Govt offers to assist Warriors.
Trinidad Guardian Reports.“While the score line could have been much more heavily weighted in our favour, the end result is more important, as it provides us with the impetus now to continue striving to earn our place in South Africa 2010.”
Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs GARY HUNT With TT Football Federation’s Special Advisor, Jack Warner and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Gary Hunt not being able to see eye-to-eye over the past month or so, the government assured the country and the TTFF in general, that it is prepared to help the “Soca Warriors” in their preparation for the remainder of the World Cup qualifiers.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs immediately after TT got the two goals necessary against Bermuda said:
“The Government of TT wishes to congratulate the Soca Warriors on their magnificent victory over Bermuda this evening. The determination and discipline of this team going into this do-or-die match brought back all the memories of our qualifying game against Bahrain in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, and deserves the commendation of the entire nation.
“While the score line could have been much more heavily weighted in our favour, the end result is more important, as it provides us with the impetus now to continue striving to earn our place in South Africa 2010. In this regard, the government wishes to assure the country generally, and the TTFF in particular, that it is prepared to do its part to ensure that there are no impediments, real or perceived, that will distract from the team’s preparation.
“The government was in constant contact with the local delegation attending the game in Bermuda, and like the rest of the country, exhaled with relief, when the final whistle blew. We call on all of TT, the corporate sector, the public sector and every single citizen, to throw their support from now, behind this team which has the potential, we believe, to achieve what no other Caribbean team has done, that is, to appear at two consecutive World Cup finals.
The government will also ensure that there is a fitting welcome for the team and its officials, when they return to our shores in the next day or two.”
The Soca Warriors were expected to return from Bermuda late last night.
TT Football Federation’s Special Advisor, Jack Warner, left, meets midfielder Carlos Edwards and other members of the Soca Warriors team just before kick-off in their crucial Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match against Bermuda in Hamilton on Sunday. T&T advanced to the semifinal group stage with a 2-0 victory.
Govt plans big welcome for Warriors on return.
Trinidad Newsday Reports.The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has planned a grand welcome for the national football team when they return home after beating Bermuda 3-2 on aggregate in the second round of the CONCACAF Zone 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Placed in a must-win scenario after losing the first leg 2-1, the Soca Warriors shut out the Bermudans 2-0 with goals from Darryl Roberts in the sixth minute and veteran striker Stern John in the 68th.
The result puts TT in the third round phase where they will be placed in a group with CONCACAF number one United States of America, Guatemala and Cuba.
In a release yesterday, officials of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs extended congratulations to the team “on their magnificent victory”.
“The Government wishes to use this opportunity to assure the public and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation that it is prepared to do its part to ensure that there are no impediments that will distract from the team’s preparation,” it stated.
The ministry also pointed out that it will do all in its power to help the national team achieve what no other Caribbean team has done, that is, to appear at two consecutive World Cup finals.
It also appealed to all in Trinidad and Tobago — the corporate sector, the public sector and every single citizen to throw their support behind the team beginning now.
The statement added that the Government will also ensure that there is a fitting welcome for the team, and its officials when they return.
Hunt congratulates Warriors.
Trinidad Express Reports.Minister of Sport Gary Hunt, who has been involved in an on-going dispute with Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser Jack Warner, has sent his congratulations to the senior national team after their 2-0 victory over Bermuda in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
The result meant a 3-2 aggregate win for the T&T squad, who advance to the semi-final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for South Africa 2010.
"The Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to congratulate the Soca Warriors on their magnificent victory over Bermuda this evening," Hunt stated in a press release.
"The determination and discipline of this team going into this do-or-die match brought back all the memories of our final qualifying game against Bahrain in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, and deserves the commendation of the entire nation."
Hunt added that "while the score line could have been much more heavily weighted in our favour, the end result is more important, as it provides us with the impetus now to continue striving to earn our place in South Africa 2010".
"In this regard, the Government wishes to assure the country, generally, and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, in particular, that it is prepared to do its part to ensure that there are no impediments, real or perceived, that will distract from the team's preparation," the Minister emphasised.
Hunt declared that "the Government was in constant contact with the local delegation attending the game in Bermuda and, like the rest of the country, exhaled with relief, when the final whistle blew".
"We call on all of Trinidad and Tobago, the corporate sector, the public sector and every single citizen, to throw their support from now behind this team which has the potential, we believe, to achieve what no other Caribbean team has done, that is, to appear at two consecutive World Cup Finals," he concluded.
