Trinidad and Tobago fell to a 2-0 loss to the United States on Thursday night, in their 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round Qualifier in Denver, Colorado.

Teenaged midfielder Christian Pulisic scored both goals for the hosts, who moved up to third place, in the six-team group, with seven points, while TT are rooted to the bottom with three points.

After five games, Mexico lead with 13 points, with Costa Rica in second spot with eight. Panama (six) and Honduras (four) are the other teams in the group.

The top three teams will earn automatic spots at the World Cup in Russia, while the fourth-placed team will meet the fifth-placed team from the Asia group, in a home-and-away playoff, for a berth in Russia.

During a telephone interview yesterday, Look Loy noted, “It might sound funny but I’m not too worried by the loss because we were never competing with the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, for a place in Russia. We were never competing with them. We are competing with Honduras and Panama for the fourth-placed team. It was always so, from Match One.” He continued, “We beat Panama in (Mucurapo) and now we have to go to Panama and beat them.

We lost to Honduras but I always think Honduras (are) within Trinidad and Tobago’s reach, and I think we could beat them here. And then you still have to hope, by the grace of God, and a prayer, because we still have to play for something in Mexico City.

“I haven’t given up the ghost yet but if we win against Panama and Honduras, and other results go our way, perhaps something is still possible.” Asked for his opinion on Thursday’s game, Look Loy replied, “I was happy with the fact that we came off the field in a nil-nil (scoreline at halftime). I thought they tried to control the pace of the game, tried to maintain some possession.

They did allow some penetration but Jan-Michael Williams was very well in goal, he did his job.

“But, in the second half, I was a bit perplexed by the fact that (coach Dennis) Lawrence chose to play with three defenders. That left Joevin Jones who was non-existent and 38-year-old Carlos Edwards who (have) 38-year-old legs alone to patrol the flanks, in attack and in defence.” Look Loy went on to state, “As the game wore on, we started to see spaces opening up in the defence because the defence was stretched, we were not defending the flanks well and they got their goals.” This coming Tuesday, the TT team will tackle Costa Rica (who were held to a goalless draw by Panama on Thursday), at San Jose.

“I saw Costa Rica against Panama and let me tell you (that) the intensity and technical level in that match, played in San Jose, was chalk and cheese with our match against the United States,” Look Loy admitted. “We’re going to San Jose and they’re going to coming for us with all guns blazing. And they will not allow us to play with that very sedate pace that we got away with (against US).”

This event, which is scheduled to end today, is being staged at the Queen’s Park Racquet Centre, St Clair.

Top men’s seed Kale Wilson brushed aside Alec Mackay 11-1, 11- 3, 11-0 while second seed Colin Ramasra spanked Scott-Michael Shaw 11-1. 11-2, 11- 5. Chase McQuan, the third-ranked player in the Men’s Open, hammered Jean Luc Prudent 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 while Paul De Verteuil, who is seeded fourth, had a comfortable 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 victory over Nicholas Shaw.

Among the other winners in the Men’s Open were Brandon De Montrichard, who cruised past Jonathan Blanc 11-6, 11-5, 11-4; and Julian Chin, who took care of Christopher Anthony 11-8, 11- 9, 11-3.

John Holley rebounded from an early setback to defeat Colin Mowser 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10, while Zachary Loquan overcame the challenge of Peter Pirtheesingh to prevail 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6.

In the Women’s Open division, Marie Claire Barcant strolled past Sigourney Williams 11-3, 11-3, 11-4; Jinan Al Rawi whipped Aimee De Verteuil 11-7, 11-9, 11-8; Jamie Leigh Edghill eliminated Chloe Walcott 11-5, 11- 1, 11-4, and Alexandra Yearwood hammered Chelsea Lequay 11-1, 11-3, 11-3.

Other Scores:

Men’s Open (Qualification) – Alec Mackay bt Joshua Poon 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 12-10; Scott-Michael Shaw bt Richard Lee by walkover.

Women’s Open (Qualification) – Chelsea Lequay bt Nicola De Verteuil 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7.

Men’s Over-50 – John Holley bt Deepak Dewar 11-5, 11- 6, 11-6.

The Afternoon Tea will also feature a silent art auction of the works of renowned local artists including Beverly Fitzwilliam- Harries, Donald “Jackie” Hinkson, Abigail Sabeeney, Peter Sheppard and Trevor Rostant.

Over the past three years, the Shelter’s tea party has been highly successful in raising much needed funds for this safe-haven for the victims of domestic violence.

“Fund-raisers like these help us to meet our goal of empowering residents. Through our intervention programmes and support services, we can work with them to restore a sense of self-worth, independence and dignity,” Anthony Inglefield, chairman of The Shelter, stated in a media release.

“We also try to provide a transition support plan, which includes employment support mechanisms. So, we’re very grateful to Webber and the committee, guests, volunteers, corporate donors and, of course, the artists who have contributed these engaging works of art.” The Shelter provides direct services to women and children who have been victims of physical and emotional abuse.

Counselling, crisis intervention, individual advocacy, temporary housing and a range of material services are provided to residents. This year, the organisation has planned several key fund-raising events, including a golf tournament in November.

The Shelter was established in 1987 as a safe haven for victims of all forms of domestic violence. Created in response to growing awareness and need for support for victims of domestic abuse, this non-profit organisation operates a safe house which was granted by the Government.

The house provides accommodation for residents and has staff quarters, a counselling room, children’s activity room, library and training room.

As a registered charity with a mission to provide support to victims in their journey towards success, the Shelter is run by an executive committee of volunteers.

The photographs of the two teenagers, identified as the children of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, were reportedly taken at Camp Cumuto on March 27, 2016. Moonilal raised the incident in Parliament last October and this prompted a police investigation as well as an internal investigation by the Defence Force.

The report from the Defence Force is yet to be made public, but parts were leaked to the media last week in which the Attorney General was said to have been cleared of any wrongdoing. It was unclear from this report whether any member of the Defence Force committed a breach of the Firearms Act by allowing the AG’s children to pose with the high-calibre weapons, which were loaded.

Yesterday, Moonilal said, “Having read the convoluted and confused letter sent to Senator Wayne Sturge and the dramatic denial of Major General Kenrick Maharaj (Ret), I am of the view there are more questions than answers.

This matter is far from dead and will not go away.

“This speaks to the biggest cover-up in the history of the armed forces. The central involvement of the Attorney General and possibly other Cabinet members sends a chill up the body politic.” He said it was frightening that the Defence Force could be accused of collusion and cover-up with the executive.

Moonilal also wanted the authorities to inform the public when the board of inquiry report would be made public, as promised by Minister in the Ministry of National Security David Moses, in the Senate on June 6.

On Thursday, former chief of defence staff Kenrick Maharaj, who was named as having invited the AG and his children to Camp Cumuto in 2016, said he was mounting a legal challenge, to clear his name. Maharaj said at no time did he invite the AG and his family to Camp Cumuto and is now putting in place his evidence, to show other people fabricated this information to protect themselves.

Speaking with reporters at a press-briefing at the TDC office, Maritime Plaza, yesterday, Remy said the CWU would observe developments closely to ensure all parties uphold their end of the bargain from a recommendation made by the Industrial Court, and called on Minister of Tourism Shamfa Cudjoe to honour her promise and ensure that workers are given appropriate consideration during the formation of the regulatory authority that will be replacing the TDC.

“We are calling on the Government to dig below the surface and let good sense prevail in this situation to ensure that we do not see the end of the tourism sector in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

“A letter again went out to the ministers today calling for an urgent meeting particularly in the face of correspondence that we have seen that there is a new company that they are going to form and the minister must hold fast to her commitment on communications that she had with me that they are going to give the TDC employees the opportunity to work in the new company.” Remy added that despite reassurances from TDC chairman Jerry Hospedales promising severance packages, no such discussions have been held with the CWU, and warned government that the company’s dissolution could create more harm than good for the tourism sector in TT, citing additional operating costs and a loss of skilled labour that would arise from the shift.

“We keep hearing them talking about packages. Up to now the CWU has not received any official communications from the TDC, nor the government, nor the board, about any terms and conditions that they wish to propose relative to what they want to do going into the future.

“In the face of that you want to take all the professional people in the tourism industry and put them into oblivion. We are also going to have an increase in operational costs, a problem in connectivity between these three disparate units that will work against the best interests of the government.” In March, Tourism Minister said that the TDC would be dissolved and replaced by two separate regulatory entities that will be charged with managing activities related to developing tourism over Trinidad and Tobago respectively. The move was met by resistance by members of the CWU, who have since called on Cabinet to reverse the decision.

One of the suspects, an 18-year-old from River Road, Enterprise, was shot in the abdomen during an exchange of gunfire with the police.

According to reports, at aabout 11.45 pm on Thursday, acting Sgt Neptune and other Cunupia CID officers were on mobile patrol when they received information that armed men in an AD wagon were planning to rob a bar in the district.

They spotted the vehicle and seven occupants in Endeavour.

They challenged the men, who tried to to escape by speeding away. The police cornered them near Classic Tiles at Endeavour Road, Chaguanas.

The suspects allegedly shot at the police, who returned fire and hit one of the men. The six others, aged from 16 to 23, from the Cunupia and Chaguanas areas, were detained and a pistol with eight rounds of ammunition and two imitation guns were seized.

The shot suspect was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where he had emergency surgery.

Yesterday, he was listed in critical condition.

The others were taken to the Cunupia Police Station and were expected to be put on identification parades for other serious crimes in the Central Division.

Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Central Division Surujdeen Persad commended acting Sgt Neptune and his team.

He said the seizure of the pistol meant one more weapon was taken from the hands of criminal elements.

Football icons like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique and many others have thrilled millions across the world at the Camp Nou, bringing multiple trophies and memorable nights to the Catalan giants.

Nestle Milo has now created a unique pathway for football enthusiasts to excel and enjoy the unique experience of playing at the world-class facilities at FC Barcelona.

Currently, FC Barcelona boasts one of the greatest strike forces in history with the presence of the phenomenal MSN combination of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

Recently, the club signed a lucrative four-year deal with Nestle Milo which will facilitate the testing and selection of the world’s best young footballers and to afford them the opportunity to visit FC Barcelona’s headquarters and training facilities and to be coached by FC Barcelona coaches.

Trinidadians between the ages of seven and 12 will get the chance to join with the best from other countries to parade their skills at Camp Nou during the La Liga and UEFA Champions League competitions annually. At the media conference held at the Marriott Hotel yesterday, Denise D’Abadie, Nestle (Milo) Trinidad and Tobago Limited corporate communications manager, and Elisa Doldron, Nestle T&T Ltd.’s, Head of Consumer Marketing, explained the concept of the new partnership. She said young footballers from all parts of the world will benefit immensely from this project geared to stimulate positive growth and development among younger players and also to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity among children.

D’Abadie said: “Nestle Milo and FC Barcelona recently signed a four-year agreement – the first of its kind for the Good Food, Good Life company. The agreement is based on a shared vision to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity among children, especially during their foundation years, seven to 12 years old.

“Through the partnership, these two well-known brands will conduct a series of initiatives across Asia, Oceania, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, impacting over 22 million youngsters.” She continued, “In TT , Nestle Trinidad and Tobago will host the Milo FC Barcelona Football Skills Tournament as its chosen initiative, which will see three youths travel to Spain. While there, they will participate in FC Barcelona’s football camp at Camp Nou in a two-day training session with Barça coaches.” D’Abadie said 1,500 children will benefit from the programme, with the local tournament running throughout July. One parent will accompany their son or daughter on the journey to Spain.

The children must take part and excel at the “Football Skills Tournament” which kicks off on July 8 at Nestle’s Head Office Grounds, in Valsayn. There will be five centres in North, East, West and South Trinidad as well as one in Tobago.

Three hundred players will be accommodated at each centre during the programme which will be conducted by former England defender Terry Fenwick and his company, Football Factory Foundation.

Doldron explained that registration is on a first come, first serve basis. As part of the registration process, a 400 gramme Milo pack must be purchased and these will be donated to charitable homes within communities across TT .

Further registration details will be released in the near future.

She revealed that the first major activity in the the Milo FC Barcelona Football Skills Tournament will take place at Nestle’s Trinidad and Tobago Limited’s Head Office in Valsayn on July 8 before action switches to Tobago on July 15 and then back to Trinidad for other sessions on July 22 and 29.

Fenwick revealed that the young footballers will be assessed according to short passing, dribbling and control and a mental test.

According to reports, his body was discovered on Gail Street at about 11 am. Police believe Phillip’s killers first tried to abduct him and put him in the trunk. Phillip struggled, and was trying to escape, but the gunmen shot him multiple times and escaped.

Police are still trying to find a motive behind his murder. In 2011, Phillip surrendered to police with the help of a TV show host as police were looking for him in relation to gun and ammunition charges.

This game bowls off from 12 noon at Glenora Sports Club Ground, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain (opposite the Emperor Valley Zoo, close to the Hollows). An exciting final is expected with The Harvard bringing their supporters to help urge them on against a confident Police unit

“I felt (it) was a very close game,” said Lawrence, during the postgame media conference. “There were hardly any differences between both teams, especially in the first half. I think the altitude affected the tempo of the game. You could see both teams were struggling with it.

“But our individual errors (were) probably what cost us, losing possession, giving the ball away unnecessarily, which left ourselves exposed, and the US took advantage of it.” Midfielder Khaleem Hyland’s lapse in possession proved costly as the US capitalise to open the scoring, while captain Kenwyne Jones was guilty of a wayward pass on a counter which was pounced upon by the Americans, who got the ball to Pulisic to finish from close range.

According to Lawrence, “Everybody knows Christian Pulisic is a very good player. We were very aware of it. For both goals, we gave him the time to get in the (penalty) box and finish. But he’s a fantastic player.” Lawrence utilised a 3-4-2-1 formation during the game, with Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus and Mekeil Williams in the back, with Hyland, Kevan George, Joevin Jones and Carlos Edwards playing in front of them. Nathan Lewis and Kevin Molino played behind lone striker and captain Kenwyne Jones.

“The idea was that we needed to be safe in the back because the US play with two strikers, so I thought (of) playing with three centre-backs,” was his take on the back three system.

On the use of Lewis, the San Juan Jabloteh winger, Lawrence noted, “Over the period since he came over here, he’s showed good energy, good commitment and he’s done well. He played in the CFU Championships in Trinidad and I think he deserved (a chance). And he didn’t let me down.” Joevin Jones, who had a sub-par game on the left, was withdrawn in the 67th minute for striker Shahdon Winchester – TT ’s first substitution of the match. Lawrence explained that the decision was made to freshen up the team as Joevin arrived last to camp from the Seattle Sounders “so I think it would have been unfair to ask Joevin to play 90 minutes.” Asked about any positive aspects he took for Tuesday’s qualifier away to Costa Rica, Lawrence responded, “We understood what we wanted to do, up to a certain point.” Kenwyne Jones’ header, from his namesake Joevin’s cross in the 33rd, struck the bar while Lewis had a goal ruled for offside in the 54th.

“We were unlucky, Kenwyne hit the bar from a cross,” said Lawrence.

“I thought Nathan’s (offside) goal was very close, it could have gone either way.”