US make Warriors job harder

DIRECTOR of Development at CONCACAF Richard Braithwaite is urging fans and supporters not to be despondent following last week’s defeat of Trinidad and Tobago by Costa Rica in the final round World Cup Qualifier in San Jose. The Warriors went down 2-0 — a result that has cast a shadow of doubt on the team’s chances of reaching Germany for the finals next year. But Braithwaite is urging all supporters of the national team to stand firm. “While the result may have been disappointing we are still in the race. It was never going to be easy playing Costa Rica in Costa Rica, especially on artificial surface,” Braithwaite said yesterday.

The football administrator also observed that the Guatemalans were able to pull off a surprise draw against an understrength United States team on Wednesday which has made the job of the Warriors much more difficult. There have been concerns expressed about the US fielding an understrength team for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign having already booked their tickets to Germany. According to Braithwaite the Trinidad and Tobago footballers still hold destiny in their hands, and must get three points from their next encounter against cellar placed Panama in that Central American country.

Trinidad and Tobago face the Panamanians at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City on October 8. They then come up against Mexico at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo four days later in a match they must also win to stay in contention. The Guatemalans who are on eight points will face Mexico in their next match while Costa Rica, who have 13 points will have to battle the US at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose. “I don’t expect Guatemala to get any points from the Mexicans, and therefore Trinidad and Tobago should be well into fourth position when we defeat Panama by the following round,” Braithwaite said.

This of course could mean that the final match will decide if Trinidad and Tobago go to the World Cup through the fourth place play-offs. Braithwaite who is also on the FIFA Technical Committee along with a number of top football administrators and former international footballers, noted that it is very important for Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the World Cup “The country needs a psychological lift,” he said. He feels that a berth in Germany will also cause the nation’s youths also to realise that they can accomplish great things once they are prepared to work hard.

He also praised skipper Dwight Yorke, describing him as an example of how self discipline and talent can overcome almost any of life’s obstacles. He said that Yorke continues to provide inspirational leadership to the young players on the team, while  midfielder Russell Latapy has added a touch of class. Braithwaite said that a team consisting of Yorke, Latapy, goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and David Nakhid, qualifying for the World Cup can be a reality. He feels that the quartet has added a lot to the team with their experience and self-confidence which have been a huge asset. Braithwaite reminded the youths that the only reason a 34-year-old Yorke can continue to run all over the field for 90 minutes is because he is supremely fit, and the only way one can attain that level of fitness is through rigid self-discipline and commitment.