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Trinidad and Tobago’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is well and truly over now.
The Soca Warriors lost their sixth successive match last night as they fell 2-0 to Panama in Panama City; and it proved to be the final nail in their coffin, as it is now impossible for coach Dennis Lawrence’s troops to advance to Russia, despite having two qualifiers to spare against Mexico and the United States.
(Copyright AFP 2017/Bienvenido Velasco)
Trinidad and Tobago had a perfect World Cup qualifying record against Panama before last night with five wins from as many outings. But Lawrence and his troops would have been under no illusions as to the size of the task.
The rookie six foot seven coach rang in the changes with six alterations to his starting team—only defender Sheldon Bateau and midfielders Kevan George, Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino kept their places from Friday’s 2-1 home defeat to Honduras—while he swapped their 4-1-4-1 formation for 5-4-1.
He would have been reasonably encouraged too after the first half hour, as the Warriors created two half-chances for striker Willis Plaza—neither of which ended with a shot on target—and won frequent free kicks down either flank by Kevin Molino and Joevin Jones.
Lawrence might have expected to trouble Panama from set pieces with Sheldon Bateau, Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Mekeil Williams all in the starting line-up and capable in the air. But, instead, the Warriors repeatedly failed to deliver testing crosses into the box, with Jones particularly culpable.
Ironically, Panama capitalised directly from a Trinidad and Tobago set piece in the 39th minute as Gabriel Torres sprinted half the length of the pitch—easily outfoxing Curtis Gonzales and Kevan George on the way—before finishing between the legs of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
(Copyright AFP 2017/Bienvenido Velasco)
Winger Nathan Lewis, who gave a decent showing at right wing-back, tested opposing goalkeeper José Calderón with a low shot at his near post in the 49th minute.
But the mood darkened considerably for the Warriors when Carlyle Mitchell inadvertently headed past his own goalkeeper in the 57th minute off a cross from Panama winger Alberto Quintero. Panama 2, T&T 0.
The Warriors ought to have halved the deficit in the 70th minute when s Calderón inexplicably spilled a shot by Trinidad and Tobago substitute Khaleem Hyland from outside the six-yard box.
The ball dropped fortuitously for Plaza in the six-yard box and the India-based forward, who had followed up smartly to get the chance in the first place, clipped his first-time effort over the fallen goalkeeper, only to watch it rap the bar before going over.
After that, there was never going to be a way back. Bateau kept Panama at bay in the 83rd minute with a superb last-gasp challenge on opposing midfielder Édgar Yoel Bárcenas from a counter-attack.
But, seconds later, Panama substitute Abdiel Arroyo cut in off the left flank and beat Phillip with a right-footed strike that deflected off Mitchell.
(Copyright AFP 2017/Bienvenido Velasco)
The emphatic 3-0 scoreline almost doubled Panama’s goal tally in the Hex in a single night. The Central American nation had scored only four goals in their seven previous competitive games combined.
The result, coupled with the United States’ 1-1 draw away to Honduras, pushed Panama into third spot and gave them a real chance of joining Mexico and Costa Rica as automatic qualifiers for the Russia World Cup. It would be their first appearance at a senior FIFA tournament.
For Trinidad and Tobago, the next two qualifiers will be joyless affairs, the first away to Mexico on 6 October and the last at home to the United States on 10 October.
The Warriors can conceivably play the role of spoilers as, should they hold the US to a draw, they can force the North American nation to settle for a FIFA Play-off spot or even miss out on the showpiece 2018 tournament altogether.
But there is now no way for the Trinidad and Tobago Warriors to achieve their initial goal and get to Russia themselves.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (5-4-1): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 16.Nathan Lewis, 4.Sheldon Bateau (captain), 12.Carlyle Mitchell, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 17.Mekeil Williams; 10.Kevin Molino, 19.Kevan George (8.Khaleem Hyland 50), 15.Curtis Gonzales, 3.Joevin Jones (7.Cordell Cato 62); 9.Willis Plaza (11.Tyrone Charles 76).
Unused substitutes: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK), 22.Adrian Foncette (GK), 2.Aubrey David, 5.Daneil Cyrus, 13.Kevon Villaroel, 18.Triston Hodge, 20.Jamille Boatswain, 23.Leston Paul.
Coach: Dennis Lawrence
Panama (4-2-3-1): 12.José Calderón (GK); 2.Michael Murillo, 4.Fidel Escobar, 5.Román Torres (captain) (23.Felipe Baloy 80), 17.Luis Ovalle; 6.Gabriel Gómez (22.Abdiel Arroyo 72), 20.Anibal Godoy; 19.Alberto Quintero (11.Armando Cooper 82), 9.Gabriel Torres, 8.Édgar Yoel Bárcenas; 7.Blas Pérez.
Unused substitutes: 1.Alex Rodriguez (GK), 3.Roberto Chen, 10.Ricardo Buitrago, 13.Adolfo Machado, 15.Eric Davis, 16.Jose Gonzales, 18.Luis Tejada, 21.Roberto Nurse.
Coach: Hernán Gómez
Referee: Henry Bejarano (Costa Rica)
(Copyright AFP 2017/Bienvenido Velasco)
2018 World Cup qualifying results
(Tuesday 5 September)
Honduras 1 (Romell Quito 28), USA 1 (Bobby Wood 85) in San Pedro Sula;
*—Red card: Henry Figueroa (Hon)
Panama 3 (Gabriel Torres 39, Carlyle Mitchell OG 57, Abdiel Arroyo 84), Trinidad and Tobago 0 in Panama City;
Costa Rica 1 (Marco Ureña 83), Mexico 1 (Christian Gamboa OG 42) in San José;
(Copyright AFP 2017/Ed Grimaldo)
Standings
Mexico 8-5-3-0-11-3-18
Costa Rica 8-4-3-1-12-5-15
Panama 8-2-4-2-7-5-10
United States 8-2-3-3-12-11-9
Honduras 8-2-3-3-9-16-9
T&T 8-1-0-7-4-15-3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_WNvqPvD54
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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.
Sooooo….Are we now going to fire the coach and look for a new one after the team get beat all over the place?
http://www.espnfc.com/concacaf-gold-cup/59/blog/post/2524118/mexico-defender-falters-in-gold-cup-vs-trinidad-and-tobago
What a difference two years can make. In that one game, we scored more than we have in 8 games in the Hex.
Next 2 games he should give the youngsters a chance. Time to start preparing for 2026…forget about Qatar 2022 for now. If we make it to that WC then great, if not at least we’re rebuilding. Start back scouting in primary schools…at Intercol….that’s where the talent should be nurtured. And lastly, DJW and Dennis Lawrence need to ride tf out!
That scouting in school will be good but this country is about favoritism because them looking for plays from w connection an central fc because of the coaches an who no who cause other plays those try out to who really good but never get the chance
Time for Lawrence to go…We prob finally pay him for taking us to the world cup in 2006 but he ent ready to coach a national team. DJW you are a disgrace, we had a good coach in Hart and you got rid of him because he wanted to instill discipline… Joevin Jones complete waste of time…Since last Friday this man trying to take a free kick and cant get it past a wall… and the sad thing is he suppose to be one of our brightest prospect…dont worry same shit will happen again we would say we would start planning for the next campaign and guess what nothing would ever materialize as usual…TTFA you keep failing but guess what nobody would ever hold you accountable so continue with the bullshit…typical trinidad i guess…total friggin failure
The misery is over. I think we need to take a time out and reflect.
well they did better than I thought. I predicted 4-0 and they lost 3-0. DJW is the main cause of this debacle together with the likes of that announcer from I95.5 Andre Baptiste who kept calling for the firing of Hart. Imagine a “sports announcer ” with no football knowledge calling for the dismissal of a coach. Trinidad is a joke, he would never get a job as a sports commentator in any first world country. That job is left for the subject expertswho particiated in the sport at a high level
Are you suggesting only persons with technical expertise, should call for the head of a coach ???
if you dont know what you talking about and lack the technical know how to determine what is neng done how can you really give a professional assessment
that’s why we in so much gobar in sports in T&T everyone has an opinion and is an expert
Just because someone who isn’t knowledgeable calls for firing doesn’t mean a professional organization would take such a call seriously. They are two separate issues to me. We really need to focus on fixing TTFA in my opinion.
Hey, I am glad we got into the hex.. Reality.. We had no business being there as we are not good enough in any category of the game (technically and tactically) and our player pool (outside of maybe 3players) lack serious quality.. We are even inferior to teams who didn’t qualify for the hex (Jamaica) far less the ones currently playing in it.. In this competition playing Trinidad was an automatic 3pts with little to no effort. Anything less was a disastrous result(cue reaction of coach who lost to trini).
The best thing about the hex was We as a viewing public got a chance to see some class players in concacaf who ply their trade in some the Best leagues in the world play in TT for small money… And for that I am most greatful..
I figured we had an opportunity to build our brand by giving some teams a scare and not being pushovers, which would have been a continuation to our performances at the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cups.
I’d have settled for that.
Lasana Liburd i saw last night Venezuela gave a very could account of themselves, against the mighty Argentina….Venezuela is in turmoil at present….thats what was missing in our campaign
I think you’re wrong. The team under Hart was one of the 6 best in concacaf. We deserved to be there. That 2-2 draw vs the USA in the qualifying group was dropped points for us. We were better than them at that point (when they were under kliinsman)Things fell apart during the period before the hex began and that stage, unfortunately (or coincidentally)
Kion S Williams we drew 2 all against guatemala and goaless against usa
No i am right. Hart had the boys playing with structure and belief. Doesn’t mean there were more talented and we deserved to be there. We had only 1 team to worry about in our pre hex qualifying group (USA). So we did what we were supposed to do. Does not mean we deserved to be in the hex. We qualified due to a favourable draw.. Not our fault.. But let’s nor kid ourselves.. Our technical deficiencies have always been there and we are not good enough to play off script. Hart found a system that worked for us given our technical ability (good coach) vs systems where our technical deficiencies are exposed (Lawrence =not so good coach).. And FYI, a 2/2 draw against US, even on our best day is never points dropped.. It is a point earned.. (And that includes our teams from the 80s and up who were waaaaaay better man for man that this current trini team)
Guatemala is a good team and we had beaten them in Guatemala City, 2-1 and then drew 0-0 at home to USA, Ballpest got shot in his leg around that time as well. The team wasn’t the best team but it was good enough to ruff up most CONCACAF teams. Dennis Lawrence team almost same players but not even a shadow of Hart’s team.
I saw this team live when we played Mexico and drew 4-4. Hart had figured out something with the talent he had at his disposal …based on the fight I saw on that team and the effort being put forward by our current bunch. I have to say I disagree with your assessment. …this is a team that had some tools to make an impact but from a discipline and personnel perspective unfortunate choices were made …..
Trini Don correct. My memory combined both home games as dropped points….We were on our downward curve with the Guatemala game though
Let them take a 2-year hiatus, and use that time in training, training and more training. Rest the partying during that time also. Let them get hungry to win. Right now, they are somewhat peckish, but not hungry enough to win.
Hungry to win my arse…dem fellas ent serious…hungry to party is more like it…ask Moleno…man cost a good coach his job…no discipline
We still underused Levi since his debut though…
Really don’t know why the coaches didn’t give him more of an opportunity.
He hasn’t done enough in his chances…and his natural spot is where Joevin Jones is, who has consistently been the best player on a poor team. I am in the other camp though, that he is more valuable to us plying his trade in Holland and becoming an established pro starting on his team. before we burden him with flights for meaningless internationals if he is not a guaranteed starter.
That isn’t true. He came off the bench and scored two goals to churn out a win and then had to sit and watch other inferior players start ahead of him.
So I continue to be confused by the claim that he didn’t do enough with his chances. He wasn’t given them. There was talk of his age and not giving him too much too soon after his debut. Nonsense quite frankly that is not applicable to all playsers. Additionally, Joevin plays different spots for club and national team.
Levi could have done the same.
Plus had Joevin not been guaranteed his spot he might have had a different attitude.
Plus who knows… the consistently best player could have changed had Levi been given a fair shot.
You can’t be a team who has only qualified for the WC once, and have a player playing in the top flight of a European league and not find a starting spot for him somewhere. That’s just crazy to me.
Possibly…I saw a few games where he came on and it seemed to me that the players were upset at his decision making in terms on not picking the correct pass. and defensively he wasn’t doing the job either. So we don’t know what the coach was looking for. Perhaps with a longer run he would have made a difference. Personally though, I see him as our only shot at having a future star and I think it”s more important for him to be a firm starter at his club than to burden him with the T&T trips.
2 goals against amateur players
More than anybody else on the field did that day…
Levi Garcia is the only person on our current national team that plus his trade (and plays) in the top tier a recognised european league.. USA figured out how to use pulisic (with better players than TT) yet Trinidad with its no talent player pool can’t find a way to get him on the pitch.. Really?
Folks Levi is not playing with his career .he is not mentally prepared for the ransom sacrifice .let him stay in Holland and fight hard for his pick where week in week out the standard is high ….the boy reach
Dutch league and MLS are on the same level nowadays
Simone I guess that’s why so many MLS players are in demand in top European leagues?
I don’t blame AZ for not being as forth coming with their asset… I do blame us (by us I mean coaching staff) for its inability to find a way to get Levi on the pitch so he can grow as an international player at the senior level.. He will never play against a Navas as a goalkeeper in Holland.. Or see how calm you can be on a ball even in tight situation (Ruiz Costa Rica) or playing in real hostile environments.
MLS is not a feeder league. They are not interested in it. They have the money to retain players to a certain extent.
MLS has players like Giovinco who would never play their trade in Holland.
Whether MLS is interested or not is besides the point. If MLS were on par with the Eredivisie you would see a lot of other European clubs coming in for MLS players… but they’re not. Why is that… if the quality of MKS is on par?
Players like Giovinco know they can earn a good salary as foreign designated players, and get to live in the US. That latter part alone is a big enough draw for many. I hardly think it’s because they rate MLS over the Dutch league.
Now if the question is whether a young player should choose between playing in MLS and Holland, that’s a different topic. Even Belgium would provide more opportunity to move to a top 5 league than MLS does.
But here we are talking about the level of the league per se and the type of competition you can expect and simply the difference beyond perhaps PSV, it is immaterial with MLS.
MLS isn’t a feeder League because they have no food to offer.
Let me give you an example. Liga MX is higher quality competition top to bottom than Argentina Primera. However Argentina Primera is more of a feeder league to Europe. Why? Salary is higher in Mexico and second thing Argentina has a better National Team reputation, not to mention overwhelming majority of Argentinean players have EU passport, Mexicans do not
Since there’s no head to head competition between the Eredivisie and MLS the only objective criteria we could use is the quality of the players. MLS loses that one by a country mile.
Your argument makes little distinction on: 1. most players in Dutch league have EU passport, 2. they are in Europe already next door to Germany, France, England, etc and on the same calendar and transfer schedule 3. they get access to Europa League and CL which provides more exposure 4. Holland traditionally is a highly recognized National team, although almost none of its players stay local for long
The small teams in Holland have no financial power. Only depend on their academies.
…and on the other hand you offer what in support of your position exactly, other than a conclusory opinion? What objective criteria points to MLS’ quality? I’ll wait.
Altidore killed the scoring chart in Holland. Bradley scored double digits. I wonder why they cant produce the same output in MLS
By that metric, MLS is more competitive than Eredivisie. But I won’t go down your road to play that game. MLS is a league comparable to the second tier Europe leagues. Everyone in the industry recognizes that, or it wouldnt be possible to explain why USA national team which is 80% MLS based is able to advance to top 16 at the world cups eliminating teams like Portugal. Not to mention Costa Rica, has 7 out of 11 playing in MLS.
Because one or two US players (accepting your statements as true) scored prolifically in the Eredivisie but struggled in MLS that means the latter is better or comparable? That’s quite a logical leap.
Have you considered that maybe they were playing with better players around them providing better service, or allowing for less focus from opposing defenses? Could it be that MLS is a more defensively minded and less free flowing League than the Eredivisie, permitting more scoring chances and higher scores?
You don’t have to come down this road you might find that logic is too high a fare. Stick to poorly derived conclusions and logical fallacies such as your “everyone in the industry…” bald appeal to authority.
MLS more defensive minded? Probably one of the least defensive minded leagues existing worldwide. If anything that’s really what’s lacking to go to the next level. Thanks for proving you have no idea what you are talking about.
And thanks for proving that you lack basic reading comprehension. Nowhere did I state that as fact, I offered that there are many factors that might explain the difference in the experiences of the two players you cherry picked.
Ricardo Montoya MLS is a defensive minded league! I heard it all now
Ok you win. MLS is like Finland or Kazakhstan leagues. Happy now?
There are no cookies for winning internet arguments, but maybe that would explain your desperation in reaching for the half-assed conclusions you’re making about MLS’ supposed quality.
The only thing MLS (US) and Dutch have in common is that they have places that it legal to sell weed…. other than that there is no comparison… Not a one….
Eredivisie way above the MLS though
To come here and bull
HA, that did cross my mind
??????????
What was Sol Campbell role in this campaign again ?????
So I had to hold my comment until the obvious happened! We got embarrassed last night. Players pulling a Sancho . For all the DL fans who bawl they happy one of our own get picked when DL was chosen and its about long term development. No experience as a head coach, a bottom of the barrel assistant coach , Sol , Stern and still level cut arse.
This time Venezuela giving Argentina a proper run for their money. A country which much less resources or barely nothing at all.
Where all the talkers now!?
?? I doh understand where this rant going? I like DL because of where his head is at. ….. is he inexperienced of course but imo he is a good coach in a bad situation. Now if this rant is to promote the vibe on Mr Fenwick …it’s unnecessary the majority of us would be in support of him (me included). That’s been stated on here on numerous occasions. But if you looking to just diss DL to say well “I told you so” …. that’s jus silly…… everyone takes piece of the blame …no one is exempt …but the source of the issue is the same one impeding your people’s appointment. ….so stop trying to kill the “pawn” when the “king” in the back laughing ….
I never said it was in support of any one and I’m not sure why you thought it was a rant as opposed to factual. There were radio programmes and many tv snipers promoting DL and DJW employees coming on this very site promoting him.as their choice …. FACT
A good coach?? Based on what track record? The selection process was completely unethical. He was the number 3. The number one was thrown out but the second choice was never even told why he wasn’t selected. Then the entire committee resigned… ANOTHER FACT
So all the other comments saying DL is inexperienced is a diss too ? I actually liked Hart and thought the way he was treated was disgusting and dishonest. So fire Hart to replace him with somebody YOU LIKED. This isn’t a popularity contest . Your like got us nowhere very quickly
I stand by a couple of things I felt Hartie should not have been fired…..DL of cause is inexperienced and ALL coaches ….minus none start this way. As to the manner in which he was selected etc still comes back to the same common denominator. The same guy who hired the balding belgian and told him he have two games to save his career (maniacal) ….the same guy who fired Hart…. The same guy who caused Morace to leave …the same guy who impedes Fenwick. Also don’t believe DJW liked DL ….. the committee selected him as he was about to do a u turn because he didnt like the terms the big Whale was projecting. The whale conceded because we were out of options. DL knew what he was coming into but a) he’d been through it before live and direct b)had been building up his resume under Martinez c) Has a defensive playing background so he was understandably seen as a possibility. So imo opinion it all comes back to DJW …. but to be fair people entitled to their opinions about things. My head still hot and I might have allowed myself to get pushed into this …my apologies
Lol I totally hear you and I agree with you on DJW. It isn’t just about DL, so apologies as well if I came across as though I was attacking him .What is Stern and Sol’s place in this entire thing?Their presence is never felt.
How is it Venezuela under all their turmoil is getting results?
Boy, it’s a depressing time, football is in reverse amongst other things.
What are the odds that 2 brothers representing Trinidad and Tobago in sports lost on the same night in the respective fields? Kevon Cooper and Kevin Molino.
Try this one…Alvin & Joevin Jones on the football team and Dwayne & Darren Bravo on the cricket team…all end up on the losing sides on the same night.
Alvin and Joevin was Friday night. Alvin and his rough tackle.
HahHahaha . Wow
Gary Hector, David John-Williams was at the CPL match last night.
So he went and blight another Sport…
??
If were on top of the standings, or had a chance to qualify for 2018. Bet anything that an entire entourage wud’ve been at the game in Panama smdh. Oh what a joker he is.
TTSCWA
Just asking . How coming Terry Fenrick has never been considered for T&T head coach job
Listening to Terry Fenwick last night…sounded like he jealous of Dennis Lawrence.
Good question!!!!
Lasana…how much longer we have to wait for a Stephen Hart tell all? This team was on an upward trend before the TTFA election then it all fell apart. Or did the Molino boat ride come before that? Those were the two milestones that ruined the Gold Cup team.
The Boat Ride was AFTER
We need to mash up the machine that selects and elects our leaders , jobs for the boys killing we
DESTROY.
What they need to do is….end the entire TTFA, and all of the nepotism, and culturally stigmatized selections of representing our nation…
And do some real scouting. Instead of selecting sons of former National Football players from the 70’s and 80’s, as well as who is 1st and 2nd cousin…just saying.
I know alot persons have an afinity for local, but dennis has failed and latapy has also failed…..deñnis never coach before other than be an asst coach, latapy like wise except wen got charge of the national team…..stephen hart had a 37% win factor over his tenure and he had d team for 3 years, we almost did not qualify for the hex, esp with that 2 all draw at home to guatemala, we were also struggling under Hart….
But we replaced a struggling Hart with Tom then Dennis and we struggled even more so clearly we went from bad to worse
So be it, but quality is what we needed
And what of the people who presided over this debacle? No consequences for them?
Hmmm….good point
What we needed was to support Hart …he was the guy for the job. We saw the progress under him…..the fall away came when the “cancer” became president of the ttfa …..
Malik Johnson the last 4 WC qualifiers under hart was poooooor….he was out of debt, draw at home to guatemala and the loss 4 nil to usa 2nil at home to costa, then lost 3 -1 to honduras….we needed a change…..we almost lost to SVG in svg, save an except for a levi garcia magic
Trini Don I know but you feel these were just random results or did you not know things were unfolding behind the scenes??
Idk
Trini Don, since DJW took over, he had Hart in his sights. He continually undermined him. What was the first thing of note that happened under DJW’s watch? We were preparing to play the Copa Centenario America playoff against Haiti. DJW said that it was a very important match. Players demanded match fees owed to them. DJW give dem a cock and bull story. Players threaten to stirke. DJW call dem greedy. De camp was sour because players were not focussed on football. The result? We lorse tuh Haiti and things then progressively went from bad to worse. Also an interesting point is that Hart never got another friendly after the debacle with DJW regarding a friendly against Equatorial Guinea. It’s more than mere coincidence and conspiracy theories.
Does that justify the 37% win factor Nigel Myers ????
Lol I could see when a man wasting his time lol …I’m out …
If you look at it in pure footballing and result terms a 37% win rate is not acceptable. However, when placed in the context of what was going on for a while, you have to factor all the administrative issues which actually far greater than the footballing ones. When you create an inhospitable environment to work in, what do you really expect as a result? When you continually fighting to get your salary as well as for those around you. When your authority is continually being undermined. When your players have to continually entertain broken promises. When you’re never sure about your job tenure. When rumours are constantly swirling. When you are not getting what is considered basic equipment in the modern game. And then you want top notch results consistently? Nah man!
Start a petition for him to leave
The responsibility really lies with the stakeholders and those in power who could actually make that happen according to the TTFA’s constitution. But yuh know how most ah dem spineless.
Well said Nigel …well said ….
First goals and first win for them EVER over us in WC qualifiers….no words!
One team going forward, the other stuck in reverse…
This game used to be points sure for us back in the day
In the game last night Jones and Molino were marked out. Panama easily nullified our attack. It was awful. i wonder if the gonna fire Dennis but if they fire him who’s gonna be hired? It better not be that clown with no intelligence Saintfiet. I wish Hart returns.
Trinidad and Tobago Scotch and Coconut Water Association ( TTSCWA)
IMAGINE..in your hands you got the keys to the world’s greatest sport..the biggest spectator sport… and no disrespect to other sports…but Squash, Monopoly,Tiddlywinks ,All Fours,Badminton ,Darts ,Chess better organized ??… This man get a TOY to play with …but he really need a GOOD BELT..man..get out we fottball nah…F#CK MAN.
LEECHES and SCRAP EATERS….
Lasana Liburd what’s next for DJW ? Is there an election soon ? Is there anyway to have a vote of no confidence and get this guy out? And not only him but the cancerous leeches that have plagued the administration for years if not decades . The old regime that have this sense of entitlement and power there . I speak of at least 4 names but 2 in particular
The football stakeholders can remove him early if the act together. Otherwise his term ends in late 2019.
Lasana Liburd Stakeholders ??..or Stake eaters ??
Jesus
The current TTFA board of directors comprises: David John-Williams (president), Joanne Salazar, Ewing Davis and Allan Warner (vice-presidents), James Toussaint (Central FA), Sherwyn Dyer (Eastern Counties Football Union), Karanjabari Williams (Northern FA), Richard Quan Chan (Southern FA), Anthony Moore (Tobago FA), Joseph Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association), Sharon O’Brien (Women’s League Football), Wayne Cunningham (Eastern FA) and Sam Phillip (TT Pro League).
Those are the people who steer the ship. Keith Look Loy will get in there to represent the TTSL at the next general meeting.
Trinidad and Tobago Scotch and Coconut Water Association ( TTSCWA)
Lasana Liburd thanks .
The truth is this is the real discussion to be had. We’re all on here discussing tactical issues and the coach this and the coach that when the source of the issue is that fat f*** DJW …who is seemingly untouchable. How come after a result like this the coach can be called in and fired and yet this “obese salamander” remains “untouchable” and “unaccountable” ….. who do we call …who does he answer to and what can we do to bring him before a hearing comittee for unforgivable incompetence????
justactly… is not any 4 at the back and three up front…is the CANCER.
Malik – soon we’ll be saying is Rowley and the PNM to blame for our footballing failures. Let’s focus the bulk of the blame where it belongs – on the coach and the players.
Carlos Lee one thing with me is I’ll allocate blame where needed…..that performance was shit and everyone out there to blame ….the coach for employing the wrong tactics and selecting the wrong players…..the players for being (forgive meh lassana) a bunch of p****** …. and DJW the source of shocking leadership who continues to hold the reins …which means the next appointment could just as catastrophic as this one. We have to stop the bleeding at the source ….
Lasana Liburd explain fully this removal process of the current TTFA
Article 38 Dismissal of a person or body
1 The General Meeting may dismiss a person or a member of a body. The Board of Directors may place the dismissal of a person or a member of a body on the agenda for the General Meeting. The Board of Directors may also dismiss a person or a member of a body provisionally. Any Board of Directors Member may submit a proposal to place such a motion for dismissal on the agenda of the Board of Directors or General Meeting.
2 The motion for dismissal must be justified. It will be sent to the Members of the Board of Directors and/or to the Members along with the agenda.
3 The person or body in question has the right to defend him- or herself.
4 The motion for dismissal shall be decided by means of secret ballot. For the motion to be passed, a majority of three quarters of the valid votes is required.
5 The person or body dismissed (provisionally) is relieved of his or its functions with immediate effect.
https://wired868.com/2015/10/20/the-2015-ttfa-constitution-local-footballs-new-guiding-document/
Lasana Liburd is it true that the players have not been paid?
Get him out . The guy has been an absolute joke since he started his role as President
Listen abroad there is a cadre of players who eat and sleep football. Beside the managerial problems in T&T for decades , we have been putting together players 3- 5 days before a match and want a miracle. People expects the boys win. Get real. suspend what monies?Only BOYS at the top pay themselves. You know how much monies owed to officials and players, For over 40 years or more is the same ole story in every SPORT in T&T nepotism and monetary impropriety . NO Jail.
Lasana Liburd sometimes you get the feeling that the world is moving forward with their football plan and it reflects well in their successes while we just regress.
That’s definitely how I feel too. Our best plan right now is essentially going back to what worked in the 1980s… And we are in 2017!
Well without a foundation it all falls down. Implodes and that is what is going on. The post JAW days has shown we are not serious about Football and Sport in general.
JAW so seriously messed up our football and put so many incompetent, selfish people in positions of power that it is taking some time for the good people to come to the fore.
It’s a reflection as well on our politics and the number of failed Sport Ministers. I am not sure during our lifetime that we will get out of this. Some believe we have to sink to our lowest to rise but we also need to want to do better. We need to bring back that pride we once felt.
Taxpayers need to demand all monies be suspended to pay for these national programs until a thorough assessment of why our national teams are failing is done. We are not getting value for money and these players are not playing up to their potential. From the men’s senior national team, to the women’s to our U15s!!!!!!
Like so many other sports is structurally defective..
More flagellation? If you plant corn you won’t get cane…Pep Guardiola…Angellotti…Scolarii ..the result would have been the same..crude but fair example…Look at the Galacia mess..Before it was Udecott,,the Airport…Footballlike so mn
I disagree wholeheartedly with you on this one. When it comes to this football thing coaches indeed do matter! They would have found the players they needed and cast the laborers to the wayside.
I am suggesting even if/when we get pedigree coaches and we have poor administrators we will have the same problems..Mr. hart was going somewhere..as was Gally back then..Why did Professor Simoes fall short..What is/has been the common factor, one might ask?
Ok now I get where you’re coming from…and yeah unless we could do something to get rid of the clowns in charge of the circus, we’re condemned to continue this charade we call national team football.
You can hire the best coaches but if the Administration don’t pay them or pay the players in a timely way you will get what we presently have on the field.
Terry Terence William Fenwick yuh say Brian Springer ??… can someone explain how Terry never even got an appointment in tnt football ??…at any level ??.. even to cut the grass ??…that alone reveals SO much… and its sad..it is 2017.
And he won’t get hired now, his team selection and tactics will show up just how bad Lawrence really is…smh
The dictator will never do it . A football is black and white .
They cant control him that’s the problem
The team looked like they didn’t have a clue what to do with or without the ball. That led to some of the individualistic play. The goals were comical. Plaza is not an international level player. Lawrence is clearly not ready for this level. The entire operation from DJW down to the team is amateurish.
I can’t believe we could get this bad so quickly from a high 2 years ago.
I am so disgusted this morning it ain’t funny… Stephen Hart dug us out of a deep hole… anyone remember us being eliminated by Guyana and not even Making the hex??? We fire him after 2 losses in the Hex but Tallest has now lost FIVE in a row… STEUPS!!!!! Russia 2018 is OVER…I say bring in Terry Fenwick and let’s start preparing for 2022 by putting him in charge of our U-23 team who will have to begin preparing for the 2020 OLYMPICS and they can form the nucleus of our 2022 effort…Begin Scouting for additional players both domestically and among foreign-born and put together a Strategic Plan.
Patriot…I see this as the only way forward. I was going to wait until the outrcry here dies down so it won’t get lost. Whether it’s with Tallest or somebody new, we need to get together a team of players who are U-23 in 2020, so they would be 20 years old now. That’s basically the last two years of SSFL stars. (shiva boys and naps plus some others). Put that side together.
Have a combine every christmas and every july for the boys who went away to college and add them to the mix.
Leave Joevin and Levi to become established european based pros and don’t bother them until 2021…retire everybody else.
I genuinely sorry for the 22/23 year olds who now breaking through, but you will hadda impress in Concacaf Champions League to get a pro contract now, not on the international stage. Your window was lost under this administration.
Very good but the problem with that is they can t control him that’s why they don’t want him
The things I don’t want to believe is that our talent pool seems exhausted ….but it’s hard to think otherwise and also we are “soft” …. I’d bet my life savings that no “striker” going to “cap” a central defender, “belt” the other central defender. ….run about 40 meters through the defence then finish “between the goalkeepers legs” on a “Jamaican” team ……there would be a “homicide on that field” before that happens so not only do I question our structure I boldfacedly question our “belly” …..
As I said previously, the product on the field is an inferior product. We need to go back to the drawing board and develop a new more versatile product. The good thing is that we have a little less than 5 years to get things right. We first need to start with the brainstorming session with key stakeholders. Our player and coaching talent pool is small when compared to our counterparts in Concacaf, so we might need to tap into the foreign market to help with the development process. We will need to think broadly and have an opened mind.
Unless there is a mentality change ,,, no way hosay,,,you have want it from the heart,,,not ah hope we win yes.
Nigel you touch on something important , player commitment and discipline. I does sit back and watch men excuse prima donna behavior from players like Jones, that is, whenever it seems to benefit country as was the recent situation with Seattle. Even stuff like the boat ride indiscipline under Hart gets a pass… because “daiz small ting, we need him…” and the we expect them to change their stripes once on the field.
Just saw highlights…that third goal…waaaayyyy!?!?!
Lawrence should be fired by Thursday right???
12 year plan to rebuild..piss poor performance…piss poor!
Do svidaniya!
Regardless of what the players have said in their pre-game interviews, they have largely played without conviction and determination. Last night was another in a long line of examples. What they say and what they do are two different things. The way how Joevin trudged off the field last night when substituted was similar to his behavior when he was substituted against Honduras earlier in the Hex. In the latter part of the game, you would swear it was Panama who was behind. This reminds me of our 2002 World Cup Qualifying campaign when we finished first in the semifinal round only to come dead last in the Hex.
We does still think and play this game too slow. We does still turn over de ball excessively, even without pressure. If I remember correctly, the first and third goals started with us turning over the ball. The defense also doesn’t seem to have and/or keep any particular shape. They love to be in a straight line.
Nigel I didn’t watch the game, but I not getting your point about Joevin trudging off the field? He was subbed so I’m guessing he wasn’t happy?
Tony, he eh having a good game and we are behind. We need to get moving and get some momentum. Run or jog off de field and give de substitute his chance. De bigger picture is de team, not you. De actions does just increase de sourness of de vibes. Is not like we leading and trying to waste time and slow down de opposition.
Nigel Myers Ok I get what you’re saying.
spoilt F#C%ING BRAT…should listen to his father more than the ones at WCONN who wrap him in golden Jackets.
Spot on Nigel and Gary
Molino play much worse than him. He lost the ball nearly every time it came to his feet. Joevin would at least play for the foul or get a throw when being tackled to ensure we kept possession
DISGUSTING…
His next squad will be interesting to see who is left out and who he decides to go forward with.
But that would probably be politics though. Something designed to give an impression but which would be ultimately meaningless anyway.
What we need is some idea of whether we have learnt from our mistakes and have any idea of how to improve and turn our football into a respectable commodity.
Agreed. I’m not hopeful
I was try to positive but I really think very national coach should be fired and the board and President removed or something
Hmmm maybe this better so. My fear is we qualify and really show we don’t belong, scores of 10,15,20 in WC ? Sad but qualifying is one thing give a real creditable showing at World Cup is another just stating the obvious
The discussion about Lawrence’s merits reminds one about those that followed Bolt’s performances at the last Worlds in London 2017..The matter is raised only when we have lost? Are we ‘meeting’ Lawrence for the first time in this match?
Lawrence shouldn’t have been hired in the first place…and WE ALL KNOW THAT! But after Sainfeit, we woulda take anybody.
We knew from the jump his merits were lacking and his competency was questionable.
Mercy killing?
The tactics lasted all of 10mins. The backline was too flat with all those centre backs so there was lack of wingback penetration. The switching between Jones and Molino has really gotten old and ineffective. A lot of sleeping on the ball and slow motion play. Individualistic play by Plaza and Jones did not help. Lack of shots on goal throughout all the games. Decision making in the final third was disastrous. The strategy behind the substitutions was baffling. George and Gonzales the tacklers infront the centre back defense and holes were everywhere. I want to see those Mexico and USA games now.
Oh gosh
did we really expect this team to get to WC 2018 after a harsh decision by the TTFA president to get rid of Stephen Hart???
It is left to be seen if the coach is left in the job to develop a style and build for the 2022 WC
Did Dennis Lawrence underperform or was he overhyped? Or was this a reflection of his true capabilities?
Because the team definitely declined during his tenure.
I think we played better under Saintfeit and definitely under Hart.
Dunno if he was overhyped. A lot was made of his job at Everton but he wasn’t actually head coach then. This was his first big job.
He won against Barbados, won against Panama and hasn’t won since in eight matches including games against Grenada and Jamaica.
Every coach has a rough patch trying to get it right. It took 3 losses to say Hart wasnt the man for the job. How much more of this we need to see? Or is this when we saying we must stick with a coach for the future?
Andrew, first we have to be sure we have the right coach. Otherwise we should have just kept Saintfiet.
And the right president for the TTFA
Without a strong cf to hold up the ball/play we are dead in the water….
Outside of Hart….has anybody done anything good in the past ten years?
Assessment should not be based on results only but can we see some difference in the quality of football?
Are we better in any area of the field as a team or do we still depend on some individual to carry the workload .?
Can we see some structure and discipline
Cherry picking makes a group not a team , proper effective coaching makes a team .
Nothing has improved in T&T football at any level or any form since the 2006 blacklist. Stephen Hart’s tenure was the only one within which there was a glimmer of any joy or hope.