Many teams in the various confederations battle fiercely for a place in the finals of their elite competition.The Euro championships, Copa America, the AFC, the Asia Football championships and, of course, the Concacaf Gold Cup, are the main targets for the confederations, and the affiliated countries view qualification for these finals as an achievement in itself.With our prestigious Gold Cup tournament almost six weeks away, there is evidence that all the qualifiers are intensifying their efforts to reach maximum performance levels. Teams like Jamaica, USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica are even more committed to the World Cup qualifying matches which are scheduled for June 4 and 7.
T&T has the solitary challenge of the Gold Cup and a quick look at our history does not paint a picture of even marginal success, except for that great day when Bertille St Clair and his bunch of youngsters carved their path into the semifinals.Just so that we do not have to refer to our preparation when in hindsight, the present moment is appropriate for analysis of every movement by the technical staff of Hutson Charles and Jamaal Shabazz, both of whom have claims to bringing the squad into the position of facing the starter of the tournament.The names of the squad which will be travelling to Romania and Estonia will certainly have an exciting ring to the ears of many of the touring party, especially those who have not travelled this far into the soccer world of Europe.
They may all come to realise that the selection to travel with the team is not one quarter as important as the benefits which can be accrued from the experience of playing against teams which are very professional in their approach and often face some high profile opponents in order to survive.Both Charles and Shabazz have listed names for the journey towards New Jersey on July 6, and the test of their judgment must offer some guide as to what they are aiming in terms of team performance.We all hear of the comments from coaches as to why fans and observers do not qualify when it comes to choosing teams by the technical staff.
The absence of persons attending practice sessions is always a key reason for people like these to desist from commenting on the selected team.So, if you wish to witness any level of fairness in the selection process, then it is your duty to go out and see the training sessions. It will also place on the table the type of technical preparation which these teams undergo prior to major tournaments.With the number of overseas-based players in the list, it is clear that their presence is based upon the fact that they are playing in respected professional football countries, with a speculative thought that these players will have improved since they were last seen.
To accurately judge them as being better or worse than the locals will always incite some serious arguments.Personally, there are times when certain players who have crossed the seas to play in some moderate foreign countries, are not even among the best that play in the home league. But contacts by agents and high profile club owners turn them into prospects for national selection by just getting them to play abroad.To this point, the benefit of the coaches should be trusted, and these players will have to show to the people of this country, their ability to be key contributors to our national team.
It will be unfair to call names of players who do not deserve to be among the group, but it will be prudent to attend the sessions and make one's own analysis as to what team should travel to the USA in July.We need to cut out the customary habit of praising or criticising coaches without seeing them work. Now it is your time, and if you truly want success to our national teams, your presence and interest will make the demand which the coaches must feel from the country.
