Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
The “Soca Warriors” began the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup preparation today under the customary cloud of uncertainty with regards to warm-up matches before their tournament opener against Guatemala on 9 July in Chicago.
Trinidad and Tobago National Head Team coach Stephen Hart hopes to have three internationals before they face Guatemala. But, for now, the only confirmed fixture is a June 16 friendly away to Jordan.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The Warriors have a tentative fixture away to Curaçao on Friday and they began training today with that trip in mind. But Hart will only get confirmation on that proposed match tomorrow.
“We have a squad in training and we were hoping to confirm a game against Curaçao,” Hart told Wired868, “but we are in a limbo…They asked for the game on (June) 5th and then changed it to the 3rd, which means we would have to leave today with no training.
“If that was the case, we would have had to pull the game.”
Hart, who is heading into his second Gold Cup as the Warriors coach, said the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s precarious finances made it near impossible for them to enter into long-term match contracts with other member associations, due to the time delays in accessing State funds.
And, at present, there are few potential opponents around as Asia, South America, Europe and even some CONCACAF nations are playing competitive fixtures.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“Like every other coach, I would like to be on the field more and have games against high quality opposition,” said Hart, “but it is not a reality based on our finance and budget structure.
“All the other teams had their games booked out months in advance.”
Hart had an 18-man squad start training today for the proposed Curaçao fixture while two overseas-based players, Daneil Cyrus and Andre Boucaud, should join them during the week.
Already missing playmakers Kevin Molino and Hughton Hector and defenders Seon Power, Robert Primus and, possibly, Carlyle Mitchell through injury, Hart revealed that he also cut Point Fortin Civic attacker Marcus Joseph for a more disappointing reason.
The 24-year-old Joseph, who has seven international caps and was a substitute in the Warriors’ 1-0 loss against Panama in March, missed a physical evaluation exercise twice and allegedly delivered a suspect reason for his absence through a teammate.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“I can’t have that kind of inconsistency from a player,” said Hart, who took disciplinary actions against players like Keon Daniel, Joevin Jones and Cyrus in the past. “We asked you to come for an evaluation (and) you don’t show up. We make an alternative date and he said he was in Tobago and couldn’t get a flight. But I came over from Tobago that same night on a half-empty plane…
“And, to make it worse, he didn’t contact me directly but sent a message with a player. That is unacceptable.”
Apart from Joseph, Hart made a raft of changes from his squad that faced Panama with San Juan Jabloteh winger Tyrone Charles, teenaged North East Stars midfielder Neveal Hackshaw and Central FC defender Jamal Jack among the exclusions.
In their places, Shahdon Winchester (DIRECTV W Connection), Leston Paul (Central FC) and Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force) were recalled. While Elijah Belgrave (Police FC), Triston Hodge (W Connection), Keron Cummings (North East Stars), Kadeem Corbin (St Ann’s Rangers), Kaydion Gabriel and Sean De Silva (both Central FC) received their first call-ups under Hart.
(Copyright Khaled Desouki/AFP 2015)
De Silva, who represented Trinidad and Tobago at two World Youth Cups, can represent Guyana, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda at senior international level and, according to his father, Chris De Silva, has not ruled out that possibility.
However, despite attracting attention from Guyana coach Jamaal Shabazz, the former St Mary’s College student still hopes to continue to represent the land of his birth.
Warrior captain Kenwyne Jones, who plays with England Championship Division team Cardiff City, and midfielder Khaleem Hyland are the only overseas-based players already in training.
Playmaker Hashim Arcia misses out as he has joined recruit training at the Defence Force, for what should be an eye-opening transfer from W Connection.
National Under-23 midfielder Jomal Williams and 2013 Gold Cup forward Jamal Gay, who is a free agent at present, were both invited to train as well although they are not being considered for the Curaçao fixture.
Corbin could make his international senior debut against Curaçao on June 5.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
As previously revealed, Panama reneged on an agreement to have their senior squad play the Warriors on June 12.
The Panamanian FA offered to send their National Under-23 to play the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team, which was rebuffed by Hart. The TTFA then asked to have the Trinidad and Tobago U-23s face their Panamanian counterparts but the Central American nation refused.
Such wrangles have only added to the anxiety of the Warriors as they aim to match—or better—their quarterfinal finish at the 2013 Gold Cup.
“At this point, we are hoping we will be properly prepared going in to the Gold Cup,” said Hart. “This is just the first day (of or preparations) and we are in a non-residential camp. I would have liked to be in a residential camp but (because of finances) that is not possible at the moment.
“We will move into a residential situation when we return from Jordan.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Hart revealed that he is considering alterations to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, due to injuries to key attacking midfield players. However, that will not be easy without warm-up matches.
“I have considered changing the system,” said Hart, “and I have introduced two different systems.
“We have not had that many training camps or international games so it is impossible to say how it would work without a chance to experiment.”
The Jordan friendly date falls on a FIFA international match day and Hart confirmed that he will request his full quota of overseas players for that encounter.
It means that Friday’s proposed contest against Curaçao could be key for the Pro League players to force themselves into the reckoning for a Gold Cup place.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Apart from the two goalkeepers, only Cyrus, Boucaud, Hyland and Jones—from the 20-man squad—have previously played in a Gold Cup tournament.
(Team to face Curaçao)
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic);
Defenders: Kaydion Gabriel (Central FC), Shannon Gomez, Triston Hodge, Daneil Cyrus, Mekeil Williams (all W Connection), Eljiah Belgrave (Police FC);
Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Leston Paul (Central FC), Dwane James (North East Stars), Khaleem Hyland (Unattached);
Attacking midfielders: Ataulla Guerra, Sean De Silva (both Central FC), Keron Cummings (North East Stars), Kadeem Corbin (St Ann’s Rangers);
Forwards: Shahdon Winchester (W Connection), Willis Plaza (Central FC), Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City—England), Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force).
The Soca Warriors will face USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which will be their third meeting in the Read more
Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker passed away today at the age of 82. Beenhakker won three titles at the helm of Read more
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) has confirmed the Soca Warriors’ participation in the 2025 Unity Cup, an ‘Afro-Caribbean Read more
“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. Read more
“[…] Me: What I paying for? Security: To park. My husband: Who is you? Me (in a loud voice): I Read more
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
What happen to Cornell Glen and Anton Wolfe man does the black list still exist that brother just finished two seasons scoring 33 goals still no call up come on man those strikers are not enough S.O.S.GLEN !!!!!!!!!
Once again the TTFA and the Trinbago supporters will be looking for miracles with a team suffering from a lack of funding, little or no practice matches against tough opponents, not even an in house training camp. It’s either we’re playing school boy football or someone setting Coach Hart up to fail. And he blasted right to drop any player who shows disrespect regardless of his prowess. When will this shit ever end? Sancho get his Women’s League and that’s all he studying and Tim Kee probably studying if he will keep his position in the PNM. Lawd Fadda put ah hand.
Kadion Gabriel is a great call up, hope he takes full advantage of the opportunity.
Kadion Gabriel is a great call up, hope he takes full advantage of the opportunity.
i know he was on loan, but I wasn’t aware that the loan period had expired already. He needs to get more visibility.
Cyrus was on loan Nigel Myers. As far as I know, he is back in Trinidad and won’t return unless the two clubs make a deal for a new season. I understand Ha Noi is interested. But it makes sense for Cyrus to assess his options after the Gold Cup.
Kirwin, Hyland has not played for Genk since last September, and he has been told on more than one occasion to find another club. Cyrus plays for Ha Noi T&T, but the league is on break until the third week of June.
Will be nice to see what Tristan Hodge does for himself at LB. If he does good enough, JJ may be released further forward (maybe in the future).
Hyland’s officially unattached ? Daniel Cyrus with W. Conn ? Lasana he is/was on loan ?
Coach Hart has a tough job on his hands…really tough.
Sooooo… we hada say thanks to Shabbazz then… He threaten to scoop De Silva and TTFA make a block!….
play de fitball
Da Silva deserved this call up a while now
Yes. I wonder if part of the issue with Connection’s attackers is that they play different type of roles than what is available with the national team.
In that guys like Neil Benjamin Jr and Jerrel Britto are winged forwards whereas the national team uses winged midfielders, which means different responsibilities.
That’s no reason not to call up Britto and give him a shot. But I wonder if that works against them in that they are not playing in a position that is available on the national team.
Britto deserved the call before Winchester.
I truly think so Dayne…..
The thing is Winchester plays centre forward and that position exists within the team. Britto plays as a wing forward and the Warriors don’t play with those.
That might make it harder for Britto to get a look in.
While that may be so I haven’t seen Winchester display anything near national team form since his return . I wish him the best next season. Britto on the other hand has scored goals and worked very hard. I thought he deserved a chance to fight for a place in the team, somewhere.
Disappointed that Jerrel Britto did not get call-up, he truly deserves the opportunity after an excellent season…. Marcus, someone needs to intervene and help this young man….
Congrats bro Cool Droggy #rolemodel
I suppose if Ballpest and Guerra are both fantastic, Hart might stick with his old plan.
A couple of Ballpests in the midfield now lol
I’m curious about the new system too. Since I see four forwards selected, I suspect that we may go 4-4-2. Which is probably closer to 4-2-2-2.
But I can’t see us overwhelming opponents in midfield with that. So maybe we will play direct (long balls) and press. Look forward to seeing what they have in mind.
I would guess is Ballpest that benefitted from de “Stranded in Tobago” episode.
Hmmm…guess he’s not too serious about his future in football
Marcus Joseph and Tyrone Charles probably needed another shot .
I wonder who got in thanks to Marcus Joseph’s cock up. I’m guessing it is either Cummings or Shahdon.
Tough break for Hackshaw but he’ll be back again. Nice to see the likes of Cummings and Gabriel being rewarded for their fine play during the season.
Stupessss if only my ppl knew and appreciated the talent they have eh….this would have been his chance with molino out
Ever so often i sit an ask myself if making the world cup was worth it for Football in T&T, for the players who went yes it was but after 2006 Trinidad football cant seem to catch a length. I personally think presently we have a very good pool of players to choose from both local and foreign but this TTFA smh and the Government playing with the sport, how can we come out from this hole only God alone knows. Respect the Mr Hart for sticking it out i don’t know how much longer he could go on like this and congrats to the guys that got there 1st call up, to the team go out and represent T&T