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Terry FenwickSan Juan Jabloteh head coach and former England international Terry Fenwick spoke to the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) about his team's participation in the 2010 CFU qualifiers thus far, and his ambitions for the Club and players despite the financial hardship they are currently experiencing.

 

Getting right down to business, one could not refrain from asking about the "game of the week" or, shall I say the CFU game of the year...(so far). A game where gun shots rang off to cool down the violence and blows passed from the field straight down to the players’ locker rooms. This is probably a first in the history of T&T club football.

San Juan Jabloteh played River Plate PR last Sunday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad. Terry and his troops were up against a team with thirteen Argentines on their roster, 2007 Liga Premier winners, runners up in their maiden league season (2008), 2009 Copa Monteplata winners and defending PR league champions (2009).

Immediately Terry knew he had his work cut out for him as his opponents were only three years old and have been on the inclined since their inception. Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico, known also as River Plate, RPPR or simply River, is a Puerto Rican football club, established in 2007 which play in the Puerto Rico Soccer League.

Terry was eager to tackle the task ahead. When asked:

Flex - "So Terry, what are your thoughts on the game?"

Terry - "We really could not have written the script better…   We watched River Plate play Alpha United (Guyana) on Friday evening and went straight to camp from there.

"The following morning we held a question an answer session with the players to see if they had picked up the key information necessary to undo River Plate.

"It is worth noting that this team has several Argentineans in their ranks and that they are the current champions of Puerto Rico, so we knew we had excellent opposition against us!

"I was delighted with the feedback. My players recognized the shape of their team, they were not particularly athletic, notably volatile, neat and tidy footballers, we identified their best players and began strategically dismantling them over the three sessions we had before the game.
"
Upon arriving at the Larry Gomes Stadium the River Plate players and staff were already incensed at the condition of the playing field and the poor markings of the pitch…. Another big plus for us…. We’ve played on worse all pre-season! 

"We made the game hot, quickened the pace, similar to the US vs T&T in Chicago, we closed their intricate passing game down, frustrated their main players and got into them!

The game wasn’t particularly entertaining but it was tactically enthralling.  We knew it was a matter of time before this side would crack!  And they did… frustration led to off the ball incidents and late tackles.

"Our pre-match preparation was about us…. do not react, tackle them, pick em’ up, dust them down and go again!  For the main part our players displayed great composure and discipline…. I was proud of their application, we had their number!

"Once Marcano scored we knew they would blow up. Following their first sending off we changed our tactics and kept possession which further frustrated the already volatile River Plate players…   

Then, to my disappointment, Cyrano Glen broke rank and gave in to a selfish desire to retaliate, schoolboy error!  That gave River Plate a lift for a few moments until we regained control and another River Plate player was sent off…   

"Cyrano, such a nice kid and not at all abrasive, lost it for a mad moment.

"Regrettably, I displayed my anger at Cyrano’s actions… an apology has already been accepted by Cyrano for my misdemeanor.

The game was then a formality. River Plate had really no one but themselves to blame for their poor display, indiscipline and unprofessionalism."       

Flex - "Was this the first time you have experienced a game like this?

Terry - "Yes, this was the first time I’ve experienced something like this….. as a player, playing in front of big crowds, there was always ample security and stewards policing the game…. The after game fiasco on Sunday at the Larry Gomes was shocking and should not be seen again!"

Flex - "Now that you've advanced to the April 28 - May 10 CFU final round and will face Joe Public, Puerto Rican clubs Bayamon FC and Puerto Rico Islanders, how are you planning to approach such games?"

Terry - "Well we know all about Joe Public and we have a fair idea about Puerto Rico Islanders, Bayamon of Puerto Rico are an unknown entity at the moment, but we’ll do our home work and prepare as best as possible to give ourselves the best possible chance of qualifying for the CONCACAF stage of the competition."

Flex - "Overall, are you satisfied with your team's performance and discipline? Are you also ready for the 2010 season kick off?"

Terry - "Jabloteh are operating like Portsmouth at the moment, everything is a challenge, we have prepared as best as possible, but a number of essentials have not been forthcoming… but I must give my players huge respect for the manner in which they have applied themselves during this difficult time for the Club."

Flex - "I believe for the CONCACAF Cup depth and experience is important and I know you are limited on funds. Can we expect anymore 2010 signings?"

"Well Flex, Yes, we are in final negotiations with Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Terry ended with a chuckle....

CFU Club Champions Cup
(Three teams qualify for CONCACAF Champions League)

Final Round At Macoya, Trinidad

Wednesday, May 5
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Bayamon FC (PUR)
Joe Public (TRI) vs. San Juan Jabloteh (TRI)

Friday, May 7
Joe Public (TRI) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR)
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Bayamon FC (PUR)

Sunday, May 9
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR)
Joe Public (TRI) vs. Bayamon FC (PUR)