Midfielder Densill Theobald has been recalled to the National Senior Team after being added as the 19th player to the roster for Thursday’s friendly international against Netherlands Antilles.
Theobald, captain of the Team for much of the 2007 period, had not worn national colours since the 0-0 draw with Guadeloupe on Ash Wednesday but head coach Francisco Maturana explained to the former Falkirk player on Monday that he intended to have him in the team’s plans for upcoming World Cup qualifying action.
But this did not occur until both individuals held a discussion.
Theobald revealed that he only recently found out that the reason for his non-selection since February was due to Maturana’s displeasure over his handing over of the captain’s armband to Stern John mere moments before the kick off of the game versus Guadeloupe at the Queen’s Park Oval without the coach’s (Maturana’s) approval.
“It’s only over the past few days I found out that the coach was a bit unhappy with something that I did before the Guadeloupe game and I hold my hands up for it. I went into the game as captain of the team and this was something that he and the other coaches agreed upon and I took it upon myself to give it to another player before the game without telling the management. He (Maturana) was not happy about that and it dragged on to me not being involved in the recent games.
“But I went to him after I found this out and I felt it was the right thing to apologize for my mistake. We had a very good chat. Like every good coach I think he has his discipline measures he wants followed by the players and he explained this to me. We spoke about a lot of things including his thoughts on the current team and how he intends to go about preparing the team for the matches coming up,” Theobald told TTFF Media.
The Caledonia AIA player admitted that he was delighted over his recall for Thursday’s match which has been shifted to the Marvin Lee Stadium.
“Like any player getting a recall, one will also be happy about that and I am feeling really pleased right now. I never got worried over not making the team because I kept the faith. Now it’s down to me to live up to the call and repay the coach for this opportunity he is giving me. All the players really have to grab the opportunities being given to them at this stage.
The ex-Hungary-based professional also described the returning of Dwight Yorke and other players as a boost to the squad.
“I think Dwight (Yorke) and some of the other players from the (2006) World Cup squad coming back into the team is a plus for us right now. Dwight made a big difference last time and I believe he can make another big contribution again. Having players like him, Stern John and some of the other experienced ones mixing with the younger players can only help the team improve and be ready for the type of matches we will have to play in the round coming up,” Theobald added.
Thursday’s game has been shifted from Guaracara Park back to the Marvin Lee Stadium after inclement weather prevented ground work from being done at the Point-a-Pierre venue. Initially the game had been scheduled for the South venue and not the Marvin Lee in order to accommodate excessive use by four National Under 17 Women’s Teams (T&T, USA, Costa Rica and El Salvador) for training sessions and matches later this week. Since last week training sessions have been taking place at the Macoya venue and matches commence on Friday with a double header. But alternative arrangements will now be made to accommodate Thursday’s friendly international against the Dutch-speaking team which arrives in the country on Wednesday. Kick off time remains at 7:30pm.
In related news, CONCACAF President Jack Warner arrived in Curacao on Tuesday for the launch of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup and CFU logo at the Marriot on Wednesday. The CFU President will also meet with the Executive Committee of the Netherlands Antilles Football Association as part of his 40-nation CONCACAF tour..