Carnival workout for Warriors

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s football team is anticipating a tough match against Iceland in their friendly international in London, England on Carnival Tuesday (February 28). The match was finalised through the efforts of FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, Special Advisor to the TT Football Federation and agreed to by head coach Leo Beenhakker. It should pose the Soca Warriors with an opposition of technical strength as the Iceland team  comprises players from the English Premiership and German Bundesliga. Well-known among them is Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjonsen who, according to TTFF International Relations Consultant Mike Berry is likely to be in the line-up on February 28.

Also known for their talent are midfielder Gylfi Einarsson of Leeds United, Fulham striker Heidar Helguson, Emil Hallfredsson who is contracted with Tottenham Hotspur but on loan with Swedens’ Malmo FF and defenders Solvi Geir Ottesen and  Kari Arnason both of Swedish club champions Djurgaarden. Also expected to play against TT are Charlton Athletic defender Hermann Hreidarsson, Brynjar B Gunnarsson of Reading FC and Johannes K Gudjonsson of Leicester FC, formerly of Spain’s Real Betis. “A lot of people will underestimate TT in Germany at their peril and we should also not underestimate Iceland for our first friendly warm-up match,” Berry told TTFF Media. “They are a very strong side with some excellent players who ply their trade in the top leagues of Europe,” he said.

“Their style of play is similar to Sweden where many Icelandic players have developed and have  become very successful so it will be a good work-out for our boys particularly as they (Iceland) will be trying very hard to impress their new coach who will be making his debut in this fixture,” Berry said. “Leo was delighted to get this fixture confirmed thanks to the special relationship with Jack Warner and the President of the Icelandic FA who are very good friends,” said Berry. Meanwhile Falkirk FC, thanks to a letter from Beenhakker, have been successful in their appeal for a work permit for national midfielder Densill Theobald. The young man from Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain is now expected to go through with his contract with the Scottish Premier League club.

Falkirk won the appeal yesterday after the initial application was turned down earlier this month. Theobald’s deal came through the efforts of midfielder Russell Latapy who is also an assistant coach with Falkirk. Latapy and the club management sought the assistance of Beenhakker, team captain Dwight Yorke and experienced West Ham United goalie Shaka Hislop in submitting references for the appeal. “I must be thankful to all of them for helping me through this process. Finally I will have the chance now to go through with the deal,” Theobald said.

“When Russell called me today I was nervous at first but then he told me the news and I was a relieved man. I’m hoping that I can now go across there and settle into the team and take things from there,” said Theobald who narrowly missed on the desired number of appearances in the initial application for the permit. The Caledonia AIA Fire player is expected to head off to Falkirk next week. “It took a lot of hard work to get him but he comes at a right good age,” said Falkirk manager John Hughes. Falkirk had also been trying to get player Anthony Wolfe over to Falkirk but negotiations there are expected to be on hold as he may experience more work permit problems having not been in a regular in the national team.