Jack, George leave for Bahrain
Trinidad Express
Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser Jack Austin Warner and George Joseph, assistant manager of the T&T national football team, will leave Trinidad on Tuesday headed for Bahrain.
The Trinidad and Tobago advance party are going to make preparations for the T&T Warriors ahead of their November 16 second-leg World Cup qualifying play-off in the Middle Eastern country.
The home leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain is set for Saturday November 12.
Warner, president of CONCACAF and also a vice-president of world body FIFA, and Joseph are going to make sure there are proper practice pitches for the Warriors; to make visa and hotel arrangements; and also to make sure that appropriate food is available.
Warner raised a concern about whether the T&T team will be afforded certain foods during the month of Ramadhan in the predominantly Muslim country. His fears may have some foundation, with the Bahrain government making stipulations that hotels must not serve tourists certain things during Ramadhan, alcohol included.
And in Bahrain, they are describing their upcoming clash with Trinidad and Tobago as a battle between the courageous (Bahrain) against the carefree (Trinidad & Tobago).
A couple of articles in the Gulf Daily News are painting Trinidad and Tobago as a team who attack a a lot, but pay little attention to defence.
In that way, the Arabs think they have an advantage on the Warriors.
The Gulf Daily News article read: "Both Bahrain, who finished fifth in Asia, and Caribbean islanders Trinidad, will be desperate to come out on top and make their debut at the World Cup finals in Germany.
"With defence likely to hold the upper hand, the Asian side may well be fancying their chances in the upcoming pair of crucial matches. Certainly their defence, with players like Mohammed Juma, Al Marzooqi and Sayed Mohammed Adnan, looked well-drilled in the play-off with usually potent Uzbekistan, leaking just the single goal.
"Defence is still something of a touchy subject for the Soca Warriors. But with former European Cup winner Dwight Yorke and Stern John, who scored both goals against Mexico, roving up front, the islanders are posing a significant threat in attack.
"The return of 37-year-old Scotland-based midfield wizard Russell Latapy from semi-retirement has also added a bit of spice going forward."
The Bahrain media also feel they have the psychological advantage of being able to come to the Caribbean early to adjust to local conditions, while Trinidad and Tobago have little time to get accustomed to desert conditions.
"I think Bahrain has a psychological advantage in its final playoff showdown against Trinidad and Tobago for two reasons.
First, as Bahrain play the first-leg in Port of Spain, they can travel to the Caribbean island a week (or more) in advance to acclimatise before the crucial match on November 12.
Even a draw in the first-leg can be considered as half the battle won.
"Second, Trinidad, on the other hand, will have only three days to travel halfway across the globe, reach Bahrain, and another time zone (in the process lose about seven hours), and get used to desert conditions here before the crunch second-leg on November 16.
"Bahrain will also be making the same journey, and losing the same amount of time and energy, agreed, but they will be making a welcome return home and be playing in conditions most suitable to them."
The Gulf Daily News reporter added: "I have another reason to give Bahrain the advantage-my gut feeling following their heart-warming performance in the second-leg against Uzbekistan, which was in keeping with their 'steady upward trajectory'.
"Their attacking style was free of frills, but effective and defensive tactics reassuring; and their overall strategy-to go for goals-a timely reminder of their confidence level at a crucial stage in their patient and painstaking odyssey for a first-ever berth in the World Cup.
"The Caribbeans are natural athletes having produced top-class sprinters (Ato Boldon), cricketers (Brian Lara) and NBA professionals (Carl Herrera of Spurs).
"Some of their soccer players too have European pedigrees (Dwight Yorke, who played for Manchester United, and Russell Latapy based in Scotland)."Bahrain does not have such big names, but only players with big hearts ready to play for national pride alone."
