Trinidad and Tobago’s National Men’s senior team will kickstart their preparations for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a friendly international clash with Peru’s Senior Team at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Wednesday February 6th, 2013.
Tickets have been priced at TT$ 100 all seating and kids Under 16 free. These tickets will go on sale next week at locations to be announced shortly.
President of the TTFF Raymond Tim Kee disclosed the friendly international against Peru, stating that they will travel with several of their overseas-based players including top Bayern Munich marksman Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan of Schalke FC.
T&T meantime has recalled Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, Ipswich Town’s Carlos Edwards, Racing Genk’s Khaleem Hyland, Turkish based forward Darryl Roberts, Iran-based former Aston Villa defender Jlloyd Samuel and DC United’s Nick De Leon who is also eligible to play for the US but has not made his debut for USA nor T&T. Vancouver Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell is also among the players invited.
Co-head coaches Hutson Charles and Jamaal Shabazz are both out of the country but will return this weekend and will call a home-based squad to begin training next week. Shabazz is in Turkey while Charles an technical director Anton Corneal are both in Costa Rica observing T&T’s possible Gold Cup opponents at the Central American qualifiers.
Tim Kee disclosed that following meetings Ministry officials , the Ministry of Tourism will assist in funding for the international fixture to the tune of just under TT$500,000.
Tim Kee also spoke on other matters including his meeting with FIFA President Sepp Blatter concerning his new portfolio with the TTFF and the request for assistance to meet payments owed to thirteen of this country’s 2006 World Cup squad.
He announced also that three former National stalwarts in Everald Cummings, Leroy De Leon and Selris Figaro have been included in the Federation’s Technical Committee and they will serve in an advisory position to TTFF Technical Director Anton Corneal.
The TTFF President also revealed that former national team manager Richard Braithwaite is currently spearheading a committee which also includes Osmond Downer and Gwenwyn Cust, that is working on a TTFF Constitutional Reform and this will be subsequently reviewed for approval by the TTFF Executive Committee.
More on Tim Kee’s comments on the issue regarding outstanding payments to the 13 2006 players can be seen on TTFF’s Youtube channel later tonight.
Peru Overseas players for friendly international vs T&T - 1. Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich / Germany),
2. Jefferson Farfán (Schalke 04 / Germany),
3. Carlos Zambrano (Eintracht Frankfurt / Germany) ,
4. Rinaldo Cruzado (Chievo Verona / Italy),
5. Alberto Rodriguez (Rio Ave / Portugal),
6. Paolo Hurtado (Pacos de Ferreira / Portugal),
7. André Carrillo (Sporting Lisbon / Portugal),
8. Luis Ramirez (Ponte Preta / Brazil),
9. Raúl Fernández (FC Dallas / USA),
10. Juan Carlos Mariño (Queretaro / Mexico),
11. Paolo Guerrero (Corinthians / Brazil).