http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2011/11/10/tt-captain-another-bahrain-situationThe Pro Look
T&T captain: Another ‘Bahrain like’ situationPublished: Thu, 2011-11-10 18:57
With the six-year anniversary of this country’s 1-0 victory over Bahrain in Manama approaching November 16, current national team captain Kenwyne Jones says T&T’s clash with Guyana tomorrow is in a way similar to the magnitude of the clash in which Dennis Lawrence’s goal pushed the “Soca Warriors” through to the 2006 World Cup Finals.
“It feels good and I’m honoured to be the captain of the team today after being one of the youngsters in the team back in 2005. There were a lot of senior guys around now who I developed under and to be one of the more experienced guys now and with the opportunity to lead the team to another World Cup, it’s definitely a moment in my career that I’m really looking forward to putting my best foot forward,” Jones said.
“I think this game against Guyana is similar to the Bahrain game in many ways because it’s a game we need to avoid losing as well as try to get a victory and it’s two matches home and away just like it was against Bahrain. We are on the road in the first match but once we get a good result then we have it all to play for in our own territory,” added Jones, who was brought into the starting team by Leo Beenhakker in Manama in a tactical move by the Dutchman.
Beenhakker had opted to bring Russell Latapy off the bench in the second half and allow Jones to partner Stern John in attack from the opening whistle.
Sunderland coach rates Digicel Academy highly Sunderland Academy coach Kevin Ball says he’s been privileged to work in Trinidad over the past week as one of the coaches overseeing the Digicel Elite Football Academy which has produced fruits of hard labour. Ball along with former England international John Barnes and Carlton Fairweather worked with outstanding young footballers from the Caribbean and Panama in Port- of-Spain and Ball explained at the conclusion of the camp that there was definite talent to be nurtured.
“There’s been some very specific ways in which we’ve been able to see the fruits of our labour. It goes without saying that it’s been an honour and privilege to come across here in the capacity of represent Sunderland AFC and to work in an environment like this is very fulfilling in a personal sense,” Ball said on Sunderland TV. “We have worked very hard over the five days in the academy and we’ve been lucky to have had access to great facilities at the T&T national (Hasely Crawford) stadium and that makes a real difference.”
Commenting on the 37 players themselves, Ball added: “When you bring people in any walk of life together there are always going to be difficulties. However, add in the fact that they’re all under 16-years- old, from very different backgrounds with language barriers, there’s always a concern of how they’re going to knit together and we’ve seen the young players do exactly that over the past five days.”
“They all loved having the ball at their feet and scoring goals, but while that’s obviously a massive part of the game, it’s also about teamwork and understanding space and working without the ball which wasn’t something we saw early on. As to whether there were any special talents spotted, Ball responded positively, particularly pointing out Panamanian player Ivan Dario Mayoma, who was born in Colombia but dropped off in Panama by his mother who left nothing with him except the clothes he wore at the time and a note asking that someone take care of him.
“When I was chosen by John Barnes for the academy, I could not believe it. I felt like I had something, I felt like I could compete,” said Mayoma. Ball continued: “He’s got a great work-ethic about him and is a real player. And it’s stories like that and helping young lads like him that makes it really great for us to have these sort of opportunities.”
Birchall ready to do battle Back in the squad after missing the two previous World Cup qualifiers due to injury, LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall is relishing the opportunity to turn up against Guyana in a do or die situation for the “Soca Warriors”. Birchall has been enjoying a winning streak with La Galaxy making it through to the MLS Cup Final against Houston Dynamo on November 20.
“Right now winning is all I’m accustomed to and its all I’m thinking about,” said Birchall, one of the surviving members of the 2006 World Cup squad, who scored with a fabulous shot from atop the box in the 1-1 draw with Bahrain in the first qualifying leg in 2005.
“I remember that goals like if it was yesterday and these games against Guyana are around the same time of November. Definitely there’s going to be a lot of memories rushing back and hopefully this can inspire some of the boys, who were in the team back then and are still around today. “I would want some of the new boys to realise the significance of both occasions. We must wear the shirt with pride, work as a team and give it everything to secure our place in the next round,” Birchall added.
Shabazz describes T&T as ‘Goliath’ Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz, head coach of Guyana football team, believes T&T is underestimating Guyana as they head into tomorrow’s vital 2014 World Cup qualifier in Providence. Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Guyana Football Federation on Monday, the Caledonia AIA boss stated that he was confident that T&T could get a rude awakening. “The coach further added that the factor which is expected to give Guyana the edge in the battle is the element of surprise. Even though T&T is one point below us in the points standing I still think they don’t see us. They have not conceded that the Guyana team is a good team. We are going to be able to prove that,” Shabazz said.
“It is good to know what opponent you are facing and have some knowledge about how they play but in football that can work for and against you. For me, it’s both because we would know who to look out for in certain situations and also add to our pattern of play. “We are really hoping that the Guyanese supporters come out and support the Golden Jaguars since it is really important that we have that 12th man on the field to lift the guys’ spirits as we go against an opponent described as ‘Goliath’,” Shabazz added.
• Shaun Fuentes is the media
officer for Soca Warriors/TTFF. Shaunfuentes@yahoo.com
