Jack pleased with TT W/Cup draw

Plans are being orchestrated  to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago’s preparations for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers are intensified over the next few months leading up to the opening match in June.

Following Friday’s draw in Frankfurt, Germany, TT now await the winners of the Anguilla versus Dominican Republic tie. Once TT get by the second round, a place in the semi-final stage will be booked. TT could then end up alongside Mexico and Barbados, who face either St Kitts/Nevis or US Virgin Islands, and St Vincent and the Grenadines who play Nicaragua. FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, also special adviser to the TTFF was optimistic on Friday following the draw which he said sets up an exciting campaign for CONCACAF. He also said he felt TT had been blessed with a fortunate draw.

“My home country, Trinidad and Tobago has been fortunate. I called friends and family back home and the whole country is very happy with this draw and excited about the upcoming matches,” said Warner. “We will meet the winner of the match between Dominican Republic and Anguilla and we’ll take it from there. But if we win this key match, it is very likely that we’ll face Mexico. And if we progress to the last stage, which I strongly hope, we might play them again. “And I’m positive that we’ll make something out of the four matches against the Tricolores,” added the CONCACAF President. “On an overall basis, this is a very exciting draw for CONCACAF. Thanks to the new format there are simply no ‘dead matches.’ Each and every match will count and this should lead to spectacular encounters, more so than in any other zone,” he said.

Warner along with the TTFF have already began to put measures in place for TT’s preparation programme. Through his efforts, a friendly international against Zambia has been arranged to take place in Northampton, England some time after February. This came about following Warner’s initiatives which included meetings with Northampton Town chairman David Cardoza and Chief Executive Officer Peter Miller, who once served as marketing chief of the TTFF. Warner is also initiating measures to assist the TT Olympic team as well as other relevant matters.

“Arrangements are there for International Friendly Matches to be  hosted at Sixfields Stadium, Northampton,” Miller said. “It was proposed that Mr  Warner would arrange suitable marketable matches against international opposition. Matches would be arranged in line with the FIFA international calendar. These matches would be Full Internationals and selection of playing squads would be mindful of budgets,” Miller added. Through related commercial activities, Miller and Northampton will seek to have the majority of TT’s expenses covered and there are also plans to develop a programme between the TTFF and the University of Northampton whereby students will have access to scholarships inclusive of both education and football development. Mention was also made of possible international matches against Northern Ireland who are  scheduled to visit the Caribbean during the first half of 2004.