‘Warriors’ go for the advantage.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
Trinidad and Tobago will be pressing for the advantage away from home when they face off with Central American giants Costa Rica in their 2006 World cup qualifier at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, San Jose from 8pm (10pm T&T time).
Team captain Dwight Yorke says he foresees a “very difficult” match for the Warriors but is not counting out the possibility of a positive result, particularly on the back of a inspiring come from behind 3-2 win over Guatemala in Port of Spain on Saturday.
A charter flight will be arriving in San Jose through the efforts of team sponsor TSTT as well as CLICO with Honourable President Max Richards and other fans coming to support the ‘Warriors’. FIFA Vice President Jack Warner will also be on hand to witness the affair. Yorke and company awoke for a 9am breakfast and had their first session in San Jose at 11am on Tuesday followed by a second one at 7pm.
With the match being played on artificial surface, coach Leo Beenhakker made a request for two sessions and was allowed to conduct two separate one hour sessions.
Following a five-hour stay in Miami after leaving Port of Spain at 9am, T&T’s footballers set out on the journey to San Jose and touched down around 7:15pm, Costa Rican time and were immediately escorted through immigration before having to brace through a heap of Costa Rican media with several TV cameras surrounding the team bus, making the entrance to the bus at least a couple minutes longer than anticipated.
Upon arrival at the TryP Corobici Hotel, the “Warriors” were greeted by more cameramen, including a couple who have been camping out at the hotel since early Tuesday morning which started much earlier as the sun is fully up from 5:30 here.
“It’s nothing new in football,” Beenhakker said. “But we are here for a match and we know it will be played on an artificial turf. There’s nothing to complain about but to just go and get on with our game.”
Defender Brent Sancho, because of his dreadlocks was mistaken by reporters for Russell Latapy and some of his teammates couldn’t resist laughing at him being to get through some shouting “Russell, Russell, how do you feel?”
“Obviously we’re here to try and get a result. A victory would be great but we know that Costa Rica are also on a high and they will be going all out to get the three points,” Sancho said.
The morning session was watched by a host of Costa Rican media as the “Warriors” went through their paces, getting accustomed to the new surface. The conditions were cool with a strong wind coming across the tight venue which puts the fans virtually on the backs of the players on the pitch.
And having played here alongside Latapy when Costa Rica won 3-0 back in 2001, Yorke said his team is prepared for anything on the night.
“The surface is not a problem at the moment. But we expect it to be a difficult match for us. We know that the Costa Rican fans will be trying to make it very hard for us on the night but it’s not something that should throw us off. I am hoping to be part of a very entertaining game because we know that our team is a good one offensively and so are the Costa Ricans,” Yorke told TTFF Media. “But in saying that, we need to be as tight as possible at the back and ensure that we don’t give anything away.”
Latapy has been most popular among the people here who have jumped at every opportunity to shake hands or take photos with the him.
“We know it’s going to be tough out there because this is the time where all the teams will be trying to get results. But at the same time, there’s no reason for us to feel we can’t get something out of this match,” Latapy said.
Costa Rican head coach Alexandre Guimaraes has been suspended for the match after being ejected in the last game versus Panama. The homeside will undoubtedly look to the services of Ronald Gomes, Paulo Wanchope, Winston Parks, Jafet Soto and Walter Centeno.
Beenhakker added: “It’s not anything big because he (Guimaraes) isn’t playing. We must be as ready as we can be and try to get the best result possible.” A victory will push T&T to ten points, same as Costa Rica while the T&T faithful will be hoping for Mexico to do their job on Panama and likewise USA on Guatemala.
Costa Ricans prepare for War.The head of the Fuerza Pública has reminded soccer fans that the encounter in Tibás Wednesday is just a game and not a war, but his units are preparing for war. More than 400 officers, including the Unidad de Intervención Policial, will be on the job inside and outside Estadio Ricardo Saprissa.
The way the North, Central American and Caribbean Conference shapes up is that the U.S. team is guaranteed a World Cup trip. México is almost certain to be at least No. 2 in the league and win a berth also. So Costa Rica is competing with Trinidad and Guatemala for the third berth. Then the two remaining teams will slug it out for the right to meet an Asian team as the fourth-pace finisher and a possible World Cup trip.
In short, Tico spirits are high, and the Fuerza Pública head, Comisario Wálter Navarro, is warning fans against carrying anything to the game that could be thrown on the field, such as glass bottles. He also warned against flags and banners that had wooden staffs or similar. Police will be inspecting each fan as they enter the stadium. In the event of a Tico victory, fans will find heavy police presence at critical spots in the city, such as the Fuente de Hispanidad in Los Yoses, a traditional celebration site.
T&T train in San Jose, Photos Compliments: TTFF Media Man Shaun Fuentes.
CL Financial drums up support for T&T.
T&T Guardian Reports.[/size]
President George Maxwell Richards and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes, are among a party of supporters who will follow this country’s Warriors to Costa Rica to give support to tonight’s World Cup Qualifier in San Jose. Also included in this charter are West Indies batsman Brian Lara, former national player and coach Gally Cummings and president of the Football Federation Oliver Camps.
The trip is made possible by the CL Financial group of companies which has chartered a flight to Costa Rica in keeping with its “commitment to the deve-lopment and furtherance of sport.”
Boynes is of the view that this gesture “would be encouraging and inspiring for our players.” Andre Monteil, an executive of CL Financial was quick to support the idea particularly as Cyd Gray and Aurtis Whitley are members of T&T Pro League giants CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh.
On Saturday the Warriors showed great determination to come from behind twice to beat Guatemala 3-2 in their qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo reviving hope in the team’s ability to advance to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Costa Rica won 3-1 in Panama on Saturday to also boost its prospects of qualifying for Germany 2006, the win leaves them three points clear on 10 in third place in the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone standings while T&T is tied on seven point with Guatemala and is in fifth place.
Clico’s director and former top north goalkeeper, Ian Garcia, described the idea as unique and historic and one that should serve to further motivate the Warriors.
According to one of the organisers at CL Financial, the conglomerate was prepared to make T&T shine. “We are prepared to go the extra mile to help our people fulfill their dreams and the extra support is one way that the company can achieve this goal.”
In a statement yesterday Jack Warner, chairman, LOC Germany 2006 Ltd, in conjunction with the TTFF expressed thanks to CL Financial for the gesture as part of the company's continuing assistance to the development of local football. The BWIA charter carrying 146 supporters leaves Trinidad at 2 p.m. today for Costa Rica arriving there at 4 p.m. Costa Rica time, they will return at 6:45 tomorrow.
News from the 6th of September 2005.Warriors try to settle.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).Trinidad and Tobago's football Warriors were arriving at Piarco International Airport long before 6 am yesterday on the way to San Jose for their important CONCACAF World Cup football qualifier against Costa Rica which takes place at 10 pm TT time tomorrow at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium.
But their flight, originally carded to leave Piarco International airport at 8 pm suffered a delay and only took off an hour later. But once aboard the American Airlines flight, the team was welcomed by the captain and received loud applause from fellow passengers appreciative of their dramatic come-from-behind victory over Guatemala on Saturday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
But following that hard-fought victory on Saturday, and another light session the morning after, most of the Warriors used the three and a half hour flight to Miami to catch up on some much needed sleep. Despite being out of the Costa Rica game due to suspension, left defender Avery John also travelled with the team, but his place is expected to be taken by North East Stars defender Glenton Wolfe. A regular reserve, Wolfe had been looked good when practising Beenhakker's drills on the eve of the Guatemala match.
Having touched down in Miami at 12.30 p.m. yesterday, the Warriors had a few hours to kill until their flight to Costa Rica which was due to leave Miami International Airport at 6.24 pm to arrive in Costa Rica at 7.11 pm ( 9.11 TT time).
Many of the squad, including Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, took the time to see the sights in an overcast downtown Miami, but instead found the place almost deserted due to the Labour Day holiday in the United States.
Today, coach Leo Beenhakker has scheduled two training sessions. One full session will take place this morning with a further one-hour session carded for tonight at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, which is located about 45 minutes away from the Melia Caliari Hotel where the team is staying.
News from the 5th of September 2005.‘Warriors’ say Thank You T&T.
By: Shaun Fuentes.Still basking in their 3-2 victory over Guatemala on Saturday evening, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior footballers took the opportunity on Sunday to extend gratitude to the local public and other well wishers for their support before, during and after the pulsating affair at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
A proud captain Dwight Yorke said it was undoubtedly one of the more touching moments for him when he experienced the backing of the fans following the victory.
“We must say a special thanks to the fans for coming out in all their numbers and portraying the red, white and black and giving that extra force in what was obviously a crucial victory for us,” Yorke said.
Team manager Bruce Aanensen said it was a fact that the support did reach through to the team members who felt they could only repay the fans with such a fighting performance, one down to the wire as it turned out.
“The guys have always mentioned the need for proper support and they got that on the day. There’s nothing more that we could have asked for and now the fans also have something to take home with them and to take on for the rest of the campaign because our aim is to crown this off by going all the way,” Aanensen told TTFF Media.
“It’s been an overwhelming feeling for everyone but we are back to work and will have to get it right again for Costa Rica on Wednesday.”
Double goalscoring hero Stern John admitted that he wasn’t pleased by the harsh criticism but he was happy that he rose to the occasion.
“I was really happy to hit the target again and it came when it mattered most. The fans have been on my back and it’s not something to feel good about but they still came out there and gave us that support which we needed and we give thanks to them for it. Hopefully it can continue and we can move even closer to qualifying now,” John said.
TTFF President Oliver Camps said it was truly one of the best matches he had experienced since the 1990 “Road to Italy” campaign.
“Everything about Saturday’s victory was something to relish. I cannot recall ever feeling this way since 1989 and I must say that we appreciate the support of the fans and others who contributed to the event and from a Federation standpoint we feel the same way about what coach Leo Beenhakker and his team produced out there.”
TTFF special advisor Jack Warner added too “The Journey to Germany has come alive and it will remain alive. The display was one of determination and passion and one can only be truly delighted to see what transpired on and off the pitch. It gave the people a sense of hope, the man in the street, the little children, those of all classes and race celebrated on Saturday and we all know what this can do for our country,” Warner said.
Following a light workout at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday morning, Beenhakker and his team will now depart for San Jose, Costa Rica at 7am on Monday with there being one change to the squad from the Guatemala match. Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence comes in for Avery John who is out of the match on two yellow cards while National Quarries North East Stars player Glenton Wolfe has been added to the roster as a 19th player.
Squad for Costa RicaKelvin Jack, Shaka Hislop, Ian Cox, Dennis Lawrence, Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray, Silvio Spann, Brent Sancho, Marvin Andrews, Glenton Wolfe, Russell Latapy, Carlos Edwards, Dwight Yorke, Chris Birchall, Aurtis Whitley, Densill Theobald, Stern John, Scott Sealy, Jason Scotland.
Fight with backs to wall.
By: Nigel Simon (Guardian).[/size]
Austin Jack Wanrer, FIFA vice-president and adviser to the T&TFF, one of the key men in getting Russell Latapy to return to the national team, was yesterday singing praises of the “Little Magician”, Stern John and coach Leo Beenhakker, following the Warriors’ dramatic 3-2 win over Guatemala.
The victory took T&T to even points in the fight for a top four finish (the first three automatic and the fourth for a play-off for World Cup Finals 2006) in the CONCACAF Final Round qualifier. Warner said: “I will like to say (that) the win has brought about a new resolve in the team.
“It showed that we have the capability to fight and even though our backs were against the wall when we trailed in the match, we never had doubts about our capabilities.
“Credit must also be given to coach Beenhakker, who stuck to his belief in striker Stern John when there was outcry about his play in recent times.
“The coach vindicated his belief in the player who returned the faith shown in him with two goals to help the team get the important win.
“Overall as a team, I think we played exceptionally well and the return of Latapy surely did justice to the team, it brought out more spirit and fight from the players.”
Warner said of the former FC Porto and Rangers midfielder:
“Latapy’s play for a person at the age of 37 years shows that no matter what age you are, once a player takes care of his body and stays fit, nothing is impossible.”
Acknowledging the support shown by the T&T public, the Caribbean Football Union boss added:
“The crowd support was just superb. I thought that the venue would have been sold out, but there were 2,000 empty seats.
In anticipation of good results against Costa Rica and Panama, Warner said:
“I would like to see that when we host Mexico for our final match on October 12, that this venue would be filled to capacity for the 8 pm match.
“Not only was the crowd very supportive in numbers, but in volume also, as the T&T public let their voices be heard from start to finish. It was just great.”
The match against Costa Rica will not be an easy task, said Warner.
“It will be played on an artificial surface and this will be a first for the T&T team.
“The Costa Ricans have 10 points following their 3-1 win against Panama and they are hoping to get a win to secure their spot in Germany.
“For us, the tactics and strategies will have to be different, but everyone in the team has faith in that we can achieve what we set out to do.”
One player who will not be in the T&T line-up is hard-tackling left back, Avery John, who picked up a yellow card, his second of the campaign, and so will miss the match. His spot in the team will be taken by National Quarries North East Stars Glenton Wolfe.
Returning to the team of 19 to tour is Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence, who sat out the Guatemala match after picking up a red-card in the match against USA.
Team manager, Bruce Aanensen was also delighted about the T&T performance. “It was a tremendous performance, the guys show great determination out there.
“This is what international football is about. Sometimes you have to literally play with blood in your boots. “Coach Beenhakker has been telling them all along that they have to be consistent for the whole match and they did that out there and got the right result.”
With three matches left to play in the CONCACAF region USA (18 points) are assured of a spot in Germany, while Mexico needs only a point to do so.
The battle is now on between Costa Rica (10 points), Guatemala (seven) and T&T (seven) for the two remaining places,with the team finishing fourth in a play-off with the team finishing in the same spot in the Asian group.
In the next three rounds of matches T&T faces Costa Rica (away); Panama (away) and Mexico at home; Costa Rica is at home to T&T and USA before travelling to Guatemala; and Guatemala meets USA and Mexico, before ending with a key match against Costa Rica.
News from the 4th of September 2005.Warriors!!!...on Latapy’s magic & John’s resolve.
By Jovan Ravello (Guardian).[/size]
T&T’s Warriors did what was required of them yesterday- they beat Guatemala 3-2, on goals from Russell Latapy and Stern John in their 2006 Concacaf World Cup qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo in front of a sellout crowd.
The match started in the same vein as T&T’s 1-0 loss to the United States World Cup at Rentschler Field, Connecticut, on August 17. The Guatemalans charged out of the gates and went for the jugular from the opening whistle.
And the match was only three minutes old when the visitors got the opening they were searching for.
Brent Sancho in central defence for T&T took down Guatemala’s Gonzalo Romero just in front of the T&T area; Guillermo Ramirez took the kick and his well- struck shot took a deflection before whizzing past Kelvin Jack in goal for T&T.
The T&T players were not discouraged and immediately went for the equaliser, but John could not get to Russell Latapy’s chip into the Guatemala area.
For his part, Latapy looked nothing close to his 37 years and exhibited his characteristic skill, control and ability to read the game as he commanded his position alongside John in attack.
T&T continued to surge forward in the face of the quick-passing Guatemalans, who won the first leg of the final round tie 5-1. Carlos Edwards and Silvio Spann on the right and Aurtis Whitley and captain Dwight Yorke in the centre of the park,featured in the play.
In the ninth minute, John got a golden opportunity after some poor defensive work by the Guatemalan backline, but he steered his shot wide of the far post with Guatemalan custodian Miguel Klee at his mercy.
After some frantic moments on both ends of the field the Warriors settled down into a more constructive rhythm and built their attacks on either flank through Latapy and Edwards, but the attack was plagued by offside calls nine of them on John.
In the 18th minute, John’s header at the end of a Sancho cross from deep in midfield was bundled away by Klee and the rebound fell to Yorke, who put it in the back of the net. But the goal was disallowed for offside.
The T&T defence looked unsteady at times, but escaped the penalty for slack marking and indecisiveness in the first-half, as the Guatemalans seemed content to ride their lead into the interval.
Jason Scotland, a half-time substitute for Whitley, kept the pressure up for the Warriors, allowing Latapy more space to worry the Guatemalan defence with precise passing, and his efforts paid off. On one such foray in the 47th minute.
Latapy controlled the ball on the right side of the field cut inside the area, dribbled the last defender and curled a shot with his left foot to Klee’s left setting, off frienzied celebrations, which gave lie to his “expect no miracles” suggestion earlier in the week. It was indeed a magical moment.
In the 62nd minute Romero got Guatemala’s second goal off a pass from Elmer Ponciano, which silenced the crowd. Soon afterwards, Klee came up with a couple of saves off shots from Scotland and Birchall, who was not as effective as in his earlier matches for T&T. Warriors began to show signs of fatigue.
In the 72nd minute Spann made way for Scott Sealy and Latapy pulled back into midfield as Beenhakker adopted a more attacking strategy. It paid off in the 86th minute. Latapy’s quickness of eye and feet proved vital as he played the ball to John in the Guatemala area and John put it to Klee’s right with a stiff one-time shot.
Before the goal, the crowd was calling for John’s scalp, but were soon singing his praise he did the unthinkable and gave T&T the three points with a well- taken goal from a pass by Yorke.
With time and space, John chested Yorke’s chip in the area let it bounce and blasted a half- volley past Klee on the first post a minute after his first goal, to set the red, white and black 23,000 plus crowd in a delightful crescendo of acclamation.
The victory takes T&T to seven points, the same as Guatemala and Costa Rica, who host T&T on Wednesday in Costa Rica, when Mexico hosts Panama and Guatemala meets the USA.
T&T:Kelvin Jack, Avery John, Brent Sancho, Marvin Andrews, Christopher Birchall, Carlos Edwards, Aurtis Whitley (Jason Scotland 45th - Ian Cox 90th), Silvio Spann (Scott Sealey 72nd), Russell Latapy, Stern John, Dwight Yorke (capt).
Subs not used:Shaka hislop, Atiba Charles, Densill Theobald, Cyd Gray.
Guatemala:Miguel Klee, Gustavo Cabrera, Sylvyn Ponciano, Angel Sanabria, Fredy Garcia (Carlos Figueroa 57th), Elmer Ponciano, Jilio Giron, Fredy Thompson, Gonzalo Romero, Guillermo Ramirez, Carlos Ruiz (capt).
Subs:Paulo Cesar Motta, Victor Hernandez, Rigoberto Gomez, Maynor Davila, Juan Carlos Plata, Edwin Villatoro.
Referee:Armando Archundia Tellez.
Goals Scorers:T&T: Russell Latapy 47th, Stern John 86th, 87th
Guatemala: Guillermo Ramirez 3rd, 61st
The Latapy Factor... Beenhakker lauds 'Little Magician'
By: Ian Prescott (Express).[/size]
Leo Beenhakker feels that Russell Latapy added a little bit extra to his team yesterday. Playing his first international game in four years, the "Little Magician" capped his return with a goal and victory.
Memories of Latapy at his best must have filled the mind, as the diminutive footballer weaved his way through the Guatemala defence to level the score at 1-1 early in the second half. As the ball hit the back of the Guatemala net, Trinidad & Tobago erupted in ecstasy.
A game that had everything, tension, frustration and finally elation, saw the Warriors coming from a goal down to win 3-2 before a 20,000 strong crowd of happy natives at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Afterwards Beenhakker said his Warriors have a right to be happy-a little bit- following an excellent victory which that kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Afterwards, the Dutchman spoke about Latapy's contribution.
"At least he is giving me more possibilities and balance in the team. You know in the team you like everybody, you like the player who can get the ball back, you like guys who are willing to run, and you like guys who play with a lot of intelligence. And in that way, he (Latapy) is a very intelligent player. He has a very good eye for running with the ball. He has a very good eye for the free man, and the way he is playing now, he gives something extra in the balance of the team."
Beenhakker was also high in praise for the battling qualities of all his Warriors.
Once again, they suffered an early setback, conceding a goal after just three minutes, but battled to the very end to pick up the victory. Even if they had lost, the Dutchman might have been pleased with what he saw.
"I think, more than ever, the team has deserved this victory, and the way they fight the last moment is a big difference from the first half hour in the USA. So, at least they learnt their lesson. That made me, of course, very happy.
"We had a difficult start again, just like the USA match of course. But, I have to say the team after this disappointment, conceding a goal after just two minutes, coped very well. They did what I coached. In my opinion, I think they deserved in the first half to get a goal. We weren't very lucky in the first half, and it was the same thing in the second half. I think we did a good performance."
On the field, Beenhakker had many heroes. Brent Sancho played like a Trojan, compensating for another sub-par performance from fellow stopper Marvin Andrews. Sancho was everywhere, tackling with aplomb the difficult job of containing the ever-dangerous Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz with aplomb. Also doing well were Silvio Spann and Aurtis Whitley. Dwight Yorke took on the captain's responsibility, linking the team together when they fell behind.
And most of all, Stern John became the T&T sweetheart again by scoring two goals, one to tie the game at 2-2 in the 86th and the winner in the 87th. Shrugging off poor form, bad luck and growing criticism, John become the hero of the day. He worked hard throughout, but had no luck until he scored the two crucial goals.
Yesterday, Trinidad & Tobago saw two familiar things. Latapy is playing again and Stern is scoring again. However, what they haven't seen for sometime is Trinidad and Tobago battling back to win at the death. At least, not since Kerry Jamerson unleashed a bullet in 1989 to beat another Guatemala team.
Guatemala coach Ramon Maradiaga said his team were at no time inferior to Trinidad and Tobago. He added that his team's chances of reaching the World Cup are excellent, and as good as any of the other teams still in contention. But with games against Costa Rica, the United States and Mexico to come, Maradiaga seemed to be putting on a brave face. Guatemala's World Cup chances might well have disappeared when John netted that very late winner.
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