Yorke injured out Japan friendly

Team coach Wim Rijsbergen who officially began his duties yesterday said that Yorke had sustained an injury in training with Sydney FC in Australia.

As a result the former Manchester United star striker will be unable to join the Soca Warriors in Tokyo for their first competitive outing since the World Cup Finals in Germany.

The squad leaves for Tokyo today and Rijsbergen said that a replacement will be named today for Yorke.

The Dutchman conducted his first training session with the Soca Warriors at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.

Rijsbergen had earlier watched a training match involving the national Under-16 team at UWI Ground, St Augustine with assistants Anton Corneal and Jan Van Deinsen.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium, he met the players for the first time since taking over from Leo Beenhakker and put them through their paces with Van Deinsen.

Corneal stayed with the Under-16s who are preparing for the upcoming Caribbean Football Union Youth Cup which kicks off on August 14 here with the hosts meeting Aruba.

Rijsbergen is hoping to build on the momentum established by the Soca Warriors at the World Cup Finals in Germany a month ago.

The Dutchman believes that there must be continuity by working hard with everyone involved — administrative, coaching staff, corporate sector and Government.

The former Dutch international defender held discussions in the company of TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner and General Secretary Richard Groden with the various coaches and managers attached the local Pro League teams at the CLICO Corporate Suite, Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain yesterday afternoon.

His intention is to get the PFL teams more involved in the preparation of the national teams from youth level up where training schedules and release of players are concerned.

And an understanding was reached between Rijsbergen on the TTFF’s side and the Pro League represented by Chief Executive Officer Dexter Skeene.

Fifteen of the 18 players selected on the squad to go to Japan are attached to Pro League teams with only Germany-based winger Evans Wise and Avery John of New England Revolution in the MLS based overseas.

Several of the other regular players were unavailable due to club commitments and the fact that the match is being played on a non-FIFA date.

As a result, Kendall Jagdeosingh, midfielder Stephan David, W Connection’s Andre Pacheco, Starworld’s goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and defender Clyde Leon will be lining up in TT colours for the first time in a senior international fixture.

“It’s important that we have the best possible relationship with all the parties involved because it makes the hard part easier in some ways,” Rijsbergen said.

“We need the Pro League players as you can see for this match and it’s a great chance for them to get the exposure at the international level and the players and clubs can all benefit.

“We will be looking at them and monitoring and trying to form a good base of players so that we can never be caught off guard. This will help us to be ready at all times and while the success in Germany was wonderful, the big part is for us to now ensure that we can build on it and it starts here,” Rijsbergen said.

The team departs Piarco Airport this afternoon with some players leaving for Miami, USA and others for London, England.

TT team: Marvin Phillip (Starworld Strikers), Jan Michael Williams (W Connection), Keyeno Thomas (Jabloteh), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Ian Gray (Jabloteh), Avery John (New England Revolution), Cyd Gray (Jabloteh), Aurtis Whitley (Jabloteh), Andre Pacheco (W Connection), Trent Noel (Jabloteh), Kendall Jagdeosingh (Caledonia AIA), Stephan David (Caledonia AIA) Clyde Leon (W Connection), Gary Glasgow (Joe Public), Evans Wise (unattached), Anthony Wolfe and Glenton Wolfe (Jabloteh), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC). Staff— Wim Rijsbergen (coach), Jan Van Deinsen (Assistant coach), Sam Phillip (Manager), Zeph Nicholas (Sports therapist), Wayne Lawson (Trainer), Ikin Williams (Equipment manager), Terrence Babwah (Doctor), Shaun Fuentes (Media Officer).