NO, MR ANANSEN!
THE EDITOR: The TT football manager has blamed our loss to Mexico on an injured goalkeeper Jack who was "unable to hold on to a cross ball" (goal #1) and "dived over the ball" (goal #2). Mr Anansen, you delude yourself. Both goals were scored by a team superior in both mid-field and attacking skills who was able to capitalise on a defence weary from 70-75 minutes of non-stop defence. To blame Jack is unfair and patronising. Both goals were consummated in the goal mouth where Jack was partially blinded. As an ex-goalkeeper who has played the game with some success at the highest local level, I can assure you that goalkeepers do not dive over balls, although it may appear so to onlookers. What actually happens is that the ball passes the keeper and is in the net before the keeper hits the ground from an unsuccessful dive. I have never met Mr Jack, but what I see is a strong, agile keeper with huge, solid hands who controls his turf with the kind of self-confidence required at this level of competition. Mr Anansen, take time to speak with Lincoln Phillips who I am sure will detail for you some of the misconceptions of the job of being the last line of defence against a relentlessly attacking offence. In the meantime, try not to "dive over" any strategies you may have on the drawing board. G HINKSON
via e-mail
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"NO, MR ANANSEN!"