Both Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras held their official one hour training sessions at the venue yesterday morning.

And TT coach Dennis Lawrence made it no secret by emphasising that his team needs to come out of the blocks early and put the visitors under pressure.

“There’s no other option but for us to win the match. Pressure or not I think we have to be efficient in everything we do, on how we start the game, how we manage it and how we finish,” Lawrence said.

“We’ve had a good few days of preparations, the boys are upbeat and we’ll be looking to put that into play come (today). The both teams have a lot at stake in this game. Obviously we do not expect them to make it easy for us by any means but we must be prepared to give it our all and try to take three points from this match,” Lawrence said.

Jamille Boatswain and Willis Plaza will shoulder the responsibilities up front with regular captain Kenwyne Jones out with injury and US-based forward Trevin Caesar unable to make the trip due the situation in Houston, Texas.

Boatswain started the 2-1 loss to Costa Rica and will be hoping to find the target this time around while Minnesota midfielder Kevin Molino will also be looking to add to his tally of two goals in the final round so far.

“Everything is fine for me at the moment. I know how important this game is and I think as a team and a nation we understand what we need to do. We need the fans there supporting us and the players, we have to put our best performance of the campaign . I think once we play as a team and leave everything out there on the field, then we can pull off a win,” Boatswain said.

Honduras gave away two points in their last match, relinquishing a 2-1 lead in the last minute and settling for a 2-2 draw at Panama.

“We’re going to give everything in this match,” said Honduras’ Colombia- born coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

“We have to win.” In previous World Cup qualifiers, staged in Trinidad, between these two teams, there have been two draws and a victory for the Central Americans. In 1988, both teams drew 0-0 at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, while in 2009, Khaleem Hyland scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw and Honduras’ lone win came in 2001, a 4-2 victory at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

In the Final Round qualifiers, after six matches, Mexico have 14 points followed by Costa Rica (11), United States (eight), Panama (seven), Honduras (five), and Trinidad and Tobago (three).

Mexico host Panama and USA are at home to Costa Rica in other qualifying matches today.

Gates open at 5 pm and tickets will be on sale at the venue and all NLCB Lotto Locations. Party stand tickets are also available and details for this can be found via TT FA’s Facebook page. There will be parking provision for patrons at the nearby National Cricket Centre.

Once neglected to his first love of football, he began taking his music seriously when his cousin was killed and he and a childhood friend collaborated on a song, Lick Down, that became a viral sensation.

Nurse who came from a broken home, has used his childhood experiences of living with abuse and the challenges of coping with a relative living with mental illness, to shape his career and deliver messages of hope to both his fans .and naysayers. He has never allowed adversity hold him down, instead it has fuelled him to take his career to the next level.

The Carenage resident is past student of Tranquillity Government Secondary. His inspiration comes from his pastor, international gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, as well as top TT ’s gospel artiste Blessed Messenger and Jah Melody.

“These artists helped me learn a lot from both a gospel and secular perspective,” he said. Nurse doesn’t have a strategic plan for his career but still wants to be strategic in planning, “Where God takes it, I will follow.” With one of his songs, Caribbean Christian, sparking some controversy for being on a secular rhythm, Nurse wanted people to know that “gospel is not a genre, it’s the message”.

“You must know your target audience, it was written for the youths and youths like up-tempo,” he said.

He has also collaborated with other local artistes Ziggy Rankin, Mister King and Isasha.

His goal is to one day perform with Donnie McClurkin.

Nurse advises people coming into the music business to always stay focused and on the right path. Know who you are doing this for and why, he said. “Longevity in this business is based on your closeness to God.” He plans to continue making music that celebrates God and inspires people.

The proceedings began with a performance of the national anthem, prompting spectators to raise their voices in unison and sang aloud with the lyrics, as the stands echoed with the lyrics. For his arrival, Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley was met with uproarious applause, shortly before 7 pm yesterday morning as he and members of his Cabinet made their way to the stands for the spectacle.

Officers of the various arms of the protective services showcased their discipline, skill and rythm for their marching out, as members of their accompanying marching bands belted out classic calypsoes to more contemporary soca hits.

Members of the TT Regiment, the Coast Guard Air Guard and Police service and Cadets made up the armed detachments or front half of the parade, while the fire service, prisons service, Ambulance Brigade and the Red Cross made up the rear part of unarmed detachments.

Members of the police service mechanised division were drew an overwhelming round of applause as they crossed the grand stand, as one officer of the police traffic branch, carefully balanced himself over two motorcycles along the stand.

Along the parade route throngs of onlookers struggled to catch a glimpse of the parade, as they packed the pavements along Frederick street and the Western Main Road in St James.

Service men kept the crowds on their toes with their antics as they made their way down Long Circular road to the Police Academy, where the parade ended.

Newsday spoke to avid spectator and retired police officer, Randolph Greene who said that he has attended the parade for over ten years,he was overwhelmed with the large turnout of spectators and supporters.

“It’s a really warming sight to see so many people come out today in unity for our country and our sevicemen.

I saw in the streets a lot of young children waving their flags so I’m glad to see that the tradition has not died.”

Describing Independence as a time for empowerment, Charles said, “Tobago’s autonomy is a priority on the assembly’s agenda.” He said the THA is currently consulting with a Cabinet sub-committee regarding the draft bill on autonomy for Tobago. He said once this part of the process is completed, the draft bill will be sent to Parliament for debate.

Charles also said the THA is working to create, “stronger, long-lasting partnerships will redound to our benefit.” He said these include the possibilities of public-private partnerships,” as we seek to accelerate our development programme.” Charles the Assembly’s recently created Tourism Agency is taking a holistic approach to improving Tobago’s tourism product.

He urged Tobagonians and the rest of the population not to be distracted by negativity and naysayers as the country marks 55 years of independence today.

Residents said the heavy rains pounded the southern borough for at least three hours. Up to late yesterday evening many villagers throughout the borough remained marooned in their homes being surrounded by flood waters. Baby Ethan Soodeen and his young mother Maaltee Seedath were among 30 other households which suffered heavy flood damage. A still traumatised Seedath recalled that flood waters reached up to her neck as she remained trapped inside her home for nearly 30 minutes holding her screaming baby towards the ceiling of the house.

Seedath said she held her baby boy up towards the ceiling to prevent him from drowning. The child’s father, Darren Soodeen, 35, arrived half an hour later and rescued both mother and child. “I keep thinking of how me and my baby could have died, we could have drowned if my husband did not come home in that time,” the still visibly shaken mother said attempting to hold back her tears. Seedath recalled that heaving rainfall started falling at about 2pm on Wednesday. The young mother said that the waters started coming through the front door of the family home. At that time she thought nothing of it until more water started entering the home rapidly. At the time baby Ethan was sleeping in his play pen. “I started to move appliances to high grounds thinking it would not have been much water, but within seconds the entire living room, bedroom and bathroom were filled with water. I rushed to take Ethan out of his playpen because I realised the waters was coming into his play pen,” the mother said.

Frightened and panicking with fear Seedath said that she telephoned her husband who was at the time on work and told him that the place was flooded out. She was fearing the worst. “I was panicking and crying. I climbed unto the bed thinking that we would have been safe on the bed, but I was wrong, the water covered the bed,” he explained.

Seedath said that she could no long sit on the bed with her baby but now had stand on the bed with the floods waters reaching almost to her neck, “I was cold and trembling, I could feel parts of my body going numb, but I did not let go of my baby. I held him up to the ceiling to protect him, he was crying, I was crying and I kept telling him ‘everything is going to be ok baby boy’, mama is not going to let anything happen to you,” the mother told Newsday during an interview at the family Ragoonanan Avenue, Hollywood. She said that she was also screaming for help, but no one heard her.

At a nearby household Aaron Cardinal,31, and his common-law wife Amanda Ramnarinesing,22 were counting their loses. At the time of the flooding the couple who also has a seven month old baby was not at home. “We came home to see our home in water and everything floating. We lost everything, from appliances, to furniture to foodstuff,” he said. Thirty two homes were damaged by flood waters.

“We must instill in our children that importance of obedience and giving of themselves, just as Ismail did, upon realizing the task that had been asked of his father. For it is only in this way that we can come together as one,” Hosein said in a message to mark Eid Ul-Adha, observed annually on September 1.

“We must promote the values of having a strong character in our younger generations and to all our fellowmen. Live above reproach and this way, we can progress together as a nation.” Hosein said Eid Ul-Adha reminded Muslims of the importance of obedience to the Almighty and one’s parents.

“This is a message that we can all draw from – that we have a duty to our younger generations to inculcate the ideals of sacrifice, hard work and devotion.” Hosein said Eid Ul-Adha commemorates Abraham’s unyielding commitment to his faith, such that he proved his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail.

“Almighty Allah recognised his devotion and intervened, letting a lamb take Ismail’s place.

It is the holiest Islamic observance,” he said. “Every year on Eid Ul-Adha, the Islamic community worldwide comes together to mark the end of the holy pilgrimage, Hajj, and to give honour to the spirit of sacrifice which marks this celebration.

“For Hajj, we leave behind our worldly possessions to make our pilgrimage to Mecca. We stand together, men and women, as equals before God. And in so doing, we recognise and honour the great sacrifice that our forefather, Prophet Abraham (Peace Be Unto Him), was willing to make; and are able to reflect on the many ways we as individuals and collectively, can make sacrifices in our daily lives to demonstrate our devotion and do good for humanity.” Hosein said during this holy observance, Muslims are called upon to make sacrifices to the Almighty by dividing meat into three portions: one for ourselves, another portion for family, and a third portion for those in need.

He said this sharing represents the key lessons of Eid Ul-Adha – sacrifice, equality and charity.

The suspect is said to have gone on a shopping binge, buying tyres for his car as well as a friend. He then purchased an I.pone 6 S Plus at Trincity Mall valued $6000, fuel for his vehicle all of which he obtained using the card. He then went to West Mall B Mobile store and signed a contract to purchase a samsung S 8 valued $10,000, when employees became suspicious and called the Fraud Squad.

A team of officers led by Snr Supt Dookhie assisted by Insp Abbot and PC Woodroof went to the store and arrested the man and seized the fraudulent credit card. He was charged for six offences under the Electronic Transfer of Funds Act, namely five counts of obtaining properties by use of a fraudulent credit card, one count of possession of a fraudulent credit card.

He is expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today.

In a statement yesterday, the union’s general council described as “unwarranted and unfounded,” Rowley’s personal attacks against Annisette.

“Mr Annisette is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, who is free to express his views on any matter relating to the governance of this country in keeping with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression,” NATUC said.

“He is also one of the leaders of a large constituency, first as President General of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) and as General Secretary of NATUC.”

This motion was passed during the city corporation’s statutory meeting yesterday at the City Hall, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain.

According to Akil Durham, Councillor for Belmont North and West, the funds will be financed by donations and contributions from the public and private sectors. He said the money will be authorised by the Council to be allocated to the fund.

In moving the motion, Durham explained some of the ways the funds will be used.

“The money under the fund will be utilised for charitable causes within the city, emergency relief due to a natural disaster, accidents and mishaps within the city, scholarships to needy students and members of the community within the city of Port-of-Spain.” He continued, “Promotion and hosting of national culture, artistic, religious celebrations and anniversaries as well as city receptions.” He said the decision of the motion will be sent to the Minister of Local Government for approval.

Its latest accomplishment seems to be a deliberate attempt to shorten the longer version of the game, by reducing a five-day Test match three days. While the players have been known by nature to be trendy, this is by no means a style that another team would like to adopt, unless of course it is the winning team.

This brings to mind a recent joke I heard. Two teams were engaged in a match. The first to bat made 101 runs. The other team made two fifty and lost. How? It made fifty in the first innings and fifty in the second. Any team comes to mind? I wonder if the cameraman is to blame?

W DOPSON Woodbrook