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<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: red">T&T U-20s on brink
Williams: We have to go for it!
BY Lasana Liburd  (EXPRESS)</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>
Sunday, October 29th 2006
It is time to get dirty.
The Trinidad and Tobago national under-20 football team must find a mean streak this evening at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva or face a humiliating exit from the FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship at the first hurdle.
The young "Soca Warriors" face St Vincent and the Grenadines in the second game of a double-header from 6 p.m. at Couva.
The Dominican Republic play St Kitts in the opening fixture from 4 p.m. and a draw means the host nation would be forced to defeat St Vincent by two clear goals.
Regardless of the opening result, though, Trinidad and Tobago must win to finish second and snatch a playoff berth against the other Caribbean group runners-up.
Coach Brian Williams' reward would be a two-legged tie against either Jamaica or Haiti, who squared off yesterday in a top-of-the-table clash in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti scored 16 goals and conceded once in their opening two fixtures against Bermuda and the Netherland Antilles, while Jamaica managed five goals, with one conceded against the same opponents.
It is not an encouraging sign for Williams, whose spluttering team are yet to come alive and have only a Radanfah Abu-Bakr free kick to show from more than 180 minutes of competitive football.
At present, T&T are bottom of a group that contains Caribbean opponents without a history of success at this or any level. No local under-20 team have failed to advance past the first Caribbean qualifying round although, four years ago, coach Nigel Grosvenor's outfit navigated through the early stages but fell in a playoff with Cuba.
Williams, a former national standout, needs an emphatic response from his charges.
"The way the team performed (against St Kitts) was very disappointing," said Williams. "The players did not carry out the coaching instructions We are struggling to get the right blend."
Dominican Republic coach Ljubomir Crnonrak revealed that his team played 11 games-they won seven-before they travelled to Trinidad last week. Williams' squad have only trained for six weeks and had one international against Barbados, which they won 4-0, and two friendlies against Joe Public and Vibe CT 105 W Connection.
"It is a disadvantage for the coach because even in competition," said Williams, "you are still trying to feel which are the best players for each particular position I still feel we should be doing better and I won't make excuses but we cannot take these teams for granted anymore.
"We have to prepare in a more meaningful way to protect our status as the Mecca of Caribbean football."
Lincoln Phillips, technical director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TF), blamed the under-20s late start on the executive committee's delay in appointing its coaching staff.
Whatever the reason, it contributed to a difficult week for local fans anxious to see their team build on an exciting 2006 senior World Cup debut.
More than 400 supporters turned out at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar to help the young Warriors register their first win. Yet, three minutes into the fixture, the hosts were behind.
Kittian striker Orlando Mitchum stuck out his right boot to skillfully lob advancing goalkeeper Adrian Foncette and set off gleeful scenes on the visiting bench.
Trinidad and Tobago wasted a penalty in the 43rd minute-St Kitts' goalie Alexis Richards blocked Khaleem Hyland's effort-and six ft two Abu Bakr was a constant threat from set pieces.
But St Kitts, who sported red jerseys with matching socks and black shorts, were the more committed team and deserved the win. Led by perceptive central defender and captain, Javin Matthew, the guests tackled with gusto and, once possession was won,
Williams: We have to go for it!
BY Lasana Liburd  (EXPRESS)</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>
Sunday, October 29th 2006
It is time to get dirty.
The Trinidad and Tobago national under-20 football team must find a mean streak this evening at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva or face a humiliating exit from the FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship at the first hurdle.
The young "Soca Warriors" face St Vincent and the Grenadines in the second game of a double-header from 6 p.m. at Couva.
The Dominican Republic play St Kitts in the opening fixture from 4 p.m. and a draw means the host nation would be forced to defeat St Vincent by two clear goals.
Regardless of the opening result, though, Trinidad and Tobago must win to finish second and snatch a playoff berth against the other Caribbean group runners-up.
Coach Brian Williams' reward would be a two-legged tie against either Jamaica or Haiti, who squared off yesterday in a top-of-the-table clash in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti scored 16 goals and conceded once in their opening two fixtures against Bermuda and the Netherland Antilles, while Jamaica managed five goals, with one conceded against the same opponents.
It is not an encouraging sign for Williams, whose spluttering team are yet to come alive and have only a Radanfah Abu-Bakr free kick to show from more than 180 minutes of competitive football.
At present, T&T are bottom of a group that contains Caribbean opponents without a history of success at this or any level. No local under-20 team have failed to advance past the first Caribbean qualifying round although, four years ago, coach Nigel Grosvenor's outfit navigated through the early stages but fell in a playoff with Cuba.
Williams, a former national standout, needs an emphatic response from his charges.
"The way the team performed (against St Kitts) was very disappointing," said Williams. "The players did not carry out the coaching instructions We are struggling to get the right blend."
Dominican Republic coach Ljubomir Crnonrak revealed that his team played 11 games-they won seven-before they travelled to Trinidad last week. Williams' squad have only trained for six weeks and had one international against Barbados, which they won 4-0, and two friendlies against Joe Public and Vibe CT 105 W Connection.
"It is a disadvantage for the coach because even in competition," said Williams, "you are still trying to feel which are the best players for each particular position I still feel we should be doing better and I won't make excuses but we cannot take these teams for granted anymore.
"We have to prepare in a more meaningful way to protect our status as the Mecca of Caribbean football."
Lincoln Phillips, technical director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TF), blamed the under-20s late start on the executive committee's delay in appointing its coaching staff.
Whatever the reason, it contributed to a difficult week for local fans anxious to see their team build on an exciting 2006 senior World Cup debut.
More than 400 supporters turned out at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar to help the young Warriors register their first win. Yet, three minutes into the fixture, the hosts were behind.
Kittian striker Orlando Mitchum stuck out his right boot to skillfully lob advancing goalkeeper Adrian Foncette and set off gleeful scenes on the visiting bench.
Trinidad and Tobago wasted a penalty in the 43rd minute-St Kitts' goalie Alexis Richards blocked Khaleem Hyland's effort-and six ft two Abu Bakr was a constant threat from set pieces.
But St Kitts, who sported red jerseys with matching socks and black shorts, were the more committed team and deserved the win. Led by perceptive central defender and captain, Javin Matthew, the guests tackled with gusto and, once possession was won,
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