91
April 26, 2024, 08:36:53 AM
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
92
Football / Star of Africa award for Jack
« on: July 03, 2006, 12:41:02 AM »
Earl Manmohan Scarborough
Monday, July 3rd 2006
The Tobago African Union (TAU) will award FIFA vice president Jack Warner with the Star of Africa, its highest award as part of its Emancipation celebrations next month.
The award will be conveyed in recognition of Warner's contribution to national development based on his efforts and assistance in the qualification of the Soca Warriors for the World Cup Finals
The TAU said the award, which was last bestowed on President Arthur NR Robinson in 2002, will be conferred on the FIFA vice president by special investiture at a gala function to be announced.
TAU praised Warner for what it described as his undying commitment to the sport of football and in addition an inspiration to the youth of the nation at a time when the nation was in critical need of role models.
TAU praised Government for its recognition of the Soca Warriors' World Cup achievements and said that it hoped a comprehensive plan could be put in place to ensure that more could be done so that sportsmen and women in this country achieved their fullest potential.
The organisation repeated its call to Government to pay a fitting tribute to Warner.
The Global Organisation for Peoples of Indian Origin, (GOPIO) earlier this week presented its highest award, the Order of Trinidad and Tobago, to Warner in recognition of his achievements.
Monday, July 3rd 2006
The Tobago African Union (TAU) will award FIFA vice president Jack Warner with the Star of Africa, its highest award as part of its Emancipation celebrations next month.
The award will be conveyed in recognition of Warner's contribution to national development based on his efforts and assistance in the qualification of the Soca Warriors for the World Cup Finals
The TAU said the award, which was last bestowed on President Arthur NR Robinson in 2002, will be conferred on the FIFA vice president by special investiture at a gala function to be announced.
TAU praised Warner for what it described as his undying commitment to the sport of football and in addition an inspiration to the youth of the nation at a time when the nation was in critical need of role models.
TAU praised Government for its recognition of the Soca Warriors' World Cup achievements and said that it hoped a comprehensive plan could be put in place to ensure that more could be done so that sportsmen and women in this country achieved their fullest potential.
The organisation repeated its call to Government to pay a fitting tribute to Warner.
The Global Organisation for Peoples of Indian Origin, (GOPIO) earlier this week presented its highest award, the Order of Trinidad and Tobago, to Warner in recognition of his achievements.
93
General Discussion / Ato Boldon !
« on: July 03, 2006, 12:32:59 AM »
Persad-Bissessar said talks were surfacing about Ato Boldon wanting to leave the Senate, because certain elements within the UNC were bent on seeing the Opposition camp weakened
94
Football / PICK THE NEXT COACH !!
« on: June 24, 2006, 06:00:57 PM »
We all know Beenie not coming back...
Who gets the job ?
Who gets the job ?
95
Football / FLEX/TALLMAN: PIC and video database for Warrior Nation in Germany 2006
« on: June 24, 2006, 08:31:54 AM »
I was in 2-minds as to which site to make this request. A special section should be created in the Warrior Nation website site for pics and video of the Warrior Nation Crew in Germany. Additionally a separate pic/video section for general pics from everyone else i.e. non-warrior nation memebers and other pics in Germany.
Additionally, this could evolve into a main WC-2006 section that involves all pics, videos an articles of TnT leading up to and the WC-event itself... a "Watch The Ride' section basically
I am note sure if FLEX/TALLMAN has an easy method to upload files into a database such as an ftp server or something.
What ya'll think?
Additionally, this could evolve into a main WC-2006 section that involves all pics, videos an articles of TnT leading up to and the WC-event itself... a "Watch The Ride' section basically
I am note sure if FLEX/TALLMAN has an easy method to upload files into a database such as an ftp server or something.
What ya'll think?
96
Football / TRINBAGO HAS LANDED !!
« on: June 17, 2006, 08:41:51 AM »
just anted to let u guys know <i have landed. <i am in frankfurt ...at the savoy hotel..
contact number at hotel 49 69 273960
Room 606
Ask for Vishal brown
contact number at hotel 49 69 273960
Room 606
Ask for Vishal brown
98
2006 World Cup - Germany / For PPL who already in Germany
« on: June 08, 2006, 11:11:12 AM »
Anyone one of you guys get any problems so far eg transport, ATM, cell phone, airport, hotel accomodations, taxi, dining, tourist, directions, communication with Warrior nation, internet access, food etc....
I think it will be helpful for people like myself and other forumites who making the trip next week.
I think it will be helpful for people like myself and other forumites who making the trip next week.
99
Football / Veteran Latapy faces battle for Trinidad place
« on: June 06, 2006, 12:32:54 PM »
Veteran Latapy faces battle for Trinidad place
6 June 2006
by Reuters
Photo Gallery
Russell Latapy will have to fight for the chance to weave his magic at the FIFA World Cup™, the veteran Trinidad and Tobago striker said on Tuesday.
The "little magician", scorer of 28 goals in 66 appearances, is not certain of a starting place in his country's opening Group B game against Sweden on Saturday.
"I really don't know, competition is very tough for places," the 37-year-old Latapy told reporters.
"All I can do is try and do my best to prove myself. It is up to the coach after that."
Latapy retired from international football in 2001 before returning to the fold last September, marking his comeback with a goal in a 3-2 qualifying win over Guatemala.
He had previously turned down two requests to return before captain Dwight Yorke persuaded him to change his mind.
"To play in the World Cup is the highlight for any player, and at my age, it is even more sweet," Latapy said.
The dreadlocked player-coach of Scottish club Falkirk smokes 10 cigarettes a day, a habit he is happy to keep.
"It is something I choose to do and it has never affected my performance," Latapy said.
"I don't smoke a lot and never in the public domain or in front of the team at training or the like."
After the game against Sweden in Dortmund, FIFA World Cup debutants Trinidad play England on June 15 in Nuremberg before rounding off the first round against Paraguay in Kaiserslautern five days later.
6 June 2006
by Reuters
Photo Gallery
Russell Latapy will have to fight for the chance to weave his magic at the FIFA World Cup™, the veteran Trinidad and Tobago striker said on Tuesday.
The "little magician", scorer of 28 goals in 66 appearances, is not certain of a starting place in his country's opening Group B game against Sweden on Saturday.
"I really don't know, competition is very tough for places," the 37-year-old Latapy told reporters.
"All I can do is try and do my best to prove myself. It is up to the coach after that."
Latapy retired from international football in 2001 before returning to the fold last September, marking his comeback with a goal in a 3-2 qualifying win over Guatemala.
He had previously turned down two requests to return before captain Dwight Yorke persuaded him to change his mind.
"To play in the World Cup is the highlight for any player, and at my age, it is even more sweet," Latapy said.
The dreadlocked player-coach of Scottish club Falkirk smokes 10 cigarettes a day, a habit he is happy to keep.
"It is something I choose to do and it has never affected my performance," Latapy said.
"I don't smoke a lot and never in the public domain or in front of the team at training or the like."
After the game against Sweden in Dortmund, FIFA World Cup debutants Trinidad play England on June 15 in Nuremberg before rounding off the first round against Paraguay in Kaiserslautern five days later.
100
Football / Unrealistic Expectations
« on: June 03, 2006, 12:28:13 PM »
America’s media darlings
3 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
historically outsiders on the world’s biggest stage, Bruce Arena’s current USA starlets have been spoiled by recent successes. Furthermore, with a recent spike in their international ranking they are fast becoming media darlings on the eve of this, their fifth straight FIFA World Cup™ finals.
When interviewed on a nationwide broadcast of Good Morning America, 24-year-old playmaker and veteran of Korea/Japan 2002 Landon Donovan – visibly bemused by recent media advances and uncommon public attention – remarked that “this is the first time we’ve had this kind of attention. In 2002 (before the Korea/Japan finals) there was none of this.”
At their pre-tournament training camp in Cary, North Carolina, the US team and their public relations officers were swamped by the incredible number of newspaper, radio, TV and internet reporters who turned out to follow the side’s progress before jetting out to Germany and their bustling base camp in downtown Hamburg.
Go to the USA team page
In a country where soccer is still considered something of a marginal sport behind gridiron football, baseball and basketball, this level of attention from a mainstream press that has been rather indifferent in the past is significant and largely down to the success of Arena's in reaching the quarter-finals four years ago, their best finish since 1930.
The US boys returned home as conquering heroes that summer, and the attention they attracted survived through the qualifying stages, when fans came out in droves to show their support.
“We’ve never gone into a World Cup with this much exposure and this much expectation,” added Donovan, who plays for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy after unsuccessful stints in the German Bundesliga.
Clint Dempsey is another player garnering significant attention, and not only for his dazzling ability on the ball. The New England Revolution midfielder will be playing in his first finals in Germany and is considered one of the best young talents in the States. Oddly, ‘the Deuce’ is also an accomplished freestyle rapper and his single 'Don’t Tread' has been making waves and earning the player credibility and media buzz beyond the pitch.
Enlarge Photo
Photo Gallery
Big man ‘Gooch’ in the spotlight
Another man attracting attention is 24-year-old Oguchi Onyewu, who recently posed alongside Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley and Donovan to become one of precious few soccer stars to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, the US’s largest circulated sports publication.
Of Nigerian descent, the gigantic full-back joined up with Belgian side Standard Liege after just one year of university football. Standing 1.92m and weighing in at 225 pounds, the muscular tournament debutant is often mistaken for a gridiron linebacker and will prove an imposing barrier for opposition strikers in the US’s menacing group section.
After being given the run-around by wily Jared Borgetti in their first qualifying loss against Mexico, Onyewu – physically, the biggest field player in US Soccer history – showed a massive amount of poise and maturity in the return meeting when he subdued Mexico's all-time top scorer in a 2-0 win that saw Americans finish first in the CONCACAF qualifying section for the first time in their history.
In a recent live interview on ESPN, USA’s biggest sports television network, Onyewu was brimming with enthusiasm. “I think we’re going to have a great show in Germany and I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to get in there and prove something.”
A whole new level of attention would surely accompany a spot in the second round in Germany. Donovan, however, is quick to deflect unrealistic expectations, and cut off his interviewer in a recent TV chat when it was suggested that a quarter-final finish in Korea and Japan should logically point to a semi-final berth in Germany.
“That’s what you say,” Donovan retorted bluntly. “But it’s a lot more difficult than that.” The Americans’ trying Group E test begins on 12 June in Gelsenkirchen against a side of established stars accustomed to media attention and international acclaim: the mighty Czech Republic.
3 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
historically outsiders on the world’s biggest stage, Bruce Arena’s current USA starlets have been spoiled by recent successes. Furthermore, with a recent spike in their international ranking they are fast becoming media darlings on the eve of this, their fifth straight FIFA World Cup™ finals.
When interviewed on a nationwide broadcast of Good Morning America, 24-year-old playmaker and veteran of Korea/Japan 2002 Landon Donovan – visibly bemused by recent media advances and uncommon public attention – remarked that “this is the first time we’ve had this kind of attention. In 2002 (before the Korea/Japan finals) there was none of this.”
At their pre-tournament training camp in Cary, North Carolina, the US team and their public relations officers were swamped by the incredible number of newspaper, radio, TV and internet reporters who turned out to follow the side’s progress before jetting out to Germany and their bustling base camp in downtown Hamburg.
Go to the USA team page
In a country where soccer is still considered something of a marginal sport behind gridiron football, baseball and basketball, this level of attention from a mainstream press that has been rather indifferent in the past is significant and largely down to the success of Arena's in reaching the quarter-finals four years ago, their best finish since 1930.
The US boys returned home as conquering heroes that summer, and the attention they attracted survived through the qualifying stages, when fans came out in droves to show their support.
“We’ve never gone into a World Cup with this much exposure and this much expectation,” added Donovan, who plays for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy after unsuccessful stints in the German Bundesliga.
Clint Dempsey is another player garnering significant attention, and not only for his dazzling ability on the ball. The New England Revolution midfielder will be playing in his first finals in Germany and is considered one of the best young talents in the States. Oddly, ‘the Deuce’ is also an accomplished freestyle rapper and his single 'Don’t Tread' has been making waves and earning the player credibility and media buzz beyond the pitch.
Enlarge Photo
Photo Gallery
Big man ‘Gooch’ in the spotlight
Another man attracting attention is 24-year-old Oguchi Onyewu, who recently posed alongside Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley and Donovan to become one of precious few soccer stars to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, the US’s largest circulated sports publication.
Of Nigerian descent, the gigantic full-back joined up with Belgian side Standard Liege after just one year of university football. Standing 1.92m and weighing in at 225 pounds, the muscular tournament debutant is often mistaken for a gridiron linebacker and will prove an imposing barrier for opposition strikers in the US’s menacing group section.
After being given the run-around by wily Jared Borgetti in their first qualifying loss against Mexico, Onyewu – physically, the biggest field player in US Soccer history – showed a massive amount of poise and maturity in the return meeting when he subdued Mexico's all-time top scorer in a 2-0 win that saw Americans finish first in the CONCACAF qualifying section for the first time in their history.
In a recent live interview on ESPN, USA’s biggest sports television network, Onyewu was brimming with enthusiasm. “I think we’re going to have a great show in Germany and I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to get in there and prove something.”
A whole new level of attention would surely accompany a spot in the second round in Germany. Donovan, however, is quick to deflect unrealistic expectations, and cut off his interviewer in a recent TV chat when it was suggested that a quarter-final finish in Korea and Japan should logically point to a semi-final berth in Germany.
“That’s what you say,” Donovan retorted bluntly. “But it’s a lot more difficult than that.” The Americans’ trying Group E test begins on 12 June in Gelsenkirchen against a side of established stars accustomed to media attention and international acclaim: the mighty Czech Republic.
102
Football / THIS GAME WAS PERFECT FOR TESTING OUR DEFENCE
« on: June 03, 2006, 11:32:03 AM »
FORGET THE SCORE LINE....THIS GAVE US A GOOD GAUGE
103
Football / DOSE OF OUR OWN MEDICINE!!!!!
« on: May 31, 2006, 02:08:18 PM »
Beenie concentrates our footall with ball possesssion, which is great. The downside is when we don't have the ball we dont know what do, how to defend how to space the field, how to play zone, team defence.
Now that we have met an opposition that are experts at keeping the ball we are fish outta water and formations and forrays forward were non-existent.....WE need to learn what do do when we dont have the ball and defend in zones as a team as well as proper defensive spacing....
We will get there !!...I am a warrior!
Now that we have met an opposition that are experts at keeping the ball we are fish outta water and formations and forrays forward were non-existent.....WE need to learn what do do when we dont have the ball and defend in zones as a team as well as proper defensive spacing....
We will get there !!...I am a warrior!
104
General Discussion / Jefferz vs Morvant
« on: May 29, 2006, 10:36:39 PM »
http://www.socawarriorssc.com/swonline/smf/index.php?action=stats
Given that we supossedly don't base our level of support on our number of posts... I thought the following exercise would be fun and possibly to some, insightful !!
Given that we supossedly don't base our level of support on our number of posts... I thought the following exercise would be fun and possibly to some, insightful !!
105
FAQ & Crew Meet Up. / REPORT: Warrior Nation NY area
« on: May 28, 2006, 04:07:55 PM »
FF and myself will be givin a small report…people who were there are also going to contribute there bit…Well let me try ah ting:
First of all BIG UP!! to FF, E-man(he is the MAN!) and the rest for the putting this together. And Of course thank you to FLEX for his support and guest appearance.
FF will give you the break dong of:
All who show up…
The Score (Reds{akaBahrain} vs Whites)
The Real Score
Why FF tell the yute man he should stick to baseball
Who collect Tolum Time
Who get Spanna
Who was eatin Popeye's instead of Doubles
Who is Wise bullaman
How much half time we had
Who leave dey gyul in the car
All in all it was a great day for the Warrior Nation NY area to get together.
Monday is ah holiday here(Memorial day) so ah does usually get up arong 11-12….ah was up by 9am….get meh self ready and tell the wife to find someway to go…FF call meh arong 10:15am sayin he headin dong to the park to hold dong ah spot.
I drop the wife off by she mudder and head out to pick up some doubles for the boys…..Pick the doubles and reach by the park….FF was there with some of the crew ahready…..
Pull out meh doubles bag and 1-gallon gatorade bottle and head dong to where all the red jersey stand up.
Well shit talk start ah ready…why Spann shouldn’t play…WISE FOR GERMANY….at one point Bally start to make argument for Wise to be on the team so ah thought he was TI cousin….
FF take meh Carib hat and everybody draw to see if dey on the White team or Red team.
We had pics courtesy E-man…and the National Flag flyin proud….
The final sentiment when we finished was: We need to do this more often
First of all BIG UP!! to FF, E-man(he is the MAN!) and the rest for the putting this together. And Of course thank you to FLEX for his support and guest appearance.
FF will give you the break dong of:
All who show up…
The Score (Reds{akaBahrain} vs Whites)
The Real Score
Why FF tell the yute man he should stick to baseball
Who collect Tolum Time
Who get Spanna
Who was eatin Popeye's instead of Doubles
Who is Wise bullaman
How much half time we had
Who leave dey gyul in the car
All in all it was a great day for the Warrior Nation NY area to get together.
Monday is ah holiday here(Memorial day) so ah does usually get up arong 11-12….ah was up by 9am….get meh self ready and tell the wife to find someway to go…FF call meh arong 10:15am sayin he headin dong to the park to hold dong ah spot.
I drop the wife off by she mudder and head out to pick up some doubles for the boys…..Pick the doubles and reach by the park….FF was there with some of the crew ahready…..
Pull out meh doubles bag and 1-gallon gatorade bottle and head dong to where all the red jersey stand up.
Well shit talk start ah ready…why Spann shouldn’t play…WISE FOR GERMANY….at one point Bally start to make argument for Wise to be on the team so ah thought he was TI cousin….
FF take meh Carib hat and everybody draw to see if dey on the White team or Red team.
We had pics courtesy E-man…and the National Flag flyin proud….
The final sentiment when we finished was: We need to do this more often
106
Football / We Reach !!!
« on: May 28, 2006, 03:28:59 PM »
Ah went in a Pizza restaurant in Flushin NY..(after the Warrior Nation fete match....ah hungry.).....They had the Paraguay/Denmark game on in the restaurant....started talkin to the guy....ah ask him who he like for the WC..he say Poland...he from Poland nah....
ah tell him I go be going to Germany to check out the game...he ask way ah from...ah raise meh chess an say Trinidad......from the time ah say that....he say "Dwight Yorke...great player"
that make meh smile...it swell meh chess...
what can I say...WE REACH !!!
ah tell him I go be going to Germany to check out the game...he ask way ah from...ah raise meh chess an say Trinidad......from the time ah say that....he say "Dwight Yorke...great player"
that make meh smile...it swell meh chess...
what can I say...WE REACH !!!
107
Football / Is there a STRONG chance the Warriors will do this in Germany
« on: May 26, 2006, 11:53:31 AM »
Chile players sent home after women discovered in rooms
SANTIAGO, Chile, May 26 (Reuters) - Two key members of Chile's national soccer squad have been sent home from a European tour after women were discovered in their hotel rooms, an official said on Friday.
The official said midfielder Mark Gonzalez and striker Reinaldo Navia had been ordered to fly home from Ireland after Chile beat the home team 1-0 on Wednesday.
Chile, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, are playing a series of friendlies in Europe to prepare for a regional Cup in 2007 in the Americas and for classifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"There was a disciplinary problem with our players...they had women in their room, so together with (coach) Nelson (Acosta), the head of the delegation and I decided to send them home," Reinaldo Sanchez, president of Chile's national professional soccer association, told Cooperativa radio station.
Navia played for the Mexican teams America and Monterrey and Gonzalez belongs to Liverpool although he is currently on loan to Spain's Real Sociedad.
The coach discovered the women in the players' rooms in the early hours of Friday morning.
Updated on Friday
SANTIAGO, Chile, May 26 (Reuters) - Two key members of Chile's national soccer squad have been sent home from a European tour after women were discovered in their hotel rooms, an official said on Friday.
The official said midfielder Mark Gonzalez and striker Reinaldo Navia had been ordered to fly home from Ireland after Chile beat the home team 1-0 on Wednesday.
Chile, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, are playing a series of friendlies in Europe to prepare for a regional Cup in 2007 in the Americas and for classifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"There was a disciplinary problem with our players...they had women in their room, so together with (coach) Nelson (Acosta), the head of the delegation and I decided to send them home," Reinaldo Sanchez, president of Chile's national professional soccer association, told Cooperativa radio station.
Navia played for the Mexican teams America and Monterrey and Gonzalez belongs to Liverpool although he is currently on loan to Spain's Real Sociedad.
The coach discovered the women in the players' rooms in the early hours of Friday morning.
Updated on Friday
108
Football / Reyna Does have a Legitimate Point !!!!!
« on: May 26, 2006, 08:41:35 AM »
World Cup seeding snub still rankles US captain Reyna
AFP
May 26, 2006
NASHVILLE, United States (AFP) - US captain Claudio Reyna has slammed a FIFA World Cup seeding system that delivered Team USA into a tough Group E while easing the first-round path of regional rivals Mexico.
Despite winning eight of their last nine meetings with Mexico, finishing first in CONCACAF qualifying and boasting a top-10 FIFA world ranking, the United States was overlooked when it came to the top eight seedings for the World Cup finals in Germany next month "FIFA claim their rankings are done by computer, that they have some sort of formula which takes into account each country's results, strength of opponent and the competitiveness of every fixture. Well, if that is the case, why didn't they use them for the draw," said Reyna,. who was given more pressing problems to worry about when he suffered an injury scare in the USA's 1-0 loss to Morocco in a World Cup warm-up here on Tuesday.
He limped off with a tight hamstring in the first half, but was relieved to learn Wednesday there was no serious muscle damage.
He was to skip the United States' final two tune-ups, against Venezuela in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, and Latvia, but is expected to be fit for the Americans' World Cup opener against the Czech Republic.
In Group E, the United States will face the Czechs and Italy as well as dangerous Ghana.
Mexico landed in Group D, which includes Iran, Angola and Portugal.
Reyna, the 33-year-old who plays for Manchester City in the English Premiership, said the system that seeded Mexico higher than the United States didn't make sense.
"We have beaten Mexico eight times out of nine, we beat them in the last World Cup and we finished ahead of them in our qualifying group," he said. "No one, not even the Mexican media, could make a case for them being seeded above us, yet somehow it happened.
"It just raises the old question about what FIFA is doing," he said. "I am sure they want the United States at the World Cup. But I think they look on Mexico as a big footballing nation, believe they should be seeded and then come up with a formula to satisfy their requirements. It is so frustrating and irritating."
AFP
May 26, 2006
NASHVILLE, United States (AFP) - US captain Claudio Reyna has slammed a FIFA World Cup seeding system that delivered Team USA into a tough Group E while easing the first-round path of regional rivals Mexico.
Despite winning eight of their last nine meetings with Mexico, finishing first in CONCACAF qualifying and boasting a top-10 FIFA world ranking, the United States was overlooked when it came to the top eight seedings for the World Cup finals in Germany next month "FIFA claim their rankings are done by computer, that they have some sort of formula which takes into account each country's results, strength of opponent and the competitiveness of every fixture. Well, if that is the case, why didn't they use them for the draw," said Reyna,. who was given more pressing problems to worry about when he suffered an injury scare in the USA's 1-0 loss to Morocco in a World Cup warm-up here on Tuesday.
He limped off with a tight hamstring in the first half, but was relieved to learn Wednesday there was no serious muscle damage.
He was to skip the United States' final two tune-ups, against Venezuela in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, and Latvia, but is expected to be fit for the Americans' World Cup opener against the Czech Republic.
In Group E, the United States will face the Czechs and Italy as well as dangerous Ghana.
Mexico landed in Group D, which includes Iran, Angola and Portugal.
Reyna, the 33-year-old who plays for Manchester City in the English Premiership, said the system that seeded Mexico higher than the United States didn't make sense.
"We have beaten Mexico eight times out of nine, we beat them in the last World Cup and we finished ahead of them in our qualifying group," he said. "No one, not even the Mexican media, could make a case for them being seeded above us, yet somehow it happened.
"It just raises the old question about what FIFA is doing," he said. "I am sure they want the United States at the World Cup. But I think they look on Mexico as a big footballing nation, believe they should be seeded and then come up with a formula to satisfy their requirements. It is so frustrating and irritating."
109
Football / 2006 WORLD CUP: Trinidad fulfills dream with first World Cup appearance
« on: May 25, 2006, 01:11:39 PM »By JOSH DUBOW, AP Sports Writer
The prime minister declared a national holiday and tens of thousands of fans danced to steel drums and soca music when Trinidad and Tobago qualified for its first World Cup.
For the tiny twin-island Caribbean nation, just making it to Germany was a remarkable accomplishment.
"Every kid dreams to play in the World Cup," said 37-year-old midfielder Russell Latapy, who came out of retirement from international play last year to help his country qualify. "As a kid you say funny things. But saying it as a kid and doing it at the twilight of your career are two totally different things."
Trinidad now turns its attention to the tough task ahead in Germany. T&T will be underdogs in all three of its matches in Group B, starting June 10 against Sweden. That is followed by a much-awaited matchup against its former colonial ruler, England, on June 15, before Trinidad finishes up the first round on June 20 against Paraguay.
Playing in the only group with three teams that made it to the second round in 2002 makes Trinidad one of the longest shots to advance in this year's tournament. But the Soca Warriors aren't ready to concede just yet.
"Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" striker Dwight Yorke said. "Football is unpredictable. The important thing is the country is behind us, supporting us, backing us at every turn."
Yorke also came out of international retirement last year and helped Trinidad qualify by beating Bahrain in a playoff. Yorke is the highest-profile star on the team and probably Trinidad's greatest player ever, starting for many years in England's Premier League.
Yorke scored 29 goals in his first season for Manchester United in 1998-99, helping the storied team become the first English squad to win the league title, the Football Association Cup and the Champions League in the same year.
Yorke is now playing a much deeper role in midfield and Coventry City striker Stern John is the biggest scoring threat, converting twice in a 2-1 home win against Mexico that put T&T into the playoff against Bahrain.
Trinidad also has an experienced coach in Leo Beenhakker, who coached at top European clubs such as Ajax of Amsterdam and Real Madrid, as well as leading the Netherlands to the second round in the 1990 World Cup.
After taking over the Soca Warriors in March 2005, Beenhakker helped the team regroup from a slow start in qualifying. After tying Bahrain at home, T and T won 1-0 on the road on Dennis Lawrence's goal to advance to the World Cup.
"In the past we were weak defensively, so we'd score two or three but lose three or four," Latapy said. "Leo has brought us a stability on defense without taking a way our flair. If we can score goals, we'll protect the goal, too."
Trinidad is the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, with a population of 1.3 million that is similar to that of San Diego and an area of 1,980 square miles that is about the size of Delaware.
The former British colony was granted independence in 1962 and joined FIFA two years later. After coming close to qualifying for the 1974 World Cup, Trinidad appeared poised to go to the 1990 tournament in Italy.
Needing just a tie at home against the United States on the final day of qualifying, Trinidad was stunned when Paul Caligiuri scored from about 30 yards in the 31st minute for the only goal of the game, sending the Americans to their first World Cup since 1950.
"It was a very difficult time," said Latapy, who along with Yorke are the only players left from that team. "Now we're taking that out of our system. It's been hard all these years. This is the light at the end of the tunnel. We've been aspiring for this shot for a long time. It was tough, really. But we're focused on the future and not the past."
Associated Press Writer Adam Raney in Port of Spain, Trinidad, contributed to this report.
110
Football / Beenie has until Tuesday to decide on WISE !!!
« on: May 24, 2006, 01:42:18 PM »
May 24, 2006
LONDON (Ticker) - England's team doctors will have to inform FIFA by May 30 if they expect Wayne Rooney to recover in time to take part in the World Cup.
Rooney is having an MRI scan on Thursday to determine the progress of his recovery from his metatarsal injury.
Once the results of the scan are known, Manchester United's assistant team doctor Tony Gill - who has taken over Rooney's care following the abrupt departure of Mike Stone - will liaise with England medical staff.
England team doctor Leif Sward then will have to inform FIFA by Tuesday that he expects all the players in the squad will be mentally and physically fit to play in the World Cup. "Each team physician have to confirm by May 30 that their players are physically and mentally fit to participate in the World Cup," FIFA chief medical officer Dr. Jiri Dvorak said. "If Wayne Rooney is on the list, then that is in principle confirmation that it is anticipated he will have recovered in time to participate in the tournament."
Every player has to have a range of medical tests, including heart monitoring, and be signed off by the national team doctor.
FIFA says it views this as a statement of intent that a player will be available to take part in the tournament, although if Rooney broke down again, Sven-Goran Eriksson would have until June 9 to replace him in the squad.
Meanwhile, the departure of Stone from Manchester United remains unclear beyond the fact that he had a major bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Stone has had his employment with United terminated with immediate effect but club officials insist his departure has nothing to do with Rooney's recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered at Chelsea last month.
Given the cautious tone he adopted over the 20-year-old's chances of playing in Germany this summer, Ferguson presumably has grown increasingly unhappy at the number of positive bulletins being released on Rooney's condition.
Although most of the statements have been attributed to the England doctor Sward, Stone has been liaising closely with the Swede.
Given the importance to United of Rooney being fit for the start of next season, it would be understandable if Ferguson found the present upbeat mood irritating, possibly triggering an argument over an unrelated matter that led to confirmation of Stone's departure in a club statement.
"We can confirm Dr. Stone has left the club," a statement from United said. "There was a difference of opinion on a non-footballing and non-clinical issue, as a result of which Dr. Stone felt it to be in his and the club's best interests for him to leave.
"The difference was over a non-clinical issue and had nothing whatsoever to do with any medical treatment to a Manchester United player."
The dismissal has been greeted with shock and some sense of sadness within Red Devils circles, where Stone has been a popular figure among both players and staff since his arrival in 1999.
Senior figures at the club - including Ferguson - stood by Stone over the Rio Ferdinand missed drug test fiasco in 2003, when he elected to try to get a message to the defender that he was required to take a test rather than ensure he attended it personally.
The loyalty shown at that time only makes his exit even more of a shock
LONDON (Ticker) - England's team doctors will have to inform FIFA by May 30 if they expect Wayne Rooney to recover in time to take part in the World Cup.
Rooney is having an MRI scan on Thursday to determine the progress of his recovery from his metatarsal injury.
Once the results of the scan are known, Manchester United's assistant team doctor Tony Gill - who has taken over Rooney's care following the abrupt departure of Mike Stone - will liaise with England medical staff.
England team doctor Leif Sward then will have to inform FIFA by Tuesday that he expects all the players in the squad will be mentally and physically fit to play in the World Cup. "Each team physician have to confirm by May 30 that their players are physically and mentally fit to participate in the World Cup," FIFA chief medical officer Dr. Jiri Dvorak said. "If Wayne Rooney is on the list, then that is in principle confirmation that it is anticipated he will have recovered in time to participate in the tournament."
Every player has to have a range of medical tests, including heart monitoring, and be signed off by the national team doctor.
FIFA says it views this as a statement of intent that a player will be available to take part in the tournament, although if Rooney broke down again, Sven-Goran Eriksson would have until June 9 to replace him in the squad.
Meanwhile, the departure of Stone from Manchester United remains unclear beyond the fact that he had a major bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Stone has had his employment with United terminated with immediate effect but club officials insist his departure has nothing to do with Rooney's recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered at Chelsea last month.
Given the cautious tone he adopted over the 20-year-old's chances of playing in Germany this summer, Ferguson presumably has grown increasingly unhappy at the number of positive bulletins being released on Rooney's condition.
Although most of the statements have been attributed to the England doctor Sward, Stone has been liaising closely with the Swede.
Given the importance to United of Rooney being fit for the start of next season, it would be understandable if Ferguson found the present upbeat mood irritating, possibly triggering an argument over an unrelated matter that led to confirmation of Stone's departure in a club statement.
"We can confirm Dr. Stone has left the club," a statement from United said. "There was a difference of opinion on a non-footballing and non-clinical issue, as a result of which Dr. Stone felt it to be in his and the club's best interests for him to leave.
"The difference was over a non-clinical issue and had nothing whatsoever to do with any medical treatment to a Manchester United player."
The dismissal has been greeted with shock and some sense of sadness within Red Devils circles, where Stone has been a popular figure among both players and staff since his arrival in 1999.
Senior figures at the club - including Ferguson - stood by Stone over the Rio Ferdinand missed drug test fiasco in 2003, when he elected to try to get a message to the defender that he was required to take a test rather than ensure he attended it personally.
The loyalty shown at that time only makes his exit even more of a shock
111
Football / Warriors set off for Austria
« on: May 19, 2006, 12:00:39 AM »
We Reach !
Chris Birchall embraces Dennis Lawrence as Marvin Andrews watches on just before the team left the Carden Park Hotel for training on their bikes yesterday.
Leo Beenhakker resumed his double sessions with the Soca Warriors yesterday and the players will have this evening off to engage in some windball cricket or cart racing, before flying off to Graz, Austria tomorrow morning for another training camp at the IM Hotel in Bad Radkersburg.
So far, the Warriors have been acclaimed as a well- balanced outfit, particularly based on questions and statements from the foreign media.
Beenhakker also said there was no difference in his job between leading Holland in Italy 1990 to leading T&T in 2006.
“The place makes no difference, whether it’s with a big club or a small country. I love it everyday until now. It’s football,” he said.
The Dutchman noted that T&T football was based on a Caribbean and Central American style.
“In our first days there, it was a little mixed up because there were guys playing all over. But we worked on it and we made important decisions. “Actual football is more than ever a passing game with heavy patience and taking time to win the ball. T&T style is now a mixture of the talent and skills of the players and my idea of how to actually play the game,” Beenhakker added.
Team chef Cecil Wint had the players smiling on Thursday night following an eleven vs eleven session on the pitch. They were treated to a well-balanced supper, which included stew chicken and ox-tail pelau.
It was the right platter before following the live cricket action between West Indies and India on Sky TV.
Caribbean kick off in Dortmund
The FIFA World Cup will get under way in Dortmund with a night to remember at the city's Westfalenhallen, where leading acts from T&T will bring a flavour of the Caribbean to this corner of Germany.
On June 9, the night before T&T play Sweden at the Westfalenstadion, musicians from the tiny island state will have the chance to put their country into the spotlight.
A four-hour show packed with pulsating rhythms has been planned, promising a real carnival atmosphere for the thousands of football fans visiting the city.
The event will take place at Westfalenhalle 1 and will start with a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony involving 32 local children, each carrying the flag of one of the participating nations.
The Germany v Costa Rica match will be broadcast on a giant screen and once over, the Caribbean Night will commence.
More than 100 stars from Trinidad and Tobago will be there, including limbo dancers, incredible costumes and some of the country’s most famous music acts.
According to fifaworldcup.com, these include Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, who has served as his country's official cultural ambassador, and Junia Regrello, one of T&T's top carnival music stars.
This Caribbean Night is planned in conjunction with the T&T tourist board
112
Football / NYC: 1st Match TnT vs Swe 6:00pmEST...where we watching it ???
« on: May 17, 2006, 10:02:32 AM »
Warrior Nation East Coast Crew
I propose we either check this out in Mangoeville or if soemone know somewhere else in Bklyn/Queens
I propose we either check this out in Mangoeville or if soemone know somewhere else in Bklyn/Queens
113
Football / Teams Startin to Arrive In Germany Ahready !!!
« on: May 15, 2006, 12:03:32 PM »
Togo first World Cup finalist team to arrive in Germany
STUTTGART, Germany, May 15 (Reuters) - Togo became the first World Cup team to arrive in Germany when they landed on Monday in the southwestern city of Stuttgart for four weeks of training before their first Group G match.
The African team, coached by German Otto Pfister, touched down an hour behind schedule at Stuttgart airport shortly before 1400 GMT. They arrived from the Netherlands, where they were beaten 1-0 on Sunday by Saudia Arabia in a friendly.
"We're obviously underdogs," Pfister said of his World Cup debutants after being welcomed by German organising committee officials as well as leaders from the local state government.
ADVERTISEMENT
"But I think we can achieve a thing or two at the World Cup. All our preparations are aimed at the first match against South Korea. If we can win that, every match after that will be a like 'final' for us."
France and Switzerland are also in Group G and are the favourites to advance. Togo will play their first match against South Korea on June 13 in Frankfurt.
Hosts Germany will not convene at their base hotel in Berlin until June 4, although the squad will be together for camps in Sardinia and Geneva from May 16.
The African team were given a police motorcycle escort to their training base in Wangen.
"My heart is beating for both Togo and Germany -- hopefully they'll both make it to the final," said Wangen mayor Michael Lang.
STUTTGART, Germany, May 15 (Reuters) - Togo became the first World Cup team to arrive in Germany when they landed on Monday in the southwestern city of Stuttgart for four weeks of training before their first Group G match.
The African team, coached by German Otto Pfister, touched down an hour behind schedule at Stuttgart airport shortly before 1400 GMT. They arrived from the Netherlands, where they were beaten 1-0 on Sunday by Saudia Arabia in a friendly.
"We're obviously underdogs," Pfister said of his World Cup debutants after being welcomed by German organising committee officials as well as leaders from the local state government.
ADVERTISEMENT
"But I think we can achieve a thing or two at the World Cup. All our preparations are aimed at the first match against South Korea. If we can win that, every match after that will be a like 'final' for us."
France and Switzerland are also in Group G and are the favourites to advance. Togo will play their first match against South Korea on June 13 in Frankfurt.
Hosts Germany will not convene at their base hotel in Berlin until June 4, although the squad will be together for camps in Sardinia and Geneva from May 16.
The African team were given a police motorcycle escort to their training base in Wangen.
"My heart is beating for both Togo and Germany -- hopefully they'll both make it to the final," said Wangen mayor Michael Lang.
115
Football / WorldCup Comin close...Ah Startin to feel tizic !!!!
« on: May 13, 2006, 11:56:56 PM »
Ah wear meh Warrior Nation juzy whole day today...ah even went in a birthday party tonight and give out the officical FIFA schedule with all the TnT games highlighted...
Ah gettin excited allyuh..
.is me alone ??
Ah now watch the Mexico vs Trinidad highlights again whenStern hit them the bullet...all meh hair stan up....
Allyuh...ah feelin it..
...ah tizic and cyah sleep !
..Germany we Comin !!!
Ah gettin excited allyuh..
.is me alone ??Ah now watch the Mexico vs Trinidad highlights again whenStern hit them the bullet...all meh hair stan up....
Allyuh...ah feelin it..
...ah tizic and cyah sleep !..Germany we Comin !!!
116
Football / ‘Legends’ medals for Soca Warriors
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:42:54 PM »
http://www.guardian.co.tt/sports4.html
The Soca Warriors will be honoured with “Legends of Soccer” medals after their encounter with Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium today.The match starts 6.30pm
Peter Taylor of the NEl said that approval was sought from the T&TFF to present the Soca Warriors with the medals after their game as it was the last opportunity to do so.
The medals were crafted by Designs Insignia of Toronto, Canada. They arrived in the country some three weeks ago along with the medals for the World Cup teams of 1966, 1974, and 1990.
A separate presentation ceremony is being planned for the earlier teams.
Presenting the medals to the Warriors will be T&TFF president Oliver camps and Robert Trestrail, General Manager of Sagicor, whose company assisted the sponsorship of the medals.
NEI thanked Neville Ferguson, Richard Groden, Jack Warner of the T&TFF and Marvin Andrews and Yasmin Rezende of Sagicor for their assistance in the project.
The Soca Warriors will be honoured with “Legends of Soccer” medals after their encounter with Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium today.The match starts 6.30pm
Peter Taylor of the NEl said that approval was sought from the T&TFF to present the Soca Warriors with the medals after their game as it was the last opportunity to do so.
The medals were crafted by Designs Insignia of Toronto, Canada. They arrived in the country some three weeks ago along with the medals for the World Cup teams of 1966, 1974, and 1990.
A separate presentation ceremony is being planned for the earlier teams.
Presenting the medals to the Warriors will be T&TFF president Oliver camps and Robert Trestrail, General Manager of Sagicor, whose company assisted the sponsorship of the medals.
NEI thanked Neville Ferguson, Richard Groden, Jack Warner of the T&TFF and Marvin Andrews and Yasmin Rezende of Sagicor for their assistance in the project.
117
Football / Paving the way for 2006
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:41:38 PM »
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=158045967
Fazeer Mohammed
Wednesday, May 10th 2006
Trinidad and Tobago and Coventry City striker Stern John hits a pass as the national team prepare ahead of today's international friendly against Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
As we prepare for another round of celebrations, let's also remember those who helped pave the way to this historic experience.
Good to see that Bwee are playing a part in fuelling the football fever ahead of next month's World Cup finals in Germany. The latest edition of the in-flight magazine puts a heavy focus on Trinidad and Tobago's impending date with destiny, but there is also an appreciation of the efforts of the two squads who came so close to being the first from the twin-island state to make it onto the biggest stage in world sport.
The diehards need no reminding of those near-misses in 1973 and 1989. For the newcomers, the ones hooked by the exploits of the team led by Dwight Yorke and guided by Leo Beenhakker, there is the chance to realise that the sides of those previous eras were not just fairly okay. If anything, their achievements, in terms of actual results, were superior to the squad that is now exactly one month away from the opening Group B game against Sweden in Dortmund.
Everald Cummings is the link between those two outstanding sides as star striker on the road to West Germany '74 and head coach of the Italia '90 effort.
Reading "Gally's" reflections on those momentous campaigns, it is easy to understand why it would almost be a bittersweet feeling for anyone so closely involved in the two qualifying tournaments to see all that is being lavished upon the present national team.
Not that they don't deserve it. For a twin-island nation of just 1,978 square miles and a population of only 1.3 million to be among the 32 nations involved in the biggest single event of all time is worthy of all the celebrations triggered by that victory over Bahrain last November.
Still, and let's face the facts head-on, this Trinidad and Tobago team finished fourth in the final round of qualifying while the '89 side placed third and the '73 squad were just out of the top spot in second.
In 1974, only the top CONCACAF team made it to the 16-team finals, while by 1990, when the finals had been expanded to involve 24 teams, just the top two from the region made it to the Big Yard of football.
Since France '98, however, there have been 32 teams in the finals, and only in the qualifying for Germany '06 was the chance of a fourth CONCACAF qualifier made possible via a playoff with the fourth-placed team from Asia.
It was a chance that we have made full use of.
For those hyper-sensitive types who interpret these realities as an attempt to minimise our achievement, chill out. If anything, the intention here is to show just how well the teams from the two previous eras played and how the quirks of fate can deal different hands at different times.
Let us remember that the team that went to Haiti for the final qualifying round in 1973 was so blatantly robbed in their opening game against the hosts (four goals disallowed in a 2-1 loss) by deliberately poor officiating that the referee and a linesman were banned for life by FIFA afterwards.
It is difficult to imagine how any side could lift itself after that experience, yet they went on to crush Mexico 4-0-yes, the mighty Mexico-in their final game, a result that actually paved the way for the Haitians to qualify.
The anguish in recalling those moments must still sting. So you could only imagine how it feels to be involved in another agonising near-miss, as Cummings was on that never-to-be-forgotten day of November 19, 1989.
To lose 1-0 at home to the United States in the final qualifying game when only a draw would have taken us through is the kind of result to provoke an explosion of violence in many other countries.
Yet, we sportingly applauded the Americans and our own heroes, who, for all sorts of reasons, could not recapture the style and spirit that had taken them to the doorstep of history.
It had seemed ours for the taking, especially with the Mexicans ruled out of qualifying for using over-age players in a youth tournament the year before.
But it was not to be, and the subsequent scandal over the over-selling of tickets left many a loyalist vowing to never follow the national team again.
Such was the depth of feeling and the sense of hurt over a journey that had united the nation as never before or since, until now.
Soaring above the clouds at 30,000 feet and staring at the photographs of the teams of '73 and '89, it was easy to be lost in those fading moments.
The boys bound for Haiti, almost all (especially Ray Roberts) with their well-groomed Afros reflecting the styles of the day, most smiling broadly and confidently, just one or two with the sombre demeanour of soldiers going to war.
Then there is that day at the National Stadium with the squad posing against the backdrop of stands packed beyond capacity. Jubilant masses in the distance, but in foreground, players who seem, behind the occasional nervous smile, burdened by the proximity of glory.
It should be a wonderful, celebratory atmosphere this evening against Peru at what is now the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Yet, in understanding our history, appreciating the efforts of those who almost made it, we will cherish these moments even more.
Fazeer Mohammed
Wednesday, May 10th 2006
Trinidad and Tobago and Coventry City striker Stern John hits a pass as the national team prepare ahead of today's international friendly against Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
As we prepare for another round of celebrations, let's also remember those who helped pave the way to this historic experience.
Good to see that Bwee are playing a part in fuelling the football fever ahead of next month's World Cup finals in Germany. The latest edition of the in-flight magazine puts a heavy focus on Trinidad and Tobago's impending date with destiny, but there is also an appreciation of the efforts of the two squads who came so close to being the first from the twin-island state to make it onto the biggest stage in world sport.
The diehards need no reminding of those near-misses in 1973 and 1989. For the newcomers, the ones hooked by the exploits of the team led by Dwight Yorke and guided by Leo Beenhakker, there is the chance to realise that the sides of those previous eras were not just fairly okay. If anything, their achievements, in terms of actual results, were superior to the squad that is now exactly one month away from the opening Group B game against Sweden in Dortmund.
Everald Cummings is the link between those two outstanding sides as star striker on the road to West Germany '74 and head coach of the Italia '90 effort.
Reading "Gally's" reflections on those momentous campaigns, it is easy to understand why it would almost be a bittersweet feeling for anyone so closely involved in the two qualifying tournaments to see all that is being lavished upon the present national team.
Not that they don't deserve it. For a twin-island nation of just 1,978 square miles and a population of only 1.3 million to be among the 32 nations involved in the biggest single event of all time is worthy of all the celebrations triggered by that victory over Bahrain last November.
Still, and let's face the facts head-on, this Trinidad and Tobago team finished fourth in the final round of qualifying while the '89 side placed third and the '73 squad were just out of the top spot in second.
In 1974, only the top CONCACAF team made it to the 16-team finals, while by 1990, when the finals had been expanded to involve 24 teams, just the top two from the region made it to the Big Yard of football.
Since France '98, however, there have been 32 teams in the finals, and only in the qualifying for Germany '06 was the chance of a fourth CONCACAF qualifier made possible via a playoff with the fourth-placed team from Asia.
It was a chance that we have made full use of.
For those hyper-sensitive types who interpret these realities as an attempt to minimise our achievement, chill out. If anything, the intention here is to show just how well the teams from the two previous eras played and how the quirks of fate can deal different hands at different times.
Let us remember that the team that went to Haiti for the final qualifying round in 1973 was so blatantly robbed in their opening game against the hosts (four goals disallowed in a 2-1 loss) by deliberately poor officiating that the referee and a linesman were banned for life by FIFA afterwards.
It is difficult to imagine how any side could lift itself after that experience, yet they went on to crush Mexico 4-0-yes, the mighty Mexico-in their final game, a result that actually paved the way for the Haitians to qualify.
The anguish in recalling those moments must still sting. So you could only imagine how it feels to be involved in another agonising near-miss, as Cummings was on that never-to-be-forgotten day of November 19, 1989.
To lose 1-0 at home to the United States in the final qualifying game when only a draw would have taken us through is the kind of result to provoke an explosion of violence in many other countries.
Yet, we sportingly applauded the Americans and our own heroes, who, for all sorts of reasons, could not recapture the style and spirit that had taken them to the doorstep of history.
It had seemed ours for the taking, especially with the Mexicans ruled out of qualifying for using over-age players in a youth tournament the year before.
But it was not to be, and the subsequent scandal over the over-selling of tickets left many a loyalist vowing to never follow the national team again.
Such was the depth of feeling and the sense of hurt over a journey that had united the nation as never before or since, until now.
Soaring above the clouds at 30,000 feet and staring at the photographs of the teams of '73 and '89, it was easy to be lost in those fading moments.
The boys bound for Haiti, almost all (especially Ray Roberts) with their well-groomed Afros reflecting the styles of the day, most smiling broadly and confidently, just one or two with the sombre demeanour of soldiers going to war.
Then there is that day at the National Stadium with the squad posing against the backdrop of stands packed beyond capacity. Jubilant masses in the distance, but in foreground, players who seem, behind the occasional nervous smile, burdened by the proximity of glory.
It should be a wonderful, celebratory atmosphere this evening against Peru at what is now the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Yet, in understanding our history, appreciating the efforts of those who almost made it, we will cherish these moments even more.
118
Football / Peru leave out their stars.
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:39:37 PM »
Peru leave out their stars.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).[/size]
Peru have left out their European-based stars Paolo Guerero (Bayern Munich), Jefferson Farfan (PSV Eindhoven), Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich), Santiago Acasiete (Spain), Nolberto Solano (Newcastle) and influential Ecuador-based midfielder Roberto Palacios Liga (Deportivo Universitario Quito) and will field a locally-based team against Trinidad and Tobago today.
The teams meet in a friendly international from 6.30 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the last home game for the T&T Soca Warriors prior to competing at the World Cup in Germany from June 9-July 9.
Six of the Peruvians have come from their champion club Alianza Lima, who edged Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 last May soon after Dutchman Leo Beenhakker took over as T&T coach from Bertille St Clair.
Another five Peruvians are drawn from Sporting Crystal, another of their top clubs; three from Universidad San Martin; and two more from Cienciano.
The Peru squad are quite young as well. Goalkeepers George Forsythe and Gotuzzo Burton are 24 and 20 years old, respectively. Two other 20-year-olds are midfielder Miguel Cevasco and forward Douglas Junior Ross, while Alianza Lima midfielder Paulo Rinaldo Cruzaro and defender Alberto Junior Rodriguez are both 22 years old.
Yesterday, the Peruvian players trained from 4 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, prior to Trinidad and Tobago's closed-door session at the same venue.
The Peru practice was conducted by head coach Franco Enrique Navarro and was a mainly light session in which they did some tactical work and also concentrated on dead ball drills.
PERU:
George Patrick Forsyth (Alianza Lima), Miguel Angel Villata (Cienciano), Salas Rainer Torres (Sporting Crystal), Carlos Alberto Zegarra (Sporting Crystal), Amilton Fair Prado (Sporting Crystal), Alberto Junior Rodriguez (Sporting Crystal), Roberto Carlos Jiminez (Alianza Athletico), Erick Guillermo Delgado (Sporting Crystal), Gutizzo Leao Butron (Sporting Crystal), Wilmer Alexander Aguirre (Alianza Lima), Santiano Roberto Salazar (Universidad San Martin), Vasallo Olcesa (Universidad San Martin), Douglas juniors Ross (Cienciano), Gustavo Enrique Vasallo (Cienciano), Paulo Rinaldo Cruzado (Alianza Lima), Manuel Alejandro Corrales (Alianza Lima), Pedro Alexandro Garcia de la Cruz (Universidad San Martin), John Galliquio (Universidad San Martin), Miguel Cevasco (Universidad de Depostes), Pedro Alexandro Garcia (Universidad San Martin).
By: Ian Prescott (Express).[/size]
Peru have left out their European-based stars Paolo Guerero (Bayern Munich), Jefferson Farfan (PSV Eindhoven), Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich), Santiago Acasiete (Spain), Nolberto Solano (Newcastle) and influential Ecuador-based midfielder Roberto Palacios Liga (Deportivo Universitario Quito) and will field a locally-based team against Trinidad and Tobago today.
The teams meet in a friendly international from 6.30 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the last home game for the T&T Soca Warriors prior to competing at the World Cup in Germany from June 9-July 9.
Six of the Peruvians have come from their champion club Alianza Lima, who edged Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 last May soon after Dutchman Leo Beenhakker took over as T&T coach from Bertille St Clair.
Another five Peruvians are drawn from Sporting Crystal, another of their top clubs; three from Universidad San Martin; and two more from Cienciano.
The Peru squad are quite young as well. Goalkeepers George Forsythe and Gotuzzo Burton are 24 and 20 years old, respectively. Two other 20-year-olds are midfielder Miguel Cevasco and forward Douglas Junior Ross, while Alianza Lima midfielder Paulo Rinaldo Cruzaro and defender Alberto Junior Rodriguez are both 22 years old.
Yesterday, the Peruvian players trained from 4 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, prior to Trinidad and Tobago's closed-door session at the same venue.
The Peru practice was conducted by head coach Franco Enrique Navarro and was a mainly light session in which they did some tactical work and also concentrated on dead ball drills.
PERU:
George Patrick Forsyth (Alianza Lima), Miguel Angel Villata (Cienciano), Salas Rainer Torres (Sporting Crystal), Carlos Alberto Zegarra (Sporting Crystal), Amilton Fair Prado (Sporting Crystal), Alberto Junior Rodriguez (Sporting Crystal), Roberto Carlos Jiminez (Alianza Athletico), Erick Guillermo Delgado (Sporting Crystal), Gutizzo Leao Butron (Sporting Crystal), Wilmer Alexander Aguirre (Alianza Lima), Santiano Roberto Salazar (Universidad San Martin), Vasallo Olcesa (Universidad San Martin), Douglas juniors Ross (Cienciano), Gustavo Enrique Vasallo (Cienciano), Paulo Rinaldo Cruzado (Alianza Lima), Manuel Alejandro Corrales (Alianza Lima), Pedro Alexandro Garcia de la Cruz (Universidad San Martin), John Galliquio (Universidad San Martin), Miguel Cevasco (Universidad de Depostes), Pedro Alexandro Garcia (Universidad San Martin).
119
Football / Latapy casts final spell.
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:23:03 PM »
Latapy casts final spell but T&T fans hesitant on tickets.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Trinidad and Tobago national football team icon and former captain Russell "Little Magician" Latapy will weave the final spell of his career in front his home fans from 6.30 p.m. today as the "Soca Warriors" host Peru in a friendly international at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Latapy, who plays for Scotland Premier League (SPL) club Falkirk, announced last week he will end his playing career at the 2006 World Cup, which starts on June 9 in Germany.
Today's friendly gives local football enthusiasts the opportunity to witness the send off of the pint-sized playmaker who represented his country for nearly two decades-give or take his premature retirement in 2001.
It is uncertain whether Latapy will perform his tricks in front of a full audience today, though.
An official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) expect a last-minute rush for tickets today.
Neil Mollineaux, who is overseeing the T&TFF's sale of tickets for the friendly, was unavailable for comment but it was clear the game was not yet sold out.
Tickets for Trinidad and Tobago's last two international fixture on home soil-both World Cup qualifying matches played at the Hasely Crawford-were gone within hours of going on sale and there were reports of stampedes and injuries at the various ticketing venues.
Oliver Camps, T&TFF president, claimed that his organisation changed the method of ticket distribution to avoid a repeat of such incidents. Team sponsor, bmobile, which is locked in an intense cellular phone war with rivals Digicel, received the go-ahead to distribute tickets via a lottery system that rewards its customers who request tickets by sending text messages to the company.
A louder and arguably uglier sideshow to today's encounter with the respected South American nation lies in the cost of the tickets.
The T&TFF set prices at $300 (uncovered stand) and $500 (covered stand), which is more than double the admission fee for the Warriors' qualifying matches and might be the highest fee for a sporting event in the country's history.
Sport Minister Roger Boynes said the T&TFF promised to keep the prices at $100 (uncovered stand) and $200 (covered stand) and explained that his government already agreed to sponsor the team based on revenue expected from lower ticket prices. He urged the T&TFF, represented publicly by special adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, to reconsider the high prices.
Warner refused on the grounds that the extra money would go towards the development of football.
The response from the Trinidad and Tobago public so far has been underwhelming and pales in comparison with tickets sales for last year's fixtures against Mexico and Bahrain.
Bmobile refused to comment on sales and referred all queries to the T&TFF, but an official admitted they had not sold out their quota to the public. The company had no problem selling tickets to their own employees, though.
Staff members were allowed to purchase a ticket for $50 and, according to the marketing official, bmobile's internal sales were "overwhelming".
KFC outlets were brought in to help the T&TFF reach the public last Friday, when tickets were made available at branches in Westmoorings, Maraval, St James, Independence Square, Library Corner and Arima.
At KFC, like at bmobile and T&TFF, officials were reluctant to discuss sales on record. But a senior KFC official explained, although there was "a steady flow", none of the six venues had sold out its allocation by yesterday evening.
Barring a late change of heart by the public, the hesitant approach from local fans might suggest a cooling in relations between patrons and the T&TFF which peaked after the Soca Warriors clinched a historic World Cup berth last November, but dipped steadily thereafter amidst concern about Warner's financial involvement with the team.
Last February, Warner was found guilty of violating FIFA's code of ethics by monopolising the sale of Trinidad and Tobago's 2006 World Cup tickets, although he was subsequently pardoned after pleading his ignorance about what constitutes a "conflict of interest".
Today's friendly marks the Warriors' first outing on home soil since qualifying for the World Cup and dozens of European journalists made the trans-Atlantic trip to Trinidad in anticipation of a Carnival atmosphere.
Latapy, arguably the country's best loved player, usually turns out to packed grounds in his homeland with supporters drooling over his dribbles, close control and incisive passing. He would expect no less today.
But, in a climate made tense by Warner's financial initiatives, it is uncertain whether Trinidad and Tobago fans would be ruled by their hearts, purse strings or principles as regard an ongoing battle that has little to do with the success of their football team.
Magician disappears.
T&T Guardian Reports.[/size]
Football icon Russell Latapy is looking forward to playing under Leo Beenhakker at the 2006 World Cup. But having announced his retirement after the Finals, Latapy is eying a chance of coaching the national team in the future. He made this clear on the even of his final appearance on home soil in today’s friendly international against Peru.
“I don't think this is the end, but the beginning of something new. And I know the coach is not ready to leave yet, but, hopefully, I can work in another capacity and continue to represent T&T. I'm not pushing him out of the door yet, but I would love to have the opportunity to come back and give something to Trinidad for all the things that Trinidad has given to me,” Latapy told a gathering of local and foreign media and football officials at a breakfast meeting at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday morning.
The event was organized by TT/Germany 2006 to allow Latapy to say “farewell” as well as to preview today’s friendly against Peru and launch TT Post stamps in commemoration of T&T’s qualification for Germany.
Beenhakker, who saw Latapy inspire to a T&T come from behind 3-2 win over Guatemala last year, spoke only good about the “Little Magician.”
"Russell is one of the few players of whom every coach dreams. They not only can play good football based on their skills and their talent, but they also understand the game. In this way he was a great support for me and the team. As a coach you can give him the message and he is able to translate the message on the field. He is one of those few players who will bring every team something extra. It was a pleasure to work with him.
“When I accepted this job last year May, we had a very long conversation. I invited him to come over and support the team. He had to think about the actual situation, his future and so on, and preferred to concentrate a little bit more on the coaching part. In other words, he was interested in taking over my chair. I said, hey wait, you have many years to go,” Beenhakker said much to the laugher even from Latapy.
"He prefers to play in the middle, but sometimes I put him a little bit on the side because it's better for the team.
"As everybody knows, it will be his farewell game. I am very happy that a great player like Russell Latapy has the chance to say a final farewell of his international career in Germany. I think that it is really big for every player to do it once in his career."
Latapy said it would be difficult to describe himself as a player but said his days at FC Porto were the best.
“Definitely my time at FC Porto. I was fortunate enough to be the first Trinidadian player to play in the Champions League. I had a fantastic time there under another fantastic coach Bobby Robson and I learned about the game at that time. I think it was then that I grew as a player.”
When asked why he felt that the local public was attracted so much to him, Latapy replied: “Must be the hairstyle, it’s dreads now but it used to be Afro,” sparking more laughter from the onlookers.
And as to how he saw the match ups for T&T in Germany, particularly England.
“I always looked at football as eleven against eleven. I think they have a lot of good players but we are quietly confident in our ability. We have confidence as well in the tactics and football knowledge of our coach. If we play to the best of our ability and do what he’s asking us to tactically, I think we will be well capable of performing well.”
Could he compare the Soca Warriors to the 1989 Strike Squad.
“That’s difficult. Two completely different teams and different coaches. We didn’t have the experience of international football back then.
“Obviously it was very disappointing in 1989 but now we have been able to bury that ghost and we want to look forward to this occasion. This is the light at the end of our tunnel and we want to focus on that.”
He also confirmed that he is not carrying any injuries and is ready for the Peruvians and the rest of the build up schedule to the World Cup.
A dynamic midfielder and one who excites the crowd, Latapy has a natural gift and is one of the rare things in the game of football, a playmaker and up to this day continues to be one of the most exciting players to watch.
He has been on the national scene since his days as an Under-10 footballer and has produced many a sparkling performance that has inspired onlookers to dub him "The Little Magician."
He became the first Trinidadian to appear in the European Champions' League during his second season in Portugal with FC Porto.
Following his announced retirement from the National Team in 2001, Latapy, following the influence of his close pal Dwight Yorke and administrator Jack Warner, decided to make one final return to the Team and did so in fine fashion, scoring in T&T’s 3-2 win over Guatemala in World Cup qualifying action in September, 2005. He is also focusing on the coaching aspect of the game and is current attached as an assistant coach with Falkirk FC.
Achievements.
Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004/2005
Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 2004/2005
Bell's Cup winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004
Nominated for the BBC Scotland “Off The Ball” Overseas Player of the Year in 2004
Bell's Player of the Month April 2004
Nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000
T&T Olympic Committee Sports Personality of the Year in 2000
Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1999/2000
Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 1999/2000
Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Hibernian in 1999/2000
Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1998/1999
Portuguese Super Cup winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
Cup of Portugal winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
Portuguese Super Liga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1995/1996
Portuguese Super Liga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1994/1995
T&T Chaconia Medal Silver (World Cup Squad) in 1989
Edinburgh Evening News Sports Personality of the Year in 1999
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1996
T&T Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport) in 1996
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1989
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1985
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1983
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Trinidad and Tobago national football team icon and former captain Russell "Little Magician" Latapy will weave the final spell of his career in front his home fans from 6.30 p.m. today as the "Soca Warriors" host Peru in a friendly international at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Latapy, who plays for Scotland Premier League (SPL) club Falkirk, announced last week he will end his playing career at the 2006 World Cup, which starts on June 9 in Germany.
Today's friendly gives local football enthusiasts the opportunity to witness the send off of the pint-sized playmaker who represented his country for nearly two decades-give or take his premature retirement in 2001.
It is uncertain whether Latapy will perform his tricks in front of a full audience today, though.
An official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) expect a last-minute rush for tickets today.
Neil Mollineaux, who is overseeing the T&TFF's sale of tickets for the friendly, was unavailable for comment but it was clear the game was not yet sold out.
Tickets for Trinidad and Tobago's last two international fixture on home soil-both World Cup qualifying matches played at the Hasely Crawford-were gone within hours of going on sale and there were reports of stampedes and injuries at the various ticketing venues.
Oliver Camps, T&TFF president, claimed that his organisation changed the method of ticket distribution to avoid a repeat of such incidents. Team sponsor, bmobile, which is locked in an intense cellular phone war with rivals Digicel, received the go-ahead to distribute tickets via a lottery system that rewards its customers who request tickets by sending text messages to the company.
A louder and arguably uglier sideshow to today's encounter with the respected South American nation lies in the cost of the tickets.
The T&TFF set prices at $300 (uncovered stand) and $500 (covered stand), which is more than double the admission fee for the Warriors' qualifying matches and might be the highest fee for a sporting event in the country's history.
Sport Minister Roger Boynes said the T&TFF promised to keep the prices at $100 (uncovered stand) and $200 (covered stand) and explained that his government already agreed to sponsor the team based on revenue expected from lower ticket prices. He urged the T&TFF, represented publicly by special adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, to reconsider the high prices.
Warner refused on the grounds that the extra money would go towards the development of football.
The response from the Trinidad and Tobago public so far has been underwhelming and pales in comparison with tickets sales for last year's fixtures against Mexico and Bahrain.
Bmobile refused to comment on sales and referred all queries to the T&TFF, but an official admitted they had not sold out their quota to the public. The company had no problem selling tickets to their own employees, though.
Staff members were allowed to purchase a ticket for $50 and, according to the marketing official, bmobile's internal sales were "overwhelming".
KFC outlets were brought in to help the T&TFF reach the public last Friday, when tickets were made available at branches in Westmoorings, Maraval, St James, Independence Square, Library Corner and Arima.
At KFC, like at bmobile and T&TFF, officials were reluctant to discuss sales on record. But a senior KFC official explained, although there was "a steady flow", none of the six venues had sold out its allocation by yesterday evening.
Barring a late change of heart by the public, the hesitant approach from local fans might suggest a cooling in relations between patrons and the T&TFF which peaked after the Soca Warriors clinched a historic World Cup berth last November, but dipped steadily thereafter amidst concern about Warner's financial involvement with the team.
Last February, Warner was found guilty of violating FIFA's code of ethics by monopolising the sale of Trinidad and Tobago's 2006 World Cup tickets, although he was subsequently pardoned after pleading his ignorance about what constitutes a "conflict of interest".
Today's friendly marks the Warriors' first outing on home soil since qualifying for the World Cup and dozens of European journalists made the trans-Atlantic trip to Trinidad in anticipation of a Carnival atmosphere.
Latapy, arguably the country's best loved player, usually turns out to packed grounds in his homeland with supporters drooling over his dribbles, close control and incisive passing. He would expect no less today.
But, in a climate made tense by Warner's financial initiatives, it is uncertain whether Trinidad and Tobago fans would be ruled by their hearts, purse strings or principles as regard an ongoing battle that has little to do with the success of their football team.
Magician disappears.
T&T Guardian Reports.[/size]
Football icon Russell Latapy is looking forward to playing under Leo Beenhakker at the 2006 World Cup. But having announced his retirement after the Finals, Latapy is eying a chance of coaching the national team in the future. He made this clear on the even of his final appearance on home soil in today’s friendly international against Peru.
“I don't think this is the end, but the beginning of something new. And I know the coach is not ready to leave yet, but, hopefully, I can work in another capacity and continue to represent T&T. I'm not pushing him out of the door yet, but I would love to have the opportunity to come back and give something to Trinidad for all the things that Trinidad has given to me,” Latapy told a gathering of local and foreign media and football officials at a breakfast meeting at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday morning.
The event was organized by TT/Germany 2006 to allow Latapy to say “farewell” as well as to preview today’s friendly against Peru and launch TT Post stamps in commemoration of T&T’s qualification for Germany.
Beenhakker, who saw Latapy inspire to a T&T come from behind 3-2 win over Guatemala last year, spoke only good about the “Little Magician.”
"Russell is one of the few players of whom every coach dreams. They not only can play good football based on their skills and their talent, but they also understand the game. In this way he was a great support for me and the team. As a coach you can give him the message and he is able to translate the message on the field. He is one of those few players who will bring every team something extra. It was a pleasure to work with him.
“When I accepted this job last year May, we had a very long conversation. I invited him to come over and support the team. He had to think about the actual situation, his future and so on, and preferred to concentrate a little bit more on the coaching part. In other words, he was interested in taking over my chair. I said, hey wait, you have many years to go,” Beenhakker said much to the laugher even from Latapy.
"He prefers to play in the middle, but sometimes I put him a little bit on the side because it's better for the team.
"As everybody knows, it will be his farewell game. I am very happy that a great player like Russell Latapy has the chance to say a final farewell of his international career in Germany. I think that it is really big for every player to do it once in his career."
Latapy said it would be difficult to describe himself as a player but said his days at FC Porto were the best.
“Definitely my time at FC Porto. I was fortunate enough to be the first Trinidadian player to play in the Champions League. I had a fantastic time there under another fantastic coach Bobby Robson and I learned about the game at that time. I think it was then that I grew as a player.”
When asked why he felt that the local public was attracted so much to him, Latapy replied: “Must be the hairstyle, it’s dreads now but it used to be Afro,” sparking more laughter from the onlookers.
And as to how he saw the match ups for T&T in Germany, particularly England.
“I always looked at football as eleven against eleven. I think they have a lot of good players but we are quietly confident in our ability. We have confidence as well in the tactics and football knowledge of our coach. If we play to the best of our ability and do what he’s asking us to tactically, I think we will be well capable of performing well.”
Could he compare the Soca Warriors to the 1989 Strike Squad.
“That’s difficult. Two completely different teams and different coaches. We didn’t have the experience of international football back then.
“Obviously it was very disappointing in 1989 but now we have been able to bury that ghost and we want to look forward to this occasion. This is the light at the end of our tunnel and we want to focus on that.”
He also confirmed that he is not carrying any injuries and is ready for the Peruvians and the rest of the build up schedule to the World Cup.
A dynamic midfielder and one who excites the crowd, Latapy has a natural gift and is one of the rare things in the game of football, a playmaker and up to this day continues to be one of the most exciting players to watch.
He has been on the national scene since his days as an Under-10 footballer and has produced many a sparkling performance that has inspired onlookers to dub him "The Little Magician."
He became the first Trinidadian to appear in the European Champions' League during his second season in Portugal with FC Porto.
Following his announced retirement from the National Team in 2001, Latapy, following the influence of his close pal Dwight Yorke and administrator Jack Warner, decided to make one final return to the Team and did so in fine fashion, scoring in T&T’s 3-2 win over Guatemala in World Cup qualifying action in September, 2005. He is also focusing on the coaching aspect of the game and is current attached as an assistant coach with Falkirk FC.
Achievements.
Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004/2005
Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 2004/2005
Bell's Cup winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004
Nominated for the BBC Scotland “Off The Ball” Overseas Player of the Year in 2004
Bell's Player of the Month April 2004
Nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000
T&T Olympic Committee Sports Personality of the Year in 2000
Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1999/2000
Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 1999/2000
Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Hibernian in 1999/2000
Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1998/1999
Portuguese Super Cup winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
Cup of Portugal winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
Portuguese Super Liga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1995/1996
Portuguese Super Liga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1994/1995
T&T Chaconia Medal Silver (World Cup Squad) in 1989
Edinburgh Evening News Sports Personality of the Year in 1999
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1996
T&T Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport) in 1996
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1989
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1985
T&T Footballer of the Year in 1983
120
Football / OC establishes ombudsman service for ticket portal
« on: May 08, 2006, 01:38:08 PM »
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060412/1/6iym.html
In cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) is establishing an ombudsman service for the ticket portal with immediate effect. In the inaugural session that took place on Wednesday in the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection in Bonn, the composition of the ombudsman service was decided, and the scope of its responsibilities set out. "The role of the ombudsman service will include making decisions on any complaints from ticket holders whose requests for a ticket transfer have initially been refused by the OC," said OC 1st Vice President Horst R. Schmidt.
Each body will have one seat and one vote within the ombudsman service, with operational matters being conducted by the OC. "In the case of disputes, the delicate balancing act is to help genuine fans without opening the flood gates to the black market. It will still not be possible to transfer tickets without good grounds. This is why we were keen to arrive at an agreement that is in the interests of true fans in this highly sensitive matter," added Schmidt.
There were 52,653 requests for transfers and 10,919 tickets offered for resale as of midnight (CEST) on 9 April, the end of the first phase during which the online ticket portal was open at www.FIFAworldcup.com. Since 27 March, it has been possible to return match tickets or transfer them to other people. "At the outset, we forecast that the fans would use the tickets themselves and do anything they could to get into the stadium and that has been shown to be the case. When one considers the fact that 2.7 million tickets have been sold and that around 15 million fans applied for tickets on the Internet, the proportion of those prepared to give up their tickets is only in the region of two percent," explained OC 1st Vice President Schmidt.
One particularly simple method of disposing of a ticket without the need to indicate reasons has been the "Resale" portal. "The tickets made available via this channel in the publicly accessible ticket shop were sold within a matter of minutes in all but a few cases, no matter what game they were for," said Schmidt. As soon as the ticket has been successfully sold, the original ticket price is returned to the seller. Reasons for each ticket transfer must be provided to the OC, as Horst R. Schmidt explains: "This is simply a matter of fairness. After all, anyone benefiting from a transfer is jumping ahead of those waiting in the virtual queue on the Internet." Around 25,000 requests for transfer, almost half, were on the grounds of "within the family". 18,000 requests cited individual cases of "hardship", while "illness" was reported in around 8500 further cases. The remaining 1150 or so requests were divided between four reasons generally recognised by the OC, namely "no visa", "no exit visa", "Act of God" and "death".
In cases where requests are denied, any individual who feels he or she has been treated unfairly can refer the case to the ombudsman service without the need to fill out a form. Reference should be made to the reply received from the OC when contacting the ombudsman service. The ombudsman service can be contacted with immediate effect by e-mail at ombudsstelle@ok2006.de.
The second phase of the ticket portal begins on 1 May. It will remain open until two days before each respective game.
In cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) is establishing an ombudsman service for the ticket portal with immediate effect. In the inaugural session that took place on Wednesday in the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection in Bonn, the composition of the ombudsman service was decided, and the scope of its responsibilities set out. "The role of the ombudsman service will include making decisions on any complaints from ticket holders whose requests for a ticket transfer have initially been refused by the OC," said OC 1st Vice President Horst R. Schmidt.
Each body will have one seat and one vote within the ombudsman service, with operational matters being conducted by the OC. "In the case of disputes, the delicate balancing act is to help genuine fans without opening the flood gates to the black market. It will still not be possible to transfer tickets without good grounds. This is why we were keen to arrive at an agreement that is in the interests of true fans in this highly sensitive matter," added Schmidt.
There were 52,653 requests for transfers and 10,919 tickets offered for resale as of midnight (CEST) on 9 April, the end of the first phase during which the online ticket portal was open at www.FIFAworldcup.com. Since 27 March, it has been possible to return match tickets or transfer them to other people. "At the outset, we forecast that the fans would use the tickets themselves and do anything they could to get into the stadium and that has been shown to be the case. When one considers the fact that 2.7 million tickets have been sold and that around 15 million fans applied for tickets on the Internet, the proportion of those prepared to give up their tickets is only in the region of two percent," explained OC 1st Vice President Schmidt.
One particularly simple method of disposing of a ticket without the need to indicate reasons has been the "Resale" portal. "The tickets made available via this channel in the publicly accessible ticket shop were sold within a matter of minutes in all but a few cases, no matter what game they were for," said Schmidt. As soon as the ticket has been successfully sold, the original ticket price is returned to the seller. Reasons for each ticket transfer must be provided to the OC, as Horst R. Schmidt explains: "This is simply a matter of fairness. After all, anyone benefiting from a transfer is jumping ahead of those waiting in the virtual queue on the Internet." Around 25,000 requests for transfer, almost half, were on the grounds of "within the family". 18,000 requests cited individual cases of "hardship", while "illness" was reported in around 8500 further cases. The remaining 1150 or so requests were divided between four reasons generally recognised by the OC, namely "no visa", "no exit visa", "Act of God" and "death".
In cases where requests are denied, any individual who feels he or she has been treated unfairly can refer the case to the ombudsman service without the need to fill out a form. Reference should be made to the reply received from the OC when contacting the ombudsman service. The ombudsman service can be contacted with immediate effect by e-mail at ombudsstelle@ok2006.de.
The second phase of the ticket portal begins on 1 May. It will remain open until two days before each respective game.