TTFF NEWS - Yorke maintains positive vibe

 “Too early to drop our shoulders”

 

Those were the words of Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team captain Dwight Yorke as he parted from the rest of the National Team and headed back to Sunderland on Thursday following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with El Salvador in 2010 World Cup Qualifying action.

 

Yorke, who was yellow carded during the encounter, which meant that he would miss the March 28 affair against Honduras in Port of Spain, faces an even lengthier suspension after being red carded after the final whistle for alleged dissent towards Mexican Referee Marco Rodriguez. The Referee’s report to the match commissioner stated that Yorke was shown the red for dissent but the card is expected to be under review.

 

“At the moment we were all very disappointed especially with the way some of the calls went But while we didn’t hang on the lead I think the way in which the events of the game turned out in the closing moments was very much against us and disappointing for all of Trinidad and Tobago,” Yorke told TTFF Media.

 

“But in saying that it’s important that as a team and a country, all the fans and the people involved in our football continue to believe in our efforts. I think sometimes we tend to press the panic button when we shouldn’t. Yes I know it’s a bit heart breaking the way we allowed the El Salvador team to come back into the match but if you look at the fact that we were 2-0 up and could have been even four of five goals ahead then I would say there were a lot of good things coming out of the game. We will review our mistakes and work on them,” Yorke added.

 

“The group has worked hard even though there obviously was not sufficient time to prepare together because of the game being played in midweek but hopefully we can work around this in the future. It’s still a long campaign ahead with nine matches and we have a point on the board.”

 

The former Manchester United hitman, now the number two coach at Sunderland, says he will still make the journey and join the T&T team in training ahead of the Honduras clash.

 

“I’ve already made my mind up and I’ve passed the message on that I will be with the team going into the next match. It’s important that as captain that I’m around and can train with the boys and get myself ready for the matches after that as well,” added Yorke, who also dismissed outside reports that he favoured Stern John for the penalty because of a close knit friendship.

 

“This team is unit that will get even better in the time coming up. That was what we had in the 2006 campaign and it’s going to be the same for this campaign. What we need to ensure is that we keep believing and we are spot on with our preparations and everything else relating to our matches both on and off the pitch,” Yorke concluded.

 

Meantime, this week the administrative and technical staff of the National Team will meet at its offices at Kantac Plaza to review the reports relating to the Argentina training camp and El Salvador encounter as well as begin planning towards the preparation scheme leading up to the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Honduras (March 28 in Port of Spain) and United States (April 4 in Nashville).