T&T U-20 Men face Vincey Heat in opener

T&T U-20 Men face Vincey Heat in opener

This country’s Men’s Under 20 Team will take on St Vincent and the Grenadines in its opening match ofthe Concacaf Men’s Championship qualifiers on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 7:00pm.

The game will follow the opening match of a double header which will see Canada facing Dominica from 4:00pm. Admission is $50 at the Venue.

US-based midfielder Jeremiah Cateau said this week that T&T has unfinished business as they prepare to play in the Under-20 Concacaf Championship qualifiers, which kicks off on Friday.

Cateau, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia said he is excited to be a part of the national team again. Speaking to TTFA media, the midfielder said, “For me, it is nothing short of a blessing to be here again after being with the Under-17s. It’s just another dream come true.

I am hoping I can help this country, help this team as much as I can, do our badge proud, do this country proud.”

Many of the Under-20 players were part of the 2023 Concacaf Men’s U-17 Championship held one year ago in Guatemala.

Cateau said the Under-20s feel like a family as many players know each other.

“It’s almost like we had a trial run with the Under-17s. It’s good to get the experience to meet the guys. These guys have become like my brothers. We speak every day, every week, so to be here again obviously it is a blessing, but it feels like we want revenge from last time. We feel like we fell short, but we can go all the way this time with this team.”

Cateau said he wants to make his family in T&T proud. “My mother, my father, definitely my family in Valencia. These people have never been able to see me play throughout my career so now that I am here…it means the world to me that they could finally see me on such a big stage.”

Cateau, who also has family connections in Diego Martin and Barataria, said TT will approach the tournament one match at a time.

“I love our chances, but as coach Brian (Haynes) has stressed to us we want to take it one game at a time. We don’t want to look forward at all. We want to take on St Vincent, then we will worry about Dominica, then we will worry about Canada.”

TT U20 football coach: We must beat St Vincent – No disrespect

Trinidad and Tobago under-20 men’s football coach Brian Haynes says his team’s main focus ahead of this month’s Concacaf under-20 championship qualifiers is their opening game against St Vincent and Grenadines (SVG), at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on February 23.

TT are placed with Dominica, SVG and group favourites Canada in group D. Only the group winner will advance to this year’s Concacaf under-20 championship, to join the five other group winners from the qualifiers and the region’s six highest-ranked under-20 teams: US, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Haynes said his team will have no room for mistakes once the qualifying campaign begins.

“We are preparing for the first game. That is it. Nothing means anything unless we play that first game and do what we have to do to win that game,” Haynes told TT Football Association (TTFA) media at a training session on Thursday.

“No disrespect to St Vincent or whoever we are going to play, but that is our focus – winning that first game.”

After their opening game against SVG, the young Soca Warriors play Dominica on February 25, before ending the group with a meeting against Canada on February 27. All group D games will be played at the Mucurapo venue.

Haynes admitted to knowing little about TT’s opponents.

“(We have not been able to get much information on other teams), which is fine. It is really quiet out there.

“It makes me more determined to prepare my team the way we have to play.”

On Wednesday, Haynes’ 21-man squad for the qualifiers was announced, with seven foreign-based players being included. The team also features 11 members from coach Shawn Cooper’s TT team which competed at last year’s Concacaf under-17 championship. The foreign-based players include goalkeeper Ailan Panton, striker Larry Noel, attacking midfielder Derrel Garcia and English-born flanker Rio Cardines, a Crystal Palace youth player.

Haynes said the inclusion of the foreign-based talent has raised the intensity of the squad.

“The level of professionalism is one thing, and the level of play is another thing. The body of work these guys bring to the group is awesome,” Haynes said.

“They are not here to be casual. They are here working hard and giving their best. What it has done is lift the level of all the players.”

Haynes said the process of trimming his squad was a difficult one and he likened the feeling to “getting rid of kids you own.”

He said the players were gutted to be released from the final squad, but he assured them of their significance in getting the team to their current level.

Haynes promised “possession-oriented” football with a purpose and he said it was imperative for his team to keep clean sheets in the qualifiers as they have a competent defensive group.

“(The fans) are going to meet a bunch of players who are very hard-working. Second of all, they are going to meet a bunch of players who play for each other.

“Thirdly and most importantly, (the fans will see) a team that wants to win and entertain TT.”