Topics

121

Football / Gillette Word Sport: Just saw TnT featured

« on: May 07, 2006, 09:54:28 PM »

It lasted at least 5-6mins......which is HUGE
Yorke,Ince, Stern John, Birchall all spoke...spoke alot about Beenie

Ah cry again when dey show Stern score the bullet against Mexico

122

Football / One Of My favourite Players Of all Time is about to Retire

« on: May 05, 2006, 08:34:08 AM »

May 4 (Reuters) - Factbox on Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp who retires at the end of the English season: 1969: Born May 10, Amsterdam. Named after Denis Law, but

registrar refused to accept spelling and his father had

to insert another n. 1986: Aged 16 makes league debut for Ajax v Roda in December. 1987: Substitute appearance as Ajax beat Lokomotiv Leipzig 1-0

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
to lift European Cup Winners' Cup. 1988: Scores in 10 consecutive league games, a Dutch record. 1990: Makes international debut as a substitute against Italy;

two months later scores first goal, against Greece. Wins

Dutch championship medal with Ajax. 1991: Named Dutch Footballer of the Year. 1992: Part of the Ajax side that lift UEFA Cup by beating

Torino. 1993: Joins Inter Milan for $12 million having scored 103

goals in 185 league games for Ajax. Named third in FIFA

player of the year. 1994: Inter win UEFA Cup beating Salzburg.

Plays in World Cup in the United States, Netherlands

lose to Brazil. Develops a fear of flying after a false

bomb threat on a flight carrying the Dutch team triggers

panic. 1995: Joins Arsenal for 7.5 million pounds ($13.9 million)

after struggling in Italy where he scored just 11 goals

in 52 games. 1997: Signs new deal with Arsenal to keep him at the club for

the rest of his career. Named third in FIFA player of

the year for second time.

September - becomes first player to come 1st, 2nd and

3rd in BBC's Goal of the Month competition. 1998: Plays for Netherlands World Cup team in France, becomes

his country's all-time leading scorer with 37 goals 2000: Retires from international football after 79 appearances

following the Netherlands Euro 2000 penalty shoot-out

exit at the hands of Italy. 2003: Hits 100th goal for Arsenal in their third round FA Cup

match against Oxford United. 2004: Part of the "invincible" team that remain unbeaten in

the Premier League on their way to being crowned

champions. Despite hinting at retirement the Dutchman

decides to stay another year at Arsenal 2005: May - Signs one-year deal with Arsenal and says it will

be his last 2006: May - Plays final league game for Arsenal ahead of the

Champions League final against Barcelona. Scored 87

goals in 314 league games. Won three Premier League

titles at Highbury.

 

123

2006 World Cup - Germany / Currency Exchange

« on: May 03, 2006, 01:11:31 PM »

When/Where are you guys doing ur Currency Exchange:

https://www.ezforex.com/

124

Football / U.S. : Arena to unveil World Cup roster Tuesday 6:00pm

« on: May 02, 2006, 11:51:35 AM »

 
 
May 2, 2006
BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - The United States men's national team will be finalized Tuesday when coach Bruce Arena names his 23-man squad for next month's World Cup in Germany.

Arena, who guided the U.S. to a surprising quarterfinal run in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, will make the announcement at 6 p.m. EDT on ESPN's "SportsCenter."

There are several players who are locks for the team, led by goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who plays in the German Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach. Keller did not play in the 2002 World Cup because of the stellar play of Brad Friedel, who subsequently retired from international competition.

 
Keller's backups likely will be Tim Howard of Manchester United and Marcus Hahnemann of Reading.

Defenders expected to be picked are Greg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus, Germany), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham, England), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Germany), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege, Belgium) and Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake). Cory Gibbs (ADO den Haag, Netherlands) also is in the mix.

Midfielders likely to be picked are DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Bobby Convey (Reading), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), John O'Brien (ADO den Haag), Ben Olsen (D.C. United) and Claudio Reyna (Manchester City, England).

Arena may elect to have Donovan play up front with some combination of forwards Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Brian McBride (Fulham), Taylor Twellman (New England) and Josh Wolff (Kansas City). Twellman's Revolution teammate Pat Noonan also may be selected.

D.C. United midfielder Freddy Adu, who does not turn 17 until June 2, almost certainly will be left off the squad.

Ranked fourth in the world, the U.S. is in arguably the toughest four-team group in the World Cup, Group E. The Americans first face the second-ranked Czech Republic on June 12, then traditional power Italy five days later and the dangerous Ghana on June 22. Only the top two teams from each of the eight groups advance to the knockout rounds.
 

125

Football / Vote Now: Polls close tonight at 12am for Pres. Of Wise For Germany Committee

« on: April 28, 2006, 06:56:23 PM »

http://www.socawarriorssc.com/swonline/smf/index.php?topic=14269.0

Good evening fellow warriors. Tonight I want to ask you what you think about being a  leader. Are you tired of leaders that do not seem to get anything done? Leaders that only seem to worry about thier positions and reputations. Leaders that won't take a stand on important issues? I know I am. That's why I ask you to please cast an honest vote for me. My name is Trinbago and at this time I stand sa a candidate for the position of President Of Wise For Germany Committee. Why do I stand? I stand because I want to realize a national team....a soca warrior team, where every warrior is given a fair opputunity to prove his worthiness, where they can play comfortably without being discriminated against.

So I want the position of  President Of Wise For Germany Committee. So I won't give up. "Cast an honest vote for me!"

126

Football / FA ready to offer England job to Scolari - report

« on: April 26, 2006, 09:58:45 PM »

FA ready to offer England job to Scolari - report
 
LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - Luiz Felipe Scolari will be offered the job of manager of the English national soccer team, The Sun newspaper claimed on Thursday.

The paper reported that FA officials have travelled to Lisbon to meet Scolari and officials from the Portuguese FA, hoping to secure a deal for the current Portugal and former Brazil coach to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

Scolari, who led Brazil to their 2002 World Cup triumph and took Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 -- knocking out England on both occasions -- emerged as an unexpected favourite earlier this week and his contract with Portugal ends after the World Cup in July.

The Sun quoted an "FA insider" as saying FA officials met Scolari on Wednesday with the full permission of the Portuguese FA, although those officials have previously said that they would only discuss the issue after the World Cup.

Eriksson said in January he would quit as England coach after the finals
 

127

Football / President of Evans Wise For Germany Committee

« on: April 26, 2006, 10:12:54 AM »

If Wise has anther good game I support him gettin ah selection on the 23man squad to Germany...

All who with me say I !!

128

Football / Is this What TnT should be doing !!!!!!!

« on: April 25, 2006, 12:33:52 PM »

Parks left out of provisional Costa Rica squad
 
SAN JOSE, April 24 (Reuters) - Russian-based striker Winston Parks was surprisingly left out of Costa Rica's provisional 28-man World Cup squad on Monday.
The omission of the 24-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow forward was the only major surprise of coach Alexandre Guimaraes's list, which must be trimmed down to 23 by May 15.

Parks, who has not played much for his club since returning from a loan spell at Saturn Ramenskoye, played in the 2002 finals, scoring in the 1-1 draw against Turkey and missing a gilt-edged chance to win the game in stoppage-time.

The squad contained only four players who play abroad, Italian-based defender Gilberto Martinez, Norwegian-based defender Roy Miller, U.S.-based defender Douglas Sequeira and midfielder Mauricio Solis, who plays in Guatemala.

Nine of the players were in the 2002 squad and five of the players named are goalkeepers.

Goalkeepers: Wardy Pizarro (Alajuelense), Jose Porras (Saprissa), Gabriel Badilla (Saprissa), Alvaro Mesen (Herediano), Adrian de Lemos (Brujas).

Defenders: Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy), Roy Miller (Bodo Glimt, Norway), Luis Marin (Alajuelense), Michael Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Harold Wallace (Alajuelense), Cristian Montero (Alajuelense), Jervis Drummond (Saprissa), Douglas Sequeira (Chivas USA, U.S.), Carlos Johnson (Herediano), Leonardo Gonzalez (Herediano), Michael Umana (Brujas)

Midfielders: Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense), Walter Centeno (Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Saprissa), Randall Azofeifa (Saprissa), Mauricio Solis (Comunicaciones, Guatemala), Danny Fonseca (Cartagines)

Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense), Ronald Gomez (Saprissa), Alvaro Saboro (Saprissa), Victor Nunez (Cartagines), Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas), Paulo Wanchope (Herediano) (Writing by John McPhaul)

 

129

Football / This is what TNT football needs !!

« on: April 24, 2006, 05:01:13 AM »

By NANCY ARMOUR, AP National Writer
April 21, 2006

Soccer, as any American will tell you, isn't football. And it certainly isn't baseball.

Yet for its first decade of existence, Major League Soccer played most of its games in stadiums made for those other sports. Sharing turf is nothing new in pro sports, but it's a little hard for a new league to be taken seriously when it's spending so much time at somebody else's house.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
If soccer is ever going to develop a following in the United States close to what it has in the rest of the world -- or grow beyond a kids' sport -- MLS has to find better ways to set itself apart.

And that starts with its teams moving out and getting places of their own.

MLS is in the midst of a building boom that could be as vital for the game in the United States as the creation of the league itself. Four of the 12 teams are now playing in stadiums built specifically for soccer, and the Chicago Fire moves into its new home in June.

Soccer stadiums are currently under construction in Denver and Toronto, and there are plans for ones to be built in the next four years in Salt Lake City, Washington and the New York area. That would be 10 soccer-specific stadiums by 2010, all built since 1998.

Ten buildings may not seem like much, but they're a visible sign that professional soccer has a presence in the United States. And a lasting one, at that.

"Throughout the history of pro sports, facilities have played a very important role in connecting fans to their team," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "Think of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field. Think of Wrigley Field and the Cubs. They're intrinsically linked. It's where the shared experience takes place.
"And up until very recently, we had to share that experience with many other tenants."

Soccer remains something of an enigma in the United States. It's wildly popular as a kids' rec sport, with boys and girls of all ages playing in every corner of the country. It's so ingrained that the term "soccer mom," not "baseball mom" or "football mom," is part of our jargon.

But the MLS lags behind the NFL, major league baseball and the NBA when it comes to interest and popularity. Those millions of kids who play don't automatically create a huge fan base. Playing in stadiums built for other sports isn't the only reason, but it doesn't help.

There is, first of all, the economic factor. Having your own stadium means you get all the revenue generated from tickets, parking and concessions. You don't have to split it or, worse, give it all to somebody else.
It's no surprise that the first team in league history to make a profit was the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy moved into The Home Depot Center, a soccer-specific stadium, in June 2003, and declared a profit that season. The Galaxy also has ranked first in attendance the last three seasons, averaging more than 21,900 fans a game.

"As we've been building these stadiums ... it's really changed the economics for Major League Soccer," Garber said. "Because now we're able to capture far more of the revenue."

Then there's the image issue. Average attendance at an MLS game last year was about 15,000. While that's a respectable crowd in a place that seats between 20,000 and 30,000, it looks pitiful in an NFL stadium.

And no matter how hard you try, you'll never be anything more than a visitor when you're playing in a stadium originally built for somebody else. Though the Fire spent most of its first eight seasons at Soldier Field, the stadium was the home of the Chicago Bears. The Fire just happened to play there occasionally.

Carving out an identity is tough enough for a new team or a new league. Trying to do it in someone else's shadow is next to impossible.

"We were, literally, guests in somebody else's house. Our players felt that way and our fans certainly felt that way," Garber said. "We now have our own homes. We now have bricks and mortar in the ground. It provides a far greater level of perceived stability for the league.

"It's going to be an important chapter in the history book of professional soccer in this country."

Of course, fancy stadiums alone won't elevate the MLS to major-league status in the country's consciousness. But it might help make the climb a little easier.

 

130

Football / This is what Trinidad Football Needs !!!!

« on: April 21, 2006, 01:52:57 PM »

Fox Sports agrees A$120 million tv deal with FFA - report
 
SYDNEY, April 21 (Reuters) - Fox Sports has agreed a A$120 million deal to secure the rights to broadcast soccer in Australia for the next seven years, the Sydney Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) is set to release details next week but the paper said the contract would enable Fox to televise 90 A-League and six socceroos games a season and up to 98 matches across Asia.

Those games would be at international and club level, including the Asian Champions League and Asian Cup.

SBS, for many years the major broadcaster of soccer in Australia, would still cover the European Champions League and 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

The deal with Fox would be a major boost for soccer in Australia just over a month before the socceroos make their first World Cup appearance for 32 years.  

131

2006 World Cup - Germany / England have theirs...What is Ours ?????

« on: April 21, 2006, 01:49:35 PM »

England World Cup anthem hits airwaves
 
LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - England's official World Cup song, a laid-back, guitar-based anthem with no guest vocals by any of the players, hit the airwaves on Friday.

"World At Your Feet", by Yorkshire-based indie band Embrace, was played on radio stations for the first time.

"It's all about the England team doing well, you know, and there's a line in there 'it can be done'," said lead singer Danny McNamara.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
Asked if he thought the team would like it, McNamara told the BBC: "We did it wholeheartedly so I hope they like it".

"With the world at your feet, there's no one you can't beat," the song goes. "With the world at your feet, there's no height you can't reach".

England's first World Cup match is against Paraguay in Frankfurt on June 10.



Updated on Friday, Apr 21, 2006 6:13 am EDT
 

132

Football / Looks Like Lalas and Cornel Glenn will be on the same team !!!

« on: April 17, 2006, 12:56:09 PM »

NEW YORK (AP) -- Alexi Lalas has stepped down as president and general manager of the New York Red Bulls, and was expected to take a similar position with the Los Angeles Galaxy, The New York Times reported Monday.

An unidentified club official told the newspaper that the official announcement would be made sometime Monday. The Times reached Lalas by phone Sunday night, but he declined comment.


 
Lalas, one of America's highest-profile soccer players, took the job as president and general manager of the then-MetroStars in June. He moved from the San Jose Earthquakes and replaced Nick Sakiewicz as head of the MLS club.

The MetroStars were part of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, but were sold last month to Red Bull Co. Ltd., an Austrian firm that manufactures an energy drink. The firm changed the club's name and its uniform.

The newspaper reported Lalas will replace Doug Hamilton, who died of a heart attack on March 9, as the Galaxy's president.

133

2006 World Cup - Germany / England Short 1-defender

« on: April 13, 2006, 01:25:05 PM »

LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) - Arsenal central defender Sol Campbell broke his nose in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth and may require surgery.

"Sol's nose is broken," manager Arsene Wenger said in an interview with Arsenal TV Online on Thursday.

"He sees a specialist today. He has no breathing problems but the surgeon has to decide whether he has surgery now or whether we should wait until the end of the season."

The England defender made his first appearance for 2-1/2 months at Portsmouth and a clash with substitute Svetoslav Todorov left him with a bloody nose.

Wenger said that if Campbell required surgery he would not be available to play for a week.

"It is three weeks without any risk but I feel he could play after one week," he said.

Campbell is desperate to prove his fitness and form to England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of the World Cup.

134

Football / FIFA says it has no power to stop forced prostitution

« on: April 13, 2006, 01:22:18 PM »

GENEVA (AP) -- Soccer's governing body insists it has no power to stop forced prostitution in Germany, which is expected to increase during the World Cup.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Thursday his organization is obliged to comply with international and national laws, but its main task is to ensure its competitions adhere to regulations.


"FIFA places great importance on respecting human life and the physical integrity of human beings," Blatter said in response to accusations that his group was not taking stronger action on this issue.

"Prostitution and trafficking of women, however, does not fall within the sphere of responsibility of an international sports federation but in that of the authorities and the lawmakers of any given country," he added.

Germany legalized prostitution in 2003. The European Union said it had no clear figures on how many women might be forced to work as prostitutes in the 12 host cities.

The German Women's Council estimated 40,000 extra prostitutes would be in Germany for the event, but did not know how many would be there against their will.

About 3.5 million visitors are expected in Germany for the World Cup, which runs June 9 to July 9. The European Union said it had received assurances from Germany that it will be vigilant.

On Wednesday, the Council of Europe -- Europe's main human rights watchdog -- urged Germany to set up and publicize multilingual telephone help lines to allow women to request emergency assistance.

A Swedish official recently urged the country to withdraw from the World Cup to protest the expected surge in prostitution. The suggestion by Claes Borgstrom, Sweden's equal opportunity ombudsman, was rejected by the Swedish soccer federation. The soccer group warned that the country could be excluded from future competitions if it boycotted the event.

 

135

Football / Poll: Wearing Warrior Nation jersey

« on: April 12, 2006, 12:21:35 PM »

The reason I ask is when the Warrior Nation Crew meet  up in Germany before during or after mathces we should all try to be togther....if that is not possible at least we should be easily identifyable....

This is the main event where we can promote the website as well as branding for the WARRIOR NATION name.

Once the people see we with we jersey, though they dont see us with the TNT kit...it will be obvious who we are supporting and at the same time the organization we are afflliated with.

136

Football / Sydney FC prevails

« on: March 05, 2006, 03:00:28 AM »

Sydney FC prevails
Sunday, 5 March, 2006 - 7:21PM
Adam Lucius, Sportal





Sydney FC players celebrateSydney FC superstar Dwight Yorke has shaken off a lethargic first half performance to lift the sky blues to a 1-0 victory in the inaugural Hyundai A-League grand final at a packed Aussie Stadium.

Yorke, who only arrived back from international duty 48 hours before the decider, set-up Steve Corica for what turned out to be the match-winning goal in the 62nd minute of a tense decider.

Yorke held off Andrew Clark and Noel Spencer before slipping his pass to the unmarked Corica.

The former Socceroo then slid the ball past Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic into the back of the net as the majority of the 41,689 fans exploded in celebration.

"I've had a long career but this has got to be my favourite moment in 15, 16 years," Corica said.

Beaten Central Coast defender Wayne O'Sullivan said: "We couldn't get a goal when we needed it but we'll be back bigger and better next year."

Yorke looked tired and out of sorts as Sydney lumbered through the first half, but his class shone through after the break as he took the game by the scruff of the neck to stop the Central Coast fairytale dead in its tracks.

His incisive runs and intelligent distribution caused the Mariners massive headaches.

It came as no surprise that the former Manchester United marksman, Yorke, was the architect of the goal which undid a gallant Central Coast.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, who were left to rue several missed opportunities in the first half.
Revelling in its nothing to-lose attitude, Lawrie McKinna's men started the game the more composed and dangerous of the two sides.

After just six minutes Tom Pondeljak found Andre Gumprecht with a beautiful cross but the veteran striker pushed his shot wide of the target.

Two minutes later Pondeljak was again the provider and this time it was Stewart Petrie who scuffed the chance when his weak left foot shot skewed to the right of the post.

With Sydney's defence still not settled and nerves jangling, Alex Wilkinson was allowed a free header from a corner but directed his effort straight at goalkeeper Clint Bolton.

The sky blues struggled to put passes together and could not get influential skipper Yorke into the game.

The hosts' best chance of the first half came in the 16th minute when Andrew Packer floated a pass over to Yorke, who failed by centimetres to make a connection with the goal at his mercy.
Petrie came close with two separate efforts on the half hour but the capacity crowd was left wondering whether the Mariners would ever make their dominance count.

O'Sullivan added to the frustration when he was set clear just before the break, but he lost control before he could pull the trigger and the opportunity was lost.

Sydney was happy to survive the onslaught and had the final say of the half, with Corica blazing over the bar from close range after Yorke's overhead kick was deflected deep into time added on.
The sky blues picked up when they left off after the resumption.

David Carney, who failed to make an impression in the first half, set the tempo after 52 minutes when he nut-megged Dean Heffernan before forcing Vukovic to block his goal-bound shot from a tight angle.

Corica drilled a shot straight at Vukovic in the 58th minute but didn't make the same mistake when Yorke presented him with another chance four minutes later.
Mariners defender Wayne O'Sullivan brought a fingertip save from Bolton in the dying stages and the Sydney FC party could begin in earnest.

Sydney FC 1 (Corica 62)
Central Coast Mariners 0
at Aussie Stadium

137

Football / 10- Weeks Before Our NEXT GAME...Is this Wise

« on: March 02, 2006, 10:27:37 AM »

This is quite a long lay off

Including the 8-10 guaranteed spots on the team we literally have about 30-35 persons vying to make the final 28 that Beenie is going to select.....

We should be trying to sort out the remaing 20-people...leave those guranteed 8-10 out since we are confident in their style and what they bring to the team, and play matches against some international minnows...just to have a better idea of who you want to select...

When you include the 8-10 regulars, how do you sort out the rest of the team ??

Bringing in 6-subs on to play a couple mins does NOT provide a true assesment...

138

Football / (Reuters) World Cup captaincy icing on the cake for Yorke

« on: February 27, 2006, 11:15:07 AM »

World Cup captaincy icing on the cake for Yorke
 
By Andrew Sleight

LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - When Dwight Yorke leads Trinidad & Tobago out for their first game at the World Cup finals in June, the former Manchester United striker will regard it as his finest moment.

The 34-year-old is relishing captaining the Soca Warriors at the finals in Germany, and rates the prospect more satisfying than his 1999 European Cup final triumph in United's treble-winning season.


 
"This will be the icing on the cake for me, when I lead out my country for the opening game against Sweden," Yorke told reporters on Monday. Trindad play Iceland in a World-Cup warm-up friendly in London on Tuesday.

"When I won the treble at Manchester United it was a special moment and something I'll always cherish. However, at 34, when your going into the twilight of your career, to play in a World Cup is something I'm very excited about."

Yorke, currently playing for Australian side Sydney, recently trained with United and said he may keep fit with Alex Ferguson's side when the Australian season ends next week. Yorke, who also had spells in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, could also link up with an English club again before the start of the World Cup.

"The fact the Australian season finishes this weekend means that I'll be without a club for two-and-a-half months," said the player who came out of international retirement to captain his country to the finals.

"I have the option to train with Manchester United, but I need games as well.

"I still have another year with Sydney so it is something that I will be discussing with my manager. We will be looking at every possibility."

Trinidad are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup finals and have been drawn with the Swedes, England and Paraguay.

"I don't need to tell the other players what this is all about," added Yorke, stressing that the Caribbean country would not just make up the numbers.

"We are not turning up to be the whipping boys of the tournament. We are there to make sure that teams take us seriously."

Trinidad play England on June 15, a fixture that has excited the whole squad.

"The coach says that it is just 11 versus 11 and we will be fully prepared for the game.

"I'm sure there is a lot of extra incentive for the players who play in the lower divisions here in England.

"They might not have had the opportunity to come up against Steven Gerrard or David Beckham. I've been fortunate because I have and, as leader of the team I can tell you that we will cherish the experience for the rest of our lives."

 

139

Football / Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews: What became Of him ??

« on: February 26, 2006, 03:15:25 PM »

11-Feb-2003 - Professional footballer Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews believes that he should be earning at least US $3,000 for playing for the national team now that he has crossed over 50 caps.
And, he feels that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation is out of place to ban players from representing the nation as well as their respective clubs.
Andrews, the most senior member of the current national squad, was suspended along with 18 team-mates from all activities under the aegis of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation last week, pending a full scale investigation of the players’ withdrawal from representing the country against Finland in a friendly international last Wednesday at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“From the last World Cup campaign players with 50 caps and over were getting US $3,000 per match,” Andrews recalled. “These players included Latapy, Yorke, Dwarika, Eve and Ince.”
At the time, Andrews, an offencive midfielder, had over 30 caps and was paid US $2,000.
“Could you imagine receiving US $2,000 back then and having to play for nothing now,” Andrews questioned.
“I didn’t think any plans were put in place for the upcoming Gold Cup but we were told that we were going to be paid US $200 for the game against Finland,” he remembered.
“The players thought that that was not acceptable comparing the salaries that were paid previously.
“The Monday before the game against Finland, the Federation sent a message that we won’t be receiving any money. Everything turned ole mas from there on.”
Andrews said from his knowledge of having played abroad, he and his colleagues can not be suspended for more than five days.
“I am also not too certain that we could be suspended from national duty and from playing locally for our clubs,” he added.
Andrews, born January 20, 1976 represented St Mary’s College in his schooldays. He later player for Superstar Rangers, Joe Public and W Connection.
The stocky player spent two years with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership Division but had problems securing another work permit last year and ended up playing for Vibe CT 105 W Connection.
“I was left without any options at Hibernian and had to come back to Trinidad,” he outlined.
“After the end of the Scottish season in May I returned home but could not play in Trinidad until the transfer window (period where a player can be registered before a certain date) had opened in September.”
Andrews pointed out that the national team was growing in experience and was beginning to gel under Technical Director Hannibal Najjar. Unfortunately, conditions under which they had to work was horrible.
“We, the players met privately because the situation and conditions which we were working under everyday had become unbearable for a national team.
“Basically, the training day started at 8.30 and at 12.30 pm we were still out on the pitch.
“After training there was only water available to us. No food, no nutritional drinks. No things like insurance. Tapes for wrapping ankles and medical supplies were hard to come by.”
Andrews claimed that Wayne Lawson, the physiotherapist, spent his own money for supplies for his medical kit. And, in addition, he got supplies from players coming from abroad.
“This has been going on maybe even before I started to play for the national team in 1996,” he noted, pointing out that all the players are insured at Hibernian.
Since the suspension, Andrew and his team-mates held one meeting so far with the sole intention of forming a Players’ Association.
“The Players’ Association would sought out situations like this and look after their affairs so that they (the players) would not be exploited.
“Players wouldn’t have to go on strike, risking their careers.”

140

Football / (AP) Warner faces new corruption accusation from Trinidad government

« on: February 22, 2006, 03:02:41 PM »

Warner faces new corruption accusation from Trinidad government
 
By ADAM RANEY, Associated Press Writer
February 22, 2006

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- A Trinidadian government official says FIFA vice president Jack Warner used political contacts to secure stadium construction contracts at more than double their original cost.

Housing Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said Warner used connections from the former ruling party, United National Congress, to gain contracts to build four stadiums and renovate another for $58.3 million in 1999.

ADVERTISEMENT
   
 
The original budget for the project, ahead of FIFA's Under-17 World Championship in 2001, was $26.4 million.

"Contracts were awarded in a very strange manner," Rowley said at a news conference Tuesday.

Rowley said the contracts were supposed to be funded by the Republic Bank (Fincor) and given to FIFA and a group of investors -- but were instead improperly awarded to Warner.

"The project was being done by another group of financiers," Rowley said. "Fincor was nowhere to be seen."

Warner, a special adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, is under investigation by FIFA for an ethics violation over ticket sales for this year's World Cup in Germany. The only company selling tickets in Trinidad and Tobago is a travel agency owned by Warner's family.

Last week, the FIFA ethics committee said Warner had brought the issue to its attention and that it posed a "conflict of interest." The executive committee meets March 16-17 to discuss the issue.

Warner said he was being politically attacked by the ruling People National Movement party. He did not return telephone messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.

"Why did he wait four years to make his announcement?" Warner asked in the Trinidad Daily Express newspaper.

 

141

General Discussion / Whcih evil do you prefer ???

« on: February 22, 2006, 11:08:30 AM »

Anyhow you take it there is corruption in the wolrd...from the US, Germany, Nigreria to companies and organizations like Enron and the United Nations .............to small countries like Trinidad and  Jamaica and small companies like and organizations like URP.

Additonally political parties as well as individuals....

WHO suffers..the people.....and we will of course complain !!!

The catch behind it all...you have no choice is to (unless you are naive) choose the lesser of 2-evils.

eg.

UNC
DOWNFALL: corruption and scandal
UPSIDE: new airport


PNM
DOWNFALL: corruption and scandal
UPSIDE:  ??

Manning
DOWNFALL: Introvert
UPSIDE: ??


Warner
DOWNFALL: corruption and scandal
UPSIDE: new Stadia

142

Football / World Cup Tour launches in style

« on: February 16, 2006, 11:34:06 PM »

World Cup Tour launches in style

Ian Prescott


Friday, February 17th 2006

A SPECTACULAR 3-D demonstration giving an artistic depiction of the birth of the World Cup highlighted the Trinidad and Tobago leg of the FIFA Coca Cola World Cup Trophy Tour yesterday morning at the Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Giving invitees the effect of being in the centre of the entire drama, the presentation left most on hand spellbound and provided them with an idea of what to look forward to when Trinidad and Tobago make their debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany in June.

Imagine, travelling through space, planets whizzing by as mere specs of light on the horizon. All around, there is destruction and rebirth. But, while all that goes on, out of the primordial ooze, life emerges in the form of two futuristic men.

With a single purpose, they emerge, holding aloft the Earth to form the World Cup.

The scene then shifts to the Earth where the beautiful game is played amidst pulsating rhythms. You see both the beautiful game and the football greats such as Pele and Maradona. With drumming in the background, the euphoria of being at the World Cup and the spectacular goals are captured in breathtaking fashion.

The T&T leg of the FIFA Coca Cola World Cup Trophy Tour is part of a 28-nation tour which will see one of the world's most recognisable icons visiting 31 cities worldwide.

Yesterday's Tour began with a formal breakfast launch in Ken Galt Hall at the Centre of Excellence, where a presentation covering the tournament infrastructure in Germany and other World Cup issues was made.

Later on, acting President Linda Baboolal unveiled the actual trophy which the winners of the 2006 World Cup will lift in Germany on July 9.

Heavy security prevented anyone actually touching the World Cup Trophy, but many T&T nationals at least had the privilege of having their picture taken with the most recognisable sports trophy in the world.

The FIFA Coca Cola World Cup Trophy Tour continues today with the venue being open to members of the public holding special passes and school tours until 10 p.m.

Those attending will see individual posters of T&T's Soca Warriors who have qualified for their first World Cup.

They will also see the spectacular 3-D presentation, the FIFA World Cup and have a chance to participate in a game of penalty kicks and other football activities at the venue.
 

143

Football / S. Korea 1, Mexico 0

« on: February 16, 2006, 09:18:47 AM »

S. Korea 1, Mexico 0
 
February 16, 2006

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Lee Dong-Gook scored in the first half and Lee Woon-Jae made a crucial save late in the game to give South Korea a 1-0 victory over Mexico in an exhibition matchup Wednesday night.

Both teams will play in this summer's World Cup in Germany.

 
Lee Dong-Gook scored in the 15th minute after Lee Chun-Soo took a 23-yard free kick from the left flank that Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez caught on one bounce. Sanchez then flipped the ball forward into open space but before he could kick it, Lee Dong-Gook pounced on the ball and scored from 11 yards.

Mexico's best scoring chance came in second-half stoppage time. Lee Woon-Jae had to dive toward the right post to deflect Omar Bravo's diving header from 7 yards out.

Lee Woon-Jae, who started in the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, made three saves for the shutout in his 91st international appearance.

Mexico played without defender Rafael Marquez and forward Jared Borgetti, the national team's all-time leading goal scorer. Both competed in the 2002 World Cup and are expected to make the 2006 World Cup team.

Marquez and Borgetti remained with their European clubs.

South Korea coach Dick Advocaat remained at home in the Netherlands because of the death of his mother-in-law. Assistant coach Pim Verbeek served as the interim coach.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-mexico-skorea&prov=ap&type=lgns
 

144

Football / Queens Soccer Star Elected Trinidad Senator

« on: February 15, 2006, 11:14:06 AM »

Queens Soccer Star Elected Trinidad Senator

http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_046112753.html

Feb 15, 2006 11:00 am US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad) Four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon, who played soccer in New York, was sworn in Tuesday as a senator for Trinidad's main opposition party.

He first represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 1992 Summer Olympics, then won one silver and three bronze medals at the 1996 and 2000 Games in the 100 and 200 meters.

Boldon, born Dec. 30, 1973, left Trinidad and Tobago as a teenager and was recruited to track while playing high school soccer in the New York borough of Queens, his personal Web site says.

His Senate appointment came four days after Basdeo Panday, leader of the main opposition party, the United National Congress, fired another senator accused of having unauthorized conversations with the press about internal party politics.

Trinidad and Tobago's 31-member Senate is appointed by the ruling party, president and main opposition party. The 36 members of the House of Representatives are elected by popular vote.

145

Football / More World Cup tickets go on sale !!!

« on: February 15, 2006, 11:05:05 AM »

More World Cup tickets go on sale
More World Cup tickets go on sale
 
February 15, 2006

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- The latest batch of World Cup tickets went on sale Wednesday on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The tickets -- the first not distributed by lottery -- will be awarded to those placing orders fastest before the April 15 deadline.

About 2.6 million of the 3 million tickets for soccer's showcase, which runs June 9-July 15 in Germany, have been bought.

The latest bloc of tickets is estimated at 100,000, but the figure changes daily. It is made up of returned tickets, ones that have not been paid for and some freed up as a result of completed seating arrangements at stadiums.

A small number of tickets remain for 44 of the 64 games, including the opener in Munich and first-round games involving Brazil and France. Large batches of tickets will be offered again in mid-March.

World Cup officials have repeatedly warned fans about scams when trying to get tickets outside official channels, especially through Internet sites like eBay.
 
 

146

Football / World Cup arrival !!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: February 12, 2006, 11:51:47 PM »

In the space of just eleven days, the OC President, vice-president Wolfgang Niersbach and advisor Fedor H. Radmann will visit eight more countries: Ecuador (13 February), Paraguay (14 February), Argentina (15 February), Brazil (17 February), Trinidad & Tobago (20 February), Costa Rica (21 February), Mexico (22 February) and the USA (23 February

147

Football / More woe for Rangers as Celtic win Old Firm battle

« on: February 12, 2006, 10:22:10 AM »

More woe for Rangers as Celtic win Old Firm battle
 
AFP
February 12, 2006

GLASGOW (AFP) - A Maciej Zurawski goal has given Celtic a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox to all but clinch the Scottish Premier League title.

The Polish international's early strike was all that separated the sides at the end and took Gordon Strachan's men a massive 21 points ahead of their Old Firm rivals and, more importantly, 13 ahead of second-placed Hearts.

For Rangers manager Alex McLeish it also meant his final Old Firm match at Ibrox, before he departs in the summer, ended in a disappointing defeat.

Celtic had started the brighter of the two sides Sunday with crisp passing movements causing problems for the Rangers rearguard and in the 12th minute they took the lead with the first chance of the match.

The goal had a touch of fortune about it as Marvin Andrews and Soti Kyrgiakos both went for the same high ball only to collide with each other which led to Stilian Petrov gaining possession on the edge of the 18-yard box.
Just as the Bulgarian lined up to shoot Rangers full-back Steven Smith tackled him but the ball spun into the path of Zurawski and from 12-yards the Polish striker clinically side-footed into the bottom corner of the net, sending Dutch goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus the wrong way.

Rangers tried to force their way back into the game but their over reliance on high balls was easily dealt with by Celtic's central defenders Bobo Balde and Stephen McManus.

 
In the 35th minute Thomas Buffel wasted a great opportunity to level the match when he cut inside Paul Telfer on the left-wing to leave him one-on-one with Celtic's Polish keeper Artur Boruc.

Instead of shooting, however, the Belgian international tried to square for Nacho Novo but overhit the pass and the chance was lost.

Rangers began the second-half by forcing Celtic back and they almost scored in the 52nd minute.

Boruc came off his line to try and deal with a Chris Burke corner but flapped at the ball, pushing it into the path of Smith but from 20-yards he blasted over.

McLeish had surprisingly started without Rangers' top goalscorer Peter Lovenkrands and recent signing Kris Boyd, who top's the scoring chart, but in the 61st minute he brought the Danish forward on in place of Novo to try and get his side back on level terms.

The home side were now enjoying plenty of possession but they were struggling to create any real openings in front of goal.

Greek defender Kyrgiakos came close to an equaliser with a header from 12-yards, following an Alan Hutton cross, but the ball flew inches wide with Boruc stranded.

Former Kilmarnock striker Boyd was finally brought on in the 71st minute for Buffel, as McLeish looked to salvage a point.

But with Celtic's midfield pair of Neil Lennon and Roy Keane in commanding form in the centre of the park the Ibrox side never looked capable of carving open their opponent's defence.

A Bob Malcolm free-kick in the 89th minute required Boruc to tip over and the Polish keeper again had to look lively to save at the feet of Dado Prso after Burke's lobbed pass almost put him in.

But in the end Celtic were comfortable winners and took a huge step closer to lifting the SPL crown.




Updated on Sunday, Feb 12, 2006 10:18 am EST
 

148

Football / AP: International future of Jamaica's Whitmore in doubt

« on: February 09, 2006, 04:10:05 PM »

International future of Jamaica's Whitmore in doubt
 
AFP
February 9, 2006
 
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (AFP) - Theodore Whitmore, Jamaica's hero in the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France where he scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Japan, has hinted he is quitting international football.

Whitmore, who recently returned to Jamaica after being released from his English League team Tranmere Rovers, said "No international football" when asked about his return to the national team, although he refused to elaborate on the comment.

The midfielder who has scored more goals in a Jamaica shirt than any other player has not been selected for the national team since leading the Reggae Boyz in their unsuccessful bid for a place in the World Cup in Germany this summer.

Jamaica were knocked out in the semi-final stage of the CONCACAF play-off, failing to advance to the six team final round for the first time in three campaigns.

Whitmore, 34, failed to get regular playing time with Tranmere this season, getting just five appearances, all as a substitute and was released in January.

 

149

Football / Rougier wants to give back to community

« on: February 08, 2006, 09:28:48 PM »

Rougier wants to give back to community

Former Port Vale utility player Anthony Rougier wants to help make a change to football in the rural parts of the country, particularly the southland. He will be embarking on his plan to do so through Petrotrin.

Rougier, a staunch Christian, is on a comeback with the National team after being recalled by Leo Beenhakker. While his aim is to keep himself in contention for a World Cup pick, he also wants to give back to the game.

“They (Petrotrin) have me involved in a really good way. I finished the season with them and now I’m involved from a development aspect. Petrotrin is doing a lot of good things for the game and I think I can really go on to make a valuable contribution by the Grace of God,” Rougier said.

He is, however, likely to return to England next week to finalise some personal business, as well as explore some contract options after turning down a West Ham trial in order to be part of Beenhakker’s training camp.

“When the whistle blew against Bahrain it brought tears to my eyes. I was attending a course at the Centre of Excellence at the time and it was almost like being in Bahrain, because I have experience similar stuff before winning promotion in front of 50,000 fans. But this one was the biggest achievement without a doubt,” Rougier said.

150

Football / T&TFF consultant calls take-over of President’s ground ‘scandalous’

« on: February 08, 2006, 09:26:04 PM »

By Jovan Ravello

Mike Berry, T&T Football Federation (T&TFF) Consultant for International Affairs, has joined members of the sporting community against the proposed extension of the Prime Minister’s residence to include President’s ground.

Berry, a close associate of the Superstar Rangers Football Club which trains on the ground, expressed shock at the news that the ground will soon no longer be public property.

“My official view is no different to my personal view,” the registered Fifa player representative said. “The proposal to deprive the St Ann’s community and Superstar Rangers FC of their grounds and replace it with a cosmetic extension of the PM's residence is scandalous and so wrong.

“For the past six years or so I have had the pleasure on numerous occasions to watch games on the President’s Ground and to enjoy the special atmosphere generated by the mums, dads, brothers and sisters watching their family members proudly “strutting their stuff” in team colours.”

Berry’s loyalty to the sport locally is unquestionable and through his association with Rangers he has been able to pinpoint the talents of players like Shem McFarlane, Stephon Morris, Corneal Thomas, Keston Jones, Keith Williams and Josimar Belgrave, all products of its youth system, as the next generation of national footballers.

This future he fears could be in jeopardy if a precedent is set.

“The decision to terminate this much loved set up is short-sighted and is a kick in the teeth for everyone who has worked so hard to build up this wonderful club, Superstar Rangers, particularly chairman Richard Fakoory, Errol McFarlane, Senior, and “Gamba” who provide so much enjoyment to the youths of St. Ann’s and further afield,” the Englishman said.

“If any government is really serious about caring for communities and the youth of the nation, then this is an obvious case where they should be acknowledging that a mistake has been made, “ Berry said.

“And Superstar Rangers and indeed everybody else who use this facility should be allowed to continue with their sport in the community where