Bateau: We must be ready for Wales test
TTFA Media


Trinidad and Tobago European-based defender Sheldon Bateau is challenging his teammates to be in their best shape for the upcoming International Friendly against Wales on March 20th at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

Bateau who penned a one-year deal with Norway top flight club Sarpsborg 08 FF this week, indicated his next line of focus will be the upcoming clash with the Welsh outfit led by head coach, former Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

“To my teammates, all I can say is be ready for this. Some of them are still into season which is a good thing. The other ones like myself are in preseason and there are some who haven’t started for whatever reason. This is a game that could change your life, it can change your career,” Bateau said in an interview with TTFA Media.

“It’s a very good opportunity for us as players. We should set a goal to do well in this game and accept the challenge. And not only accept the challenge but to compete and get a result. I think everyone should be really motivated for this game because I am and am sure the other players are as well. We just need to continue working as a team. We haven’t played together for a while but that is minor because to me, once every player prepared and ready to do the work and understand their roles, I believe we can get a good result in this game,” Bateau added.

Wales’ last win was a 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland in October while they lost their last encounter 1-0 in a friendly to Albania in November. They will play Slovakia in a Euro 2020 qualifier four days after facing T&T.

“For me this game is the big target right because my season is starting at the end of March. It’s the only thing on my mind right now after having signed with a new team,” Bateau added. ” It’s a new challenge but at the same time international football is a different feeling and level so my focus is to be ready for the game against Wales.”

“This is a huge challenge and is one we shall welcome as a country to play against a team have world class players apart from Gareth Bale. It will be a good challenge to see where we are at and how much work we need to put in before the Gold Cup. We all know what Wales is capable of and i think we as players should be up for the game. As players, you live for games like this. It will definitely be a tough game but I think we will be ready in time for it,” said the former San Juan Jabloteh player.

T&T head coach Dennis Lawrence is expected to announce his squad around the second week of March while Giggs is slated to announce the Wales roster around March 12th.
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Offline maxg

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2019, 03:54:56 AM »
So everything settled with players and administrators now ? Or it was fake news


Or
Soca Warriors vow to boycott Wales match due to unkept DJW promises; still unpaid for USA win in October 2017.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago’s National Senior Team players have had enough of alleged broken promises by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and will not play against Wales next March unless all debts are wiped off.

At present—according to four senior players who spoke on condition of anonymity—the TTFA owes players and staff a combined TT$707,000 with the largest single payment due to a player believed to be TT$24,000.

Remarkably, the Soca Warriors still have not been paid for their 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the United States in Couva on 10 October 2017—a result which won global attention and remains the biggest triumph of the DJW-led TTFA administration to date.

The players—who all have over 30 international caps and represented Trinidad and Tobago for over a decade, counting national youth duty—believe they have shown good faith and patience to John-Williams and have only been met with discourtesy and dishonesty in return. Now, they want the public to know the extent of their discomfort.

“The players are just fed up,” said one anonymous player. “It’s over a year now we are just running on promises; and players are leaving their families and travelling far distances because we love our football and we can’t take it anymore.

“It is just one person who is doing this to us. He is always going back on his promises.”

Another accused John-Williams of playing politics with the players by offering false promises to keep them silent until after the TTFA AGM, at which he faced a motion for his dismissal.

In September, John-Williams offered to pay up all his debts on 30 November, which was a week after the AGM. However, when the AGM was reconvened for 9 December, he again shifted the date for his payment to the players.

Once FC Santa Rosa’s motion to remove John-Williams was defeated, however, the football president reneged again on 14 December and didn’t even bother to offer a new deadline. Four days later, the players have decided to air their dirty laundry in public.

“On December 1, we had a chat with the coach [Dennis Lawrence] and manager [Richard Piper] and told them that we were going to the press,” said the second player. “And the president called all of us personally and said we would be paid all our money within 14 days. So we all agreed to give him more time; but now when we’re calling him, we can’t even get a response.

“So now we think the whole thing was just a plot to keep us quiet until after the AGM.”

The issue of unpaid debts and John-Williams’ supposedly bullish attitude to employees has been an oft-repeated criticism from technical directors Kendall Walkes and Anton Corneal to National Under-20 coach Russell Latapy and many in-between.

Last month, Primary School coaches complained that they were unpaid for six months of service to the TTFA; although, according to a well-informed source, the title sponsor for the programme, Nu-Iron, has already paid the local football body in full for not only 2018 but 2019 as well.

At present, the Soca Warriors are owed match fees for outings against Mexico (6 October 2017), USA (10 October 2017), Grenada (11 November 2017), United Arab Emirates (6 September 2018), Thailand (14 October 2018) and Iran (15 November 2018).

The players are due US$1,500 for their win over USA and US$1,000 for their loss away to Mexico; all the other games are valued at US$300 each.

The national players initially agreed a deal for US$1,500 for each game in the Concacaf Hex with an additional US$1,000 per win and US$500 per draw. However, according to a third player, then team captain Kenwyne Jones and vice-captain Jan-Michael Williams accepted a suggestion from John-Williams that they drop their fees as soon as the team was out of contention for qualifying.

This concession from the players meant the value of their win over USA—in direct financial terms—was slashed by nearly half from US$2,500 to US$1,500.

“The players were always willing to try and find a solution because we understand the [financial] situation,” said the third player. “But when you agree to play for less money and you’re still not getting your money, players will obviously become unsettled.”

John-Williams did not respond to a request for comments from Wired868 on his debt to the national players and what his administration was doing to address it. However, during the day, the players said the TTFA president sent word that he would offer them match fees for two of the friendly games at US$300 each.

Unanimously, the players told Wired868 they rejected the offer and would only accept full payment now. The second player said he now doubts even the sincerity of such approaches from John-Williams.

“He probably only offered to pay for those [two] games so that, if anything comes out in the press, he can say it was us who rejected him,” said the anonymous player. “It is always games with him. We know for sure that the TTFA got appearance fees for our games against UAE, Thailand and Iran. So what did they do with that money?

“Why didn’t they pay us?”

The issue of the US$300 match fee for friendlies is one that divides even the playing squad.

The third player revealed that when the Warriors were offered US$300 to play against Grenada and Guyana in November 2017, ace midfielder Kevin Molino immediately said to count him out.

“Molino went to Dennis [Lawrence] and said he is not playing for US$300,” said the third player. “And Dennis said okay he respects that, and he will tell the media that Molino was injured [for the friendly against Guyana on 14 November].

“So we made a decision not to embarrass the TTFA then.”

John-Williams met the squad on the issue that same month. The players said that, going forward, they would not play for less than US$800—which was still below the US$1,000 mark that national players generally received for international friendlies since the turn of the millennium.

The football president, according to the third player, vowed to raise the fee to US$500 while he would bump it up to US$800 as soon as the financial health of the local football body improved.

Instead, John-Williams allegedly went back on his word by their next international engagement as the promised fee remained US$300. And, after three outings against Guadeloupe, Martinique and Panama, suddenly the players were receiving nothing at all—as they would wait for TTFA payments to hit their accounts, only to be left disappointed.

The situation was exacerbated, over a month ago, when John-Williams appeared on a TV6 programme and told the host that he convinced the Warriors to play for just US$300.

“When [John-Williams] jumped out and boasted that he can ‘proudly say’ his players are playing for US$300,” said the second player, “we were so angry about that…”

The first player swore that, due to John-Williams’ behaviour, he is now unwilling to ever play for US$300 or even US$500 again.

“All the time the standard price was US$1,000 under [former TTFA president Raymond] Tim Kee and just so he want to change it and still he is not paying us,” said the first players. “And for him to go on tv and boast about paying us that; I will never come to play for that again!

“And I am playing away but think about the local players who have to pay for their own gas to attend training and the TTFA doesn’t even provide meals. And all that for US$300 that you’re not even sure to get.

“[…] If my club asks me how much we play for, I wouldn’t even be able to tell them. I would be too embarrassed.

“If my plane is delayed and I have to change flights or something, that US$300 won’t even cover that.”

A fourth player revealed that, for their last trips away to Thailand and Iran, some of the foreign-based players had to dip in their own pockets so that the younger Pro League players could even get something to eat at the airport.

“Some of us were having a meal and we noticed that one player (name called) was just outside sitting down and not doing anything,” said the fourth player. “So when we called him to talk, we found out that he had no money for the trip. You’re talking about players travelling for 14 hours by six hours and they can’t even afford to get something to eat.

“[…] We just can’t take this anymore. If we don’t get our money, we are not playing!”

The non-payment of match fees, according to the third anonymous player, was just one of several perceived slights that Soca Warriors players endure at present. He said a shortage of ‘hotel wear’—which they are mandated to wear for meals and meetings—and travelling gear was another sore point.

“Most times, they give us one jersey and one pants to wear for the whole camp as hotel wear and obviously it gets a scent after a while,” he said. “We are asked to turn up at breakfast and everything else with that one tee-shirt.

“For the Iran game, we were not even given any travelling clothes so we had to use one of the game uniforms instead. We feel like a minor league team!

“[…] As far as the senior guys are concerned, it is a disrespect to ask us to make these kind of sacrifices. Normally with an international break, we would get three or four days off, which is time we can spend with our families. Instead, we fly all over the world to play for our National Team and this is the kind of thing we have to put up with.”

All the players who spoke to Wired868 said they were accustomed to being owed by the TTFA and having to put up with the occasional shabby treatment, but they suggested that John-Williams was worse than his predecessors because of his attitude.

“It is worse now than before,” said the second player. “Tim Kee didn’t always have the funds but he would always talk to you and try to sort out things for us. Under John-Williams, it seems like he just doesn’t care.”

The first player, who is a former W Connection employee, blamed John-Williams for the demise of all the national teams as well as for forcing out former coach Stephen Hart.

“From the beginning [of his term as president] there was never a time when Coach Hart wasn’t under pressure,” he said, “and there was a time when ‘Pressie’ was [allegedly] telling him who to pick. I know of one player (name called) for sure who he pressured Hart to pick.

“[…] Since ‘Pressie’ come in, everything is going bad with the senior team, the girls team, the youth teams, etc. And he is getting too comfortable with giving us this kind of bad treatment.”

The fourth player moaned about John-Williams’ supposed focus on his controversial Home of Football project at the expense of everything else.

“I understand he wants to build this Home of Football but he is bypassing all these current problems and issues to fix that instead,” he said. “He is showing us that he doesn’t care. When we told him we will go the media, he told us it doesn’t matter and it wouldn’t solve anything as we will still have the same problem after.

“The president has no respect for his players. Some of us have 80 caps and anywhere else in the world, a player with that number of caps would at least get some respect from his federation. But not in Trinidad.”

So where does head coach Dennis Lawrence—who supposedly turned down an offer from England National League club Wrexham AFC to stay with the Warriors—stand in the impasse between players and the president?

The third player suggested Lawrence and manager Richard Piper have been professional and sympathetic, although he suggested that not all players are convinced.

“Some players see it as he is on the side of the TTFA but I think he is on both sides, in terms of trying to find a solution,” he said. “I think he really tries to help the players and I will continue to give 100 per cent for Dennis.

“It is hard for him because John-Williams will tell him something and he will relay that to us; and then ‘Pressie’ would up and do something else and leave him and Piper in a shit position.”

The players claimed they have had enough now and said their position is mirrored by their teammates who they speak to regularly via What’s App.

“Since ‘Pressie’ came in, it is just a whole set of run around and we never showed him up,” said the first player. “I think this is the right time to let everyone know what is happening. Next year is an important one for us with the Gold Cup and the Nations League; and we want to go into it with the right frame of mind.

“We want to go into the New Year stress free.”



Offline kounty

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2019, 08:32:19 AM »
maxg bai! You trying to make sense out of T&T football!? I wish you all the best  :beermug:

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2019, 09:49:02 AM »
So everything settled with players and administrators now ? Or it was fake news

The players debts have been settled, but some players saying de $300 USD for de Wales match is inadequate.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2019, 11:24:49 AM by Tallman »
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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2019, 11:27:26 AM »
So everything settled with players and administrators now ? Or it was fake news

The players debts have been settled.
Interesting, and no report. Does that include women as well? What about TD?  Where did funds surface from, does Board know? Is there more to pay up coming Sheldon Phillips? Maybe I missed some post, but is the TTFA now operating like it should, with a new influx of monies?

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #20 on: February 16, 2019, 12:05:26 PM »
So everything settled with players and administrators now ? Or it was fake news

The players debts have been settled.
Interesting, and no report. Does that include women as well? What about TD?  Where did funds surface from, does Board know? Is there more to pay up coming Sheldon Phillips? Maybe I missed some post, but is the TTFA now operating like it should, with a new influx of monies?

Soca Warriors paid in full and ready to face Wales; but players urge DJW to raise match fees
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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #21 on: February 16, 2019, 01:33:29 PM »
So everything settled with players and administrators now ? Or it was fake news

The players debts have been settled.
Interesting, and no report. Does that include women as well? What about TD?  Where did funds surface from, does Board know? Is there more to pay up coming Sheldon Phillips? Maybe I missed some post, but is the TTFA now operating like it should, with a new influx of monies?

Soca Warriors paid in full and ready to face Wales; but players urge DJW to raise match fees


Thanks Tman, 1st sentence covered. Now if we can get some answers to the questions, we can be truly informed. Some might say it’s not our business, but that depends on the source of funds.

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #22 on: February 17, 2019, 07:18:39 PM »
Quote
Statistics can be misleading but, under Giggs, Wales have lost five of nine games. “If we’d have beaten Albania, I would have called it a successful year,” Giggs says. “But we played Spain, Uruguay, Mexico. Denmark twice. Almost all in the world’s top 10. We used experimental squads, experimental systems. So we’ve used this first year to see what we’ve got while looking forward to the Euros. Against Albania we actually played really well first half. We should have won 3-0 but missed easy chances. Then they get a penalty which may not have been one. But sometimes you learn a lot more from defeats.”

A crunch period is looming. On 24 March Wales face Slovakia in Cardiff. It is their opening match in a qualifying group that includes the World Cup finalists Croatia as well as Hungary, Belarus and Azerbaijan. “We need a good start against our main rivals because, after Croatia, I would say it could be between us and Slovakia. They have a new manager but they’ve got talented players. Marek Hamsik stands out. He just broke the goalscoring record for Napoli, overtaking Diego Maradona. So this first game against Slovakia is a big one.”

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/17/ryan-giggs-wales-manchester-united-van-gaal-interview

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Cyrus eyes battle with Bale in Wales friendly
« Reply #23 on: February 18, 2019, 07:10:42 PM »
Cyrus eyes battle with Bale in Wales friendly
TTFA Media


Trinidad and Tobago’s Saudi Arabia-based defender Daneil Cyrus is taking up the challenge from teammate Sheldon Bateau and has pledged to be in tiptop shape for the upcoming international friendly against Wales on March 20th at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

With Gareth Bale likely to be leading the Welsh attach as they prepare for a Euro 202o qualifier against Slovakia, Cyrus will have to be in prime condition as he squares off against one of the leading forwards in the game today.

“The game is against Wales is a big test for most of the players especially some of the younger guys in the group. Right now I am anxious and just trying to keep fit and focused for this one,” Cyrus told TTFA Media on Sunday,

“To face Bale is a massive test for me as a centreback and a defender because we all know Bale is a world class player. It’s a great opportunity for us to go out and show that we can compete. We will go into the game without any fear although we will show them respect. We respect Wales and some of their players but we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated,” Cyrus added.

“Football is on the day and we are working towards going out and giving a good show. It’s just for us to enjoy the game and enjoy the moment knowing that we will be coming up against world class players. I’m really excited for the match especially knowing we will be playing at a venue where former players like Carlos Edwards, the current coach (Dennis) Lawrence and others have graced during their careers,” Cyrus said.

Meantime, Wales head coach Ryan Giggs revealed on the weekend that he had a debrief with some players in London ahead of their preparations for the Euro qualifier in March which includes the warm up against T&T.

Last September, in his first home game, Wales produced a vibrant display of the attacking football Giggs epitomised as a player. They swaggered past the Republic of Ireland, winning 4-1 in an exhilarating and clinical performance. Yet, in their most recent match, Wales lost to Albania, 42 places below them in the world rankings. Unlike a club manager Giggs has had to reflect on that loss for nearly three months.

“It is difficult having such a long break. That’s the tough part about international football. But I keep in contact with the players and yesterday I got the lads together for a little debrief in London and to make sure we’re looking forward to the [Euro 2020]qualifiers in March,” Giggs told the Irish Times on Monday. “When it’s September, October, November, you’re on a roll. But this gap between games is big. You can see why some managers miss that day-to-day contact. The difference is that I was never a [permanent]club manager. I’ve gone straight into international football.

Wales’ clash with Slovakia is their opening match in a qualifying group that includes the World Cup finalists Croatia as well as Hungary, Belarus and Azerbaijan. “We need a good start against our main rivals because, after Croatia, I would say it could be between us and Slovakia. They have a new manager but they’ve got talented players. Marek Hamsik stands out. He just broke the goalscoring record for Napoli, overtaking Diego Maradona. So this first game against Slovakia is a big one,” Giggs added.
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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #24 on: February 19, 2019, 01:22:14 AM »
Soca Warriors paid in full and ready to face Wales; but players urge DJW to raise match fees.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team players are finally paid in full and anxious to turn their attention to next month’s international friendly against Wales. However, there is still the matter of a match fee to be negotiated.

The Soca Warriors received a standard match fee of US$1,000 for friendly internationals since before the turn of the century. But Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams subsequently cut the players’ rate by more than 60 per cent, as he offered just US$300 for matches in 2018.

One international player, who spoke to Wired868 on condition of anonymity, said the Warriors were happy to represent their country and look forward to the challenge posed by Wales. But there is no consensus yet as to whether all the players are willing to play for US$300.

The player insisted that he and his colleagues showed good faith to the TTFA in the past but they now need John-Williams to reciprocate.

“It is a good game for us but I hope he doesn’t keep [our match fees] at US$300,” said the anonymous Warriors player. “I’m hoping he would at least try to meet the players halfway so we could have the best possible squad.

“As far as I know, the players are still waiting to negotiate; but I don’t think players will accept US$300 anymore, especially for such a big game.”

Wales are ranked 19th in the world by FIFA and boast of world class players like Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Juventus-bound midfielder Aaron Ramsey in their ranks, while they are coached by former Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

In contrast, Trinidad and Tobago are ranked 93rd by FIFA and the Warriors head coach cannot be certain of having his top attacking player, Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino, at the current US$300 rate. At least two international players suggested they would follow Molino’s example if John-Williams does not raise their match fees.

There is an element of uncertainty about which coach will be leading out the Warriors next month as well.

A TTFA media release suggested that incumbent Dennis Lawrence will lead the squad out at the Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground in Wales next month. Lawrence, a former World Cup 2006 stand-out, is a Hall of Fame inductee at Wrexham alongside compatriot Carlos Edwards.

However, Lawrence is out of contract since 31 January and, although John-Williams indicated that he wanted the lanky rookie to remain as head coach, the board is yet to make a determination.

The TTFA board meets next Wednesday and the question of the head coaching void is one of several points raised for discussion by Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president and TTFA board member Keith Look Loy.

One player who made no secret about his excitement over the upcoming friendly is defender Sheldon Bateau, who signed a one-year deal with Norway top flight club Sarpsborg 08 FF this week.

“This is a game that could change your life, it can change your career,” Bateau told the TTFA Media. “It’s a very good opportunity for us as players. We should set a goal to do well in this game and accept the challenge; and not only accept the challenge but compete and get a result.

“I think everyone should be really motivated for this game because I am and am sure the other players are as well.”

Bateau has not played competitive football since 2018 while the Norwegian professional season does not get underway until late March. But he says he will be ready for the Welsh test and believe his teammates will be as well.

Trinidad and Tobago are preparing for the June 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup while Wales play Slovakia in a Euro 2020 qualifier, four days after facing the Warriors.

“For me this game is […] the only thing on my mind right now, after having signed with a new team,” said Bateau. “[…] This is a huge challenge and is one we shall welcome as a country to play against a team that has world class players apart from Gareth Bale. It will be a good challenge to see where we are at and how much work we need to put in before the Gold Cup.

“[…] As players, you live for games like this. It will definitely be a tough game but I think we will be ready in time for it.”

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Re: Cyrus eyes battle with Bale in Wales friendly
« Reply #25 on: February 19, 2019, 01:48:22 PM »
Cyrus eyes battle with Bale in Wales friendly
TTFA Media


Trinidad and Tobago’s Saudi Arabia-based defender Daneil Cyrus is taking up the challenge from teammate Sheldon Bateau and has pledged to be in tiptop shape for the upcoming international friendly against Wales on March 20th at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

...

“Football is on the day and we are working towards going out and giving a good show. It’s just for us to enjoy the game and enjoy the moment knowing that we will be coming up against world class players. I’m really excited for the match especially knowing we will be playing at a venue where former players like Carlos Edwards, the current coach (Dennis) Lawrence and others have graced during their careers,” Cyrus said.

Meantime, Wales head coach Ryan Giggs revealed on the weekend that he had a debrief with some players in London ahead of their preparations for the Euro qualifier in March which includes the warm up against T&T.

Last September, in his first home game, Wales produced a vibrant display of the attacking football Giggs epitomised as a player. They swaggered past the Republic of Ireland, winning 4-1 in an exhilarating and clinical performance. Yet, in their most recent match, Wales lost to Albania, 42 places below them in the world rankings. Unlike a club manager Giggs has had to reflect on that loss for nearly three months.

“It is difficult having such a long break. That’s the tough part about international football. But I keep in contact with the players and yesterday I got the lads together for a little debrief in London and to make sure we’re looking forward to the [Euro 2020]qualifiers in March,” Giggs told the Irish Times on Monday. “When it’s September, October, November, you’re on a roll. But this gap between games is big. You can see why some managers miss that day-to-day contact. The difference is that I was never a [permanent]club manager. I’ve gone straight into international football.
...

Giggs was speaking to The Guardian, but the article was carried in The Irish Times also. Note the acknowledgment by The Irish Times' use of the words "Guardian service" at the bottom of their web publication.

The original article was posted on this thread a few days ago and the writer himself makes the original source clear.

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #26 on: February 22, 2019, 05:44:00 AM »
Senior Team commences preparations for Wales friendly.
TTFA Media.


A Trinidad and Tobago senior men’s provisional squad took the field at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Thursday morning as preparations commenced for this country’s international friendly against Wales on March 20th in Wrexham.

Head coach Dennis Lawrence led his players and members of staff out after the TTFA board approved a two and half year extension to Lawrence’s contract as head coach of the Men’s Senior Team on Wednesday evening at a board meeting at the FA’s headquarters in Couva. This extension will see Lawrence through in his position as head coach to beyond the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Concacaf Nations League and into the qualification for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers for Qatar.

Lawrence will name his final squad for the Wales encounter closer to matchday but will work with the current bunch of players at daily sessions for the next two weeks.

Goalkeeper Marvin Phillip who was involved in Thursday’s session spoke about the resumption of the training and Lawrence’s extension, saying it was welcomed news for the team.

“It’s great that he will continue as head coach. He already has his plans set out and he has done a good job thus far. He has already familiarised himself with the players and they respect him and will go all out for him,” Phillip told TTFA Media after training on Thursday.

“It is always an honour to be with the national team preparing for a game of this nature. This morning was a bit tough for the local players who have been out of the game since December. It’s not going to be easy but we are up to the task,” he continued.

Looking towards the Wales clash, he added, “This game is a massive one for our country. Wales is ranked highly on the world rankings. We have to accept the challenge and show up for that game on the 20th. The players have to dig deep for it as well as in their personal time in the lead up to the match,” he said.

Phillip is also looking to seal a place in the team for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

“A lot of players will be tussling and jostling for selection for the Gold Cup and this game will be very good preparation for it. The Gold Cup for me is the next best thing after the World Cup for us as a country. I think we have what it takes to win the Gold Cup. Jamaica has reached the final two times before and if we just dig deep as country I think we can reach the final also and go on to win it,” Phillip stated.

The members of the squad were also given a first hand tour of the TTFA Home of Football Accommodation hotel on Thursday following the training session with TTFA President David John-Williams proudly leading the walk through as Phillip and company saw some of the rooms that will bring about a sense of awe with amenities and touches guests will rave about.

They also observed one of the training pitches that is located mere metres away from the hotel which is ideal for team preparations. John-Williams announced to the players that the facility should be ready to accommodate them in residential training camps by April of this year.

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #27 on: February 23, 2019, 10:36:10 AM »
I guess it wasn't convenient for the TTFA to state who is in the provisional squad.

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Alvin Corneal invited by Lawrence to address Senior Team players
« Reply #28 on: February 27, 2019, 08:12:49 PM »
Alvin Corneal invited by Lawrence to address Senior Team players
TTFA Media


Dennis Lawrence invited and welcomed former national team player and coach Alvin Corneal to address members of the current Senior Men’s provisional training squad at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Tuesday. Lawrence’s intention was to have Corneal, one of the past greats of T&T’s football come in and speak to the players to share his wisdom and life knowledge gained through the game, reinforcing certain personal characteristics, responsibility, persistence, self-discipline, teamwork and representing the Red,White and Black.

“I feel so good to be able to talk to you guys in a way which I hope they would understand,” Corneal said.
“One of the greater features that I have experienced at this point in time is that I looked at the work that has been done by Dennis since he has been here and he has been able to transform a few, he’s been able  to get an attitude out of some and he has been able to do some things that have been absent from our game for a long time.

“Being naturally talented is excellent but being a good player is a commitment,” Corneal told the players.

“Playing football is no longer just a game, it is a business, it is a commitment and a commitment not only to you but to your country. This game is a team game. This game is not about how I can dribble or shoot but how can I make the rest of the team develop. You have got the start thinking about the other persons and how they are thinking. We are all different in our thoughts. The personalities may be different between what you do here with Dennis and then when you go back to your clubs. You have to got to utilise your understanding to benefit from his work as oppose to also benefiting from the other’s work.

“I have learnt that there is nothing you can do as an individual that will win a game alone and there is nothing that you should do if one of your players makes a mistake on the field because he is a human being. Those things can reduce the support within the team,” Corneal said.

I honestly believe that we have some really natural footballers. How do you utilise it in the contest of the whole picture?” he asked.

“There are not too many teams in the world who pay an emphasis on winning the ball. Maybe they have a different philosophy. You have got to get that ball otherwise you can’t win, you can’t play if you don’t have the ball. This is one of the teams that I’ve seen where you guys give the impression that you are probably as capable as anyone I’ve seen.

The former Trinidad and Tobago cricketer and member of FIFA Technical Study Group emphasized on the importance of teamwork in order to attain success at the highest level.

“This is the only game in the world as far as I am concerned that you must work with each other, you must think for each other, You must listen to the coach as often as you can. Let me get into the act of doing things that you (Lawrence) want done. He has done a good job of it so far. We have got to understand it guys that yes you want to make the team but you also want to the team with the quality of being part of that team. Those are the important things,” Corneal continued.

The senior team preparations continues with daily sessions at the Ato Boldon Stadium ahead of the March 20th International friendly against Wales in Wrexham ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup in June in the US.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/jTXiLV2tPOo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/jTXiLV2tPOo</a>
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Re: Thread for the T&T vs Wales Game (20-Mar-2019)
« Reply #29 on: February 27, 2019, 08:57:15 PM »
I guess it wasn't convenient for the TTFA to state who is in the provisional squad.

Updates?


 

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