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31

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: February 20, 2024, 03:37:24 PM »

Jeremiah Cateau: U-20s Soca Warriors have unfinished business.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

JEREMIAH Cateau said the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 footballers have unfinished business as they prepare to play in the Under-20 Concacaf Championship qualifiers, which kicks off on Friday.

T&T will play alongside St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Canada at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo in Group D of the qualifying tournament. The group winner will advance to the Concacaf Championships.

Cateau, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia said he is excited to be a part of the national team again. Speaking to TTFA media, the midfielder said, “For me, it is nothing short of a blessing to be here again after being with the Under-17s. It’s just another dream come true.

I am hoping I can help this country, help this team as much as I can, do our badge proud, do this country proud.”

Many of the Under-20 players were part of the 2023 Concacaf Men’s U-17 Championship held one year ago in Guatemala.

Cateau said the Under-20s feel like a family as many players know each other.

“It’s almost like we had a trial run with the Under-17s. It’s good to get the experience to meet the guys. These guys have become like my brothers. We speak every day, every week, so to be here again obviously it is a blessing, but it feels like we want revenge from last time. We feel like we fell short, but we can go all the way this time with this team.”

Cateau said he wants to make his family in T&T proud. “My mother, my father, definitely my family in Valencia. These people have never been able to see me play throughout my career so now that I am here...it means the world to me that they could finally see me on such a big stage.”

Cateau, who also has family connections in Diego Martin and Barataria, said T&T will approach the tournament one match at a time.

“I love our chances, but as coach Brian (Haynes) has stressed to us we want to take it one game at a time. We don’t want to look forward at all. We want to take on St Vincent, then we will worry about Dominica, then we will worry about Canada.”

Cateau said T&T are sometimes overlooked, but they want to show the world their grit and the talent they possess.

T&T will play St Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday at 7 pm.

32

Football / Rio Cardines Thread

« on: February 18, 2024, 01:40:55 AM »

Crystal Palace's Rio Cardines eager for Concacaf challenge with Trinidad and Tobago U-20s.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

English-born flanker Rio Cardines is eager to make his family proud when he represents T&T’s under-20 men’s football team at the Concacaf under-20 championship qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from February 23-27.

Cardines, 18, who represents Crystal Palace’s youth team in the under-18 English Premier League, played for T&T at last year’s Concacaf under-17 championship after receiving his T&T passport on the eve of the tournament. The versatile Cardines can play either right back or left back and also offers a punch in the final third. He had an eventful start to his T&T career when he received a red card on debut versus Canada’s under-17s in a 3-2 loss at last year’s under-17 championship. Cardines also managed a goal in T&T’s 3-2 loss to El Salvador as they exited at the round of 16 stage.

Earlier this week, Cardines was named as one of seven overseas-based players in coach Brian Haynes’ 21-man squad for this month’s qualifiers. In an interview with TT Football Association (TTFA) media on Thursday, Haynes said the overseas group has lifted the overall standard of his squad.

With T&T starting their campaign against St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) from 7 pm on February 23, Cardines is ready to get down to business.

“It is good to be back. The team is looking forward to the tournament and we are going to take it one game at a time,” Cardines told TTFA media.

“The first game is against St Vincent and we are ready to take it as it comes.”

After playing SVG, T&T will play Dominica and Canada on February 25 and 27 respectively. Only the group winner will advance to the Concacaf under-20 championship later this year.

Cardines stressed on the importance of togetherness within the group to navigate the qualifiers.

“I think the whole team is important in these three games. Everyone will play a crucial part,” he said. “There is not one player who is going to stand out. There is not one player who is going to fall short. We are a team and we are going to do everything together.”

The Crystal Palace player, who made the move to the London club at 16, grew up in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. He qualifies to play for the red, white and black through his T&T grandparents and he said playing for his family is his biggest motivation.

“I want to make my family proud. I want to get my family nice things and just make them happy really. That is what it is about,” Cardines said.

“(Wearing the T&T badge) obviously means a lot to me. My family is here.

“My granny and grandad are not with us anymore so I know I am making them proud when they watch down on me. It makes me happy to know they are watching and I am making them proud.”

He said the T&T team will need the backing of the 12th man to take them through the qualifiers.

“I think we need a lot of people to fill out the stadium. We need as many people as we can possibly get. We are going to need it in these games. It will be crucial.”

33

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: February 15, 2024, 01:11:35 AM »

Haynes picks 21-man Soca Warrior squad for Concacaf U-20 qualifiers.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

THE overseas-based trio of Rio Cardines, Derrel Garcia and Larry Noel were among seven overseas players called up to Trinidad and Tobago’s 21-man under-20 squad by coach Brian Haynes for this month’s Concacaf under-20 championship qualifiers.

TT, who start their campaign on February 23, are placed alongside Canada, Dominica and St Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) in group D which will be contested at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. TT play their first game against SVG, before playing Dominica and group favourites Canada on February 25 and 27 respectively.

Only the winners of the six respective groups will advance to the Concacaf under-20 championship to join Concacaf’s highest-ranked under-20 teams: US, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Haynes’ squad includes as many as 11 players who were members of coach Shawn Cooper’s TT team at last year’s Concacaf under-17 championship. TT managed a third-place finish in the group stage behind Canada and the US, before falling to an exciting 3-2 loss to El Salvador in the round of 16 stage of the tournament.

Cardines and Garcia both scored in last year’s under-17 tournament, with the attacking pair of Lindell Sween and Malachi Webb among TT’s standout performers with two goals apiece. Sween and Webb have both been included in Haynes’ team for this month’s qualifiers, and they will be expected to provide firepower in the attacking third for the young Soca Warriors alongside Tyrell Moore, Crystal Palace’s Cardines and the Spanish-based Garcia.

The 16-year-old Garcia copped the 2022 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division title with St Benedict’s College and featured at the beginning of the 2023 school season before making a move to Europe.

Haynes’ team is made up of a number of SSFL standouts and includes former TT under-17 skipper and St Benedict’s midfielder Josiah Ochoa, 2023 SSFL premier division winners Michael Chaves and Jaden Williams, as well as Presentation College San Fernando’s 2023 national intercol winning quartet of Cody Cooper, Abayomi George, Levi Jones and Duhrell Young.

Meanwhile, St Anthony’s College winger Andell Fraser was named as a standby for the tournament.

In friendly action leading up to the qualifiers, TT beat Jamaica’s under-20s 3-2 on January 25, before falling to consecutive defeats against their Jamaican counterparts and a locally based TT senior team.

Despite the losses which showed up his team’s “defensive frailties,” Haynes said he was pleased with the progress his team has made in their preparations for the Concacaf qualifiers.

Canada coach Andrew Olivieri is mindful of TT’s potential threat in group D.

“(TT) are right around the same ranking as us at the under-20 level,” Olivieri told the Canadian Press. “We’re playing at their home, in their country, under their environment so that is an additional challenge.”

(Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team)

Goalkeepers:

Ailan Panton (Darlington Soccer Academy—USA), Makaya Taylor (Presentation College, San F’do/ Brother Ry Academy), Bryan Gafiuk (Victoria Highlanders—Canada);

Defenders:

Akil Henry (Arima North Secondary/ Pro Series), Cody Cooper (Presentation College, San F’do/ Dunstan Williams Academy), Russel Francois (St Anthony’s College/ Trendsetter Hawks), Jaden Williams (Fatima College), Lyshaun Morris (St Benedict’s College/ Pt Fortin Civic), Duhrell Young (Presentation College, San F’do/ W Connection);

Midfielders:

Levi Jones (Presentation College, San F’do), Abayomi George (Presentation College, San F’do), Josiah Ochoa (St Benedict’s College/ Point Fortin Youth), Rio Cardines (Crystal Palace—England), Lindell Sween (San Juan North/ Morvant Caledonia), J’lon Matthews (Malick Secondary), Malachi Webb (St Benedict’s College/ Premier SC), Jeremiah Cateau (Southern Soccer Academy), Derrel Garcia (Intercity International Football Academy—Spain);

Forwards:

Michael Chaves (Fatima College/ QPCC), Larry Noel (Salt Lake Community College—USA), Tyrell Moore (unattached).

Standby:

Andell Fraser (St Anthony’s College).

Technical Staff:

Brian Haynes (head coach), Marvin Gordon (assistant coach), Gilbert Bateau (assistant coach), Jefferson George (goalkeeper coach), Natalie Charles (medic), John Jerry (equipment manager).

(Canada National Under-20 Team)

Goalkeepers:

Nathaniel Abraham (Toronto FC II, MLS Next Pro), Ivan Pavela (NK Lokomotiva Zagreb—Croatia), Gregoire Swiderski (Girondins Bordeaux—France);

Defenders:

James Cameron (Vancouver FC, CPL), Christian Greco-Taylor (unattached), Sergei Kozlovskiy (CF Montreal Academy), Adam Pearlman (Toronto FC II, MLS Next Pro), Theo Rigopoulos (Toronto FC Academy), Ethan Schilte-Brown (Kilmarnock—Scotland), Lazar Stefanovic (Toronto FC II, MLS Next Pro);

Midfielders:

Jeevan Badwal (Whitecaps FC2, MLS Next Pro), Alessandro Biello (CF Montreal Academy), Tiago Codinha (Twente Enschede—Netherlands), Jesse Costa (VFL Wolfsburg—Germany); Myles Morgan (unattached), Matteo Schiavoni (CF Montreal Academy);

Forwards:

Oumar Diallo (Inter Milan—Italy), Kimani Stewart-Baynes  (Colorado Rapids—MLS), Kevaughn Tavernier (Forge FC, CPL), Tavio Ciccarelli (Sheffield United—England), Santiago Lopez (Pumas UNAM—Mexico).

Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers

(Group D - Friday 23 February)

Canada vs Dominica, 3pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

St Vincent and the Grenadines vs Canada, 3pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Dominica vs Trinidad and Tobago, 6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Dominica vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 3pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs Canada, 6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium.

34

Football / Re: FIFA appoints normalisation committee for Trinidad and Tobago football

« on: February 15, 2024, 01:05:06 AM »

Southern Football Association head Denis Latiff: Normalisation Committee did nothing for football.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

PROSPECTIVE TT Football Association (TTFA) presidential candidate Denis Latiff says the general feeling among the TTFA membership is one of relief following the confirmation of the April 13 date for the elections of the new TTFA executive.

Latiff said he has as good a chance as any at winning the upcoming TTFA presidential race, and he believes he and his team have what it takes to bring back corporate T&T into the local football landscape after many aspects of the local game received insufficient attention under the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee.

On Tuesday, TTFA general secretary Amiel Mohammed confirmed the election date to the TTFA membership, with the new TTFA executive committee set to be instituted at an extraordinary congress. Potential candidates for the nine executive committee positions must confirm their candidature to the TTFA general secretariat for the respective posts on or before February 28. The TTFA general secretariat must then disseminate the official list of candidates to the TTFA membership by April 3.

Latiff, president of the Southern Football Association (SFA), has indicated his desire to contest for the presidential post, alongside Veterans Football Foundation of TT (VFFoTT) president Selby Browne and Eastern Football Association (EFA) president Kieron Edwards. On Tuesday, Mohammed told Newsday, “Technically, I have received no formal communication from anybody (regarding the TTFA presidency).”

Speaking to Newsday on Wednesday, Latiff said he was in the process of finalising his nine-member slate and submitting his nomination to the TTFA. Last week, Browne told Newsday he and his team will launch their campaign and manifesto after a meeting with the VFFoTT executive after the Carnival season.

“Everybody is glad for the election date,” Latiff told Newsday. “Whatever it means to them, everybody has a sense of relief. I am feeling pretty good about the election.”

With the election date now confirmed, the normalisation committee, which was appointed by Fifa in March 2020, has received an extension to April 30 at the latest to fulfill Fifa’s mandate.

“We are working to get this together now. We are coming strong. It is about time we get football back where it needs to be. The normalisation committee did not do anything for football itself. They were just being told what to do,” said the Tiger Tanks CEO.

“They did not look at a wide range of necessities for T&T football. Fifa just told them to do this and do that, and that was it. But many people have suffered. The teams have suffered. Many of the members have had disagreements. The zones have not been helped at all.”

Latiff said T&T’s football cannot maximise its potential if the football at the grassroots and regional level is not given the respect and attention it deserves.

“We must help the zones. That is where the footballers are coming from. You will not produce good footballers if you do not have the necessary tools like coaching and funding to host tournaments,” Latiff said.

“It is difficult. I am the head of the SFA right now and I am telling you it is difficult.”

Without revealing the names of the people in his slate, Latiff said they have substantial backgrounds in areas such as sport, business, management, law and human resources. He said it was important to have a versatile slate with expertise in various topics.

“These positions ensure that we will have all the necessary tools (to handle the TTFA office). We are going to have a wide range,” Latiff said.

A holder of an LLM in Business Law, Latiff is hoping to lean on his experience in the business field to firstly sway the TTFA membership in April, and also reinvigorate the TTFA’s external business operations.

“(T&T football) needs proper management and proper auditing. Sponsors and businesses want to be updated every time, because they want to see where their money is going,” Latiff said.

“I am a member of the Energy Chamber... they do not want to commit to the TTFA right now because they are afraid of where the money goes or does not go.”

Critically, four years ago, Fifa removed the then William Wallace-led TTFA executive and appointed the Robert normalisation committee after they found extremely low overall financial management methods being implemented by the TTFA, to go along with massive debt incurred by the local football body.

He said the operation of TTFA’s business side is just as important as the on-field product from the varying national teams.

“This is the business of football, not the game of football. The business of football gets (you) everything to play the game of football,” Latiff said.

“With that in mind, I think I have a fair chance of going and winning the TTFA presidency and bringing back the business people to the table.”

According to Article 30 par. 4 in the amended TTFA statutes, “Every slate in the election for positions within the executive committee, shall be proposed, in writing, by at least five members. Each member shall support one slate only.”

Latiff said he has no problem with the implementation of slates ahead of the TTFA election, and he said he and his team are willing to work together for the greater good of T&T football.

“Going up with a slate and you have everybody beforehand and everyone is committed, and everybody is one the same page going into the election – that is what you need.

“I do not mind that change at all.”

Latiff and his team have two weeks to make their push for the TTFA executive spots official.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association elections set for April 13

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) will elect a new president and accompanying slate to oversee the affairs of TT's football on April 13, 2024 via an extraordinary congress.

TTFA general secretary Amiel Mohammed confirmed the election date via a press release on Tuesday.

The release said, "The normalisation committee of the TTFA has officially convened an extraordinary congress to be held on Saturday April 13, 2024 where the elections of the new TTFA executive committee shall take place."

Candidates vying for the nine executive committee positions must officially submit their names to the TTFA general secretariat on or before February 28 via "recorded post, email with delivery notification, or delivered by hand" in accordance with Article 8 par. 2 of the TTFA electoral code. The general secretariat must then circulate the official list of candidates to the TTFA membership by April 3.

With the election date now set for April 13, the TTFA's normalisation committee, who were set to demit office on March 31, effectively received another extension to fulfill the mandate given to them by Fifa with the new extension being pushed to April 30 at the latest.

On Monday, a letter from Fifa general secretary ad interim Mattias Grafstrom to normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad said the extension was necessary in this instance to facilitate the staging of the election in two months' time.

"In view of the specific timeframe established in the new TTFA Statutes, requiring a minimum of 60 days for the normalisation committee to convene an 8elective congress and for candidates to submit their candidatures to the general secretariat of the TTFA, the elections for a new TTFA executive committee will statutorily not be able to take place before the end of the normalisation committee's mandate (i.e. before March 31, 2024).

"In order to allow the normalisation committee to fulfill the final tasks of its mandate (i.e. organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate), the (Fifa) Bureau decided on February 12 to extend the mandate of the normalisation committee until April 30 at the latest."

The trio of Selby Browne, Veterans Football Foundation of TT (VFFoTT) president, Kieron Edwards, Eastern Football Association president and Dennis Latiff, Southern Football Association president, have all indicated their desire to run for the post of TTFA president, with Browne also saying his nine-member slate for the election has already been formed.

However, Mohammed told Newsday, "Technically, I have received no formal communication from anybody (regarding the TTFA presidency)."

Mohammed said the normalisation committee, in its capacity as the electoral committee, will appoint independent people to oversee the election process. He said the names have already been proposed to the TTFA membership.

As agreed to in the new TTFA statutes which were established in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on January 28, the 12 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one clubs which contested in its inaugural season, along with last season's top six TTPFL tier two clubs – bar Police FC – will all be afforded two votes in the elections. Each of the six regional associations and the TT Women's League Football also have two votes.

The remaining associations such as beach soccer, coaches, futsal, referees, Primary Schools Football League, Secondary Schools Football League and the VFFoTT all have one vote each.

In March 2020, the Bureau of the FIFA Council removed the then William Wallace-led TTFA executive and appointed a normalisation committee after they found extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with massive debt and a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity.

35

Football / Re: Marc Gangia Thread.

« on: February 08, 2024, 08:15:29 AM »

Since 2017 he's been trying to get a T&T passport.

Another possibly forced omission was Denmark-born central midfielder Marc Gangia, who had been trying to get a Trinidad and Tobago passport just before the team (TT U-20) left for a pre-tournament tour in Colombia.

36

Football / Marc Gangia Thread.

« on: February 08, 2024, 07:55:17 AM »

Denmark-born Marc Gangia elated to join Soca Warriors.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

AFTER watching the Soca Warriors play at the 2006 Fifa World Cup, Denmark-born Marc Gangia is now getting the chance to train with the T&T men's senior football team.

Gangia, 26, is eligible to play for T&T through his father.

Gangia, who is a striker for Dalum IF in the fifth tier of Danish football, spoke to the media during a Soca Warriors training session at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima yesterday. T&T are preparing for a Conmebol Copa America qualifier against Canada on March 23 in Frisco, Texas.

"It is a big opportunity hopefully to be a part of," Gangia said. "It is a big step for the country if we could qualify for the (2026) World Cup and also in the summer (Copa tournament). It is a big match ahead in Canada, so we will see if we could get through. It is nice to be here."

Gangia has visited T&T before.

"This is probably my fifth time now. My dad has a lot of family here, so we have been here a couple of times."

He has fond memories of the Soca Warriors. "I remember from the 06 World Cup and also following the (English) Premier League (with T&T footballers) Dwight Yorke and Kenwyne Jones and players like that."

Gangia made the decision a decade ago to play for T&T, but the process has been a lengthy one.

"Approximately ten years ago it started, but it has been a long process with the passports and all those kinds of things."

He is settling down at the training camp, saying, "The weather is hot compared to Denmark so there is a transition I have to get used to, but I think the boys have been nice and taking good care of me, so it has been good so far."

37

Football / Re: Copa America Thread

« on: February 08, 2024, 07:50:16 AM »

Eve: Soca Warriors can compete with anyone.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

HEAD coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s senior football team Angus Eve believes his players can compete with any team.

He wants the Soca Warriors to show that against Canada in the Conmebol Copa America play-in in Frisco, Texas on March 23.

The winner of the match will qualify for the 2024 Copa America tournament.

Eve spoke to the media during a Soca Warriors training session at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima, yesterday.

Eve knows Canada will be a tough assignment, but thinks his players are ready for the challenge.

“Like the US team, the Canada team is built up the same, (with) a lot of European-based players. Some of the players (are) playing in the MLS (Major League Soccer), some playing back home, but most of the players are playing in Europe and they are playing with good teams...but we think we can go in there, we think we can compete with anyone right now and we want to show that. We want to show that confidence that we could go out on the park and compete with anyone.”

When T&T reached the 2006 Fifa World Cup, almost all the local players were playing for foreign clubs. The majority of T&T’s players now are playing locally, but Eve was glad to know that two players will be heading abroad soon. Reon Moore of Defence Force and Real Gill of Club Sando both signed to play overseas. Moore is heading to the Canadian Premier Leage and Gill to the United Soccer League in the US.

Eve said, “It shows that the work that we are doing and people are identifying players again, because we (once) had the same set of players getting contracts all the time...this is a new batch of players who are getting contracts, and I could tell you, when people see them playing with the national team, that is how they get that sort of exposure.

“It shows that people are watching us again and watching our players and that augurs well for the country and for the team on a whole.”

Asked what he wants to see from his players against Canada, Eve said, “We just have to be tactically aware.

“A coach can only give instructions. When the players go out there, they have to have the mindset to play the position, to play the role that the coaches give them to the best of their ability...because for 90 minutes, a coach could never tell a player for every second of every minute of every part of a game what to do.”

T&T will have two practice matches against Jamaica in early March in Trinidad, ahead of the Copa America qualifier against Canada. The Reggae Boyz trip to Trinidad follows the Soca Warriors tour of Jamaica last year for two friendly matches.

“They promised to return that favour to us, so these two games are supposed to be in early March. We will use those games as the final two warm-up games going into the Conmebol playoff match and when that happens, then we will pick that final squad.”

Eve is pleased that T&T striker Levi Garcia has been scoring frequently for his Greek club, AEK Athens. He is also satisfied that other T&T footballers are playing regularly.

“A number of the players are playing in the Pro League (TT Premier League) and doing very well for their respective clubs...a lot of players here (in the training camp) have been in the pool and we continue to use them.”

Speaking about the training camp, Eve said he felt “really good.

“The intensity of the players (is up to mark) and I said that in the first year of the (TT Premier) League that it would take some time for the players to build back up their rhythm after covid and not playing football for a while.

“This is the first time that the guys have played back-to-back seasons, and you can see the effects of that.”

38

Football / Re: Copa America Thread

« on: February 06, 2024, 06:37:11 AM »

Soca Warriors' coach Eve calls up 35-man training squad.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)..

Trinidad and Tobago senior men’s football team coach Angus Eve has called up a 35-man training squad, comprising mostly of home-based players, for a training camp from February 5-8 at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.

This camp serves as part of preparations for the upcoming Copa America play-in versus Canada which takes place in Frisco, Texas on March 24. The winner advances to the 2024 Copa America in June.

Several members of the squad that made it through to the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals have been selected for this camp.

They include TT Premier Football League 2023 player of the year Justin ‘Shiggy’ Garcia of Defence Force, Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin FC goalkeeper Denzil Smith, AC Port of Spain midfielders Duane Muckette and Michel Poon-Angeron, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers defender Ross Russell Jr, Miscellaneous Police FC right-back Alvin Jones and Defence Force goalie Christopher Biggette, midfielder Kevon Goddard and winger Reon Moore.

Eve recalled AC PoS midfielder John-Paul Rochford, Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, Defence Force midfielder Kaihim Thomas and forward Brent Sam, Tiger Tanks Club Sando Jamal Jack and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers forward Isaiah Lee.

Additionally, there were first-time invitations German-born Keenon Erfuth, whose mother is Trinidadian and Denmark-based Marc Gangia, who is eligible for TT through his father.

Gangia is a 26-year-old forward with Dalum IF (Danish fifth tier). Erfuth is a 21-year-old forward with VfR Neumünster, a German association football club based in Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein.

Eve is keen to get back on the training pitch for the first time since the 2-1 victory over the US in the Concacaf Nations League last November.

“It’s a great chance for us to get some of the guys together as a group again because as you would have seen, the majority of them would have returned to their clubs and have been very active in the local league since November,” Eve told TTFA Media.

“There are few regulars in this squad but we also took the opportunity to invite some players who we believe have been showing up and performing for their clubs in the local premier league."

He confirmed a busy international schedule of matches for T&T, starting with the March 24 single-match Copa America qualifier.

After that, the 2026 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers kick off in June. The Soca Warriors are in Group B alongside Costa Rica, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and the Bahamas.

“There is a lot of international football coming up with the Copa America qualifier being the most urgent assignment but of course, there are the World Cup qualifiers following soon after in June. These sort of windows where we can have some time with the players available are extremely important for us,” Eve added,.

Trinidad and Tobago training squad:

Kaihim Thomas, Reon Moore, Jamali Garcia, Christopher Biggette, Jabari St Hillaire, Kevon Goddard, Justin Garcia, Brent Sam, Nathaniel Garcia, Justin Sadoo (all Defence Force), Duane Muckette, Michel Poon-Angeron, Liam Burns, John-Paul Rochford, Isaiah Leacock (all AC Port of Spain), Real Gill, Shervohnez Hamilton, Kai Moos, Jamal Jack (all Club Sando), Luke Phillips, Denzil Smith, Justin Cornwall, Mark Ramdeen (all Point Fortin Civic), Alvin Jones, Robert Primus, Adrian Foncette (all Police FC), David Daniel, Ross Russell Jr, Isaiah Lee (all La Horquetta Rangers), Mickaeel Jem Gordon (1976 FC Phoenix), Rhondel Gibson (Eagles FC), Keenon Erfuth (VFR Neumunster—Germany), Marc Gangia (Dalum IF—Denmark), Jonathan Assue (unattached).

39

Football / Re: TTFA News Thread.

« on: February 06, 2024, 06:31:55 AM »

TTFA presidential candidate Selby Browne wants to 'put football first'.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) presidential candidate Selby Browne wants to meet with members of other two contesting slates to bounce their ideas around in a combined effort to chart the best way forward for T&T football.

Browne, president of the Veterans Football Foundation of TT (VFFoTT), threw his hat into the presidential race after the penultimate goal of the FIFA-installed normalisation committee – to bring the TTFA’s statutes in line with FIFA’s – was achieved at an emergency general meeting on January 28.

Joining him in the pursuit of the TTFA executive are Eastern Football Association president Kieron Edwards and Southern Football Association president Dennis Latiff.

Browne confirmed that he has already formed his nine-member slate for the election and will launch their campaign and manifesto after a meeting with the VFFoTT executive, post-Carnival.

He said sharing potential ideas with other presidential candidates and their candidatures should bring the best out of each team as they all aim to wrestle the four-year reign away from the normalisation committee, and return the association’s daily operations to the membership.

“I have a full slate, and we are prepared to meet with the two other slates to come up with one slate to see who is best, and in the position, to take T&T football forward. That same quorum will review the plans.

“So I am proposing that we meet on a day for open discussions and disclosures, release our manifestos and then we determine a path. We don’t need an elections for that. It must be about putting football first, not individuals and finding what’s best to put T&T football forward,” he said.

Browne’s project name is called TTFA Reset 2024. He told Newsday that it’s taken four long years for the membership to come within reach of regaining control of the TTFA.

The election was suggested, by FIFA Director of Strategic Projects Nodar Akhalkatsi, to be held on April 13. The normalisation committee agreed and issued a statement on Saturday, informing members of the set election date.

Despite the normalisation committee’s tenure set to conclude on March 31, a decision will be facilitated for a short extension of their mandate, until April 13, to ensure the elective congress is held on the set date. The normalisation committee acts as the electoral committee for these elections.

Browne’s team has been burning the midnight oil in the lead up to elections.

He added, “We’ve been planning this for a long time, the restructuring of TT football. Having our own seminars, quorums and open discussions. We’ve already have identified a path forward for the restructure and development of TTFA.”

“We waited too late, in my view, because we’ve wasted four years when it should have been tackled and dealt with during that four-year period in preparation for 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

The national senior team’s first major test this year kicks off three weeks before the election, when the Soca Warriors play Canada in a single-match play-in, for one of two available spots for the Jun 20 to July 14 Copa America.

After that, the 2026 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers kick off in June. T&T are in Group B alongside Costa Rica, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and the Bahamas.

40

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: February 06, 2024, 06:27:51 AM »

Khan leads Giants to Tier II top spot.
T&T Guardian Reports.

Kurlon Khan netted the decisive item to lead San Fernando Giants to a 2-1 win over RSSR FC to climb to the top spot in the T&T Premier Football League Tier II Division at the Morvant Recreation Ground, Park Street, Morvant on Sunday night.

Tyrique Joseph fired the Southerners into a tenth minute but on the stroke of half-time, the prolific Akeem Gulston drew RSSR level.

Both teams then looked headed for a share of the points, but with three minutes left in the contest, Khan fired in the winner for Giants as they moved to the top of the 15-club standings with 16 points from seven matches, one ahead of Central Soccer World who also won 2-1 against Harlem Strikers at Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground, Chaguanas on Sunday.

Jiron Francis put Strikers ahead in the Central-derby and that lead lasted until Nesean Alexander got Central Soccer World on level terms in the 73rd, followed by his winner, which ironically came three minutes from the final whistle as well.

With the loss, Strikers stayed in the joint third position with Matura ReUnited, and Petit Valley/Diego Martin United while Queen’s Park Cricket Club and Guaya United are next with 12 points each and within touching distance of the top spot as the league takes a three-weeks break for the Carnival festivities before resuming on Saturday, February 24.

Weekend Results

Sunday

San Fernando Giants 2 (Tyrique Joseph 10th, Kurlon Khan 87th) vs RSSR FC 1 (Akeem Gulston 45th)

Central Soccer World 2 (Nesean Alexander 73rd, 87th) vs Harlem Strikers 1 (Jiron Francis 10th)

Saturday

Eagles FC 1 (Malik Anthony 44th) vs PVDM United 1 (Anthony Samuel 45th)

Friday

QPCC 4 (Sean De Silva 45+2, 87th, Winston Johnson 10th, Devon Modeste 90th) vs Miscellaneous Laventille United 0

Latest Tier II standings

Pos Team P W D L F A Pts
1 San F’do Giants 7 5 1 1 13 7 16
2 Central Soccer World 8 4 3 1 10 6 15
3 Harlem Strikers 7 4 1 2 19 8 13
4 Matura ReUnited 6 5 1 1 18 9 13
5 PVDM Utd 8 4 1 3 16 13 13
6 QPCC FC 7 4 0 3 17 8 12
7 Guaya Utd 7 4 0 3 11 9 12
8 Police FC 6 2 2 2 4 4 8
9 Defence Force 5 2 1 2 11 5 7
10 RSSR FC 7 2 1 4 9 15 7
11 RC Eagles 7 1 3 3 8 14 6
12 Bethel SC 5 1 2 2 7 9 5
13 UTT 6 1 1 5 12 17 4
14 Club Sando 5 1 1 3 5 17 4
15 Laventille Utd 7 1 0 6 9 28 3

41

Football / Re: 2026 World Cup Thread

« on: February 06, 2024, 06:25:08 AM »

FIFA unveils scheduling framework for 2026 tournament.
T&T Guardian Reports.

MIAMI, Florida – MetLife Stadium in the American city of East Rutherford in the state of New Jersey, where the New York Giants and New York Jets play in the NFL, will stage the final of the next Fifa World Cup on Sunday, July 16, 2026.

World football’s governing body announced on Sunday the scheduling framework for the 104-match tournament featuring 48 teams across 16 cities in the three host countries of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

According to a statement on the Fifa website: “The iconic New York New Jersey venue was awarded the honour of hosting the showpiece fixture, which will bring the curtain down on the most inclusive FIFA tournament ever.

“While this stadium has been more used to hosting the superstars of the NFL down the years, the best that soccer has to offer will head to the ground come 2026 as a different sport takes centre stage.”

The stadium was opened 14 years ago and was the venue for the final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, when Chile defeated Argentina on penalties.

Numerous A-list musical entertainers have featured at the stadium, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.

Fifa also announced that the Azteca Stadium in Mexico has been confirmed as the venue for the opening match of the tournament on Thursday, June 11, 2026, becoming the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup openers.

The first match in Canada, which has never hosted a World Cup match, will be on Friday, June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, where the city’s Major League Soccer team plays, while the opening match in the United States will be on the same day at SoFi Stadium in the city of Los Angeles, the home of the NFL’s LA Rams.

Mexico will have the honour of getting the tournament started in their capital city, kicking off proceedings in the historic venue, which hosted the World Cup finals and opening matches of 1970 and 1986.

Mexico will play all three of their group fixtures on home soil, with Guadalajara Stadium hosting their second match on Thursday, June 18, before a return to the Azteca on Wednesday, June 24, for their final group match.

The Azteca currently hosts both Club America and Cruz Azul of Mexican League, as well as the Mexico national team, while clubs such as Pumas, Atlante, Atletico Espanyol, and Necaxa have all previously played there.

BMO Field has has previously hosted matches the Fifa U-17 World Cup, Fifa Under-20 World Cup, and Fifa Women’s U-20 World Cup, and it played host to the climax of Canada’s campaign to reach the 2022 World Cup, when their ticket to Qatar was secured with victory over Jamaica.

Canada too, will play all three of their group stage match on home soil, with BC Place in Vancouver hosting their second and third group fixtures on Thursday, June 18, and Wednesday, June 24.

SoFi Stadium is the newest of the venues chosen to host matches in the tournament, having opened in September 2020, and it is situated only a 30-minute drive from the iconic Rose Bowl in the city of Pasadena, which hosted the World Cup final of 1994.

The United States will also play all three of their group matches on home soil, with Lumen Field in the city of Seattle in the state of Washington, where the Seattle Sounders play their matches in the MLS, hosting the national team’s second fixture on Friday, June 19, before the Americans return to SoFi for their final group match on Thursday, June 25.

The tournament will shift entirely to the United States from the quarter-final round, which will be held in the cities of Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.

Dallas and Atlanta will host the two semi-finals, Miami will be the site of the consolation final for third place, while Philadelphia will host a Round of 16 match on July 4 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the country.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches instead of the traditional 64 games, including an additional knockout round due to the previously announced decision to expand to 48 teams from 32.

Qualification for the World Cup for Caribbean Football Union teams start on Friday, March 22, between the four lowest-ranked teams in Concacaf based on the Fifa world rankings on December 21 last year.

The four teams are, in ranking order, Turks & Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, United States Virgin Islands, and Anguilla.

The second round of qualification will feature the two winners of the first round and the confederation’s remaining 28 participating teams with matches taking place on two match days in June this year and June next year.

The final round of qualification will feature the group winners and runners-up from the second round for a total of 12 teams that will be divided into three groups of four.

Each team will play every other team in their group home and away, playing a total of six matches (three at home and three away).

These matches will be played during the Fifa international match windows of September, October, and November 2025, and the three group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup joining the co-hosts.

Additionally, the two best runners-up will represent Concacaf in the Fifa play-off tournament, so that the confederation could have up to eight teams at a World Cup for the first time.

CMC

42

Football / CD Atletico Torroxeno Thread

« on: February 04, 2024, 03:19:19 PM »

Trinidad and Tobago businessman takes charge of Spanish football club Atletico Torroxeno.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

TRINIDAD and Tobago businessman Sham Mohammed was named as the president of Spanish football club CD Atletico Torroxeno on a four-year term last week, and was officially unveiled at their City Hall in Torrox on Tuesday.

Mohammed, the CEO of Miscellaneous Marketing Ltd, is the owner of Miscellaneous Laventille United, with Miscellaneous also serving as title sponsors for TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) club Police FC.

Torroxeno is well known for its beach soccer programme and they play in the Spanish Beach Soccer League under the careful watch of Alexandre Soares, a Beach Soccer World Cup champion with Brazil on numerous occasions.

"It is an honour for me to receive this opportunity to serve as president of Torroxeno, a Spanish club affiliated with the Spanish Football Association," Mohammed said, following a meeting with Torrox mayor Oscar Medina. "It is not often such an opportunity comes around."

Mohammed is ready to make his mark in Torrox.

"The beach soccer here is already established, but the doors being opened for regular football are tremendous. The climate in Torrox is described as one of the best in Europe all year round.

"For some time I have been looking for new and improved ways to help with developing our football, our teams and players where possible with new options or opportunities outside of Trinidad and Tobago," said Mohammed, the former Beach Soccer Worldwide Foundation vice president.

Medina was happy to have Mohammed on board.

"I welcome and I give thanks to Sham Mohammed and thanks to T&T for this partnership," Medina said.

"I know he is very committed to developing the sport of football and beach soccer in Torrox. It is an opportunity to develop Torrox and T&T, which we welcome."

Mohammed said there is great potential to present scouting opportunities for players across the Caribbean and the wider Concacaf region.

Torrox tourism manager Daniela Kewitch welcomed Mohammed to the club.

"We are sure that our relationship will improve the tourism positively here and in T&T," she said.

Kewitch anticipates Mohammed's arrival will elevate "not only tourism but also entertainment, beach soccer and also football.

"Thank you for choosing Torrox. Welcome home," she said.

Mohammed sees opportunities for T&T and regional teams to train in Torrox as it offers futsal courts, regular playing fields, beach soccer courts, gyms, an aqua centre and a rehab centre.

43

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: February 04, 2024, 03:16:48 PM »

Coach Brian Haynes to U20 Soca Warriors: Take your chances.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s U20 football team coach Brian Haynes wants his charges to capitalise on their chances in front of goal.

Haynes made these remarks following T&T’s 3-1 friendly loss to Jamaica U-20s at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on Thursday. This was the second friendly between both nations in one week, with T&T having won the first tie 3-2.

Haynes described Jamaica’s three first-half goals as “ten minutes of madness” for his team but believes there is still ample time to correct their mistakes ahead of this month’s Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers.

“It’s something I take the blame for, not the players. I need to prepare them enough to be ready for any game they play. When you play a game one week ago and you win 3-2, you think ‘this is an easy game’ and here comes the three chances and they (Jamaica) put away theirs.

“We missed the first chance of the game when one of our players slipped and didn’t get the chance on goal, and those things mount up, and teams get momentum when you miss chances.

“And I already told them more than once, when you miss your chances you give the team another chance to go forward, and it becomes harder on us,” he said.

Haynes said their first-half performances, at times, were “choppy” and “sporadic” and he wanted to see more consistency. He praised a renewed effort in the second period and used this game as a learning experience for his troops.

“But life goes on, things happen and we have to learn from that. They’re a good cohesive group, even though the result didn’t go their way, no one pointed fingers at each other and I like that bout them,” he added.

Moving forward, U20 team members will play no part in the festivities over Carnival next weekend as they begin a six-day training camp on Friday.

During this camp, Haynes has organised a friendly match with some of the locally-based senior players to test the team’s mettle ahead of the Concacaf qualifiers.

T&T begin their quest through the qualifiers on February 23 and are grouped with Canada, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. T&T play all their matches at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. Only the group winner advances to the Concacaf Men's U20 Championship.

Looking ahead, Haynes said, “We must take care of making sure that we don’t give up easy chances and making sure that we fight for our chances to get it back. I know it’s in the guys, it’s just in a place where they are going to have to understand chances are not going to come all the time but when they come, we have to keep working hard.

“I talk to all these players because they’re good young men. While we didn’t win the (second) game, the experience they got is something that we cannot do in practice.”

Watch 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚𝙨' 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩-𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏&𝙏 𝙐-20𝙨 3-1 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙐𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙘𝙖

44

Football / Re: The Jack Warner Thread.

« on: February 04, 2024, 03:15:19 PM »

AG Armour: Warner has matters before the courts.
By Clint Chan Tack (T&T Newsday).

ATTORNEY General Reginald Armour, SC, said former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner still has matters before the local courts.

Armour made this comment on Saturday in response to statements made by Warner during a radio interview on February 1 about the rulings of the US Supreme Court and a lower court to throw out the convictions of two defendants linked to football corruption in September last year.

In a WhatsApp response, Armour said, "Mr Warner has active, ongoing matters before the courts of Trinidad and Tobago and I do not propose to engage in public commentary on any of his matters."

Warner still has challenges before the magistrates' court to extradition proceedings related to corruption charges against him when he was FIFA vice-president.

The matter has been adjourned to March 1 for a status update since his attorneys are expected to file the section 14 referral claim in the High Court.

Warner’s argument relates to the arrangement between the US and Trinidad and Tobago for extradition and the specialty principle which, by law, provides that a person who is extradited can be prosecuted or sentenced in the requesting state only in relation to the offences for which extradition was granted, and not for any other crime allegedly committed before the extradition took place.

According to a January 27, 2024 New York Times article, these rulings “cast doubt on the legal basis for a host of prosecutions” surrounding those involved in scandals coming out of the December 2015 raids on FIFA officials in Zurich, Switzerland.

In June 2011, Warner, who was then provisionally suspended by the world football governing body for alleged corruption, resigned from all his international football posts.

Warner was one of 14 top FIFA officials and corporate executives to be accused of corruption, fraud and money laundering while he was FIFA vice-president.

In 2015, Warner was indicted in 29 charges of corruption in the US. In the radio interview, Warner said the court’s ruling to toss the convictions of an ex-21st Century Fox executive and sports marketing company on corruption charges in a case involving FIFA has him feeling relieved.

That September case, according to the New York Times, in which “the two defendants benefited from two recent Supreme Court rulings that had rejected federal prosecutors’ application of the law at play in the soccer cases and offered rare guidance on what is known as honest services fraud.

“The defendants in the soccer trial had been found to have engaged in bribery that deprived organisations outside the US of their employees’ honest services, which constituted fraud at the time. But the judge ruled that the court’s new guidance meant that those actions were no longer prohibited under American law.”

Warner said, "My lawyers have told me that my nightmare is over, and I have every reason to believe what they are saying. And they are now working to pursue the matter further to what redress I am entitled to."

On November 17, 2022, the Privy Council paved the way for the continuation of the proceedings to extradite Warner to the US to face the charges. The London-based court held that the US request for Warner’s extradition was not unfair.

The proceedings in the local court were stalled when Warner challenged the process by which the extradition proceedings against him were carried out and sought to quash the authority to proceed (ATP) signed by the Attorney General in September 2015.

This was after the US asked for him to be extradited to face 29 charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. The request was made on July 24, 2015.

After the September 7, 2015 general election, then attorney general Faris Al-Rawi offered to allow Warner to make representations, but only on condition, the deadline for receipt of the ATP would be extended with his consent.

Warner refused to agree to the condition. His attorneys argued he was not given sufficient time to make representations, nor was he given disclosures of any evidence the US intended to use to secure his extradition.

The ATP gave the magistrate the green light to begin committal proceedings.

The US Department of Justice claims that from as far back as 1990, Warner leveraged his influence and exploited his official positions for personal gain. He is accused of receiving US$5 million in bribes to vote for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.

Extradition proceedings against Warner are yet to begin.

45

Football / Re: FIFA appoints normalisation committee for Trinidad and Tobago football

« on: February 04, 2024, 03:14:22 PM »

FIFA, normalisation committee recommend April 13 TTFA elections.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

FIFA has recommended the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) host the election of its new executive (elective congress) on April 13.

The suggestion was put forward by FIFA Director of Strategic Projects Nodar Akhalkatsi in an email to the normalisation committee on Friday.

In response to this, TTFA General Secretary Amiel Mohammed issued a statement to association members on Saturday, in full agreement with FIFA’s recommendation.

Despite the normalisation committee’s tenure set to conclude on March 31, a decision will be facilitated for a short extension of their mandate, to ensure the elective congress is held on the set date.

This means the Robert Hadad-led normalisation committee will issue the notice for the extraordinary congress on or before February 13, after which, candidates for any of the executive committee positions must be submitted to the general secretariat by February 28.

From there, the general secretariat will circulate an official list of candidates to all TTFA members by April 3, with the extraordinary congress for the election to be convened on April 13.

In accordance with the mandate of the normalisation committee as outlined by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and Article 80 par. 7 of the TTFA Statutes, the normalisation committee acts as the electoral committee for these elections.

Akhalkatsi’s email recognised the normalisation committee overstaying their March 31 (Easter Sunday) deadline but wants to also ensure candidates have the required time to submit their slates and facilitate the electoral process.

He wrote, “It has to be ensured that the date of the elective congress is defined in a way, that the TTFA members have fair, feasible and realistic possibility to attend the congress and execute their statutory rights to participate in the congress and express their will by exerting their voting rights.”

Akhalkatsi requested the extension beyond the March 31 deadline “to respect a very important religious holiday”and the possible private commitments of its members on that particular weekend.

“We would therefore like to recommend to conduct the elective congress of the TTFA on 13 April 2023.”

Mohammed, in his Saturday email to TTFA members, thanked them for working with FIFA, Concacaf and Hadad and company throughout the process to realign TTFA’s statutes with FIFA’s.

He said the normalisation committee “believes that it is fair and just to give candidates enough time to organise their slates and campaign for the support of members, which requires at least 60 days’ notice, and is consistent with the notice period required for an ordinary congress.”

“We therefore support FIFA’s recommendation to host the elective congress on April 13, 2024. This will be facilitated by a short extension of the NC’s mandate and will result in the following timeline, which we believe will be respectful to all parties concerned and ensure that the process is fair, complete, and final.”

Mohammed’s email also said that, as discussed and agreed at the Emergency General Meeting on January 28 – in which the new TTFA statutes were approved by members – that the normalisation committee will “appoint independent persons to oversee the electoral process and its work as the electoral committee in accordance with the Electoral Code and Statutes of the TTFA.”

As it stands, Veterans Football Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFoTT) president Selby Browne, Eastern Football Association President Kieron Edwards and Southern Football Association President Dennis Latiff are, so far, the confirmed presidential candidates for the April 13 elections.

Currently, they are in the process of building their respective slates and will have the coming weeks to finalise their candidatures.

In response to Mohammed’s email, Browne replied saying that, “We at VFFoTT now await the formal notice of the FIFA Council for further extension of the term of the normalisation committee post-March 31st 2024.”

46

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: February 04, 2024, 03:10:20 PM »

Police dominate Central FC 4-0 in Premier League, rise to second on table.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

Miscellaneous Police FC climbed into second position on the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League premiership standings after a dominant 4-0 victory over Central FC in first match of a double-header at La Horquetta Recreations Grounds on Friday.

Two first-half goals from Anthony Wolfe (13’) and Kareem Freitas (41’) gave Police a good lead heading into half time.

Central FC, still winless after ten matches and yet to earn a point this season, tried hard to break down Police’s defence but were no match for the servicemen.

Late into the second period, Kwesi Allen (91’) and Robert Primus (98’) put on the finishing touches as both players scored to seal a convincing win.

The three points for Police elevated them from third to second (21 pts) on the standings. They leapfrogged Defence Force (20 pts), who are now third while AC Port of Spain remains atop the standings on 23 pts.

At the Arima Velodrome on Saturday, AC PoS was carded to face Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic FC from 6:10pm.

In other matches on Friday, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (19 pts) moved to fourth spot after they defeated, now fifth, Tiger Tanks Club Sando 2-0 in the second match at La Horquetta.

A goal in each half from Daniel David and Leonardo Da Costa affirmed three points for Rangers, who bypassed Club Sando into fourth place.

And at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, struggling Caledonia and Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix played to a 1-1 draw.

Caledonia had a wonder start as Tevin Scott found the back of the net as early in as the first minute.

However, Phoenix’s Angel Brown scored the equaliser in the 59th minute. With both teams hunting a winning goal in the final half hour, they settled for one point each.

The result sees Phoenix remain in eighth place on ten points while Caledonia are tenth, on eight points.

Teams*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC POS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Police*10*6*3*1*23*8*9*21
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Rangers*10*6*1*3*21*13*8*19
Club Sando*10*5*2*3*15*12*3*17
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*10*4*0*6*15*26*-11*12
Phoenix*10*3*1*6*14*21*-7*10
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*10*2*2*6*11*15*-4*8
Central*10*0*0*10*5*40*-35*0

47

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: February 02, 2024, 01:58:32 AM »

U-20 Reggae Boyz get revenge against Trinidad and Tobago in 3-1 win.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Trinidad and Tobago's under-20 men's football team were dealt a 3-1 loss by Jamaica's under-20 team in their second friendly encounter which was played at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on Thursday.

Jamaica exacted revenge over T&T, as the previous friendly between the Caribbean nations ended with a 3-2 result in TT's favour last week. As both teams continue their preparations for this month's Concacaf under-20 championship qualifiers, the Jamaican team came away with a morale boost.

T&T coach Brian Haynes said his team's loss stemmed from "ten minutes of madness" in the first half, which saw the Jamaicans scoring three goals to put the contest beyond the hosts. The TT team started the game in shaky fashion at the back, and lively Jamaican midfielder Denzel McKenzie made them pay a hefty price — scoring a pair of delicious goals inside the first 20 minutes of the game.

With panicked and clumsy defending being the order of the day for TT, Jamaica ran up a 3-0 lead when McKenzie got his second goal and they threatened to blow the young Soca Warriors away in Malabar.

Jamaica's first goal came in just the ninth minute. Remarkably, they could have been down 2-0 at the time as custodian Tor Fletcher saved a penalty from Christopher Ainsworth just seconds before. Soon after Fletcher dived to his right to keep out Ainsworth's left-footed penalty, McKenzie put the visitors ahead with a curling right-footer from the ensuing corner as Jamaica caught TT off guard with a swift set-piece routine.

Fletcher picked the ball out of his net just four minutes later when his central defender Russell Francois inadvertently poked a low cross into the roof of the TT goal. There was little Fletcher or Francois could have done about Jamaica's third goal, as McKenzie arrowed a free kick into the top corner from the edge of the area after a handball infringement by a T&T player.

Haynes made an adjustment as soon as the 22nd minute, as Naparima College midfielder Kanye Francis replaced St Benedict’s College striker Malachi Webb. Francis nearly brought T&T level in the 33rd minute with a thunderous long-range blast which crashed off the bar.

With the hosts increasingly growing into the game, they pulled a goal back in the 41st minute when their talisman Lindell Sween slid home from close range following a bad turnover by Nickoy Gayle in the Jamaica half.

Following their horrid showing at the back in the early stages, T&T threatened to cut loose just before the break, with both Levi Jones and J'Lon Matthews coming close to bulging the net with fierce hits from outside the area.

Jamaica's control of the game diminished in the second half and they opted to play the counter-attacking game. T&T fashioned decent chances in the second half, particularly through substitute Michael Chaves. However, the Fatima College student could not find his golden touch and the hosts were unable to make any further inroads.

T&T's blushes were also spared in the dying stages of the game when Dunsting Cohen was brilliantly denied from point-blank range.

With T&T expected to go into a Carnival camp next week ahead of their campaign which starts on February 23, Haynes said a friendly encounter with a locally based TT men's team outfit could be on the cards soon.

T&T are grouped with Canada, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines for the championship qualifiers and will play all their matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. Only the group winner will advance to the Concacaf men's under-20 championship.

48

Football / Re: TTFA Constitution Thread

« on: January 31, 2024, 01:33:11 AM »

Candidates prepare for TTFA elections.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).

A new-look T&T football administration is on the horizon.

At least three persons are eagerly awaiting the election date of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) to be called now that approval of the constitution is completed.

Sunday’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the TTFA at which 33 of the 47 members present unanimously agreed to accept the amendments of the constitution, and also invoked the right of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee being led by businessman Robert Hadad, to call fresh elections and conclude their mandate to manage the local sporting discipline as handed down by the sport’s world governing body- FIFA, in March of 2020.

At present, the constitution gives the right for a 60-day notice-period for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which includes the election of an executive. This means that notice to members should be known today (January 31).

However, the members are concerned by one of the new amendments that would only allow people contesting the election to be part of a slate. Also, members can only vote for a slate and not for an office position as was in the past. The slate with the most votes will manage the sport for a four-year term.

It was one of many proposed amendments to the constitution that, though objected to, was still included by the Concacaf and FIFA. T&T’s constitutional expert Osmond Downer admitted the day before the EGM that some of the minor objections were changed while the major ones were not.

Still, the majority of the members voted in favour of, considering a promise that changes to the constitution could be made within only a few months of having a new administration.

Another major change of concern to the members was the increased number of votes—(two votes each)—given to T&T Premier League (TTPFL) clubs - Tier I (12 clubs) and Tier II (six clubs) which makes it 36 from a total of 57 votes.

Downer believes that it was over-empowering clubs that focused mainly on football and not the management of the sport.

The fact that the Hadad-led normalisation committee was left counting down the days of their stay in office, was scarcely a consideration, one member had said and pointed to the direction the sport needed to be heading in, rather than the leader.

Hadad, who led the normalisation committee and had now achieved most of its mandate, including clearing a massive debt and ensuring that football was operational.

But now he has to make way for one of three, either Selby Browne, the president of the Veterans Football Foundation of T&T, Keiron Edwards, president of the Eastern Football Association, and Dennis Latiff, the new Southern Football Association president who admitted he is now in the process of putting his slate together.

Colin Wharfe, the TTPFL chief executive officer, said that while he has been approached by quite a few persons to be a presidential candidate, his focus now is totally on the T&T Premier Football League which is into its first full season.

But before any candidate could be considered, each had to meet the criteria of another constitutional change. A nominee must be involved in the sport for the past eight years if he/she wants to contest the election to serve on the executive.

Before that, a time frame of two out of the last four years at a managerial position had to have been met to be eligible for election.

Edwards confirmed his interest in being the next TTFA president but clarified some of the key amendments,”It’s about where we are going more than who is leading. I think collectively, if the members come together and have a clear direction on the path we should go, we will be better off than studying who is the leader.”

He explained, “It’s no knock on Mr Hadad, but I think they would have done their job. Now, it’s time to have the mandate of the membership, in terms of charting the way forward, on a course that would benefit T&T football on the whole and not just finance, but both on and off the field.”

“I don’t see the elections being a problem, there are some new measures put in place, for example, 32 members within the set-up, and now they are requesting five members on a slate. So based on that, you can have six slates but when you start to be realistic, when you deal with the numbers you’re looking at only about three slates being able to contest the election. Those things would lend to some challenges,” Edwards explained.

He continued, “I don’t think it will impact fairness or the democratic process. There are pros and cons to it, but what I am saying is that members normally have the right to vote by positions, but FIFA would have stated why they wanted it done by slate. I don’t think it would affect anything.”

Edwards stated that, “If you watch the last four elections, wherever the president was elected then all other officers would have been elected in line with the president, so it is not something that is common to the TTFA election where everyone wouldn’t be voted in together. I think they were looking at saving time, they are protecting the group, but on a level of democracy, it is one that the members feel that they should be given the right to elect by office and not by slate, so I do understand the both positions.”

Former president William Wallace, who was removed by FIFA in March 2020 and installed the Normalisation Committee, objected to that change, saying by that alone he could not see himself returning to the administration of a sport where the governing body has been treating them with disdain.

Meanwhile, Browne said, “It is my view that the members must have a meeting before the election, to decide on a slate. At that meeting, if it is considered that there is someone better than me to be president, to restructure and develop the T&T football product, I will most definitely do what is in the best interest of the TTFA membership.

49

Football / Re: 2026 World Cup Thread

« on: January 31, 2024, 01:29:01 AM »

T&T to face Grenada June 5 in World Cup qualifiers opener.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

T&T "Soca Warriors" will open their Group B Concacaf World Cup Second Round of qualifiers at home to neighbour Grenada on June 5 before travelling to the Bahamas three days later for their second match in the five-team round-robin series towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Soca Warriors under the supervision of 51-year-old coach Angus Eve, T&T’s most capped player with 117 national senior team appearances, will then complete their four-match schedule in 2025 with a home encounter against St Kitts & Nevis on June 6, followed by an away outing to group favourite Costa Rica.

This was determined on Monday when Concacaf announced the schedule for the First and Second Round matches of the Concacaf qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 which will consist of three separate rounds and will include 32 FIFA-affiliated Concacaf Member Associations.

Commenting on the schedule Eve was quick to note that Concacaf qualification is no longer a given to the so-called big teams as the smaller nations all have the opportunity to bring in high-quality players who are born in foreign countries, but have first or second-generation attachments to the country via their parents or grandparents.

He said, "These situations have even up the playing field somewhat with teams like Bahamas having players from the USA, while St Kitts & Nevis, and Grenada having the luxury of English-born players."

Looking ahead to the qualifiers, Eve added, "It's not as easy as everyone thinks it will be. We want to qualify for the next World Cup for certain and we will need the financial support of corporate T&T as well, and we also want to have the chance to get more players involved, so some adjustments to our immigrations law to allow us, to get more overseas-born players involved is also welcomed."

In the First Round, which will take place in March, the four lowest-ranked Concacaf member associations (based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as of December 21, 2023) will see Anguilla host Turks & Caicos Islands in Playoff I, and US Virgin Islands entertain British Virgin Islands in Playoff II on March 22 in the first-leg matches with the return-leg matches set for March 26 from which the aggregate score winner in each playoff will progress to the Second Round.

For the Second Round, the winners of Playoff I will join the Second Round Group E, where Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Dominica await, while the Playoff II winners will enter the Second Round Group F with El Salvador, Suriname, Puerto Rico, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The other Second Round qualifiers are in Group A, Honduras, Antigua & Barbuda, Cuba, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands, in Group C Haiti, Curacao, St Lucia, Barbados, Aruba), and in Group D, Panama, Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, Belize.

At the end of the Second Round of Concacaf qualifiers in June 2025, the group winners and runners-up (12 teams in total) will progress to the final round.

For the Concacaf Final qualifiers, which take place in September, October, and November 2025 among the 12 member associations (six match dates), a separate draw will be conducted for the Final Round following the conclusion of the Second Round.

The 12 teams will be divided into three groups of four teams with each team playing every other team in their group at home and away, for a total of six matches (three at home and three away), at the end of which, the three group winners will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026, joining hosts Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

Additionally, the two best runners-up will represent Concacaf in the FIFA playoff tournament, which in total could provide the Concacaf region with up to eight teams at the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

First Round qualifiers: (home team listed first):

March 22

Anguilla vs Turks and Caicos Islands

US Virgin Islands vs British Virgin Islands

March 26

Turks and Caicos Islands vs Anguilla

British Virgin Islands vs US Virgin Islands

Second Round: 30 Member Associations (four-match dates in June 2024 and June 2025)

Group A: Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands

Group B: Costa Rica, T&T, St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Bahamas

Group C: Haiti, Curaçao, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba

Group D: Panama, Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, Belize

Group E: Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Winner Play-off 2

Group F: El Salvador, Suriname, Puerto Rico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Winner Play-off 1

Second Round schedule (home team listed first):

June 5

(A) Antigua and Barbuda vs Bermuda

(B) T&T vs Grenada

(C) Curaçao vs Barbados

(D) Nicaragua vs Montserrat

(E) Guatemala vs Dominica

(F) Suriname vs St Vincent and the Grenadines

June 6

(A) Honduras vs Cuba

(B) Costa Rica vs St Kitts & Nevis

(C) Haiti vs St Lucia

(D) Panama vs Guyana

(E) Jamaica vs Dominican Republic

(F) El Salvador vs Puerto Rico

June 8

(A) Cayman Islands vs Antigua and Barbuda

(B) Bahamas vs T&T

(C) Aruba vs Curaçao

(D) Belize vs Nicaragua

(E) Winner Play-off 2 vs Guatemala

(F) Winner Play-off 1 vs Suriname

June 9

(A) Bermuda vs Honduras

(B) Grenada vs Costa Rica

(C) Barbados vs Haiti

(D) Montserrat vs Panama

(E) Dominica vs Jamaica

(F) St Vincent and the Grenadines vs El Salvador

June 11

(A) Cuba vs Cayman Islands

(B) St Kitts & Nevis vs Bahamas

(C) St Lucia vs Aruba

(D) Guyana vs Belize

(E) Dominican Republic vs Winner Play-off 2

(F) Puerto Rico vs Winner Play-off 1

June 4

(A) Bermuda vs Cayman Islands

(B) Grenada vs Bahamas

(C) Barbados vs Aruba

(D) Montserrat vs Belize

(E) Dominica vs Winner Play-off 2

(F) St Vincent and the Grenadines vs Winner Play-off 1

June 6

(A) Antigua and Barbuda vs Cuba

(B) T&T vs St Kitts & Nevis

(C) Curaçao vs St Lucia

(D) Nicaragua vs Guyana

(E) Guatemala vs Dominican Republic

(F) Suriname vs Puerto Rico

June 7

(A) Cayman Islands vs Honduras

(B) Bahamas vs Costa Rica

(C) Aruba vs Haiti

(D) Belize vs Panama

(E) Winner Play-off 2 vs Jamaica

(F) Winner Play-off 1 vs El Salvador

June 10

(A) Cuba vs Bermuda

(A) Honduras vs Antigua and Barbuda

(B) St Kitts & Nevis vs Grenada

(B) Costa Rica vs T&T

(C) St Lucia vs Barbados

(C) Haiti vs Curaçao

(D) Guyana vs Montserrat

(D) Panama vs Nicaragua

(E) Dominican Republic vs Dominica

(E) Jamaica vs Guatemala

(F) Puerto Rico vs St Vincent and the Grenadines

(F) El Salvador vs Suriname

50

General Discussion / Re: Ish Galbaransingh in jail.

« on: January 30, 2024, 01:21:48 AM »

Ish Galbaransingh has passed away

51

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 30, 2024, 01:15:05 AM »

Josiah Edwards' hat-trick leads Rangers past Prisons.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

STRIKER Josiah Edwards netted a hat-trick to lead Terminix La Horquetta Rangers to a 3-1 triumph over Prisons FC at the Arima Velodrome on January 28, as action continued in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) premiership.

Edwards opened his goal account as early as the tenth minute. He put fifth-ranked Rangers further ahead just before half-time, scoring past Prisons’ custodian Kahlil Oliver.

At the resumption, Prisons showed grit and pulled one back in the 51st courtesy Weslie John.

Despite their attempts, however, Prisons could not get the equaliser. They had their hopes further dampened when Edwards found the back of the net for a third time in the 81st to put the tie beyond reach.

The win for Rangers (16 pts) kept them in fifth place on the standings while Prisons (12 pts) remain seventh.

In January 27’s matches, league leaders AC Port of Spain (24 pts) clawed back to defeat fourth-placed Club Sando (17 pts) 4-2, and second-ranked Defence Force (20 pts) were 3-0 victors over winless Central FC. Both matches were held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

At Mahaica Oval, in Point Fortin, hosts Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic were held to a goalless draw by Caledonia.

Standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC PoS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Police*9*5*3*1*19*8*11*18
Club Sando*9*5*2*2*15*10*5*17
Rangers*9*5*1*3*19*13*6*16
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*10*4*0*6*15*26*-11*12
Phoenix*9*3*0*6*13*20*-7*9
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*9*2*1*6*10*14*-4*7
Central*9*0*0*9*5*36*-31*0

52

Football / Re: TTFA Constitution Thread

« on: January 29, 2024, 01:00:29 AM »

TTFA enacts FIFA-stipulated constitutional changes.
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday).

THE TT Football Association (TTFA) inched closer to a return to self-governance on Sunday when its members voted unanimously in favour of revising statutes to its constitution, as stipulated by FIFA.

The association hosted an extraordinary (or emergency) general meeting (EGM) at the Home of Football in Couva. Revision of the existing constitution was mandated by FIFA in order to effectively dissolve the TTFA’s normalisation committee, which was installed in March 2020 to replace the elected executive, led by William Wallace.

Notice of the impending AGM is expected to be revealed by Wednesday. The highly anticipated election will take place before March 31, when the normalisation committee’s FIFA mandate ends.

All 30 eligible members voted in favour of the changes at the meeting, where FIFA and Concacaf officials observed.

Sunday’s EGM was arranged earlier this month after FIFA declared that the proposed TTFA statutes “(fully comply) with the requirements and standards of FIFA and Concacaf,” and are therefore endorsed by both.

The elected administration was controversially taken over by FIFA after the world governing body said it observed “grave violations of FIFA statutes,” and other problems within the TTFA, such as debts, which put it at risk of insolvency.

The normalisation committee was installed by FIFA primarily to run day-to-day business; settle debts; make recommendations for constitutional amendments to align with FIFA statutes; and to call the TTFA elections, of which it would oversee.

TTFA general secretary Amiel Mohammed told Newsday a copy of the new statutes “will probably be published on (TTFA’s) website this week.”

“There are many provisions (to assist) in ensuring there is accountability and prudent financial governance as per policies, controls and signing authority,” Mohammed said.

Notably, the voting structure has been amended and slate elections have been introduced. The executive committee will consist of nine members.

TT Premier Football League Tier One clubs (maximum of 12) have a delegate and two votes each, along with the top six clubs from the second tier at the end of the most recent campaign.

Each of the regional associations and T&T Women’s League Football also have two votes and a delegate, while the remaining associations: beach soccer, futsal, referees, coaches, Secondary Schools Football League, Primary Schools Football League and the Veterans Football Foundation of T&T, all have one vote and delegate.

While the decision on Sunday to revise the statutes was unanimous, it came after lengthy discussion between the normalisation committee and voting members, perhaps most critically, the Veteran Footballers Foundation, led by Selby Browne, who expressed concerns about several amendments and other matters, ahead of the EGM.

Browne issued a statement on Saturday, a day before the EGM, in which he reluctantly encouraged the members to vote to settle the statutes.

He said, “My recommendation (to the TTFA membership is); despite the outrageous nonsense contained therein, loaded with every unacceptable condition conceived, do not change a coma (sic) in the document.

“On approval the membership will for the first time in four years have the notice for the AGM election date.

“The TTFA membership will then begin the new era for the restructure and development of the T&T football product, to provide for participation in well-structured football throughout all communities in our republic…”

53

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: January 28, 2024, 03:00:03 PM »

Under-20 Soca Warriors coach Brian Haynes satisfied with Under-20s progress.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

COACH of the Trinidad Tobago Under-20 men's football team Brian Haynes is satisfied with the progress his players are making, following a 3-2 (Highlights) win over Jamaica in a practice match at the University of TT, O'Meara Campus on Thursday.

Goals from Lindell Sween, Levi Jones and Michael Chaves gave T&T the narrow victory.

T&T used the match as preparation for the Concacaf Under-20 Championship Qualifiers which will be played next month.

Speaking to the media following the match, Haynes said, "As far as I am concerned the exercise was good. Nobody's hurt, thank God. The guys worked hard and the main group, the group that started, they did what we wanted them to do and I thought the guys that came in did a good job as well."

He thanked Jamaica for giving them a competitive match. "I commend the Jamaica team for coming down and giving us a good game, because this is what we need and this is what they need and hopefully this propels us to keep playing at the level I know we can."

Haynes said there is still room to improve. "There are things we have to work on, but right now I am really happy with the result for the boys."

Haynes said the third goal T&T scored pleased him as his players passed the ball around which led to a penalty, scored by Chaves.

T&T and Jamaica will play each other in another friendly at Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima on February 1 at 4 pm.

54

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 28, 2024, 02:56:52 PM »

AC PoS hit back to beat Club Sando 4-2.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

AC Port of Spain continued their winning form this season with a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Club Sando when matchday ten of the TT Premier Football League continued at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday.

It was expected to be a competitive affair as AC were first and Club Sando fourth in the standings heading into the contest.

Real Gill, who recently signed to play with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for the 2024 United Soccer League, gave Club Sando the lead in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.

AC Port of Spain then equalised courtesy a 33rd-minute penalty from captain Duane Muckette, before Nicholas Dillon restored Club Sando's lead with a 42nd-minute item.

AC Port of Spain's team talk seemed to work at half-time as three early second-half goals gave the "Capital Boys" a 4-2 lead. Isaiah Leacock equalised in the 51st minute and four minutes later, Kadeem Corbin put AC in front with a 55th-minute strike.

Defender Radanfah Abu Bakr made it three goals in less than ten minutes when he scored in the 59th minute.

Leaders AC moved to 24 points with eight wins and one loss and Club Sando stayed in fourth place with 17 points.

In the first match of the doubleheader at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Defence Force moved up the standings with a comfortable 3-0 win over the struggling Central FC. Kathon St Hillaire (41st), Brent Sam (45th) and Shaquille Holder (71st) were the goal scorers for Army. Defence Force are now second with 20 points and Central FC lost their ninth match in as many matches to remain without a point. In the other match played late on Friday, Caledonia and Heritage Petroleum Pt Fortin Civic played to a goalless draw.

In the final match of the weekend, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers will play Prison Service FC at Arima Velodrome from 7 pm on Sunday.

Standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC POS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Police*9*5*3*1*19*8*11*18
Club Sando*9*5*2*2*15*10*5*17
Rangers*8*4*1*3*16*12*4*13
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*9*4*0*5*14*23*-9*12
Phoenix*9*3*0*6*13*20*-7*9
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*9*2*1*6*10*14*-4*7
Central*9*0*0*9*5*36*-31*0

55

Football / Re: Men's U-20 Football Team Thread.

« on: January 25, 2024, 12:52:40 AM »

U-20 Soca Warriors friendly vs Jamaica shifted to UTT, O’Meara.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

T&T’s under-20 men’s football team’s friendly against Jamaica has been shifted from the St James Police Barracks to UTT’s O’Meara campus. The match will kick off at 4 pm on Thursday and forms part of T&T’s preparations for next month’s Concacaf championship qualifiers.

On Tuesday, the TT Football Association (TTFA) confirmed the Barracks as the venue for the first friendly, with T&T also set to meet Jamaica at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on February 1. On Wednesday evening, though, TTFA technical director Anton Corneal confirmed the change to the O’Meara venue. He said the Caribbean rivals wanted to utilise “a better playing surface” for their friendly duel.

Corneal also confirmed another friendly encounter for Jamaica, who will suit up against TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one outfit Police FC in Malabar from 4 pm on Sunday. Police have a host of players with Soca Warriors experience, including brothers Alvin and Joevin Jones and former T&T skipper Khaleem Hyland. Police are currently second on the 11-team TTPFL table with 18 points — three points behind leaders AC PoS.

T&T, coached by Brian Haynes, are in Group D of the Concacaf qualifiers alongside Canada, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The full Trinidad and Tobago team for tomorrow’s friendly contest is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Tor Fletcher (Gateway Athletics), Tyrese Romain (Naparima College), Makaya Taylor (Presentation College, San F’do);

Defenders: Jordan Ferdinand (Malick Secondary), Joshua Figaro (Trinity College East), Russel Francois (St Anthony’s College), Akil Henry (Arima North Secondary), Lyshaun Morris (St Benedict’s College), Jaden Williams (Fatima College), Duhrell Young (Presentation College, San F’do);

Midfielders: Aidan De Gannes (Fatima College), Abayomi George, Levi Jones (both Presentation College), Tau Lamsee (QRC), Josiah Ochoa (St Benedict’s College), Nathan Quashie (San Juan North);

Attackers: Michael Chaves (Fatima College), Jabari Forbes (Naparima College), Jlon Matthews (Malick Secondary), Jeremiah Niles, Malachi Webb (both St Benedict’s College), Lindell Sween (San Juan North), Aidan Ward (Welling—England).

56

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 22, 2024, 12:48:37 AM »

Police, Rangers all square; Eagles FC earn 2nd TTPFL win.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).

A second-half shootout between Police and La Horquetta Rangers ended with a share of the spoils in the second match of a TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) doubleheader, at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground.

After a goalless first half, Isaiah Lee fired Rangers ahead with a long-range strike in the 56th minute.

Police did not take long to respond, as Robert Primus notched the equaliser nine minutes later with a header from a free-kick.

The experienced Joevin Jones showed his class by scoring a free-kick to put Police in front in the 77th minute.

But Rangers would not go home empty-handed as a corner caused havoc in the Police box with Willis Plaza turning the ball into his own net in the 93rd minute.

In the earlier contest, Eagles FC brushed aside bottom-dwellers Central FC 3-1.

A double by forward Kevon "Showtime" Woodley kept Central FC still searching for a point after eight games this season.

Exilus Angelo opened the scoring for Eagles FC in the third minute, before Woodley made it 2-0 four minutes later. The lanky forward was on target again in the 82nd to put the game to bed.

Levin Caballero scored a consolation for Central FC in the 86th.

The victory lifted the Michael De Four-coached Eagles, formerly Cunupia FC, to eighth in the 11-team standings. Eagles have gicen a strong account themselves this season and given a few title contenders some scares along the way.

TTPFL Standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC Port of Spain*8*7*1*0*+18*21
Police*9*5*1*3*+11*18
Defence Force*8*5*1*2*+10*17
Club Sando*8*5*1*2*+7*17
Terminex La Horquetta Rangers*8*4*3*1*+4*13
Prison FC*9*4*5*0*-9*12
Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic*8*3*3*2*+2*11
FC Eagles*8*2*4*2*-3*8
Caledonia FC*8*2*6*0*-4*6
1976 Phoenix*8*2*6*0*-8*6
Central FC*8*0*8*0*-28*0

57

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 22, 2024, 12:46:15 AM »

AC PoS lock down Prisons to stretch TTPFL lead, Gill bags winner for Sando.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) table-toppers AC PoS (21 points) stretched their lead to four points on Friday night, when they got a massive 5-1 win over Prisons FC (12 points) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Playing the second game of a double-header, AC PoS were relentless against the sixth-placed Prisons outfit, and they put the game well out of reach by the 37th minute – jumping out to an emphatic 4-0 lead. AC PoS forward Isaiah "Bongo" Leacock was in a poaching mood in front of goal, and he bagged a first-half hat-trick with his sharp instincts in the box on full display.

Leacock, who featured in TTPFL's tier two last season, opened the scoring for the league leaders in the 14th minute when he squeezed a looping shot over goalkeeper Kahlil Oliver from a tight angle on the left side of the area.

With AC PoS' high-pressing style forcing Prisons into several errors in their own half, the hosts dominated proceedings and looked threatening with every wave of attack. In the 19th minute, Leacock doubled his and AC PoS' tally with a close-range header after a Prisons defender valiantly blocked a goal-bound effort from AC PoS captain Duane Muckette.

The league leaders were running an early riot against the Prisons team, and the servicemen seemed to have no answers. In the 25th minute, AC PoS defender Malik Mieres got his team's third goal with a close-range header of his own following a left-side corner from John-Paul Rochford.

Leacock sealed his hat-trick in the 37th minute with a typical poacher's item, when he tucked away a rebound from a few yards out following an initial goal-saving block by a Prisons defender. With his third goal, Leacock took his season's tally to six goals, and went level with Defence Force attacker Brent Sam atop the TTPFL's goal-scoring charts.

AC PoS took their feet off the gas in the second half, and Prisons showed fight and quality in the attacking third upon the resumption after making a few changes to their forward line at halftime. Prisons substitute Jeremiah Vidale thumped the AC PoS bar with a venomous right-footed shot in the 50th minute, before fellow substitute Nathaniel Perouse pulled a goal back eight minutes later with a shot which deflected off veteran defender Radanfah Abu Bakr.

Perouse and Vidale combined well in the attacking third, but AC PoS were large and in charge in Mucurao. The "Capital Boys" put the icing on the cake in the 79th minute, when Muckette calmly placed a shot into the bottom corner following a counter-attack.

In the first game of the double-header, Nicholas Dillon and Soca Warriors winger Real Gill found the back of the net for Tiger Tanks Club Sando (17 points), who earned a 2-1 win against Caledonia (six points). Dillon gave Sando the lead just before the half, when he slid in a right-footed shot after receiving a slick back heel pass from defender Jamal Jack in the final third.

Caledonia equalised in the 51st minute through San Juan North Secondary standout Lindell Sween, who slammed in a rebound after custodian Miles Goodman stopped his initial penalty effort.

Gill, who is set to join United Soccer League (USL) team Northern Colorado Hailstorm, sealed the points for Sando in the 77th minute when he sweeped in a right-footed shot from inside the area as the visitors pounced on a dreadful turnover from Caledonia defender Carlyle Mitchell.

Sando consolidated fourth spot on the 11-team table, with Caledonia remaining in eight.

At the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin, home team Point Fortin (11 points) left it extremely late against Tobago's 1976 FC Phoenix (six points) to eke out a 2-1 win.

Civic defender Andre Ettienne dramatically scored a winner in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to hand the seventh-placed Point their third win of the season. Earlier, either team scored a penalty in the first half to go into the game locked at 1-1. Ettienne's late heroics ensured the points would not be split.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
1.AC PoS*8*7*0*1*24*6*18*21
2.Police FC*8*5*2*1*17*6*11*17
3.Defence Force FC*8*5*2*1*18*8*10*17
4.Club Sando*8*5*2*1*13*6*7*17
5.La Horquetta Rangers*7*4*0*3*14*10*4*12
6.Prisons FC*9*4*0*5*14*23*-9*12
7.Point Fortin Civic*8*3*2*3*12*10*2*11
8.Caledonia*8*2*0*6*10*14*-4*6
9.1976 FC Phoenix*8*2*0*6*11*19*-8*6
10.Eagles FC*7*1*2*4*6*11*-5*5
11.Central FC*7*0*0*7*4*30*-26*0

58

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 16, 2024, 12:58:14 AM »

Prison FC grab late winner against Caledonia.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

PRISON Service FC snatched a stoppage time winner against Caledonia in the last match of matchday eight in the TT Premier Football League at Arima Velodrome on Sunday.

Prison took the lead through a 22nd minute goal by Joshua Araujo-Wilson, a lead the service men held until half-time.

In the 74th minute, Caledonia thought it did enough to share the points as Mahvy Rismay found the equaliser in the 74th minute.

Jeremiah Vidale then gave Prison a late winner when he found the back of the net four minutes into stoppage time.

Prison are now in sixth position in the 11-team standings with 12 points and Caledonia are eighth with six points.

59

Football / 2024 SSFL Thread

« on: January 15, 2024, 02:02:21 AM »

SSFL arbitration rules in favour of Moruga, Miracle Ministries.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).

Moruga Secondary will remain champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) south championship, after the SSFL arbitration committee found flaws in the decisions by the disciplinary committee and appeals committee to punish the school for registration breaches.

Moruga finished the SSFL 2023 season unbeaten and six points clear of Ste Madeleine Secondary, and had their sights set on the Big 5 competition with promotion in mind.

However, Moruga were later found guilty of submitting their player registration form without the signature of their principal and school stamp, and also fielding a player who was not registered 72 hours before a match. The school had faced relegation owing to the breaches.

In a media release on Sunday, the SSFL announced that its arbitration committee has quashed the previous decisions and urged the SSFL to review its registration practices as "internal deficiencies in this regard could bring the league into disrepute."

The committee noted that Moruga Secondary reported receipt of players’ IDs which may constitute valid registration for the season.

The committee said a help desk should be established as "schools have no official knowledge whether their registration is valid/invalid before the season/match and schools only know of an invalid registration, at some point during or after the season, when a protest is lodged.

"This is extremely unfair to the schools and has the potential to undermine the efforts of the SSFL to continue to provide its stakeholders with a reputable co-curricular sporting opportunity."

The committee noted that Moruga player Veron Gomez was not properly registered before playing a match against Point Fortin East Secondary, and the punishment for that breach stands.

Meanwhile, the committee also noted similar SSFL internal deficiencies with regard to Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, who topped the central zone.

The disciplinary and appeals committees had found that Miracle Ministries documents were "not an official document from the web page (SSFL) and copy of registration.”

The arbitration committee also took issue with the composition of the disciplinary committee, with members from the credential committee also functioning in dual capacity. "This situation can be viewed as a conflict of interest and makes the disciplinary committee’s report invalid."

The arbitration committee quashed the previous rulings and restored Miracle Ministries' points.

RELATED NEWS

SSFL says sorry to Miracle Ministries, Moruga, vows to fix registration system.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has issued an apology for its registration faux pas which initially saw 2023 Central and South zone championship division winners Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and Moruga Secondary stripped of their zonal titles owing to alleged registration breaches.

On Sunday, the SSFL's arbitration committee of Theophilus Trim, Justin Latapy-George and former league president Anthony Creed, found the league's registration was faulty and overturned the original decisions of the SSFL's disciplinary and appeals committees to punish the Central and South zonal champions.

On Tuesday, through its general secretary Azaad Khan, the SSFL put up its hand for the furore via a press release.

"Following the decision by the SSFL Arbitration Committee to reinstate Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (MMPHS) and Moruga Secondary as Central zone and South zone championship division winners respectively, the SSFL hereby unreservedly apologises to all football stakeholders and supporters for the unfortunate events that occurred," the league's statement said.

Before the registration impasse, both Miracle Ministries and Moruga were due to participate in the SSFL Big 5 playoffs alongside the three other championship winners, Blanchisseuse Secondary (North), Signal Hill Secondary (Tobago) and St Augustine Secondary (East). The top three teams in the Big 5 tournament will be promoted to the 2024 SSFL premier division.

"The decision by our Arbitration Committee and the reactions of distress from the parties and supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought. It was never our intention to cause such distress.

"The SSFL understands fully that the system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the league. It is clear that the events that led to arbitration was a significant misstep and due diligence should have been of a much higher standard. We did not initially make the right decision here, which we fully accept."

After the conclusion of the championship division campaign in November, the league confirmed protests had been lodged against both Miracle Ministries and Moruga over their online registration. On November 21, the two schools met with the league's disciplinary committee and were found guilty of breaching the SSFL's registration rules, with Mourga penalised for submitting an incomplete registration form “without the principal’s signature and or the school stamp."

The disciplinary committee's verdict was upheld by the appeals committee on December 5, before the three-man arbitration committee emphatically reversed the SSFL's stance.

The league vowed not to repeat the mistake going forward.

It said its aim was "always to make the right decisions for this great league, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. The SSFL meantime, has taken progressive steps to address the matter so that such events do not happen again."

SSFL president Merere Gonzales told Newsday the league hopes to play at least two match days in the Big 5 tournament before Carnival (February 12 and 13). He said fixtures will be drafted this week.

Gonzales said the SSFL is also working towards playing the girls' Big 5 final before January comes to an end. Scarborough Secondary, 2022 girls' Big 5 champions, will contest Five Rivers Secondary in the belated 2023 final, which has been postponed on numerous occasions owing to faulty travel arrangements and a subsequent break for the Christmas period.

60

Football / Re: 2023/24 TTPFL Thread

« on: January 13, 2024, 05:42:53 AM »

Gill on target as Club Sando draw Pt Fortin Civic.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

CLUB Sando remained in fourth position after being held to a 1-1 draw by Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic in the first game of matchday eight of the TT Premier Football League at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima Friday.

A victory would have moved Club Sando to second in the standings momentarily with the top three teams all playing late on Friday.

National player Real Gill continued his prolific season, opening the scoring for Club Sando in the 23rd minute.

Pt Fortin, seventh in the standings, equalised halfway through the second half through Andre Ettienne in the 67th minute.

Three matches were completed after press time on Friday. In a double-header at St James Police Barracks, third-placed Defence Force played fifth-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at 6 pm and leaders Miscellaneous Police FC faced second-placed AC Port of Spain at 8.10 pm.

In the last match of matchday eight, Prisons Service FC and Caledonia will play at Arima Velodrome at 6 pm on Sunday.