Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Anil Roberts was among those expressing congratulations to the T&T U-17 women’s team and staff on their victory against Chile in the opening match of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
“I want to say congratulations to the entire team, coaches technical director, Local Organising Committee and that T&T Football Federation, because this is the first time in history our beloved country has won a match at a Fifa tournament” Minister Roberts believes, however, that the team’s next encounter with Nigeria, which takes place tomorrow at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella from 7 pm, will be extremely critical.
“The Nigeria match will be the most critical one in their lives,” he said. Roberts joked that he is now worried based on the crowd turn-out at Sunday’s match, as, unlike the Hasely Crawford Stadium, which has a capacity of 27,000, the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, can only accommodate 10,000 spectators.
He urged citizens to support the team and just like in 2004 when the Soca Warriors qualified for the World Cup in Germany, citizens should wear red and place flags on their cars, in support of the team.
“I would like to commend the T&T footballing public, it was the largest crowd that has come out to view a female football match,” he said. “The Prime Minister and I will be there once again and I would like the whole country, to pay attention, wear red and put flags on their cars.”
Also speaking on the team’s performance was technical director of football, Lincoln Phillips, who is in Panama with the senior men’s team. Phillips expressed joy on the victory. “This is a big breakthrough in women’s football in T&T,” said the former national goal-keeper. “It means that our women’s programme is moving forward in a very positive manner.
It’s excellent, because we are developing our women at an earlier age.” Phillips said the victory will definitely make the game more popular among women and will increase the pool of players available for selection on national teams.
“It shows that our football is improving and it’s fantastic for the people who toiled with women’s football years ago when it was virtually nothing; Jamaal Shabazz, Janelle James, Ricarda Nelson, Marlon Charles and the others.”
Phillips also said T&T U-17 coach and technical director of women’s football, Even Pellerud, should be commended for his input into the programmes since his arrival 18 months ago.
“He (Pellerud) needs to get the praise for what he has done.” “He has also conducted his programme in a dignified manner, he is never insulting and a true professional, lots of foreign coaches come down here and are disrespectful to the local coaches, but he has never done that.”
Camps congratulates U-17 team on World Cup victory.
T&T Express Reports.
OLIVER CAMPS, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), has described Sunday's victory by the T&T Under-17 women's team "as a burst of hope for the nation".
Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Princesses secured a historic 2-1 win over Chile in their opening match of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The result was Trinidad and Tobago's first triumph, male or female, of any age group in a FIFA World Cup tournament.
"Despite the outcome of this tournament, this national Under-17 team will go down in history," said Camps in a message of congratulations. "These girls have secured a victory... they are now the only team from this country to achieve a victory at a World Cup tournament. I am proud of these girls and all they have accomplished thus far. I am certain that this is the beginning of a great future.
"The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation has reformed its women's programme, yesterday's victory gives us hope that we are on the right path. I wish these girls all the best in the journey to the final," he added.
"Football is a sport of unity and hope. We live in a time where hope can be lost so easily, this team has given us more than a victory. They have given us a burst of hope and renewed vigor.
Let us come out and support them on Wednesday at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium (versus Nigeria at 7 p.m.). We are the citizens of this nation, we are all part of the Red, White and Black army."
After tomorrow's game, Trinidad and Tobago will be in action again on Sunday against defending champions North Korea from 6 p.m. at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.