Warriors start campaign tonight

WHEN Trinidad and Tobago take the field against Antigua/Barbuda in tonight’s Caribbean Football Union/CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7 pm, it will also mark the start of their campaign for World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Regional football boss Jack Austin Warner told this to the 18-man national squad at a luncheon at Royal Palm Hotel, Maraval, yesterday. In the opening match of the Group “B” series, Guadeloupe will play Cuba from 5 pm. Warner told the players: “The match is much more than qualifying for the Gold Cup.  It also means the commencement of the World Cup campaign.” And he urged the team: “Let’s not miss the boat this time.  We missed it in 1989 (qualifying series for Italia 90) under the NAR government and again in 1993  under another government.” He pointed out there will be a meeting on May 3 to decide whether CONCACAF will get four places in a World Cup finals of 36 teams or maintain the three and a half places they currently hold with 32  teams.

Warner told the players to play every match to win as if it is only three and a half places. “If ever a country needed to be unified, this country does, if ever a time for unification is needed that time is now, and therefore my plea to the national football team tomorrow (tonight) is you hold the future of your  country at your feet,” he said. Warner urged the footballers to recreate in TT the kind of fraternity, love, brotherliness that we are capable of and which we knew in the past. The 18-man squad was introduced to the media by coach Hannibal Najjar who indicated all his players are fit and ready to do their country proud tonight and throughout their three-match schedule. Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Roger Boynes called for the full support of football and said everybody in TT should come together to push football in this country.

He welcomed the ten overseas-based footballers and urged them: “Put out your best for your country.  Understand you are playing for Trinidad and Tobago. “Every team will be focused on beating you, We know that you are capable, we believe that you are capable.  We are behind you, Trinidad and Tobago as a whole will be backing you and we are looking for your support and your strength on the field.” He said government was working hand-in-hand with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation on a soon to be launched football development programme. Boynes also announced that Petrotrin has approved the granting of  a lease to the TTFF at Forest Reserve for the establishment of a national football training centre. He urged corporate citizens to come out and support football and asked them to look at Maritime General Insurance, who yesterday re-launched their Stryka International Fan Club, from which members can benefit from discounts on  tickets to matches and other amenities for a $50 club fee.