Racing Genk midfielder Khaleem Hyland, who played alongside ailing T&T defender Akeem Adams at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt, says the defender's situation has left him and his teammates with a lot to think about.
“It’s frightening to see what has happened to him. We’re all footballers and we are in the environment that he was in every day. I was happy to hear when he joined the European ranks as another player from Trinidad and Tobago but what has happened is very sad. We’re all hoping he pulls through.
As players and individual we are shocked but it’s a wake up call as well because you realise that one moment you can be up and about and next moment something like this can set you back,” Hyland said.
And England-born midfielder Andre Boucaud, scorer of T&T’s third goal in the 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia last month, was upbeat ahead of Tuesday’s friendly international against New Zealand, eager to play again in front of the T&T fans.
Oceana FIFA 2014 World Cup group winners New Zealand is using the match against Trinidad and Tobago as warm-up for a November playoff in which they will tackle the fourth-placed CONCACAF qualifier for a spot in the 2014 Brazil World Cup. T&T play New Zealand from 7.15 p.m. on Tuesday at Hasely Crawford Stadium. Boucaud has appeared in national colours only once before at that venue in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Mexico in 2004.
“I remember that game because it was my first game in Trinidad and I’ve been excited about playing here again. I think Tuesday’s is going to be pretty special and obviously all the guys are up for the game. We want to give the pubic a good match and hopefully everyone can join in the effort to support local football and also Akeem Adams and his family during these tough times,” Boucaud told TTFA Media.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are due in tomorrow night and will train from 7 p.m. on Monday at Hasely Crawford Stadium, an hour after T&T runs out at the match venue.
The “All Whites” are in camp in Los Angeles and will play against Los Angeles club Chivas USA on Sunday, before jetting off to Port of Spain later that night.
Tickets for Tuesday's match are available at all Kenny’s Sports Shops, More Vino Woodbrook and San Fernando; All Out Sports Bar, Queen's Park Oval; Law 5 Sports Bar and Ramsingh’s Sportworld in Chaguanas; The Fan Club Movietowne PoS and Gulf City, Tobago FA Office, Fairfield Complex in Scarborough.
Tickets are priced at $100 (Covered), $75 (uncovered) and $125 (Akeem Adams Section). The TTFA is also introducing a new “Warrior Posse" drinks and snacks inclusive stand, for which there are limited tickets available at $200.
Fans wanting to be part of the Warrior Posse can access tickets at All Out Sports Bar, Queen’s Park Oval Lollabee Cellular (West Mall) and Simply Runway (Grand Bazaar) or contact 688-9819 for Central.
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