National Senior Team Football coach Leo Beenhakker has given a mandate that all players selected for this country’s next 2006 World Cup qualifier at home to Guatemala must report to camp by August 30.
The Dutchman made it clear that there must be no set backs in the preparations for the match which is a must win one for the “Warriors” after last Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the Americans.
From all indications, it appears Beenhakker will recall all the overseas pros who were in the squad to face the USA, with the exception of the suspended Dennis Lawrence and midfielder Carlos Edwards will also make the trip. Lawrence remains in contention for the following match away to Costa Rica on September 7. Beenhakker is now aware that Edwards did in fact play minutes for Luton Town’s Reserves on Tuesday, a couple days after being ruled unfit to play in the World Cup qualifier. Beenhakker definitely wants access to all available players for September 3. August 30 is a day after several of the pros are scheduled to play for their clubs and falls within the five-day stipulation on the FIFA calendar.
“Please know to yourselves now that if we are to realize this ambition and write history, to go there next year will be a hell of a job but it is still in our own hands. But what we have done up to now is not enough. You cannot be successful in international football if you play for only 45 minutes. I don’t know if you agree with me,” Beenhakker said with a stern low pitch as he addressed the players the night following the match at the Sheraton Hotel before the overseas pros headed back to their respective destinations and the local contingent departed at 4am for Port of Spain.
“But I will tell you once more, these guys (Americans) run like hell and they run with blood in their shoes and that is why they play these games like this and that’s the difference. And it’s the same difference as when you play Mexico and they play with a lot of temperament and even Panama and Costa Rica. They are prepared to die for a good result. Why do we always need twenty or thirty minutes to get into a game,” Beenhakker said to Dwight Yorke and the rest of the team.
“It was a game of the same. They were no different in the second half compared to the first half. But we were better in the second half but it was too late. It was an open game with even ten guys. Just play it more with the effort and the passion. So please take this with you in your luggage and think it over and realize that we still have it in our hands. It’s not only the coach's responsibility, yes it is my responsibility, but to realize it you also have to take up part of the responsibility and be very well prepared in physical and mental way.
“Play with your heart and play with your soul. Play for your country and play for your country and your family.
“The only thing you have to give to yourself, and to the team, your teammates is be prepared for these next two matches like never before. Our responsibility (as coaches) will be in a technical way, looking for the best team to do it. The substitutes did well for us because it’s not easy to enter into such a game. But that’s what you have to bring in your luggage. And if you are not sufficiently interested in playing your football life, playing the entire game with blood in your shoes then please just tell me and stay away. Don’t only play only for 45 minutes or 60 minutes. Hopefully this is the big lesson we learn in this game. With all my respect, these guys were only better because they played with everything they had.
“I will accept the errors and whatever else but we need you to bring back with you a prepared and opened mind and a good physical body. You must play every game from now on like it’s a final match, every game must be 95 minutes for us. You have to play them with everything you have. You have some doubt that you can bring that to your team, your federation, your country, then please be honest with us,” Beenhakker ended.
For training with the local-based players on Tuesday, Beenhakker has called : Atiba Charles (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Aurtis Whitley, Daurance Williams, Cyd Gray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA Fire), Anthony Wolfe, Glenton Wolfe (National Quarries North East Stars), Anton Pierre (Defence Force), Gary Glasgow, Marlon Rojas and Brent Rahim.