Messages

31

Football / Re: A Stern Warning to TTFA and the MOS.... Get us our Games and Prep

« on: July 25, 2015, 06:30:56 PM »

It sounds like you are asking for the Sports Ministry to have direct input in the negotiation of international games on the federations behalf? It would seem very suspicious if that is the case...Id imagine the precedence would be that the sports Ministry would then be expected to have direct say in the running of other sports as well, cricket, track and field etc.

Let the TTFF do the negotiation and funding, finding sponsors etc...

But then, a guy who played football a couple years ago has been elevated to minister of sports in T&T...might be tempting to him to have a soft spot for football.

32

Football / Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread

« on: July 25, 2015, 12:31:30 PM »

The J'cans go btch, they get a tough group. 

the teams that advance out of group b will be well prepared for the hex.  if Jamaica continues on its current trajectory, they will be fine home and away vs these teams. Teams in form today can be woefully out of form when qualifiers roll around. This gold cup, plus Copa America Chile has transformed Jamaica...we would have played Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Venezual, in the past month and a Hal alone. We are as prepared as anyone in Concacaf

33

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 23, 2015, 01:46:53 PM »

I find the Panamanians are asking for trouble. If the referee awarded a penalty that they thought was unfair, they have to carry on with the game, I have seen far worse given, including a blatant penalty for a ball handled 8 feet outside the box in a world cup qualifier between Jamaica and USA in 1996.  We were angry, but we carried on with the game and eventually tied up the score.

I understand the disappointment, but red cards, and bad calls are part of the game.

At the end of the day, the ball did hit the players hand in the box...whether accidental or deliberate is up to the interpretation of the 3 officials on the field.

34

Football / Re: The gap in CONCACAF closes.

« on: July 23, 2015, 10:29:05 AM »

The difference between world cup qualifiers and a tournament such as the Gold Cup is that in tournament situations, players have more time to develop team chemistry, the coaches have more time to get accords his tactics to the players etc.  In world cup qualifiers, players come together for 2-3 days before a game, then they go away and come back 2 months later, coach has to start all over again.

Schaeffer had the reggae boys together for close to a month... they gelled, they got to know each other on and off the field.  This has traditionally been a problem for Jamaica given that 95% of our players play in overseas leagues.

Bottom line is,  Caribbean teams can match the bigger teams in the region if the coaches get enough time with the players. When Jamaica qualified for France, 80% of the players lived together, trained regularly... as 80% of the team was based in Jamaica. Fast different scenario in Todays game.

35

Football / Re: The gap in CONCACAF closes.

« on: July 22, 2015, 08:25:50 PM »

I hate Jamaica but for de first time ah glad them f00ckers beat USA, even though Jamaica start 7 foreign born players and play 9 all together who eh even know they anthem. But credit to the team.

Just say congrats and Stop talking BS. When was the last time you sacrifice anything for your country the way these players sacrifice for Jamaica? What have you contributed to your country recently hypocrite? I bet you don't even live in the Caribbean.

36

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 22, 2015, 06:38:07 PM »

I'll have to take a minute to let this one sink in.  I believe our strength In defense has made us into a formidable unit.  I don't believe we will be able to hold onto Schaeffer. He is a master tactician.

Apart from our goalie, I think we executed well in all departments.

I am pretty sure the Mexicans might be having second thoughts after that rough up they got vs T&T.

37

Football / Re: Copa 2016 Playoff games.

« on: July 21, 2015, 10:00:55 AM »

No date has been set as yet. There is a possiblity that Panama may qualify for the Copa by winning the Gold cup (even though that is a little far fetched). So it will probably make sense to wait and see what the outcome is.

I think putting the 4 teams into another playoff is bad decision making by Concacaf and Conmenbol. They should take the top finishers of the Gold cup. Especially considering that Copa 2016 is "up in the air" due to the corruption scandal.

 If they do the playoff in October and Fifa cancels the tournament in November then the playoff would have been a total waste. I wouldn't be surprised if Concacaf and Conmembol pick the highest ranking teams based on the Gold cup.

  There is absolutely no chance that the Copa America Centenario will be cancelled.  With all the corruption this year uncovered in CONCACAF, the current Gold Cupwould have been the first casualty...Tothink that the FBI investigations can stop the tournament taking place is absurd.  That's like saying there will be no world cup in 2018 or 2022 because of corruption. World cup will goon, people will be prosecuted for whatever crimes were committed.

38

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (19-Jul-2015)

« on: July 20, 2015, 01:39:29 PM »

I believe TT playing in New York was a bad idea.. Too many distractions as Hart said earlier..

We need to play in cities with no trini presence to be honest.. We play better..

Toronto, New York, Miami are all places that are not good for this team.. They lose focus too easily..

How about when they play at home in POS? You think they are distracted by all the Trinis that distract them? Interesting point of view.

39

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (19-Jul-2015)

« on: July 20, 2015, 06:01:01 AM »

We went into d game like if we were playin d "big 3" in concacaf...when playin Mexico....d US or CR who are all better teams than us yes we have to play a defensive type game cus dey dat good but not against panama! Panama don't warrant dat typa respect....dey won today cuz we facilitated their play with our neglect to play dem open.

With all due respect, had you played an open game vs Panama as you did vs Mexico its likely that you would have conceded heavily(just like you did vs Mexico). In a quarterfinal game, the preferred approach is to be compact in midfield/defense and see how your opponents react.  The Mexico game somewhat was a special case, Mexico obviously threw everything at you in a game that had very little consequence to both teams, as both of you were already thru to the next round.  They got two goals early and continued hunting for more, leaving their defense exposed for your strikers room to gun them down.  Those tactics are OK for a game that has no great consequence on proceedings, but no coach worth his salt will employ such tactics in a quarterfinal or semifinal game against respectable opponents. Hart took the right approach vs Panama... notice also Mexico employed totally different tactics in the late game last night.

Cuba has been poor all tournament, conceding 14 goals in 3 games... and though Guatemala conceded far less, apparently they are not too far ahead of Cuba given that Cuba beat them.

But to say Panama is a poor team is wide of the mark, in CONCACAF, they are a pretty decent team, and has had great success at the last three gold cups.  I have a strong feeling Jamaica will be facing them for the third place game. On Saturday.

40

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (19-Jul-2015)

« on: July 19, 2015, 06:21:03 PM »

I believe the tactics adopted by TT at the start of game was correct, sit back and allow Panama to do the early running, then look to pounce on the counter.  Problem is your defenders had a lapse on the Panama goal, which meant you had to change strategy prior to first half. 

Fatigue set in as the game went on for both teams, but Panama looked to have slight edge in fitness.

Was not surprised when Panama surrendered the lead, its a feature of their game during the group stages.

I expect all remaining games in the tournament will be tight affairs.

41

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 19, 2015, 11:28:25 AM »

Anyone here willing to entertain the thought of an all Caribbean showdown for the third place game? The football gods would really need to smile down hard for us to have even one team in the championship game...I anticipate they will be using referees from UNCAF and Canada for the semis... expect them to be pro US/Mex/CRC/PAN and anti JAM/T&T

42

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 19, 2015, 04:37:38 AM »

Jamaica, one can tell they have more in their tank. However.

1. After they scored they try to just play procession football and not burn out themselves. Remember, they have a German coach and they are known for strong defensively tactics, hence the reason JA conceding the least goals (+2) in the tournament group stage alongside USA. But its sad in a way, because Jamaica flair they had has gone. The days of attractive football with the likes of Theodore Withmore, Gregory Messam, Andy Williams and Walter Boyd has gone.

2. They almost paid the price though, because as terribly as Haiti were all tournament in front of goal, had they been on target, Jamaica plan could have backed fire.

Kemar Lawrence is a solid left back.

Darren Mattocks was missed.

Lance Laing was effective when he came on.

McAnuff was not his usual self.

Austin was decent in the midfield.

Of all the Jamaican foreign born players (Morgan, Hector, Grant, Dawkins),,,, McAnuff, McCleary, Barnes and Adrian Mariappa looks the best.

I can see, Cuba getting ban from the US one day, that defecting of players is not good.

Some good observations.  Haiti came into this game with momentum behind them, having secured their spot on the last day of group play. The media was behind them, suddenly they were everyone favorites to beat Jamaica. 

Schaeffer is a tactician.  Analyses Jamaica's games in the group stages, wide open game vs Costa Rica, scored 2 conceded 2. Next game vs Canada tactics changed, more of a possession game, bulk of possession, left it late to notch the winner, secured qualification, then in the final game, again they switched off, allowing the Salvadorans tonattack while looking to break on the counter. Another victory.

Whereas Mexico sent a B team to the Copa, Jamaica sent the bulk of the squad that's at the currently goal cup. Schaeffer himself acknowledged that he would have to employ he necessary tactics to prevent player burnout.  Its not easy playing two international football tournaments over a 30 day timespan.

Normally energetic players such as Austin was a shadow of himself last night.  Then they have to hop onto another flight to play in the stifling heat of Atlanta again on Wednesday, then back to the North east after that for the final/third place game.

43

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 18, 2015, 09:34:11 PM »

reggae-fan I really hope JA don't intend to play the US like they played Haiti today. Because America will beat JA like a runaway slave if JA try that approach in Atlanta

The coach knows best sir.  I trust in him to employ the right tactics for the necessary outcome. He has been spot n so far.  I believe the USA will be up for a tough game...Jamaica needs not divert from the way they have played so far, strong in defence and disciplined in midfield will keep the game close.

Cuba has been poor all tournament, save for that one game vs Guatemala, who has been equally as poor.

OK so let we see if JA so called disciplined defense will give the US so many open opportunities in front their goal like they did against Haiti and expect the same result as today. Go brave!

the coaching staff will review the tapes of the USA and do whatever is necessary. We played an attacking game vs Costa rica and scored two goals...a more disciplined approach is needed vs the USA, the opponents must be respected.  The coach knows our strengths, and our weaknesses, so we play to our strengths.  Of course, the USA starts favorites...they are stillfavorites to play in the final with Mexico. Respect the opponents.

44

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 18, 2015, 09:25:51 PM »

reggae-fan I really hope JA don't intend to play the US like they played Haiti today. Because America will beat JA like a runaway slave if JA try that approach in Atlanta

The coach knows best sir.  I trust in him to employ the right tactics for the necessary outcome. He has been spot n so far.  I believe the USA will be up for a tough game...Jamaica needs not divert from the way they have played so far, strong in defence and disciplined in midfield will keep the game close.

Cuba has been poor all tournament, save for that one game vs Guatemala, who has been equally as poor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XImSohZoifY

45

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 18, 2015, 08:28:03 PM »

Do what you have to do to win, this

That game was terrible. It was like watching a yellow 2012 Champions league Chelsea.

Do what is necessary to win...Haiti was chasing the game after the 7 minutes, The onus was on them to score...JA's sole task was to prevent them scoring. Mission accomplished. JA's third string goalie stepped up to the plate and kept two successive clean sheets, they lost two key defenders this week trough injuries and disciplinary problems, they lost a key midfielder and striker also this week due to suspensions. All part of the game, everyone got a chance to contribute. Plaers like Austin, McCleary, et played 3 toughs games in the COPA, followed by what will now be 6 games in the Gold cup. 9 international games in the space of 35 days.

Strong defense is needed to make a deep run into any tournament. We will continue to bank on this aspect of our game to bring us as far as it can, while scoring when the opportunity presents itself. 2 gaols conceded in the tournament so far, one of the best defensive units in the the tournament.

Still two more games to go, and a guarantee of at least a 4th place finish.  Ill be in the Georgia Dome on Wednesday to cheer on the boyz...its been a long summer for most of the players..and fans.  Good luck vs USA, but the tactics have to be spot on to come away with anything...theres plenty at stake for both teams.
 
Hard luck Haiti, Cuba, good luck T&T vs Panama.

46

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Mexico Game (15-Jul-2015)

« on: July 16, 2015, 05:13:12 AM »

Well, that was some entertaining shit last night.

I dunno, but i believe we might will see two Caribbean teams in the semi finals.... we know already we will see at least one.

That T&T vs Mexico game last night is what you get when two teams go out with gunz blazing...the context within which the game was played gave this game all the ingredients for an epic goal-fest. 8 goals!

On to the quarter finals.

I'm based in Atlanta, so ill definitely be at the Dome here to see both semi-finals. Fingers crossed.

Caribbean teams will walk away from this cup with heads held high. Happy for Cuba too that they kicked ass vs Guatemala.

47

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 15, 2015, 05:54:10 PM »

Cuba is beating Guatemala 1-0. If this result holds, all 4 CFU teams will be in the knockout round. Great progress by the CFU teams.

wait, Cuba gets in with a victory? At whose expense?

48

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Mexico Game (15-Jul-2015)

« on: July 15, 2015, 06:11:24 AM »

I'm feeling good about the Mexico game

Who would be your preferred opponent in the quarters? PAN or CRC?

49

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Mexico Game (15-Jul-2015)

« on: July 15, 2015, 02:31:39 AM »

Group winners get Panama in the next round, runners up gets Costa Rica.
Neither here nor there, I expect both T&T and Mexico to rest key players today.

In the other game, a win for Guatemala over Cuba gives them a shot at the USA, El Salvador has a remote chance if Guatemala ties with Cuba.

I'd say rest key players and let the chips fall where they may..Jamaica has lost 4 key players (3 starters) due to injuries/suspension picked up in the El Salvador game..a game which was not a must-win.

In any case, we now know at least one CFU (Haiti/Jamaica) team will make the semis of this years tournament.

The USA/Mexico are chomping at the bit

50

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 14, 2015, 06:50:50 PM »

Interesting, Jamaica played a poor game, got reduced to 10 men, lost our first choice goalie and a key center back in the first 15 minutes but still managed to do enough to win. Good character.

My concern now is that the Copa America and now heavy gold cup schedule is beginning to take a toll on the players when played both tourneys.

Mattocks red carded and will miss quarters and semis.

51

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 14, 2015, 06:11:46 PM »

QF: Jamaica vs Haiti, winner advances to Semi final.

52

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 14, 2015, 09:26:38 AM »

Frico, the Central Americans will tell you they suffered at the hands of Jack Warner.

Living in England makes it difficult to understand what is happening at home,I used to think that JW was the savior of TT football,as the saying goes "the cat has now been let out the bag";I still feel that we have to knock the cocky Central Americans of their perch,I can see,it's slowly going to happen.

Anyone who believes that Jack Warner did nothing for T&T, to a lesser extent Jamaica, and CFU football overall is disillusioned. 

53

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 14, 2015, 06:35:59 AM »

I have been waiting for years to see our Caribbean teams do well,what more can I ask,to see TT,Jamaica and Haiti through to the quarters is magic,would even be better if one of them can win the GC.Our football have suffered for years at the hands of those Central Americans,the table seems to be turning now.I wish TT and Haiti the best but I feel Jamaica will go close,or even win it.
PS.   Panama, i forgot bout them,are they Caribbean or Central Americans,Geography says they are CA,but heritage makes them more kind of Caribbean peeps.

Paulo Wanchope, Joel Campbell and Patton Philips(Panama) have acknowledged their Jamaican ancestry. 

Interesting read here about the black population in Costa Rica and its connection to the caribbean.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Costa_Rican

"The largest Costa Rican black community is from the Caribbean, which today constitutes the majority of the Costa Rican black population. Costa Rica has the largest Jamaican diaspora after Cuba and Panama and its development as a nation is witness to his contribution.[3]"

54

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 14, 2015, 02:49:37 AM »

Thanks guys!
I almost had heart-attack in this game. The two best players walk away from the team  and return to France due to  disagreement with the coach.  One Key midfielder( current PSJ player and former Standard De liege, Jeff-Louis)  and key defense player( Jean Jacques Pierre). As you can see Haiti, had no midfield,  and couldn't play the way we did against the US. We really miss this due in the midfield. I was hopping that all 4 Caribbean teams made it in the second round but it looks like we're going to get 3 out of 4.

Congrats, the better team won on the night.  It's setting up to be possibly [Haiti vs Jamaica] quarter final IF Jamaica finds the will to beat El Salvador tonight. I'm sure both sets of fans(Haitians/Jamaicans) will fancy their team highly against each other. I suspect both Jamaica and Haiti are vastly improved since the last time both teams met in the Caribbean cup semi finals last year.

55

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 05:54:31 PM »

Mexico is only an anomaly because it serves your position. How anomalous is Belize?

Belize? That's stretching it a bit.

56

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 12:14:14 PM »

Last I checked, Mexico doesn't have many, if any, players of African descent in their national team or domestic leagues.

They obviously cope quite well with the "physical, atthletic/speedy style of the Caribbean teams"

That's an interesting point.  I pointed out earlier in this thread that they are an anomaly...they are simply put better than all the other CONCACAF nations backed by one of the strongest domestic leagues outside of Europe. In fact if Mexico were to join CONMEBOL, I believe they would still be regulars at the world cup, albeit perhaps not as regularly as they do from CONCACAF.  But they do have theor fair share of issues against fast, rugged style of play...i believe honduras had has a decent string of results against them in recent years.
 

57

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 10:12:35 AM »

Don't start backpedaling now. Have we not always been physical, athletic and speedy? Why didn't it matter to them before? What does history show?

Two words come to mind: false positive.

Let me help you out. Stats don't lie brother.

Guate vs Jamaica (90% winning record for Jamaica)
http://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/N-C-America/WC-Qualification-CONCACAF-2014-Brazil/head_to_head_statistics/all/1319_Jamaica/1094_Guatemala

Guate vs T&T (overall winning record for T&T)
http://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/N-C-America/CONCACAF-Gold-Cup-2015/head_to_head_statistics/all/2210_Trinidad_and_Tobago/1094_Guatemala

Ill dig up the El Salvador stats in a few

58

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 09:38:43 AM »

Don't you guys agree with me that a CFU team can win  it this year or at the very least has a best chance of win it more than ever..?

Agreed, with the exception of Cuba, who reportedly are having internal issues, id say the Caribbean teams have so far looked good at the tournament. Haiti might have had the toughest of the three groups (PAN, HON, USA) fact that you are still in contention with just one round to go in the prelims is a feather in your cap.

It will get tougher in the later rounds, plus as always we will have to be mindful of the officials, as we are perceived to be overly physical.

59

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 09:30:05 AM »

Still trying to see how you see race (black players) as being informative or telling or instructive.

What am I reading into it? That Guatemala's program hasn't achieved success because they lack black players? Same thing with El Salvador? That seems to be your assertion.

I'm aware of Cavani's comment (just can't believe you're using his comment in serious conversation). What did Ruiz have to say?

Its not specifically an issue of race, its more to do with them not being able to cope with the physical, athletic/speedy style of the Caribbean teams, and the elite UNCAF teams(HON, PAN, CRC), in general.

you reading too much between the lines.

60

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Thread.

« on: July 13, 2015, 05:56:40 AM »

You shouldn't start your day with nonsense. As it's "no coincidence", what is it attributable to?

I'd imagine the reason the likes of Panama, Honduras, and Costa Rica has more players of African descent on their national team is because of the makeup of their population. El Salvador and Guatemala has significantly less African ancestry than the big three UNCAF teams. It would make sense to reason therefore that the domestic leagues in both El Salvador and ?Guatemala has less of these players.... and as a result, they have a harder time matching up with the very physical and athletics nature of such players. Of course, I can be wrong, have been many times in the past. 

You probably reading too much between the lines. Its clear cut - Its no coincidence that Guatemala and El Salvador has not had much success in recent times..., Guatemala has yet to qualify for a senior Men's world cup, while el Salvador last qualified some 40 years ago. the top three UNCAF teams composition tells the picture. You don't have to agree. Note Edison Cavani and Carlos Ruiz comments about Jamaica and T&T recently to the press.  USA and Canada following suit as well. Mexico is an anomaly.

Look at the current gold cup group standings, surprise, two Caribbean teams are at the top of two of the three groups.

You don't have to agree with my assessment... its just an opinion.