Thread for T&T vs Nicaragua Game (27-March-2023)

[Tallman]

Squeaky-bum time for Soca Warriors
T&T Express

Stop complaining, Coachman, we’ve got to get into the Concacaf Gold Cup! In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s “squeaky-bum time”.

In that “final” against Nicaragua, a win would’ve sent us straight to the Gold Cup.

That is no time for ceremony, it doesn’t matter that Winchester is a Tobagonian, Reon Moore is the striker who got us the goal against Jamaica; he should be leading the line from kick-off.

When does a coach ever change a winning team? Alvin Jones is a goal-scoring right-back; recall that goal against USA in Couva. Hodge had an excellent game against Bahamas. Why change the full-backs?

If Jones’ primary position is left-back, why is he playing in the no 10?

It would’ve been a fair selection if he started at left-back and dropped into midfield as an inverted full-back like the Zinchenko role at Arsenal.

What does John Paul Rochford have to do to get a start? What does Justin Sadoo have to do to get a call-up?

So, you’re telling us the local batch that travelled to Jamaica only went for a sweat? To Eve an the backroom staff—do your homework on the tactics, and let the fans worry about the atmosphere. It’s Tobago. What kind of vibes you all expected to get?

Central American nations have always tried “Neymar-esque” shenanigans. No point complaining to the referees. We must outplay them regardless, and return the nasty streak equally.

Chin up, fellas. Look ahead—plenty of work to do. Expect Jamaal Shabazz to be trash-talking from all now. Let him say what he has to say, and let’s focus on our business and games ahead. We can only play against who’s in front of us.

We move on. Soca Warriors to the World!

Kendell Karan

Chaguanas

[pull stones]

Squeaky-bum time for Soca Warriors
T&T Express

Stop complaining, Coachman, we’ve got to get into the Concacaf Gold Cup! In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s “squeaky-bum time”.

In that “final” against Nicaragua, a win would’ve sent us straight to the Gold Cup.

That is no time for ceremony, it doesn’t matter that Winchester is a Tobagonian, Reon Moore is the striker who got us the goal against Jamaica; he should be leading the line from kick-off.

When does a coach ever change a winning team? Alvin Jones is a goal-scoring right-back; recall that goal against USA in Couva. Hodge had an excellent game against Bahamas. Why change the full-backs?

If Jones’ primary position is left-back, why is he playing in the no 10?

It would’ve been a fair selection if he started at left-back and dropped into midfield as an inverted full-back like the Zinchenko role at Arsenal.

What does John Paul Rochford have to do to get a start? What does Justin Sadoo have to do to get a call-up?

So, you’re telling us the local batch that travelled to Jamaica only went for a sweat? To Eve an the backroom staff—do your homework on the tactics, and let the fans worry about the atmosphere. It’s Tobago. What kind of vibes you all expected to get?

Central American nations have always tried “Neymar-esque” shenanigans. No point complaining to the referees. We must outplay them regardless, and return the nasty streak equally.

Chin up, fellas. Look ahead—plenty of work to do. Expect Jamaal Shabazz to be trash-talking from all now. Let him say what he has to say, and let’s focus on our business and games ahead. We can only play against who’s in front of us.

We move on. Soca Warriors to the World!

Kendell Karan

Chaguanas

Excellent article, I actually agree with 95% of everything you reiterated, but to no avail, because unfortunately I fear that your words will fall on deaf ears since no one who has the power to change the trajectory of the piss poor direction that football has taken over the years, will have any interest to take any immediate measures to repair football in this land.

I don’t know why you TT football fans can’t see that nothing will change in a hurry where sports in Trinidad and Tobago is concerned, because of all the self important big headed selfish rassholes who rush to lead but are void of ideas and technique to take sports into the 21st century.

Pretty soon dominica will be beating us left right and center, and hopefully maybe then….they just might wake up and smell the coffee….hopefully by then they get it and actually put the sport discipline first and foremost.

[Fyzoman]

The man asked, "when does a coach ever change a winning team"...that said it all for me but I continued reading anyway
Alvin Jones is a baller, not sure if he's a 'goal-scoring' right-back...think Shannon has the upper hand for that right back spot.
Hodge is a tidy player (who talks to the refs too much) but he can't play in front of Keston...unless I'm missing something?
Rochford is also a tidy player, not really sure who he starts in front of in this team.
Justin Sadoo the man say yes...not because you know someone and they are a decent player, does it mean they are national material.
Clearly this fella hasn't followed Joevin since he went to Inter Miami and showed he's not up to playing left-back in the MLS...far less against Latin competition.

[Trini _2026]

Jovein was the top left back in the mls at one time.

[Trinidad Sports Reality]

We won the protest and will.now be in Group A with USA Jamaica and a possible qualifier out of Curacao or St Kitts vs or Frend Guiana or st marten

[Tallman]

Trinidad and Tobago goes directly to the 2023 Gold Cup as Nicaragua is sanctioned by Concacaf
Concacaf.com

Concacaf has announced that its Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Nicaraguan Football Federation (FENIFUT) for a severe violation of the applicable FIFA/Concacaf regulations by fielding an ineligible player in eight Nicaragua Men’s National Team matches, including matches in the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League (CNL).

In view of this serious breach of regulations, the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee has decided to exclude the Nicaragua Men’s National Team from competing in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and to relegate them to League B of the 2023/24 CNL. 

Because of the decision of the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee, the Concacaf Council has made the following determinations regarding the implications of this decision on the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League:

2023 Concacaf Gold Cup

• The Nicaragua Men’s National Team will be replaced in the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage (Group A) by the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Team, by virtue of them being the highest second-place team overall from League B groups in the 2022/23 CNL.
• The place in the Gold Cup Preliminary Round previously occupied by the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Team will go to the Antigua and Barbuda Men’s National Team, by virtue of them being the team with the highest points (overall) in League B of the 2022/23 CNL to not have qualified to the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims.
• Per the Official Gold Cup and Prelims Draw, which took place on April 14, 2023, the winner of Prelims Matchup 1 will advance to Prelims Matchup 7, and the winner of Prelims Matchup 7 has been drawn into position D4 of Group D. This will remain unchanged.

2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League

• The Nicaragua Men’s National Team will be replaced in League A of the 2023/24 CNL by Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Team, by virtue of them being the highest second-place team overall from League B groups in the 2022/23 CNL.
• The Nicaragua National Team will be slotted in Group B position B1 of League B, which is the position left vacant by the Trinidad and Tobago National Team given their qualification into League A.

[Peong]

Great news! Less matches but is a bird in de hand. No telling what we would do in a qualifier these days.

[frico]

For once something has gone our way,I hope we can use that as a stepping stone as a start for better things to come,serves Nicaragua right,don't bloody cheat.

[Trini _2026]

Can antigua prepare a squad in a shopossible time

[Flex]

Trinidad and Tobago Promoted to 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago Promoted to 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage and 2023/2024 Nations League A

The Senior Men’s National Team has been promoted directly to the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage after the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) lodged a successful complaint against the eligibility of a Nicaraguan Football Federation player who competed in 2022 Concacaf Nations League matches.

On 12 June 2023, the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the Nicaraguan Football Federation for severe violation to the applicable FIFA/Concacaf regulations by fielding an ineligible player in multiple matches in Concacaf competitions.

After a 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua on 27 March 2023 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Nicaragua finished at the top of Group C, in League B, and qualified automatically to the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and was promoted to League A for the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League.

However, Concacaf’s judgment now means Trinidad and Tobago, by virtue of being the team with the best second place overall finish of all League B teams in the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League, will replace Nicaragua in the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League A.

The other teams in Group A alongside Trinidad and Tobago are Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Martinique and Curacao. Success in League A of the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League, which begins in September 2023, earns a team qualification to the 2024 Copa America, which will be held in the USA.

Trinidad and Tobago will now also replace Nicaragua in Group A of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and will no longer be required to compete in the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims on 16 June 2023 vs Guadeloupe.

The Angus Eve-coached team will now kick off its 2023 Gold Cup campaign with the following schedule of matches:

• 25 June 2023: Trinidad and Tobago vs the Winner of Prelim #9 – DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale – 3:30 pm
• 28 June 2023: Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago – CityPark, St Louis – 6:30 pm
• 2 July 2023: USA vs Trinidad and Tobago – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte – 7:00 pm

Commenting on the latest development, TTFA General Secretary Amiel Mohammed stated, “This is extremely exciting news for Angus, the team and the entire country!”

“We would like to thank Concacaf for their efforts in investigating this matter with the urgency that they have and look forward to a really amazing next few months for the Senior Men’s Team. This is where we want to be and we encourage all fans and stakeholders,far and wide, to rally around the team.”

This is Trinidad and Tobago’s second consecutive appearance at the Gold Cup, having also qualified in 2021.

[gawd on pitch]

Hard luck for Bahamas. By right they should be in the playoffs. They probably declined the opportunity because of the time needed to put a team together. 

[asylumseeker]

For once something has gone our way,I hope we can use that as a stepping stone as a start for better things to come,serves Nicaragua right,don't bloody cheat.

It isn't certain that necessarily they "cheated". They could genuinely have developed a nuanced appreciation of the acceptable.

[gawd on pitch]

Now that the team is in, they need some prep matches. The preliminaries were supposed to be preparation for the Gold cup. We need a team to play.

[gawd on pitch]

Nicaragua launched an appeal.

https://www.concacaf.com/en/news/decision-of-the-concacaf-appeals-committee-on-the-nicaraguan-football-federation/

[asylumseeker]

Nicaragua launched an appeal.

https://www.concacaf.com/en/news/decision-of-the-concacaf-appeals-committee-on-the-nicaraguan-football-federation/

Their next stop is the CAS.

[gawd on pitch]

Yep. They might consider that. But I wouldn't be surprised if FIFA gives them a punishment. The Gold cup expulsion is from Concacaf not FIFA. FIFA may take that action if they try to fight it.

Nicaragua's argument is that FIFA is retroactively applying a policy. The background to that is before 2020 FIFAs naturalization period was 2 years. FIFA updated it to 5 years in 2020. With this, it sounds as if Nicaragua has a leg to stand on.

Now this is where Nicaragua loses. Under FIFA guidelines prior to 2020, the player was required
to spend two consecutive years in the country they are becoming naturalized. The player in question Rodriguez, moved to Nicaragua in 2018, and got citizenship under Nicaraguas naturalization process. Whatever that was. This took place in either 2018 or 2019. What this meant is that Rodriguez never did his 2 consecutive years under FIFAs guidelines.

To put the nail in the coffin, Rodriguez moved to Paraguay in 2019 for 5 months. Meaning that he never spent his 2 consecutive years in Nicaragua and that if he was to follow FIFAs guidelines, his naturalization period would be restarted when he returns to Nicaragua. However since the policy was changed to 5 years, the mix up lies here.

Finally, Nicaragua was apparently warned about this. This is where they are using circular reasoning. Nicaragua's argument is that Concacaf knew about this matter and did not tell them that it was illegal. BIG 😆.

I can't seen Nicaragua finding their way out of this. If they try to fight it at the CAS, FIFA will hand them a ban from all competition.