English-based midfielder Andre Boucaud described Tuesday's 3�2 win over Curacao as one of his toughest encounters yet in competition for T&T.
He arrived from London on Sunday evening to join the T&T camp at the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay. He was given the starting nod by Stephen Hart and battled on for 90 minutes against Curacao.
Boucaud had to labour on for much of the second half as Curacao gave everything in search of an equaliser after Kevin Molino had given T&T a 3�2 lead in the 50th minute. Captain Kenwyne Jones had notched a first half double.
"This was definitely one of the hardest games I've played in a competition for T&T. We've had some really big games but this one was tough. Curacao just kept coming at us but we did well to hold them off," Boucaud said.
"We had a good start even though we conceded first and should have put away a few chances. But once they got leveled, they just got new life and made it really difficult for us. But it's good because we showed good character and I think now we can settle down and play some good football in the remaining games."
Waldrum eyescritical period
T&T women's senior team head coach Randy Waldrum knows fully that the next couple weeks leading up to the December 2 final Fifa World Cup playoff qualifier against Ecuador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo will be critical towards the chances of moving on.
Waldrum has intentions of putting the players through a fitness programme before resuming full preparations later in November.
"Everything we do from here is going to be critical. The girls will be working with a strength and conditioning coach and then we'll all be back on the training field to fine tune things in the build up to the game. We have not qualified as yet. Yes it was a great result for us in Ecuador to come away with a point under those circumstances but the door is still wide open for both teams," Waldrum said.
"Ecuador will feel they also have a great chance as do we. Staying focused and continuing to the right things with the right intentions is w," hat will make the difference for us."
Molino: "Man of the Match" no big deal
Kevin Molino was voted the "Man of the Match" by the Caribbean Football Union for his performance and winning goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Curacao in Montego Bay to kick off the Caribbean Cup Finals.
But the Orlando City player said it was just another accolade in his career as he focuses on other things.
"It's nice to get the Man of the Match but we have bigger things to focus on. The goal for me was just a normal piece of skill and a good finish. That is what I strive for every time I step on the pitch," Molino said.
"In training I strive for excellence and I try to take that into the game. But we are here on a mission which is to bring the Cup back home. And the Gold Cup is the next big thing for us before the World Cup Qualifiers start. This is all preparation for World Cup campaign towards 2018.
"The squad is growing under coach Hart and once we can get the right resources and support and keep building then we will be in good shape for the qualification. I believe our chances are as good as any but we cannot sit around and just think we can do it. We have to let the football show that."
Shaka lauds progress of women's team
Shaka Hislop believes the national women's team has been spurred on by adversity as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.
Hislop spoke to BBC as he summed up their recent exploits and the situation in Dallas which saw Randy Waldrum appeal for help through twitter.
"The situation gave a bit of a siege mentality," said Hislop. "It gave the girls real belief in their coach and how much he was fighting in their corner.
"The current administration inherited grave financial straits (since Raymond Tim Kee took over as president). They still have a lengthy list of creditors, a rising bill, and no corporate sponsorship so that's a challenge.
"The issue the women face is not unique to them. All the teams, including youth teams who have competed in various tournaments this year, have had to endure, and somehow make their way around.
"It would be a huge stride forward for the women's game," he said. "Until recently there was no women's league at all in Trinidad. Before that it was pretty much limited to wherever you can find a game with a boys team who maybe would have you.
"I have daughters who play soccer. I understand the importance of it not just as a spectacle but for the girls themselves and women's sport in a broader note. They have done a very good job in highlighting some of the issues and some of the values that comes with it."
Shaun Fuentes isthe director ofcommunicationsfor the TTFA � shaunfuentes@yahoo.com