Soca Warriors regain financial friends

The government’s decision to invest over $4 million to the programme must be music to the ears of the T&T Football Federation whose bank account always appears to be at rock bottom. I suppose that there may have been some level of expectancy for making a fair profit from the gate receipts of last Sunday’s friendly, now that the management team has been vigorously making efforts to bring about a professional look to the proceedings.

Now that there is funding for the upcoming matches, vis a vis players’ fees, coaches’ salaries, hotel, airline tickets, meals, etc, there is absolutely no reason why the present team, under the watchful eyes of Otto Pfister, an experienced German with the appearance of a no-nonsense leader, should be mentally disturbed. Simultaneous with the announcement by the Minister of Sport Anil Roberts that funds are on the way, the names of the invited foreign-based players have been announced, a move which is sure to raise the emotions of the fans.

One of the frequent practices of the more advanced football countries is the desire of their fans to witness training sessions of their national teams in order to be convinced that the selected  players for the matches have proven themselves on the pitch. As it stands at this point in time, a squad of at least 30 players will come together on Monday for the task, firstly in an effort to hold a place in the team, and secondly, wanting to be the early starters in the quest for glory in Brazil.

The big question now will be the composition of this squad in terms of the judgment call which is to be made by the coach. What appears to be a simple exercise can turn out to be a crucial one which could lead us to the front at the start of the race, or force us to work much harder in the away game against Barbados on September 6. No doubt, close assessment of the locals on Sunday could have helped the coaching staff to form an opinion on the players, some positively and others negatively. Because football is such a wonderful game whereby almost everyone has a point of view which may differ with all else. So there will be hardly any surprises when the final sheet has been handed out to the officials. Who would wish to challenge goalkeeper Marvin Phillips after such a fine display of shot stopping at crucial times during the match?

This country must be in search of some competent goalkeepers, a feature of our game which had deteriorated within the last decade as compared to the times when Michael Maurice, Earl Carter, John Granville were in their prime together. Today, this is not the case and the jury is out in search of someone even to sit on the reserve bench. Whispers of the name Anthony Warner sounds ludicrous to my ears, knowing that even four years ago, he was not good enough to play at the national level, and much time has passed since that period. I am told that he is now plying his trade in New Zealand, not exactly a strong football country and much more suited to rugby and cricket. However, a fit Marvin Phillips will save us the headache presently, so let us look to the balance of the team.

Few would challenge Carlos Edwards if his name appears on the right wing back slot, where his surging forward runs will produce good crossed balls for Kenwyne Jones to show his finishing power, and when he wends his way inside rather than the flank run, his shooting ability will be an asset. If we recall Bermuda’s thrust in that fatal match two years ago, we will realise that a left wing back with good defensive qualities and an aggressive mentality must be a consideration and Akeem Adams may just be that player. The youngster has come through the ranks of U-17 in Korea, U-20 in Egypt and the senior team, so there is no shortage of experience.

Maybe our most uncomfortable department will be the trio of two central defenders and a deep lying midfielder. Vulnerability showed up in that department when Carlyle Mitchell and Seon Powers, both strong and talented performers, were unable to communicate well when faced with quick decisions. They either both rushed at the opponent together or backed away together, bringing moments of confusion and forcing the keeper into a brilliant mode. A thoughtful consideration could well be Julius James to join the aggressive Powers in central defense and Mitchell or Christopher Birchall be asked to be the deep defending midfielder.

There will be need for Khaleem Hyland, an ideal player with high work rate, good passing choices and a ball winner in centre midfield to make assurance doubly sure that passing lanes through the middle are fruitless. Without watching too many practice sessions in recent times, it will be unfair for me  to judge Hayden Tinto and Hughton Hector as to their present form, but they both  had some fine penetrative moments from that right flanked angle when approaching goal and actually scoring, Tinto against Mexico in the Axteca and Hector at various times in the national matches. There is hardly anyone who will fit the left midfield position as good as Keon Daniel, when he wants to play. The coach’s choice will be based upon his commitment at practice sessions.

Skipper Jones and Darryl Roberts will probably be a well matched pair of strikers, with Jones posting up beneath central defenders and moving smartly to create combinations with Roberts. This pair can bring goals to the team. Of course, this is somewhat speculative thinking, based upon what I know of these players. Any adjustments by the coaching staff will be more definitive than my own, as they are always at the sessions. I expect to see either one of Andre Toussaint or the veteran Stern John coming off the bench if the need arises.

The country’s leading goal scorer is not yet the  fitness level needed and will hardly last a full game, while Toussaint’s speed at anytime will be a surprise package for an unsuspecting defence line. I have to admit the absence of Kevin Molino is a disappointment to me. This young man is the finished product of the youth development programme of the past seven years and has put every step right so far. Whatever the reasons, let us hope that he eventually gets his chance to show his worth. Any of those who saw the Digicel Caribbean Cup Final tournament will recall his skill and effective penetration down the right flank. This is the time to place our investment of the last few years on the field to continue their upward thrust to the top.