"Sometimes we go all out and we put everything into our efforts on the field not considering the risks involved with injuries and jeopardising our personal health."
Those were the words from national senior defender Sheldon Bateau as he spoke about the recent injury to team captain Kenwyne Jones which was sustained in the recent friendly with Nicaragua. Jones has since been sidelined for two weeks but has began running again this week at Cardiff City club.
Bateau said it was now customary for the "Soca Warriors" to be all in when it comes to playing for the country and going above and beyond the call of duty when they take the field of play.
"Most people might question why Kenwyne went into that tackle and may say he should have been smarter about it. That's where our passion and dedication comes in because sometimes we make decisions or go into tackles that could end up jeopardising our individual health," Bateau said.
"Injury is not something that is on a player's mind because you want to give 100 percent and more especially if we are representing our country. We are not making excuses or trying to get pity because it's what we signed up for as footballers.
"I'd like to say that we are fully committed to the cause and whatever it takes from us as players to get right results going forward in this World Cup qualifying bid.
"I think every player puts on the national shirt with pride every single time and it's sweat, tears and bleeding red,white and black," said the Russian-based professional.
Bateau will join his teammates next week for a training camp leading up to the November 13 World Cup qualifier away to Guatemala before returning home to face the United States on November 17 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
Matouk says U-20 Women will get it right
National Under-20 women's player Maya Matouk rated this country's third place finish at the recent Caribbean Football Union Final Round Women's U-20 championship as satisfactory.
Matouk, who scored in T&T's opening win over Curacao, said: "Personally, I felt deep satisfaction when we placed third. It was crucial that we won this game against Puerto Rico. Although we entered the tournament with expectations of winning the final we were content securing a slot in the Concacaf round. As a team we were overjoyed to achieve this as we left our blood, sweat and tears out on the field."
T&T defeated Puerto Rico 4-3 on penalty kicks to win the third place playoff after both teams played to a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Looking ahead to the tournament in Honduras which will pit T&T against the likes of United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, the University of Tampa student said, "As a team we know we have rigorous training sessions ahead and we are already prepared to make sacrifices towards our journey to Honduras. About five of our players including myself reside abroad and will continue to train with our respective schools in order to be at our prime for the next round.
"I must say that the entire management team is always in contact with us and encourage us to keep on track with our training programme. We know we will face tougher teams but without a doubt Coach Jason Spence and the entire staff will continue to strengthen us on and off the field. We have an outstanding team that continues to grow and build and we will make Trinidad and Tobago proud."
Three teams from CONCACAF will qualify for the 2016 FIFA Under 20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
TTFA continues 'C' License courses
The T&T Football Association (TTFA), through its director of football, Kendall Walkes and his technical team, will continue its slate of 'C" License coaching courses from tomorrow.
Walkes and TTFA technical advisor Muhammad Isa will head to Mayaro Recreation Ground tomorrow for a three-day course starting at 5.30 pm on the opening day. On Saturday and Sunday the sessions begin at 9 am and runs until 5 pm.
The TTFA will shift to Biche Recreational Ground from November 20-2. Interested persons for the course in Biche can contact the TTFA at 623-9500.
"It's our final lme for 2015 and it's an exciting period for the young and upcoming coaches. We are focusing on raising the levels of many of the individuals who are involved in coaching at the youth and grassroots level and others who are interested in it," Walkes said.
"We have received a lot of interest from persons to expand their knowledge on coaching and this is vital for the development of the game at the lower levels and we are committed to bringing these opportunities to those who work within the various communities in the country."
Barcelona Beach team excited over T&T visit
Members of the Barcelona football team are raring ahead of the arrival in Tobago for the sixth annual Tobago Beach Soccer Championship at Turtle Beach, Heritage Park from November 13-15.
The Barcelona team will arrive in Tobago the week of the tournament and will conduct coaching clinics with youngsters and other aspiring beach football players.
"We are dedicated to bringing top class beach soccer to our shores with the finest international teams taking part in this high-performance event. It is therefore with great pleasure that we announce the participation of FC Barcelona Beach Soccer Team from Spain at this year's event.
This will be the first time this team will compete in the Caribbean and it is indeed an honour to host them," said President of the BagoSports Limited and the Beach Soccer of Association of T&T.
Some of the teams taking part for prize winnings amounting US$15,000 include Bienne Hatchets of Switzerland, Real Academy of Venezuela and Club Meta and Antioquia of Colombia.
"We are quite excited about this because several players who have featured for the national beach soccer team will be involved in this tournament and it will give them much needed match practice ahead of the Concacaf Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers," Lequay said.
Shaun Fuentes is the director of communications for the TTFA. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com