The past two weeks have been seemingly bitter for the followers of footballers in this country, mainly because the national team’s failure to qualify for the Gold Cup tournament next year.
The ease in which some players made simple errors and with such regularity, left me with the feeling that they did not see this function as one which would provide a solid base for our future matches in the world Cup qualifying.
Its about winning and losing, but its even more important about developing a very cohesive form of football where players work for each other and prepare for a battle which win matches.
I suppose that there will be those who can make a claim for the local pro league stars being tired after what appeared to be an extremely hectic schedule. There will be others who will wish to provide their expert assessment and criticise the selection process.
Any reason given for failure can be made to sound logical and when some of these same players were performing well for their clubs, they turn up with the national colours on their back and bring nothing but atrocious mistakes, especially in the opponents penalty area, then the problems are magnetised.
Coach Francisco Maturana, from reports, had indicated that his team made too many mistakes and they paid for their efforts.
Surely, this will not satisfy the fans, whose only desire is to win every match, especially against teams like Grenada and Barbados, both of whom do not have a great record against T&T.
Thankfully, I have been able to avoid any reactionary approach and tried to understand the reasons for failure, based strictly upon what showed up on the field.
It was clear that the absence of playing regularly as a team will have deprived the players from developing a sense of understanding, which was apparent against opponents who, though inferior in our eyes, had been able to utilise their useful players to become more of a force than expected.
Maybe we forgot some of the impressive performances of Grenada and Barbados in recent times. I distinctly recall the Grenadians against the USA some two years ago, when they did all but defeat the Yanks on a wet field in St Georges. They went on more recently to defeat Jamaica at the “Office” in Kingston.
I wonder if these players failed to take stock of their opponent and operated as though it was a fait acomplit, knowing that our records over the years against them were outstanding and possibly overwhelming.
This type of performance also lent value to those who believe that the current bunchof players are not good enough to replace the foreign stars, despite age.
One could have been challenged to make that analysis for a moment. But then, what about the rollercoaster ride the foreign-based stars took us against Bermuda at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, causing a desperate situation to develop in our trek to South Africa 2010.
In taking an overview of this present scenario, maybe one key factor was the selection process in recent months, where over 34 players were used and very little was achieved.
Personally, I do not believe that we have thirty four international players in our country’s present football scene. I have had the opportunity to witness several matches in the pro league and I have often wondered what these guys were doing at practice sessions.
The basic techniques were way below standard and their understanding of the game seemed woefully short of international standard.
So why are we expecting these same players to be brought into a higher level of the game and play any different.
We could criticise all we wish, we can decry the ability of the coaching staff, we can make utterances which reflect disgust, but this game is not magical.
It is based upon dedication, commitment, good attitudes, self discipline, and the use of God given talents.
Those requirements seem to be more than these players are prepared to contribute.
Believe me, the task is far from finished. The greater challenge is ahead. Players have to start looking firmly into the mirror in order to see their problems.
Surely, the coaching staff know that they will always have to share the brunt of the blame. That is normal, especially here is T&T where firing a coach seems to act as a solution to all the problems.
The higher authorities have pledged to solve the issues in that area in due course.
Winning the Gold Cup should always be high on our priority list, if only because our chance of entering the Confederations cup depends upon that success.
Unfortunately, the placing of this competition should be more discreetly done, allowing a full national team to participate.
My optimism for an improved state of play in the world Cup qualifying is different from my realistic view of what to expect. But I will join all who are focused upon that smooth ride to South Africa 2010.