Hart, TTFA to meet on Molino issue

Molino was omitted from the TT squad for the match against Martinique in Tuesday’s Caribbean Cup Third Round Group Four qualifier for breaking team curfew last week. To add insult to injury, TT lost to Martinique 0-2 and will have to enter a playoff round in November to qualify for the Gold Cup. TT were however ousted from the Caribbean Cup qualifying after reaching the last final and losing to Jamaica.

This is the second time Molino has found himself in trouble with the TT management in the past six weeks. Days before the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Molino, Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams were punished for breaking camp to attend a boat ride on August 30.

Hart admitted his displeasure with Molino but said discussions will be held. “Of course I am disappointed but I prefer to sit down with the president (of the TT FA, David John-Williams) and submit my written report and then we can decide how we go about talking about this.” On Snapchat on Wednesday, Molino said he was taking a yearlong break from international football but the Orlando City midfielder has made no official statement on his decision.

Hart has another headache with the status of captain Kenwyne Jones unclear following an injury during the Martinique game which forced him to be subbed off.

Jones left the field after 15 minutes against Martinique after suffering a right leg injury but Hart said he will need to look at the medical report before he determines how serious the injury is. “I have not had a medical report as yet because he has to have scans and we got in pretty late yesterday (Wednesday) so I presume when we get the results of the scans we would know more, but as you could see it was enough that he could not continue in the game.” Hart said he is hoping the squad can bounce back before the World Cup qualifiers resume next month. “We have some injury issues but hopefully there is enough time for everybody to be fit and back into playing because that is what is important and I am sure we will bounce back from that game.” The World Cup qualifiers next month are in close proximity to the Gold Cup qualifiers and Hart is hoping that the Caribbean Football Union can reschedule the dates so the national team can prepare properly for both sets of qualifiers.