Dexter Skeene, chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, says he is proud of the recent effort of the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Team and by extension head coach Dennis Lawrence and his technical staff and the players and management.
Skeene, an ex-Trinidad and Tobago forward, said T&T’s historic 2-1 win over the United States on Tuesday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium in their closing World Cup 2018 Qualifier of the CONCACAF Hexagonal represents hope for the future of the twin-island republic.
Skeene, though, believes that Trinidad and Tobago can only realise its full potential through the dedication of all stakeholders. He urged that “we must all work together.”
“The Pro League through its players, coaches, management and by extension the clubs, makes a major contribution to the National effort,” Skeene added.
“Against the U.S. it was very rewarding to see nine players coming out of our local TT Pro League and performing credibly at the international level. It is clear the Pro League and by extension professional football is critical to the development of football and for Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for a World Cup on a regular basis. We at the Pro League are dedicated to do our part with Qatar 2022 now the focus.”
Skeene also thanked the clubs’ owners for making the financial investment and for being resolute, committed and for having the vision to understand the role of professional football.
Trinidad and Tobago finished bottom of the CONCACAF Hex, and though the Soca Warriors’ Road to Russia ended three Qualifying games ago – due to points -- Lawrence’s men had the last laugh.
Trinidad and Tobago’s win against the United States, combined with Honduras’ victory against Mexico (3-2) and Panama’s win over Costa Rica (2-1), saw the US dropped from third to fifth place in the Hexagonal and out of the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama qualified automatically for the World Cup 2018, while Honduras will face off against Australia in the intercontinental play-off next month.
Tuesday's win also represented the end of a 28-year-wait to exact revenge over the United States who needed just a draw -- just as T&T needed only a draw in 1989 to qualify for the Italy World Cup but lost 1-0 to the Americans/