T&T Under-20 footballers preparing for the upcoming final Concacaf qualification round of the 2009 Fifa World Youth Cup bowed 1-3 to Honduras in a warm-up match on Carnival Tuesday at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago. Playing an under-strength team, the local youngsters made three silly mistakes in losing the match.“I did not expect anything special because we knew that the guys would not be ready mentally,” stated coach Zoran Vranes, of Yugoslavia.
T&T dominated the match after the goal but unfortunately lost focus and conceded two goals in two minutes (75th and 77th). “We were dominating when we made two more silly mistakes because of mental and physical tiredness,” said Vranes. “We did not have enough time to rest having arrived in Tobago around lunch time to play at 3.30 pm. It was very hot. Of course, it is not an excuse.” “I expect a much better performance ,and a much better result, in the second match. We are going to be ready with regards to mental preparation and will be physically in much better condition.”
The second match against Honduras will be contested today at the same venue, from 4 pm. Admission to the game is free. The local youngsters will also be engaged in back-to-back matches against El Salvador’s Under-20 team on Saturday and Monday, also at Dwight Yorke Stadium. T&T opens its Concacaf final round qualification against Canada on March 7 at the Marvin Lee Stadium. It will face Costa Rica on March 9 and Mexico two days later at the same venue. The top two teams from the group will advance to Fifa World Championship in Egypt September 23-October 18.
El Salvador is also contesting the final round of qualification but is grouped alongside United States and Jamaica. Honduras will meet St Vincent/Grenadines in a one-match playoff on Monday at the Marvin Lee Stadium to determine the final spot for Group A alongside El Salvador, USA and Jamaica.