Joe Public Football club completed its two-match Brazil tour with a 5-0 defeat to top club Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro last weekend. But despite the heavy loss, the local team was able to catch the eye of Vice President of Spanish club Barcelona Sandro Rosselini who has invited them to his club for a training stint in April.
Rosselini saw the Eastern Lions in action as he also met with FIFA Vice President and Joe Public owner Jack Warner last weekend. Also meeting members of the Joe Public team were former FIFA President Joao Havelange, President of the Brazil FA, Ricardo Texeira and Finta boss Bertollini.
Joe Public, coached by former national goalkeeper Michael McComie were able to match the Brazilian powerhouse during the opening half as they went into the dressing room a goal behind after Brazilian 1994 World Cup team member Junior put the home team ahead with a 34th minute header.
But just as Public picked up the pace and seemed likely to pull a goal back, Flamengo got their second item in the 50th minute and then put the match out of Publics reach with further goals in the 58th, 80th and 85th minutes.
Joe Public went into the game after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to another Brazilian side Volta Redonda last week. The also suffered the loss of three players, with Hollis Brown and Terrance McAlister going off with shoulder injuries and Carlington Smith sustaining a fractured leg.
Throughout the three match series Joe Public was given kudos for its tremendous discipline and the President of Brazil's strongest Football Federation. President Marcos Polo of the Santos Football Federation, at a luncheon in honour of President Warner's visit, invited the local club to participate in Santos competition in 2006.
Coach McComie summed up the tour which cost Joe Public $350,000 as a great learning experience for the team managed by Sam Phillip.
I think the players have benefited tremendously from this trip. Despite the fact that we lost the games, we were able to learn quite a few things and hearing from persons like the Barcelona Vice President was an honour for all the players. This sort of experience is certain to benefit our players which in the long run will be a plus for football in our country as well, McComie said. Warner arrives back in Trinidad with the team this Thursday.
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