In the face of concerns about the country’s talent pool in football, national coach Dwight Yorke has expressed confidence that his players can take us to the World Cup in 2026, which will be staged in the Concacaf region by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
His comment came after a seven-day live-in camp at the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva, which ended in a 1-0 win over T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) campaigner Defence Force a week ago at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima.
The team, expectedly, was not at its best as Yorke explained in a video used to wrap up the camp, saying the Army Coast-Guard Combination team dominated the proceeding for the most part in both halves, however, he urged players to live by what they were taught at the camp when they go back to their respective clubs etc.
Tier 1 of the TTPFL kicks off next Friday (December 6) with a doubleheader at the Phase II Recreation Ground in La Horquetta, featuring a battle of the service teams—Defence Force and Miscellaneous Police FC at 5 pm, with Caledonia AIA and Terminex La Horquetta Rangers squaring off in the later game at 7 pm.
Yorke urged his charges not to go back to their clubs and just fit in, but rather show that they are national players.
“I talked about building on what Angus Eve started and Derek King as well. As a staff, we expect discipline, dedication, and attitude, all of which I consider to be an image of me in many respects. ‘You are the national team and you are the best players in the country’, and that comes with a certain amount of responsibility.
“There is no doubt in my mind that you have the ability and the talent to take us to where we want to go, but it’s our job now to put those pieces together. What I will say is that in the future things will change in some aspects. When we select the players in the future you must ensure that you are very much part of that,” Yorke said.
“What I will also say is that though you may not be part of the team going forward, the door is not shot either. When you leave here and you go back to represent your clubs, make sure that they know that you’re a national player, and the only way you do that is by setting standards, how you train and how you carry about yourself. Being on time, being an example for all, being that difference-maker.”
Yorke, surrounded by his staff members—assistant coaches Derek King, Russell Latapy and England’s Neil Wood, with Australia’s Anthony Crea as the strength and conditioning coach, told the players that they shouldn’t go back and just fit in.
Saying the experience garnered over the seven days should be a form of valuable experience for them, he urged his charges not to take that experience for granted.
“We have eyes on the ground, we would know where you are. I’ve always said if you’re good we will find you so don’t give us any excuse to not be in this team.”
Yorke’s team could face his first international test next month with matches against Qatar and Saudi Arabia being arranged. The Soca Warriors will face Cuba in two matches in the preliminaries of the Concacaf Gold Cup in March next year before they face St Kitts & Nevis in the World Cup Qualifiers here at home in June.
