Warm welcome at Piarco for World Cup bound U-17’s
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Tuesday, 08 May 2007
By Randy Bando…
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The Trinidad and Tobago national Under-17 footballers received a heartwarming welcome at the Piarco International Airport on Monday night when they returned from their successful Under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament in Jamaica.
The ‘Young Warriors’ led by Coach Anton Corneal created local history as the first squad to qualify for the Under-17 tournament and only the fourth Caribbean nation to achieve such an accomplishment.
Trinidad and Tobago earned their spot in the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in Korea by defeating home team Jamaica 1-0 in their last qualifying match on Sunday.
It was the Piarco Airport VIP Lounge that was filled with emotions on Monday night with TTFF Vice President Raymond Tim Kee present, Government Ministers headed by the Minister of Sport Mr. Roger Boynes and Minister of Community Development and Gender Affairs Joanne Yuille Williams, parents of the young national players, die hard supporters, the local media and of course, the heroes themselves led by their coaching contingency of Anton Corneal and the national senior coach Wim Rijsbergen who had traveled along with the youngsters in Jamaica.
Another main attraction in the VIP Lounge was local artiste Kees Diffenthaller who had accompanied the ‘Young Warriors’ on their trip to Jamaica. Kes also took time to render a couple of his songs welcoming the players home as they all joined in singing loudly to the astonishment of all present.
Opening the congratulations on behalf of the TTFF was Vice President Raymond Tim Kee who said, “Nobody except us at the Federation held the belief that we would have two teams representing us at the World Cup. After we had qualified for the senior World Cup last year there was skepticism as to if we had the talent to qualify for this under-17 tournament, after all we have never qualified for this tournament only participating in it as hosts a few years ago,” he said.
He then congratulated the ‘Young Warriors’ and thanked all for their support, “When we beat Canada it was a shock to all and then we beat Jamaica and I have to say that was a great achievement by these youngsters and I have to thank even their parents for their longstanding support,” said the TTFF Vice President.
Meanwhile a satisfied national under-17 coach, Anton Corneal took time to thank all who made it possible including the likes of Peter Pierre, Dion La Foucade and Ken Elie and national head Coach Wim Rijsbergen. Other names mentioned by the Under-17 coach were Olympic Medalist Ato Boldon, Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, his father Alvin Corneal and FIFA Vice President Mr. Jack Warner for their inspirational chats with his young troops before the qualifiers.
The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Coach Wim Rijsbergen also added his thoughts saying that this is just the beginning of what is to come, “After a long fight this of course is just the beginning. I have been watching the under 15 and under 16 levels here in Trinidad over the past two years and the standard has been growing bit by bit. There is still a lot of hard work to come from this team and hopefully we have the same staff to go along. We have had a lot of support from the government, the TTFF and the parents of these players,” said the Dutchman.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at the welcome ceremony, the Honorable Minister of Sport Mr. Roger Boynes promised the young players that the government would always be supportive while congratulating them on their achievement.
The emotions climaxed with the ‘Young Warriors’ chanting their pre-match chant which they created and the curtains came down with a closing prayer followed by the entertaining sound of steel-pan music.
Trinidad and Tobago will join fellow CONCACAF Nations Haiti, Honduras, Costa Rica and United States at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship which kicks off in Korea on August 18 and runs until September 9 of this year.
Related Links: Pro League CEO emphasizes the importance of U-17 qualification
Molino strike sends young ‘Warriors’ to Korea
U-17 players looking to prove worth at World Cup stage
Kevin Molino: National Under-17 Player
Ryan O'Neil: National Under-17 Captain
Copyright ©2007 Trinidad & Tobago Professional Football League
