With September 2 approaching, T&T English-based midfielder Andre Boucaud is gearing himself for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
A draw will push T&T through to the Hexagonal round which begins in November but T&T faces the United States on September 6 and perfect results in both matches will see T&T top the semi final group ahead of the Americans.
"Yeah of course we'd love to top the group, like many people didn't expect us to come out of the Gold Cup group ahead of Mexico but for me, the main thing is getting the result against Guatemala to take us into the Hex," Boucaud said.
"Everyone knows how hard we've worked to get here and there's no way we can expect Guatemala to come home and make it easy for us because they have a good chance as well," he added.
"The last three games for us weren't pretty but I think once we come in with the best possible team again and we get the right build up then we can go into the Guatemala game at home knowing that it's ours for the taking. That is the kind of positive approach we must have, get the right result and then go to the US and try to finish the group on top.
"At the moment I'm getting myself ready for the new season ahead with Dagenham. We're into preseason now, working hard so by the time I come to Trinidad for the game I should be all fired up for it," Boucaud said.
T&T are on 10 points, three ahead of the US with Guatemala in third place with six points and St Vincent in the bottom place without a point. So far only Mexico has assured its place in the CONCACAF Final phase which begins in November. If T&T tops the semi-final group they will open the Final stage at home to Mexico.
Dempsey eyes T&T qualifier
Having completed their appearance at the Copa America Centenario, United States forward Clint Dempsey says that the next focus for the Americans is getting past T&T and securing their spot in the CONCACAF hexagonal.
T&T faces the US in Jacksonville on September 6 after hosting Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 7 pm on September 2. The US are on the road to St Vincent and the Grenadines that same day.
"We've got to look at these next two games," Dempsey said in the US this week. "You have to get results in these next two games. You can't look past it. We have to get the right results against St Vincent, against Trinidad if you we want to get to the hex. September is what it's all about."
He spoke about the pressure that he as a player faces when results are expected.
"I think you're always under fire, whether it's from the media or from the coaches," he said. "You always have to perform, and if you don't perform you're out. You always have to have that kind of mentality being in the hot seat and trying to keep pushing.
"Sometimes you're able to figure things out, and sometimes you maybe struggle a little bit, but you've got to keep pushing, keep fighting. I've always had that mentality."
Poon-Lewis joinsFranklin Pierce
National Under 20 men's goalkeeper Jadel Poon Lewis has joined Franklin Pierce University in the United States ahead of their upcoming season.
Poon-Lewis was in the T&T squad that topped its Caribbean preliminary phase a few weeks ago and will head into the CFU Final round in Curacao in October. He has joined Noam Kolakofsky of Israel, Jahkeem Hunt of Bermuda who will be part of the incoming class at Franklin. The university has also signed Niklas Laudahn of Dortmund, Germany. Franklin opens its season against Bridgeport on September 3rd. The university is located in New Hampshire.
Scotiabank keen onrelationship with TTFA
Peter Ghany, Director of the Scotiabank Foundation, has said that the recently launched partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association for its Grassroots Development program is hopefully the start of a longterm relationship with the local governing body.
The program me kicks off at the Cyd Gray Complex in Tobago next Wednesday and will run until August 19 at different venues across the country.
"Scotiabank is very proud to be part of this incredible grassroots program one of our main areas of focus is to work and develop programs like what you guys are doing,," Ghany said.
"We've spent the past few years working with kiddies cricket and we we've seen the incredible results coming out of that so we're very excited about what the TTFA is doing with this program especially going into the rural areas trying to reach kids who will most importantly get the opportunity to undergo such training," Ghany added.
"As you guys grow we would like to grow with you all. Talking to you today got us even more excited about what is needed to get kids interested in and excited about sport and getting them off the streets,' Ghany said.
The TTFA will stage clinics at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex and Canaan, Bon Accord in Tobago, Morvant/Laventille, the Eddie Hart Ground in Tacarigua, Ojo Road in Sangre Grande, Tabaquite Recreation Ground and Barrackpore Recreation Grounds.
Shaun Fuentes
Dir. of Communications
T&T Football Association
(868) 681 5429 (mobile) 623 9500 (office)
www.TTFootball.Org
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