Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 Women’s football team coach Jamaal Shabazz stated that the team will not be overawed by the challenge that they will face at the CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round Qualifiers, scheduled for Guatemala from January 20-30.
Shabazz was speaking at a media briefing at Concacaf, Port of Spain on Friday when it was also revealed that Senior Team player Maylee Attin-Johnson has been appointed as manager of the Under 20 team.
TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner also spoke of his feelings on the progress of the women's program while Director of Women's Football Even Pellerud gave an insight on the Under 17 team's preparations for the 2010 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in September.
The Trinidad and Tobago squad left on Tuesday for Costa Rica, where they will face the hosts in two warm-up matches before moving to the neighbouring Central American nation.
Team arrive in Costa Rica without Warrick, Belgrave.
Ambassador Sandra Honore of the Trinidad & Tobago Embassy in Costa Rica along with her executive assistant Candace Shade were on hand to greet the T&T Under 20 Women's team after they exited the flight at San Jose at 9.55pm (TT time)Tuesday night.
After briefly greeting the entourage the team was whisked away to the Diocesan de Pastoral Centro in Alajuela where they will stay until Friday night.
T&T U-20 Women was scheduled to meet the Costa Rica U-20's who are the Central American champions in the first of two warm up encounters at the Costa Rica FIFA Goal Project late yesterday evening.
The T&T staff had to contend with two further setbacks on the eve of their departure to Costa Rica. The withdrawal of foreign based players, key defender Rhea Belgrave and talented striker Shanelle Warrick.
Belgrave withdrew to focus on visa issues with the United States Embassy while Warrick withdrew for personal reasons. Warrick had been herself a replacement for midfielder Kareena Seaton who was forced to withdraw when her school Concordia College in New Jersey refused her the time off from classes.
Commenting on the situation Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz stated: "These are challenges and while we are disappointed with the withdrawals both players have since been replaced by two players who themselves were working very hard and are eager for the opportunity to step in and step up.
"We have to focus on who are here and who are ready to give of their best and commit themselves to the task, we sympathize with those who cannot be here but cannot lose sight of the reality which is we have to fight on without them.
Joe public's defender Sharice Arthur and Jabloteh's midfielder Jenele "Maga" Kissoon has been drafted into the team as replacements for Belgrave and Warrick.
Regarding the two warm up matches against Costa Rica, Shabazz added: "These two games will answer a lot of questions regarding our preparation thus far and with one week to work after will give us a chance to improve on what we may identify as potential strengths and weak areas in our game."
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Shabazz ahead of U20 Women's Qualifiers
Pellerud talks about Women's program for 2010 and Under 20's chances in Guatemala