Both Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica already eliminated from the CONCACAF men’s U-23 Olympic games and a fight for pride was at stake as T&T manage to over come the Reggae Boyz 2-1 to salvage some pride from its un-successful run to qualify for the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.
This was the only victory for Trinidad and Tobago, with two defeats coming against Mexico and Costa Rica respectively, whereas Jamaica lost its three encounters in the group.
Trinidad and Tobago won by 2-1 to Jamaica, Scott Sealy the American based striker netting the first item in the 4th minute of the game, Jamaica then equalize through former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Keith Kelly in the 74th minute before former Perugia midfielder Silvio Reinaldo Spann score the winner from the penalty spot, the captain made no mistake from the spot kick in the 85th minute to seal victory for the Warriors as T&T grab 3rd in group B.
In other group B action, leaders Costa Rica and host Mexico battled to a dull 1-1 tie to complete the group as both Costa Rica and Mexico have already qualified for the semifinals of the 2004 CONCACAF Men’s Under-23 Pre-Olympic Tournament out of group B.
Jamaica 1 - 2 Trinidad & Tobago.
Keith Kelly (74) Scott Sealy (4)
Silvio Spann (85)
Teams:
1 Richard McCallum 1 Jan Michael Williams
4 Tryone Sawyers 4 Ronald Primus
5 Bradley Thomas 5 Kenwyne Jones
6 Wayne Ellis 6 Nigel Daniel
7 Demar Phillips 10 Kerry Baptiste
16 Christopher Harvey 16 Devon Caseman
20 Omar Daley (capt) 8 Silvio Spann (capt)
31 Khari Stephenson 20 Anthony Noreiga
19 Garfield Reid 12 Michael Celestine
11 Damion Williams 11 Kendall Davis
24 Nicholas Addlery 15 Scott Sealy
Substitutes:
10 R Dean for K Stephenson (35) 18 J Marcano for S Sealy (58)
8 K Kelly for N Addlery (61) 2 E Charles for D Caseman (62)
14 D Breakenridge for C Harvey (78) 13 C Leon for K Davis (73)
Game Type: 2004 CONCACAF men’s Under-23 Olympic Qualification.
Final Group B Standings:
Teams - P W D L F A PTS.
Costa Rica 3 2 1 0 8 1 7
Mexico 3 2 1 0 8 2 7
Trinidad/Tobago 3 1 0 2 3 8 3
Jamaica 3 0 0 3 1 9 0
Charles-Fevrier laments lack of preparations.
By Nigel Simon.
Lack of proper preparations was as one of the main reasons why the Under-23 footballers failed to qualify for this year’s Athens, Greece Olympic Games.
The T&T players, under head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, finished third in Group B behind semi-final qualifiers Costa Rica and Mexico in the final round of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament.
In their three Group matches, T&T went under 1-3 and 0-4 to Mexico and Costa Rica respectively before edging out Caribbean rivals Jamaica 2-1 in its final match at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara on Friday last.
Charles-Fevrier who returned with the squad on Monday said he left here with the objective of trying to qualify for the Olympic Games.
“I always knew our opponents, especially Mexico and Costa Rica, were ahead of us in terms of preparations, but I still felt optimistic about our chances. Having gone through the tournament, I must say that our players gave everything they had.”
Charles-Fevrier said the most difficult thing for the guys was breathing during the matches, mainly the first two which were very intense.
“In the first two matches we were able to hold our own until the final 20 minutes when fatigue stepped in.
“The tournament showed the team needed more time to prepare before the tournament, and if this was done, I feel we would have achieved our goals.”
Asked to comment on the unavailability of Collin Samuel of Scottish Premier League club Dundee United, Charles-Fevrier it was a big disappointment.
“All the other teams in the tournament had their top players and a full roster of 20, while we had to do with 19.
“We were told at first, it was VISA problems, then there was no flight available to get him into Mexico, so we had to cope with what we had.”
While T&T failed to reach the final stage, the St Lucian-born is hopeful of staying on as coach of the Under-23 team.
He is expected to meet with a committee comprising Raymond Tim Kee (T&TFF senior vice president), Richard Groden, (general secretary) and special adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to discuss his future coaching relationship with the federation.
“I’m contracted to the federation and will like to stay on in accordance with my contract, ended Charles-Fevrier.
Silvio Spann gets CONCACAF Honourable Mention !
CONCACAF has unveiled today, in Guadalajara, Mexico, the 2004 CONCACAF Men’s Under-23 Pre-Olympic Qualification All-Tournament Team.
The All-Tournament Team was selected by the CONCACAF Technical Study Group and features the “Best XI” along with seven Honourable Mentions.
Adrián De Lemos of Costa Rica was selected as the goalkeeper in the tournament’s Best XI, while the three-man backline includes Aarón Galindo, Francisco Rodríguez of Mexico and Michael Umaña of Costa Rica.
The midfield’s Best XI is composed of Bobby Convey (USA), José Luis López (CRC), Diego Martínez (MEX), Luis Ernesto Pérez (MEX), while the forwards are Landon Donovan (USA), Rafael Márquez Lugo (MEX) and Emil Martínez (HON).
The All-Tournament Team ends with seven players receiving honourable mentions: goalkeeper – Andrew Olivieri (CAN); defender – Felipe Baloy (PAN); midfielders – Keith Kelly (JAM), Silvio Spann (TRI); forward – José Luis Garces (PAN), Jerry Palacios (HON), Erick Scott (CRC).
2004 CONCACAF Men’s Pre-Olympic Qualification All-Tournament Team.
Best XI:
GK: Adrián DE LEMOS (CRC);
DF: Aarón GALINDO (MEX), Francisco RODRÍGUEZ (MEX), Michael UMAÑA (CRC);
MD: Bobby CONVEY (USA), José Luis LÓPEZ (CRC), Diego MARTÍNEZ (MEX), Luis Ernesto PÉREZ (MEX);
AT: Landon DONOVAN (USA), Rafael MÁRQUEZ LUGO (MEX), Emil MARTÍNEZ (HON).
Honourable Mentions:
GK: Andrew OLIVIERI (CAN);
DF: Felipe BALOY (PAN);
MD: Keith KELLY (JAM), Silvio SPANN (TRI);
AT: José Luis GARCES (PAN), Jerry PALACIOS (HON), Erick SCOTT (CRC).