Intensive programme for TT footballers

DURING THEIR week-long stay in Antigua, the national senior football team would be subjected to an intensive programme, under the watchful eyes of coach Bertille St Clair. An official close to the team, who declined to be identified, noted that “it’s going to be a fairly intensive programme and a lot of hard work at the training camp.” The squad is currently preparing for Sunday’s Digicel Cup Third Round first leg clash against St Vincent at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. “On the morning of the 10th, we’ll leave for a five-day camp in Antigua,” said the source. “The coach has already developed a schedule and it would be quite a lot of work including training sessions — morning and evening on every day.”

There are a few warm-up games planned in Antigua, with the team training in the morning and playing on the afternoons. “We expect (technical consultant) Graham Taylor and (assistant coach) David Nakhid to be there at the training camp and they’ll be working under coach St Clair during the period,” continued the official. The return leg would be held in St Vincent on January 16 following which, “we’ll be back on the 17 to prepare for Azerbaijan (for two friendly internationals) on the 21st and 23rd.” The TT lads have been involved in two week-long camps, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva and now at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna. “The turnout has been great,” noted the official. “The coach has taken a very systematic approach to the training sessions.” He continued, “it has been a lot of hard work but the players have responded well to it.

Some of the senior players like Anthony Rougier, Cornell Glen, Gary Glasgow have also been in the thick of things and that augurs well for the team.” Wingbacks Avery John and Cyd Gray, as well as striker Jerren Nixon are both on the mend after suffering recent injuries while Glasgow, who has made a full recovery from a leg injury against Guatemala, is expected to take to the field on Sunday. A number of US-based college players, including Darryl Roberts, Osei Telesford, Abede Fernandez, Anthony Noreiga and Stephen Cruickshank, have also been involved in the training sessions.

The official noted that “the coach has asked Alvin Corneal to assist him in terms of scouting players and doing some of the technical analysis of some of the players and Alvin has been very helpful in that regard.” Corneal, a former national player and coach, is also a member of the FIFA Technical Committee. The official added: “the coach has also asked him to some analysis of the US team and some of the opposing teams and he has done the reports and handed them up to the coach.” Trinidad and Tobago will face the USA, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and Honduras in the World Cup 2006 CONCACAF Final Round Qualification from February 9 to October 12.