SEAN DE SILVA was happy to have featured in Trinidad and Tobago’s 6-0 crushing of St Vincent/Grenadines, in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONCACAF Zone Fourth Round Group C contest at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
This match was also significant for the 26-year-old, as it was his first official FIFA World Cup qualifying game for the twin-island republic.
De Silva was also eligible to play for either Guyana and Antigua/ Barbuda, even though he played three international friendly matches for T&T (at home to Panama in 2009 and Finland in 2012, and away to Jordan in 2015).
In a post-game interview, De Silva admitted, “it was fantastic, definitely a great honour. I had a great time getting out there.
“I was really excited,” he added.
“I definitely wanted to get in on the action. I was happy I was able to provide an assist.” It was also significant that De Silva was the only on e of the 14 players used by coach Stephen Hart during Tuesday’s match who still plays in the TT Pro League.
“It was definitely due to a lot of hard work,” he pointed out.
“I have my teammates and everyone back at Central FC also to thank, as well as coach Hart for giving me the opportunity to showcase myself amongst the team.” He also spoke about his involvement in the Warriors’ fifth goal against their overmatched opponents. “I just saw Caesar making the run and I knew he was quick enough,” said De Silva.
“I just put the ball in his path and he did the rest.” De Silva, who has spent the past fortnight with the national team, including their 2-2 draw away to Grenada in a friendly encounter on March 19, is relishing being a part of the set-up.
“It was a great honour when you get called up to play for the national team,” De Silva said.
“Seeing (as) I did it all through the youth programme, Under- 15 straight up to the national Under-20, even the Olympic team, I was really excited again to get back in the fold, to see what I can contribute to the team and help out in the campaign.” Now he will switch his attention back to the Pro League circuit with Central FC.
“I know we definitely want to win the League,” he said. “We want to win every trophy that we can, for the rest of the season, especially to regain our title as the Caribbean champions.
No team has every done that and I think it will be a great feat.”