Yugoslavian-born coach, Zoran Vranes, has expressed his disappointment with the turn-out of player for the first two training session with the Under-23 (Olympic squad).
Vranes, who led T&T to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup Finals in Egypt last September where T&T gained its first ever point at a Fifa competition was appointed interim coach of the Under-23 squad.
Vranes was expected to have 33 players for the training sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva and Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar respectively.
However, on both days there were a number of players absent which has not gone down too well with Vranes and the other members of his technical staff which includes assistant coaches, Hutson “Barber” Charles and Anton Corneal, who also served as his deputies.
For Tuesday’s session, Secondary Schools Football League’s trio, Shahdon Winchester and Ryan Frederick, of Naparima, and El Dorado East Secondary’s Daneil Cyrus who played in the Coca-Cola Inter-Col on the same day were all excused by Vranes while six other players failed to show.
While the attendance improved Thursday, there was still too many absentees for Vranes’ liking. Contacted an upset Vranes said: “I’m not at all happy with the turn out.
If this is what they are doing with a chance to represent their country, what will happen when they get older?” The former T&T senior team coach and assistant said he understood with the Digicel Pro Bowl and FA competitions, some players who are involved may need some rest and this is a something he has to accept.
“I know its been a long season and they may be tired somewhat, but at the same time some of the other players from the same clubs are showing up for the practice sessions.”
Vranes is preparing the team for a three-match tour of Bermuda where they will play that country’s Under-23 team in two matches for the Bermuda Football Association Cup on December 28 and January 1.
T&T also faces top Bermuda club Devonshire Cougars on December 30. The Under-23 squad is expected to train again tomorrow, Thursday and Saturday with the venues still to be decided.
U-23s work out before Bermuda trip.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Trinidad and Tobago Under 23 coach Zoran Vranes talks about his team's readiness for a three-match tour of Bermuda later this month. Hear what he thinks of the post FIFA Under 20 World Cup period. He mentions the no-show of players such as Robert Primus and Shahdon Winchester without given reason. He says that US-based players back home over the holiday period will be looked at. Vranes also gives his impressions on the chances of home country Serbia at the 2010 World Cup Finals.
VIDEO - U-23s work out before Bermuda trip.