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Update: Final Score Australia 2 vs T&T 1 (Jamal Gay own goal in 6th minute, Aaron Mooy, 45th, Juma Clarence for T&T in the 81st)
Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under 20 footballers will try to make the most of the opportunity to test their readiness for the upcoming FIFA Under 20 World Championship when they square off with Australia’s National Under 20 team in a training match at the Ayia Napa ground from 5pm (10am TT time) on Thursday.
The game will provide both teams with the chance to tune up for their upcoming games in Egypt with T&T taking on the hosts on September 24 in Alexandria and the young “Socceroos”taking on Czech Republic three days later. The boys from down under are also grouped with Costa Rica and Brazil.
For Thursday’s
game, Australia’s coach Jan Versleijen will choose his starting team
from his final World Cup 21-man squad which includes three players
with senior national team experience in Adelaide United defender Daniel
Mullen, AZ Alkmaar midfielder James Holland and Brisbane Roar forward
Mitch Nichols. The squad also features 15 domestic-based players and
six from overseas clubs, including Liverpool reserve team goalkeeper
Dean Bouzanis.
Sydney FC defender Sam Munro, defender Ryan McGowan of Scottish club
Hearts, Aston Villa defender Chris Herd and Bolton Wanderers forward
Aaron Mooy are also in the Aussies squad.
“The game will be a good test for us because any team who has qualified
for the World Cup like we have, will be coming with their best team and
trying their best to get ready for the tournament at this stage of the
preparations,” T&T head coach Zoran Vranes told TTFF Media on
Wednesday evening after an evening training session in Ayia Napa.
“Of course we expect the game to be a tough one because Australia will
be a strong team but this is the type of game we want right now to see
exactly where we are in terms of our preparations. The guys in our team
will also be ready for the game because right now they are very anxious
to play games. They are really looking forward to Egypt and they all
want the opportunity to step on to that playing field,” he said.
Versleijen added : “We have experienced a variety of opposition in
different conditions and locations which has helped in the development
of the players," said Versleijen. "Our recent tours to Europe and South
America have also given us valuable experience against the similar type
of opposition that we will face at the World Cup."
Note: The word "Ayia" (Agia) means "holy" in Greek. The word 'Napa' is
archaic and it means "wooded - valley". In ancient times the area
surrounding the town was covered with thick forest.
Ayia Napa is a resort in the far eastern end of the south coast of the
island of Cyprus, famous for its sandy beaches. According to local
legend, the now renowned original icon was accidentally discovered by a
hunter in hot pursuit of his prey. Upon discovery, the icon of Virgin
Mary was called Virgin Mary of Napa, eventually shortened and now know
as Ayia Napa. The present monastery, built in 1500, was built around
the cave, in honour of the Virgin Mary of Ayia Napa. According to local
tradition, until 1790 no-one lived within close vicinity of Ayia Napa.
The first inhabitants who actually appeared and settled were twenty men
from Salonica,Greece, and so began the village of Ayia Napa. (Shaun Fuentes in Lanarca, Sept 17,2009).
TTFF Statement Re Under 20 trio
The Management staff of the Trinidad and Tobago National Under 20 team, on behalf of the TTFF, wishes to address the statements made by ex-National Team captain and former national team assistant coach Clayton Morris in Wednesday’s Guardian in reference to the team’s handling of players Trent Lougheed, Jevon Morris and Nicholas Walker. The trio did not make the final cut of 22 players to travel to Cyprus and Egypt for the FIFA Under 20 World Championship after being in the squad for previous training camps in England and Turkey.
Head Coach Zoran Vranes in the first instance requested three extra players travel out of Port of Spain last month and his wish was granted by the TTFF. But he later spoke of the difficult task of having to cut players at this stage of the preparations.
“It’s always one of the hardest things that a coach has to do. No coach wants to cut players but only a certain number of players can make up a team and travel for a tournament. They all worked hard towards that and it is unfortunate that they did not make the final team. We will ensure that these players are monitored and considered for future national teams and matches,” Vranes said.
After relaying to the players that they would not be in the squad of twenty two, the management staff decided that assistant coach Anton Corneal was sent ahead with three players to London ahead of their return flight to Port of Spain. They were all checked in at the Hilton Hotel for their overnight stay and each player was given a per diem of USD100, an addition to their allowance for the previous days of the overseas camp.
All players were also allowed to maintain possession of their kit bags, training uniforms , track and lounge suits as well as their casual wear, contrary to claims made by Morris who is the uncle of Jevon Morris
Corneal said it was disappointing that such statements be made in the media after he ensured the players were well taken care of prior to their return to Trinidad.
“It was disappointing but the good thing about it is that these players have been part of a maturing process so where as in the past we may have had players crying for the chance to stay on with national teams, these three handled it well even though there was the obvious case of disappointment. We were all disappointed that they had to leave us,” Corneal said.
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