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-Ian Prescott
Friday, November 21st 2008
"Our dreams continue and, from tomorrow, we will start thinking of the Digicel Cup," declared head coach Francisco Maturana following Trinidad and Tobago's 3-0 victory over Cuba in the 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
"We feel satisfied. We have achieved the first objective, which is to qualify for the Final Round for the World Cup," Colombian Maturana said through interpreter Kamasha Robertson.
And having tasted sweet success, Maturana also stated his intention to have Trinidad and Tobago win the Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC), which takes place in Jamaica from December 3-14.
"We are going to try to win it," Maturana said of the Caribbean Championships. "This is a fantastic opportunity for players like Khaleem (Hyland), Keon (Daniel), (Clyde) Leon and Aklie Edwards to strengthen and grow in the process."
Maturana was basking in the limelight, for a moment out of the long shadow cast by football pundits and media over some of his tactics on the way to the Final Round of CONCACAF Qualifying.
Clearly enjoying the moment, he reflected on many things, including his deliberate decision to develop inexperienced players.
"No one can say that Maturana did not give an opportunity to anyone," he declared. "This is a team of open doors and we have had the opportunity to look at over 68 local players. We've given the opportunity to each one and at the end of it we are going to choose the best players."
The Colombian said he could have taken the easy route and selected 15 popular players for any one match. He said, instead, he chose to give as many players the chance to develop with the team and show if they are up to the required level.
Maturana also defended his decision to include Wales-based winger Josh Johnson and Fulham keeper Anthony Warner in his squad, although they did not play against Cuba.
"Football is a game of teams and to be a team, first of all you have to be a group," he said. "And to be a group you have to live together. And although these players that have not yet played...they are part of the group. They know what are the codes...they know what is the discipline, and they want to know who they would want to emulate."
Friday, November 21st 2008
"Our dreams continue and, from tomorrow, we will start thinking of the Digicel Cup," declared head coach Francisco Maturana following Trinidad and Tobago's 3-0 victory over Cuba in the 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. "We feel satisfied. We have achieved the first objective, which is to qualify for the Final Round for the World Cup," Colombian Maturana said through interpreter Kamasha Robertson.
And having tasted sweet success, Maturana also stated his intention to have Trinidad and Tobago win the Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC), which takes place in Jamaica from December 3-14.
"We are going to try to win it," Maturana said of the Caribbean Championships. "This is a fantastic opportunity for players like Khaleem (Hyland), Keon (Daniel), (Clyde) Leon and Aklie Edwards to strengthen and grow in the process."
Maturana was basking in the limelight, for a moment out of the long shadow cast by football pundits and media over some of his tactics on the way to the Final Round of CONCACAF Qualifying.
Clearly enjoying the moment, he reflected on many things, including his deliberate decision to develop inexperienced players.
"No one can say that Maturana did not give an opportunity to anyone," he declared. "This is a team of open doors and we have had the opportunity to look at over 68 local players. We've given the opportunity to each one and at the end of it we are going to choose the best players."
The Colombian said he could have taken the easy route and selected 15 popular players for any one match. He said, instead, he chose to give as many players the chance to develop with the team and show if they are up to the required level.
Maturana also defended his decision to include Wales-based winger Josh Johnson and Fulham keeper Anthony Warner in his squad, although they did not play against Cuba.
"Football is a game of teams and to be a team, first of all you have to be a group," he said. "And to be a group you have to live together. And although these players that have not yet played...they are part of the group. They know what are the codes...they know what is the discipline, and they want to know who they would want to emulate."
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