THE Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 footballers, dubbed “Team 2001”, begin their great adventure from 1 p.m. today when they face Croatia in the opening game of the 2001 Fifa Under-17 World Championship at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
And Team 2001 coach Rene Simoes is asking his young players to “suffer with self-control” as they prepare for an early onslaught from their European opponents.
“Of course, the other team has a bit more quality than us now,” said Simoes yesterday. “We have to suffer the pressure they are going to give us at the start of the game. And then try to surprise them at any moment of the game.”
Team 2001 had a light session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8 a.m. yesterday instead of the scheduled 1 p.m.
That, Simoes explained, would ensure that his players have at least 24 hours to recover from their exertions in the final practice.
Striker Nkosi Blackman, playmaker Devon Leacock and back-up custodian Jan-Michael Williams all participated in the session and have been declared fit after struggling with niggling injuries over the past few weeks.
But Simoes must await a decision from the team doctor, Anyl Gopeesingh, before knowing whether he can select lanky stopper Kenwyne Jones, who is recovering from a strained thigh muscle.
“Jones is recovered but not totally,” said Simoes. “We will make a decision tonight (last night). He is my best defender. I need him.”
The Croatians, according to Simoes, should start with a 3-5-2 formation and attack quickly, particularly down their right flank.
At T&T’s session yesterday, he instructed his reserves to copy the Europeans as he worked on possible counters.
Simoes is particularly wary of Croatian number 10 midfielder Niko Kranjcar—pronounced Kran-jar—who he rates as their best player and has decided to close-mark the budding talent.
Kranjcar is already a first team player with famous Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb and is considered to be among Europe’s most talented teenagers.
Croatian coach Martin Novoselac stressed that his squad was a collective one which was not built around any individual.
Still, he could not help but wax lyrical about his team's leader.
“He is an extraordinary talent,” said Novoselac, who spoke through translator and team manager, Mladen Ivancic. “He should at least be the same as (national football legend Zvonimir) Boban or greater...He is definitely our strongest player.”
In contrast to their hosts, the Croatian team spent yesterday perusing at the Emperor Valley Zoo and relaxing at the Crowne Plaza hotel.
Novoselac explained that he wants his charges to remain fresh for today’s match and to be able to take the field with as little tension as possible.
He described their game against Team 2001 as “just another match in their young careers”, but admitted that the opening clash was crucial to their eventual finish.
“It is always important to win the first game,” said Novoselac. “Psychologically and to give you safeness in your remaining group matches.”
The Croatians claimed they were not allowed to prepare on the stadium surface by Fifa because of the rainy weather and were also a bit put off by the local heat and humidity.
But Simoes had no qualms about asking local fans to make things even hotter for his guests.
He repeated his request that supporters cheer for Team 2001 throughout the contest and jeer their opponents when they are on the ball.
“In football, if you dream to be in the world stage you have to behave like that,” said Simoes. “When they blow the whistle, boo the referee, boo the opponents. Before the game, treat them very nice and after the game.
“Don’t throw anything on the field, don’t attack anybody, don’t show any discrimination. Boo them and clap your hands for your team.
“It is a very civilised way to cheer for the team.”
He admitted, though, he was still uncertain about how his own team would react against Croatia due to their lack of competitive games.
“We never played any competition so we don’t know how they will behave in the competition,” he said. “The great players know how to deal with the adrenaline rush in the blood system without losing composure. The (team) psychologist has addressed that and I hope they learn by listening and experience.”
Team 2001 are only the second T&T squad to play in a Fifa championship after the “Soca Babes”, who qualified for the 1991 Portugal Under-20 World Cup.
The ’91 team, led by the precocious talents of Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, who then represented Aston Villa, failed to win a match or score a goal in their three group games.
They fell 2-0 in their opening match to Australia and went on to 6-0 and 4-0 defeats against Egypt and Russia.
From 1 p.m. today, Team 2001 captain Roderick Anthony and his teammates will attempt to surpass them.