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The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team will concede their traditional home ground this weekend, after the Russell Latapy-led technical staff suggested that playing in Couva would be more advantageous to their India 2017 Under-17 World Cup qualifying chances.
The junior Soca Warriors open their World Cup bid against 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) champions, Haiti, from 7:30pm on Friday 16 September at the Ato Boldon Stadium. It is the second match of a double header as Jamaica and Bermuda square off from 5pm at the same venue.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
However, bizarrely, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Cuba and Curacao will be based at the Hasely Crawford for Group B, which kicks off at 4pm on 17 September with Suriname tackling Guadeloupe.
Team manager Alexandrine Elliott-Procope explained why the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) opted to swap Port of Spain for Couva.
“[The technical staff] feels that the Couva venue will be an advantage,” Elliott-Procope told Wired868. “One, it’s a smaller venue and they are accustomed to the venue [after doing most of their preparation at the Ato Boldon Stadium].”
The Hasely Crawford Stadium seats 23,000 patrons while the Ato Boldon Stadium holds just 10,000. However, Elliott-Procope suggested that the latter was more likely to get a bigger turnout and could provide a better atmosphere.
“In terms of the viewing public, we expect that the attendance at the games would be better [at Couva] than at the Hasely Crawford Stadium,” said Elliott-Procope. “When you have 4,000 persons watching you at the Hasely Crawford Stadium compared to 4,000 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, it’s a different kind of feeling.”
T&T won 11-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
The National Under-17 coach, Latapy, declined the chance to discuss the upcoming tournament on the grounds that he did an interview with Wired868 last week. His assistant, Reynold Carrington, also did not speak to the media.
Sixteen year old Warriors attacker Isaiah Hudson, who scored three times from as many games with the Under-20s in June, said he and his teammates were raring to go.
“I am involved with a lot of teams at the moment and a lot of football is taking place but I am taking in it in stride and enjoying every moment,” Hudson told the TTFA Media. “For the tournament with the Under-17s, I am very anxious because it is another chance for me to do well in this age group…
“It will be important for us to start well on Friday against Haiti. The players will be giving their all and trying their best to do what the coaches want of us.
“And a good win will give us that level of confidence we will need for the remainder of the tournament.”
Striker Nion Lammy and Canada-born midfielder Luke Singh were also confident that the team will do well.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“The fans can expect a fast pace game and we will be coming out there to give it our best,” said Singh. “I think Haiti will also come strongly because every team wants to win on the day. But I think we are prepared for it.”
Lammy, who scored in the Under-17s’ win over the Under-20s, has also set himself an individual target.
“I want to finish as the leading scorer,” said Lammy, who is also a Presentation College (San Fernando) student. “My aim is to make the starting team or at least come off the bench and get among the goals…
“Once we work hard and stay focused then I think we have a great chance of coming away victorious in all of our matches.”
Latapy’s 22-man squad were passed medically fit after undergoing a series of tests at the HealthNet Clinic in San Fernando last week. HealthNet is currently engaged in a four-year partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) to oversee all of its national teams.
The National Under-17 Team defeated their Under-20 counterparts 2-1 in a friendly exercise on Monday. They will hope for similar success against their regional guests.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
(Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team)
Goalkeepers: Emmanuel John (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East), Elijah Shade (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s);
Defenders: Jessie Williams (St Ann’s Rangers/East Mucurapo), Tyrique Andrews (W Connection/Naparima), Jerren Jackie (Point Fortin Civic/Presentation San F’do), Kerdell Sween, Brandon Semper (both San Juan Jabloteh/San Juan North);
Midfielders: John-Paul Rochford (FC Santa Rosa/QRC), Jodel Brown (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s College), Keon Boney (North East Stars/North Eastern), Luke Singh (Vaughn Azzuri—Canada/St Edmund Campion), Omar Da Naia (Vaughn Azzuri—Canada/Bill Brothers Secondary), Nikel Orr (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East), Che Benny (St Ann’s Rangers/St Anthony’s), Mark Ramdeen, Isaiah Hudson, Andre Raymond (W Connection/Naparima);
Forwards: Jaydon Prowell (Central FC/St Anthony’s), Nion Lammy (Point Fortin Civic/Presentation San F’do), Jonathan Godette (DC United—USA/Maryland), Kishon Hackshaw (North East Stars/Trinity East), Tyrese Bailey (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s).
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
CFU Under-17 Schedule
Group A [All matches at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva]
(16 September)
Bermuda vs Jamaica, 5pm;
T&T vs Haiti, 7:30pm;
(18 September)
Jamaica vs Haiti, 4pm;
T&T vs Bermuda, 6:30pm;
(20 September)
Haiti vs Bermuda, 5pm;
T&T vs Jamaica, 7:30pm;
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Group B [All matches at Hasely Crawford Stadium]
(17 September)
Suriname vs Guadeloupe, 4pm;
Cuba vs Curacao, 6:30pm;
(19 September)
Guadeloupe vs Cuba, 5pm;
Suriname vs Curacao, 7:30pm;
(21 September)
Curacao vs Guadeloupe, 5pm;
Cuba vs Suriname, 7:30pm.
Hudson is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Knock Out Round [All matches at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva]
(23 September)
Group A Winner vs Group B Runner Up, 5pm;
Group B Winner vs Group A Runner Up, 7:30pm;
(25 September)
Third place – Semi Finals losers, 4pm;
Final – Winners of Semi-Final matches, 6:30pm.
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Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary’s College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.
GOOD THAT THEY REARING. TO GO
I don’t know why meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner didn’t also build another stadium opposite the Trincity mall with all that land there nah and of course build a road leading to connect to the South highway so that meh family Savitri Maharaj and Kirwin Weston and others could always come to the games eh and then lime in the mall either before or after the games eh Them really good yes.
You feel is mall we want owa…we want games.
We don’t need mall…we have enough shopping areas down here. Up there too expensive anyway.
Them really good yes Savitri Maharaj
Yuh need to spend some of that oil monies yuh making eh hahahaha
Yuh notice I din answer uncle eh Kirwin
I complained about this venue last night at the stadium. He won’t get 4000 supporters from d bush as opposed to from d city. KMT
I am watching Iran U-16 playing Saudi Arabia at this moment and at 10;30 am India will be playing UAE to Qualify for the U17 World cup next Year in India Check the game on LiveTv.sx/en
Interesting selection…the team has 5 defenders and 5 strikers too
They probably included the wingers in that five. Maybe.
I would HOPE so.
So Latapy wants to play a slick on the floor passing game but they choose the one venue with savannah grass … Lol
Thank you. Let’s see eh.
Cheyenne & Lasana HCS has 3 different types of grass. Two of them cuz they are broad leaf are considered weeds so HCS not exactly old trafford. Chupppssssss
Facility manager said two weeks ago that HCS, LGS and MRS have Bermuda grass and ABS has Savannah grass.
Well, the person who has the contract for all of them saying a different thing.
About HCS that is.
You saying the field like the inside of a sausage? Anything goes? Lol
I wouldn’t doubt that Kester . HCS definitely isn’t pure Bermuda grass or in good shape . It’s lush but of the two surfaces its in much better shape than Ato …
HCS needs to dig up that surface after the hex game in November and lay a new surface to be ready by March and before anyone start you can lay a brand new surface and have it ready within 2 months….. If you go with a professional foreign service and not some Trinidad company who will take a year to do it
The current contractor is excellent.
Probably the best we have here. Been in the business for a long time and in the last 15 years has been training at the UGA in soil science and sport field m’tce.
Sand based fields are expensive and requires a lot of m’tce with the right equipment. Gov’t or Sportt has to be willing to pay for that.
Well then let us hope that the current contractor can get the all clear to dig up the dead surface at the HCS and install an international standard playing surface with proper drainage and also capability to water the field before kick off like every other top football ground . Hart has been asking for the pitch to be watered before kick off since 2013 . At Old Trafford they do both halves before the game and at half time they water the half which United will attack … Proper planning and home advantage
His contract is only for m’tce.
Yep that’s what I’m saying . Hopefully he gets the go ahead for the job but I doubt it will happen
The drainage problem is very complicated. By the looks of the last game, I’d say the drainage for the field works well. But there are other issues.
Guys, remember to go out on Friday and support these future stars…. Our young warriors…..
#YoungWarriors ⚽
Because the govt health services cannot meet what is required.
So what’s the challenge in upgrading it for the benefit of all national athletes?
Because they have been unable to do it for the average citizen and sport medicine is a speciality.
Apologies for distracting from the discourse. But why does TTFA have a four year deal with Healthnet?
Why doesn’t the public health sector address their needs? Why isn’t that one way in which the government is supporting national footballers?
(And by extension all national athletes?)
Interesting point…
I just talk to the right people Lasana…anything you want to find out let me know…lol
Lol
PS I livin Mayaro… and once I on land… I goin!!
Trinidad small peeps if you want go the football you will go… Caesar’s Army’s Mai Tai was in Brechin Castle 2 years str8 and was sold out… so wah… if yuh livin in d east… reach Curepe Junction… then take a Chaguanas taxi… when yuh reach Chag… take a main road maxi… stop out by Couva KFC… take a short car to the stadium… easy!!!
Hahaha. Easy peasy eh? :-/ I think it is easier to get to Mannie Ramjohn Stadium than the Ato Boldon Stadium personally.
Lasana, you know Mannie is in Gopaul Lands eh…;)
Lasana let us not fall out. Did u not hear I live Couva. I hate Mannie Ramjohn.
What’s special about Gopaul Lands?
Lol
It harder to get to
Thank u Savitri
Take a taxi, drop out Preysal Lasana. Yuh could walk or wait on a taxi Preysal junction…taxi might take $3 to reach in stadium
But I think it makes sense because the boys would need and hopefully get that support and in the bigger venue they would not feel the fans
Yep the traffic eh too bad these days.
Anyone from the east-west corridor who has to travel won’t be as happy.
NOT ALL OF US Lasana…I never make it a problem
Brian, do you travel? I don’t. But I travelled to couva once to cover a game. It’s not something you’d like to do too often.
I dont travel ANYMORE…but I’ve travelled to Arima San Fernando Palo Seco in the past….the way I see it people travel to town all the time so if we have to go out of town a few times the inconvenience is small.
Spoken like someone who has not travelled to Couva. Never make light of inconveniences you have never gone through Brian. I mentioned that I’d much rather travel to marabella. Traveling to San Fernando is a breeze in comparison.
People don’t just moan because they like moaning. Sometimes they have a point.
Travel to couva is a headache. Travelling out is 10x worse. Marabella is much more accessible
Which taxi/bus alyuh really taking ?
Lol. Ok
I reside in Couva but originally from San Juan.
You’re a south or central girl Joann?
Savitri let me thank you
Confess please Savitri Maharaj… Did you have a hand in the venue selection?! Lol.
Has to be Savitri Maharaj, lol… Now I have to make trek, should have been Larry Gomes. Savitri owes me a beverage or two…
No probs Che, anytime, but this Friday
Wait, buh we supposed to go see Barrackpore play. I wonder if dais why Kirwin Weston ent talking to me
Savitri Maharaj say when
Ok
Hmmm…yeah, and yuh giving Lasana talks about about venue but cyah reach right Bpore since last year eh.
Them really good yes
Lol. I reach Barrackpore already eh Sav! Take dat!
Yeah…just hope Savitri eh submit no report about our poor lighting and unorthodox pavilion.
Lol