TTFF NEWS - TTFF Statement

TTFF Statement

 

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and its National Team Coaching Staff wishes to report on a meeting held with members and officials of the T&T Professional League and its clubs on Wednesday June 27, 2008 with an aim to simplifying the National Team’s access to local-based players for preparations for the semi-final round of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

 

Following Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Bermuda which secured this country’s passage to the next round, the TTFF called the meeting with the Pro League which was subsequently held at the Nelson Mandela Hall, Centre of Excellence at Wednesday midday.

 

Coaches present included Ron La Forest (Ma Pau), Michael McComie (Joe Public), Terry Fenwick, Angus Eve (Clico San Juan Jabloteh), Hutson Charles (Defence Force), Peter Granville (Tobago United), Brian Williams, Philbert Jones (United Petrotrin), Stuart Charles Fevrier (W Connection), Jerry Moe (Caledonia AIA) and Clint Marcelle (North East Stars).

 

 Among the TTFF Personnel were T&T head coach Francisco Maturana, Assistant coach Anton Corneal, TTFF General Secretary Richard Groden, Keith Look Loy, technical consultant and Special Advisor Jack Warner

 

The main aim of the meeting was to reach an agreement with the clubs so as to ensure release of its players for training and international matches without a lack of cooperation.

 

National Team head coach Francisco Maturana and Assistant Coach Anton Corneal also discussed their feelings on the current state of the team and its plans for the future preparations as they look ahead to facing the United States, Cuba and  Guatemala from August 20,2008.

 

Both Maturana and Corneal were also called up to respond to matters raised by some coaches of the clubs regarding the non-selection of certain players.

 

Maturana clearly gave his reasons, citing that at no time did he overlook any player due to any off the field circumstances. He was asked about the fact that young midfielder Khaleem Hyland was selected despite being unattached and the Colombian explained that the physical state of 19-year-old player who is on the verge of signing with an English club and had been in the national team since the beginning of the year is different to that of a player in his late 20s or early 30s who had not secured a first team place at the club or international level for over a year.  Maturana also cleared the air on the absence of English-born midfielder Chris Birchall, saying that he had in fact monitored the player’s state during the past season and is hopeful that the player among others do in fact begin playing and training regularly at a level that would make them an option for his selection process.

 

Caledonia coach Jerry Moe also got involved asking what were the sacrifices the PFL clubs were willing to make to ensure the country has a well prepared team.

 

Maturana added to the table that as coaches they  all understood the value of selecting and standing by the selection of their respective squads. In  addressing why certain players are not being selected he said that those were issues that he as a coach will never discuss in the media etc, because he always believes a player can be saved and in most instances he would give a player the benefit of a doubt.

 

“But they also need to start playing and training regularly. It’s the only way a player will be considered for selection. No player earns his pick on reputation from the past,” Maturana said. “Once the players are active then the door is never closed I assure you.”

 

Corneal also took note of Stuart Charles Fevrier’s questions on the non-selection of players who were part of the 2007 Concacaf Gold Cup squad but he (Corneal) later said that Maturana had in fact observed these players prior beginning his duty as head coach and also worked with some of them during the early period of his tenure and therefore their absence from the team was due to technical reasons.

 

The TTFF and the coaching staff as well, has taken note of the interest from the local clubs shown in the use of overseas-based players and will be careful as to avoid some of the local-based national players at any time feeling that they are being looked over, even by its own League, with preference to players based outside of the country. The TTFF and its coaching staff maintained its stance that it will not bow to any pressure over the national team selection process and players will only be justifiably selected or considered. But the governing body and its staff remain open to discussions, while noting the

 

“It is interesting to note that some of the same coaches (names withheld) who in the (recent) past had been calling for use of more local players instead of a dominant number of overseas ones have really in a sense changed their calls now,” Corneal stated

 

On the issue of scouting for the right talent, Maturana, who has observed several Pro League matches here, added that the feeder for the senior team is the Pro League, the other zones and "unseen" spots are for the Pro League clubs to look at and  they should be getting these  players in their system.

 

The meeting appeared to have ended in good light as the majority stood in support of Maturana and his staff and seemed prepared to offer continuing support towards the preparation of the team towards  its qualifying bid for South Africa 2010.

 

TTFF and Ministry meet over use of Stadium

 

A Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Contingent will meet with Sports Minister Gary Hunt at his request on Saturday to discuss matters relating to the use of local stadia for international matches as well as the hosting of the 2010 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Championship.

 

The TTFF delegation will include President Oliver Camps, Vice President Raymond Tim Kee, Keith Look Loy as well as Local Organizing Committee members Sandra Basheer and Cheryl Abrams.

 

TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner and General Secretary are both out of the country and will be guests of UEFA for Sunday’s Euro Cup Final between Germany and Spain in Vienna.

 

Warner revealed too that the TTFF has secured permission from FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation for use of a venue in the United States for its future World Cup qualifiers starting with the clash with Guatemala on September 6. This is pending a resolution of the matter regarding the usage of the local stadia.

 

On a final topic, the TTFF can also reveal that even prior to the two-match home and away tie with Bermuda, former national captain Dwight Yorke has expressed an interest in assisting this country’s National Team in its attempt to qualify for South Africa 2010 and he and Maturana are to hold a discussion on this. Warner confirmed that Yorke had expressed an interest in conversation with him. The Sunderland midfielder was in Warner’s company at the Marvin Lee Stadium for T&T’s 1-1 draw with Jamaica earlier this month.