Warriors prepare for Sunday's friendly vs Barbados.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
   
National Team head coach Francisco Maturana, back from meetings with some of this country’s UK-based professionals in London earlier this week, will have a final opportunity before the England friendly to see some more of what his home-based players have to offer in Sunday’s warm up international against Barbados at the Marvin Lee Stadium from 6pm.
Maturana will resume training on Friday with a fully local-based outfit as French-based striker Kevaughn Connell is unable to make the trip due to club commitments. Following Sunday’s match, Maturana is expected to finalize his squad for the June 1 encounter with England which will include some more of the overseas-based players.
That same squad will also be together for the June 7 friendly against Jamaica at the Queen’s Park Oval and the opening 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on June 15 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Skipper Aurtis Whitley will again lead the team with the rest of the squad from the 2-0 win over Grenada returning along with three recalls in W Connection defender Kern Cupid, striker Jamaal Gay and Clico Jabloteh forward Lester Peltier.
Maturana is treating the friendly with the respect it deserves as Barbados will coming with serious intent as they prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Concacaf giants United States next month.
“This is an important game just like the others because we are using it to prepare for the World Cup qualification and also the England match that everybody is now talking about,” Maturana told TTFF Media.
“When you have a game like this one against Barbados you have to be serious and play to your best because only when you do this then you can be ready with everything for the bigger matches. I need my players to show me that they can perform at a high level because Barbados will not come to play easily and so we have to keep a good standard. There must be no other way,” he added.
Barbados coach Eyre Sealy says his team is focused on the task ahead of them and they expect to have some overseas-based players for their qualifiers.
“We have some good young talent coming up here on the island and they represent a good future for us. But the availability of some foreign-based professionals is massive to our hopes. We have made contact with a number of guys in England so far and we are hoping and waiting to hear back."
If availability and choice conspire in Sealy's favour, the squad could have more than 11 players from overseas professional leagues, this after the Barbadian FA spent significant time and moneys trying to locate first generation Barbadians living and playing abroad.
Among those contacted is one Marlon Harewood of Aston Villa, a 50-plus goal-getter and FA Cup finalist during his time with West Ham. Described by Sealy as "an outstanding player," the powerful big striker has three goals for the Villains this term and is widely respected in the Premiership for his pace and raw power. He has never played for Barbados, but at the age of 27, Harewood's hopes of earning a cap for the country of his birth, England, are growing slim.
According to fifa.com also contacted by the Barbados FA are Emerson Boyce of Wigan Athletic, Louie Soares (Aldershot Town) and his brother Tom of Crystal Palace. Paul Ifill (also of Crystal Palace), Mark McCammon (Doncaster Rovers) and Neil Harvey (Retford United), all three of whom represented Barbados in last year's Digicel Caribbean Cup finals, are expected to be in the squad. Barbados last defeated Dominica 1-0 in its previous World Cup qualifier in March. Prior to Sunday’s feature game, the Eastern Football Association will kick off with a 3pm match between WASA FC and Malabar FC.

T&T Squad

1.Marvin Phillip – W Connection
2.Glenroy Samuel – Under 20s
3.Aklie Edwards – Defence Force
4.Kareem Smith – United Petrotrin
5.Anton Pierre – Defence Force
6.Keyeno Thomas – Joe Public
7.Makan Hislop – United Petrotrin
8.Akeem Adams – W Connection
9.Khaleem Hyland – Unattached
10.Stephan David – Caledonia AIA
11.Autis Whitley – W Connection
12.Ataullah Guerra – San Juan Jabloteh
13.Kern Cupid – W Connection
14.Keon Daniel – United Petrotrin
15.Kevon Carter – Defence Force
16.Lester Peltier – San Juan Jabloteh
17.Jamaal Gay – Under 20s
18.Jerrol Forbes – United Petrotrin.

Maturana looks on as Stern John saves Southampton.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
   
Stern John did what he does best. And he did it in front of National Team head coach Francisco Maturana, netting a double to lead Southampton to a dramatic 3-2 win over Sheffield United and save them from relegation on the last day of the season.
Needing to win at all costs, John saved the day for his club with goals in the 53rd and 69th minutes, giving Maturana a close up look of his scoring abilities as the Colombian along with assistant Anton Corneal and team manager David Muhammad were in the Director’s Box as guests of the club on the day.
John put Southampton in front and on course to stay up before substitute Jonathan Stead's equalizer in front of a crowd of 31,957 at home in St Mary’s.
John struck again to save Saints from relegation but the striker was sent off on 80 minutes for a second bookable offense and the hosts were forced to endure a tense finish. John had been booked before for pulling his shirt off after scoring the opener.
Saints fans watched their 10-man team protect a narrow lead for the final 10 minutes knowing that a United equaliser would see them fall below both Coventry and Leicester and into the relegation zone of the English Championship Division.
An ecstatic John delivered when it mattered most to finish the season with 19 goals as Southampton finished in 20th spot with 54 points, one point more and a place above his ex-club Coventry City.
“I always have confidence because I know my capabilities as a goalscorer but today was special because it was do or die and you never know how things could go,”John told  TTFF Media. “But we hung in there and I put the ball where the Southampton fans wanted it to go. No club likes being relegated and credit must go to the entire team and especially the manager who came here and worked very hard to try and help us turn around the results. The fans were great and the club now has to look ahead to building for a better season next time around.”
The former Birmingham City hitman knew that Maturana was looking on and his performance couldn’t have been better timed.
“It’s good to know that he (Maturana) came up to see a couple games and his timing was good… he got to see a special win for the club and fortunately I was on target today. I hope to do the same for Trinidad and Tobago when the time comes,” added the Southampton “Player of the Year”.
His showing would have brought back memories of similar double goalscoring performances against Guatemala and Mexico at a time when the “Soca Warriors” were in dire need during the latter stages of the 2006 World Cup qualifying bid.
“Those are good memories and will stay with me forever and what happened today for Southampton is just another piece to add to the records.”
T&T team manager Muhammad said he, Maturana and Corneal will meet with some of the UK-based pros in London tomorrow (Monday) to discuss plans for the upcoming World Cup schedule.
“So far the trip has gone well. We were off to see Swansea City play yesterday with Jason Scotland and Dennis Lawrence and then today we were guests of Southampton and we saw a special day for them. We will meet with the players on Monday and return later in the week to prepare for the match against Barbados on Sunday,” Muhammad said.
The T&T team will resume training on Friday at the Marvin Lee Stadium with a similar squad of players from the recent 2-0 win over Grenada expected to regroup. French-based striker Kevaughn Connell has been invited a second time while US-based defender Ancil Farrier gets the call as well. Barbados are preparing for World Cup qualifying matches against the United States next month. T&T are preparing for the upcoming June 1 Centennial clash with England on June 1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium as well as a friendly against Jamaica at the Queen’s Park Oval on June 7 and its opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda at home on June 15 and away on June 22.

Maturana arrives in England to meet with players.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF Media).

England’s National Team will arrive here on May 29 but before that, Francisco Maturana will meet with members of the National Senior Team in London as he plans ahead for the Centennial Clash at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and the upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifying tie with Bermuda.
Maturana, assistant coach Anton Corneal and manager David Muhammad arrived in England on Thursday and will meet with some of the UK-based professionals as well as attend a couple games on the weekend.
This is a similar type trip made by past national coaches including ex-coach Leo Beenhakker with the aim of holding discussions with the players, to sensitize them of the upcoming programs relating to qualification.
Maturana explained: “It’s important for us to meet with our players and talk about certain things ahead of the matches we have coming up. They will come to Trinidad in May to prepare but I think it was necessary to go to them as well and talk about our plans so that when they are here… it will be just about our preparations for the England game and the qualification matches,” Maturana told TTFF Media.
Sunderland midfielder Carlos Edwards welcomed the visit by Maturana and company. “The season is almost over and as players we’re quite relieved and happy about that. The coach will be coming to meet with us and see a couple games and I think it’s a good idea. Some of us haven’t met with him much and those like myself will meet him for the first time since he took the job. I’m looking forward to it and it’s important that we discuss our ideas and intentions before getting down to the football,” Edwards told TTFF Media.
The team is expected to come together for a training camp on local soil from May 16 leading up to the England game which will be followed by a June 7 friendly against Jamaica in Port of Spain and the June 15 first World Cup qualifier against Bermuda also at home.
Before that Maturana will take charge of team comprising players similar to the last two matches against Jamaica and Grenada, for another friendly against Barbados at the Marvin Lee Stadium on Sunday May 11, 2008.

Debutants hit the mark.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
     
Trinidad and Tobago’s National Senior Team, with three debutants in its starting line up, scored a comfortable 2-0 victory over Grenada in Sunday’s friendly international at the Marvin Lee Stadium Macoya.
Head coach Francisco Maturana would have been pleased to get goals from two of his debutants – Kevon Carter and Jerol Forbes and he would have been satisfied with promising showings from Kevaughn Connell, Kareem Smith and Devon Jorsling before an appreciative crowd. Midfielder Ataullah Guerra also entered the game in the second half, making his debut in the process for the Aurtis Whitley led team.
Grenada, though starting with the busier approach to proceedings, barely tested goalkeeper Marvin Phillip on goal and would have taken a lot out of the exercise in which to work on back in St George as Costa Rican head coach Hernan Medford also observed proceedings from the main stands at the Macoya venue.
Forbes, a half time substitute headed an Aurtis Whitley left side free kick down into the left corner of the net for T&T’s opening goal on 57 minutes. And Carter, fought off three challenges before hitting home in the 70th minute.
"I think it was a good win in that it's always good for your team to be winning. It helps the mind. But we have work to do and with every game it helps to realise where we need to improve our game. I thought the new players showed good promise. I was pleased about that," Maturana said after the win.
Carter, impressive with his quick surges on the right, remained humble but knows his impact was noted on the evening.
"It feels good of course to score on your debut. I think I tried to follow the coach's instructions. It's a step up from the Pro League level but it's all part of the learning process. I will like to keep it up and score even more goals," Carter said.

T&T: - 21.Marvin Phillips, 2.Kareem Smith, 3.Akile Edwards, 4.Makan Hislop, 6.Anton Pierre, 7.Khaleem Hyland (13.Kevaughn Connell 46th) 9.Aurtis Whitley (capt), 8.Kerry Baptiste (18.Jerol Forbes 46th) 11.Devon Jorsling (12.Stephan David 66th), 16.Kevon Carter (17.Ataullah Guerra 85th), 19.Keon Daniel.

Un-Used Subs: - 1.Glenroy Samuel, 5.Keyeno Thomas.

Grenada: - Desmond Noel, 2.Eric George, 3.Kyle Joseph, 4.Cassim Langaigne, 6.Marc Marshall, Ricky Charles (capt), 10.Denis Rennie, 17.Nickel Paul, 21.Patrick Modeste, 22.Shane Rennie, 25.Kwan Baptiste.

Subs: - 5.Shanon Phillip, 7.Henson Cuffie, 8.Nigel Baptiste, 11.Marcus Julien, 13.Michael Francis, 14.Brian Benjamin, 15.Stephon Hood, 26.Andray Charles (GK).

Guerra wants a better life through football.
...'Give me 20 minutes against Grenada'
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Former National Under 20 striker Ataullah Guerra believes that as little as a 20-minute run for the Soca Warriors on Sunday against Grenada will do him a world of good as he attempts to break away from his struggles in East Dry River.
Guerra, linked to English club Portsmouth last year, describes his upbringing as “tough under very difficult conditions in my community” and now he’s hoping to use football and the wearing of the red, white and black strip to give him a lease on life.
The 19-year-old brother of the late Mark Guerra, murdered in 2003, says he wants to become a fixture in Maturana’s team and believes he is focused more than ever after falling out of national selection in the past because of a wayward training attendance record.
“It’s been tough for me and my family but they have always tried to support me in my football. Now I will try my best to make it my duty to represent my country it’s an honour to do this,” Guerra, of Clico San Juan Jabloteh told TTFF Media.
“Coming from the area where I live – East Dry River, people always look to you to being doing wrong all the time or involved in crime. I want them to understand that football is my life right now and I am willing to give it my best shot and work as hard as I can. They said a lot of bad things about my brother. He was never bad to me but now I have to try and get over that feelings people have. I have to try and make it…” Guerra added on Thursday.
When asked why he has not made regular appearances at national team training in the past, Guerra said: “A lack of focus and not having enough confidence in myself was the reason for that. I wasn’t sure about what I wanted. Things will change because I am always truthful to myself. If I do the right things then good things will happen.”
“I followed the hard work of Travis Mulraine and try to follow his ways in life  because he’s a good friend of mine. I also admire Russell Latapy … he is a very good player,” Guerra said.
“I will try my best to make this chance work for me. The current coach puts us first as youths and that is a very good feeling for us as youngsters. Even if I could play 20 minutes against Grenada, it will be like a dream come true to me. This is my chance to make a difference in my life and try to help the country on the football field,” he  concluded.
Meantime team captain Aurtis Whitley is welcoming any sort of rugged approach from Grenada on Sunday as he believes the harder they come at the “Soca Warriors” the better the hosts will react.
“I think we need a hard game from them. We don’t expect they will come and pay easy football.. they want to win as well and they also have World Cup qualifiers to prepare for. I think our team is in good shape at the moment. We are unbeaten for the year and the confidence is there. We have players that are hungry and I expect to see that on the pitch on Sunday.”
Whitley and his teammates underwent fitness examinations over the past two days with Uruguayan specialist trainer Jose Luis Davila. Head coach Francisco Maturana and trainer Jorge Luis worked with Davila in the past.
Maturana added: “This is important for us because we can get an accurate idea on the condition of the players. It means that we can plan our fitness program to meet the needs of the players and work on improving it.”
Assistan coach Anton Corneal further explained “What we did was take a full recording of the players physical state – their weight, body fat and muscle mass among other recordings. We tested their football fitness level which is relevant to what we need from their bodies for the game itself. And now a recording will be kept and a comparison will be made to other international and professional players. We hope to continue this type of monitoring with all our players.
Take a full recording of players state, weight, body fat, muscle mass. Took their strength physical, tested their fitness level, football fitness level. Comparison to players similar in professional leagues and international players,” Corneal said. The Grenadians are scheduled to arrive at 8pm on Friday night for Sunday’s game which kicks off at 6pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.

View video of session, Connell interview, comments from Corneal and Whitley, click here

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