***Today's local news***
Warriors, English in grudge match
TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Soca Warriors footballers play England today in a return of their epic 2006 World Cup clash in Nuremburg, Germany.
The match has been organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation to celebrate their 100th anniversary and is dubbed “A Score To Settle.”
Already the more than 23,000-seat Hasely Crawford Stadium at Mucurapo has been sold out and the accompanying promotional hype surrounding the star-studded England team has gripped the local fans.
And quite apart from the action on the field with pride at stake for both sides, the only second encounter between the former colonial masters and their crown colony has also been described as one of the most politically charged in recent memory.
Reports out of England claim that the English FA has agreed to the match because they hope to woo the support of FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for their 2018 World Cup bid.
They see the controversial Trinidadian, a leading opposition Parliamentarian, as central to their success since he controls a powerful block of votes as head of CONCACAF, the hemispheric football organisation. However, politics aside, Trinidad and Tobago, captained in this match by attacking midfielder Aurtis Whitley, have high expectations of reversing the 2-0 defeat they suffered two years ago.
Coach of the Soca Warriors, former Colombian defender Francisco Maturana has resisted the urge to grant sentimental cameos for the most celebrated footballer in local history, striker Dwight Yorke, and midfielder Russell Latapy, nicknamed “The Little Master” who both played a major role in the team’s qualification for the World Cup, the first in their country’s history.
Instead he has opted for a blend of several promising locally based players with their more experienced counterparts who ply their trade overseas.
They are among a squad of 18 players named for the match against England and the opening fixture of the CONCACAF qualifiers for 2010 World Cup campaign against Bermuda on June 15 at home.
The youngsters bidding to become the backbone of the team include Jamal Gay, Akeem Adams, Kareem Smith and Keon Daniel.
The England based professionals who are available include Trinidad and Tobago’s leading goalscorer Stern John, striker Kenwyne Jones though nursing a wrist injury, defender Dennis Lawrence and midfielder Carlos Edwards.
Since Dutchman Wim Rijsbergen, who took over from his countryman Leo Beenhakker after the World Cup, parted ways with the TTFF last year, Maturana has an enviable unbeaten streak with the Soca Warriors– winning three and drawing two matches on the trot.
Maturana hopes that the Soca Warriors can clinch their second straight berth at the World Cup this time in South Africa 2010.
The most recent victories were against Barbados, Jamaica and El Salvador and he is looking for another impressive note on his CV, a win against England.
The hopes of an unlikely upset by the home side have been fuelled by the fact that England’s Italian coach, Fabio Capello, has rested seven key players from his squad which defeated the US 2-0 in a friendly international on Wednesday at Wembley in London.
Missing are Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Wes Brown and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and John Terry.
But judging from the rapturous welcome football fans gave the young England outfit who attended their first training session on Friday, the stars would hardly be missed.
Getting the biggest cheers and most of the adulation was David Beckham, the former Manchester United star who plays for the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Going to be a late one over here, kick off is about 10:30 pm or something. Cant believe Beckham has been made captain for this, totally pointless. Hope to see some new blood after several players rested. Hopefully Dean Ashton will make his debut. I'll be pissed off it he sticks with Crouch and Defoe though I'm guessing CB will want to see Crouch at some point for a bit of revenge!
