Local diamonds on show.
Pro League's Classic teaser.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).
Trinidad and Tobago national football team coach Wim Rijsbergen was the most illustrious spectator at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday night for a Pro League Toyota Classic quarterfinal double header.
Rijsbergen, a former Dutch World Cup defender, kept his own counsel when questioned by the Express on the quality of the fixture and the players who took part.
In the past, he reiterated that there is "much work to be done" in the local game and his assertion seems beyond reproach.
But, after a scrappy 2-1 win for the "Soca Warriors" over Panama this month, he also waxed lyrical about the benefits of polishing diamonds. Perhaps he noted a few on Friday.
The results themselves were encouraging for the game although quarter-final losers CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public might not agree.
Jabloteh, the defending champions, commanded much of the fixture against Superstar Rangers but still bowed out on penalty kicks while there was little difference between Public and their victors and eastern rivals, Caledonia AIA.
In both cases, it was a triumph for determination and belief over club history and financial strength. But there was also the suggestion that the Pro League actually did have enough talent to spread around.
There were no outstanding individual performances-although Caledonia striker Nigel Pierre was pretty close-but that did not mean potential was absent. Diamonds in the dirt? There were a few.
Even hardened football observers experience a flutter at the sight of Rangers midfielder Kerwyn "Hardest" Jemmott in football gear.
Surely no national player had as many "second chances" as the ex-Malick enigma. But his frame was lean and his passes were still clean.
The Jabloteh midfield is no pushover. Aurtis Whitley was not overrun by England's celebrated pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard at the 2006 World Cup while Trent Noel featured as a holding midfielder in two of Rijsbergen's three outings thus far.
Yet, Jemmott regularly created space to work neat passes even as his teammates struggled to keep possession. Late in the second half, Hardest had enough in his tank to venture forward and rap the Jabloteh upright with a crisp drive.
The gifted midfielder's penchant for sudden leaves of absence means that he struggles to win the trust of local coaches let alone international ones. But, if Rijsbergen insists on classifying players as either stones or diamonds, Jemmott is overqualified for the former tag.
Whitley was not at his best on Friday but has little to prove beyond commitment. His versatility and on-field personality alone demands his inclusion at international level and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) must provide a proper explanation if he misses out on an excursion to Austria in mid-November.
Nigel Daniel, a versatile full back, was one of Jabloteh's best two performers on the night with his characteristic eagerness to impose himself on the match. Winger Jason Marcano shone too.
Brave and pro-active, Marcano acquitted himself well and tormented Rangers' full backs with his pace and dribbling skills. It is a potent combination if married to sound decision making and tactical awareness.
The evening's second match was more balanced and offered Public and Caledonia's players the opportunity to showcase their talent within a solid structure.
It was the "Eastern Lions" who seemed to relish the stage more. Pierre was certainly in the mood. Beefy but graceful, the former St Anthony's College star transfer from Queen's Park CC to Public-almost a decade ago-was possibly the most acrimonious move in the history of the local professional game.
On Friday, Pierre gave a glimpse of the talent that made him such a coveted player and left him with an enviable international record.
Pierre has 24 goals-including three World Cup qualifying strikes-from 56 national games and, in 2001, was the last player to outscore all-time record goal scorer Stern John in a calendar year with meaningful competition. John's other potential successors, Kenwyne Jones, Jason Scotland and Cornell Glen, have a combined total of 19 goals from 92 national caps.
Pierre is not the same player he was five years ago but then neither is John and it has not stopped him from racking up the appearances and goals. His whipped right side cross led to the game's lone item from substitute Nigel Codrington. He might relish a bigger assignment.
Whitley was 28 with only 15 caps under his belt when Beenhakker resurrected his international career to good effect for player and country last year. In comparison, a 27-year-old Pierre is hardly an outrageous gamble.
Densill Theobald, a fixture under previous boss Leo Beenhakker, also played his part in pacing AIA to victory and looked trim and lively. He has a kindred spirit in utility player Conrad Smith who shared his appreciation for possession and rapid ball movement although the latter was replaced in the second half as Caledonia's midfield fell flat.
At times, Caledonia and Public looked ready for take off.
Public defended resolutely but veteran playmaker Arnold Dwarika lacked the consistent support of his attacking partners. Caledonia played in spurts but rarely managed the cohesion to control proceedings after a promising start.
It was not sensational stuff but an interesting night out all the same for a few hundred supporters. Maybe food for thought for a rookie national coach as well.
