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Football/Soccer - Haitians National Team guard their hand...whip WASA Football Club 3-0
Haitians National Team guard their hand...whip WASA Football Club 3-0
Source: Trinidadexpress.com
Friday, January 5th 2007
LUIS GARCIA AMELIO, the Haitian national football team head coach, smiled deceptively, then said it was a secret, when asked if the unimpressive bunch which beat WASA Football Club 3-0 at St Joseph on Wednesday was his best squad.
With the likes of key defender Pierre Bruny not in Wednesday's squad, Amelio's reaction indicated he may yet have an ace or two hidden away.
Amelio is confident Haiti will emerge the best second-placed Caribbean qualifier and so book a place in the January 12-23 Digicel Caribbean Cup. They play Bermuda in a two-leg qualifier on Sunday (4 p.m.) and Tuesday (5 p.m.), at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
The Haitian coach said, if successful Haiti will remain in Trinidad until the start  of the Digicel Caribbean Cup on January 12. Once they beat Bermuda, Haiti will be grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique and Barbados in the Sedley Joseph group of the Caribbean competition. Cuba, Guadeloupe, Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines contest the Bobby Sookram group.
Among those taking in Wednesday's action was CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh's English coach Terry Fenwick, who has his own interest in scouting the Haitian national team. Fenwick is eager to see how many of the Haitian national footballers will be in the Haitian club side Baltimore Sportif who tackle Jabloteh in a Caribbean Club Championship semi-final match on January 26 in Trinidad.
Under golden sunshine at St Joseph on Wednesday afternoon, Haiti produced little inventiveness and mostly struggled to break down the semi-pro National Super League WASA team, who had not kicked a ball since their FA Trophy upset of North East Stars almost three weeks ago. Still, Amelio was satisfied with the work done by the team he put onto the field.
"They did a good job today," the Haitian coach said of his players. "It was important for them to play good football and also not get injured."
On the field, there appeared little gap between the Haitians and their hosts for the first 35 minutes of the match. But then, striker Alexander Boucicant, wearing the #10 jersey, got between defenders Kien Hernandez and Mervyn Brooks and toed the ball into the WASA goal.
WASA had their moments in the first half. Darin Lewis looked particularly dangerous on the right flank before over-hitting his attempt to find a free teammate in the six-yard box.
Haiti doubled their lead in the 52nd minute through an own goal by Hernandez, who re-directed Gilles Darius' wayward shot past WASA goalkeeper Douglas McNeily.
Ironically, just before scoring that goal the Haitians were short a man when referee Gary Andrews sent off Frantz Gilles after he made a dangerous two-footed tackle. Haiti extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 73rd minute through substitute Jean Baptiste Fritzon, whose low diving header sent the ball into the WASA goal from six metres out.
National team defender Cyd Gray, coming off a relatively successful 2006 campaign in which he played in two World Cup matches, has vowed not to turn his back on representing this country.
Gray was speaking yesterday, a day after meeting with CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh head coach Terry Fenwick over his availability for the Digicel Caribbean Cup starting January 12 against Barbados.
Jabloteh had earlier asked for their players to be excused from the ongoing training at the Ato Boldon Stadium because of their hectic recent season. However, Gray has revealed that he wanted play for T&T but has been asked by the club to sit out the tournament as their Caribbean club Championship matches resume two days after the scheduled final of the Digicel Cup.
"Actually I had a meeting with the coach yesterday telling him that I wanted to play in the Digicel Cup but if the club says it's not a FIFA tournament and they are paying my wages then I have to abide by their decision," Gray told TTFF Media.
"We will not be joining the team for the Digicel Cup," a disappointed Gray said.
Other Jabloteh players invited for the tournament were Aurtis Whitley, Daurance Williams, Kerry Baptiste.Trent Noel, Jason Marcano, Anthony Wolfe, Glenton Wolfe, Marcelle Francois, Nigel Daniel, Keyeno Thomas and Ian Gray.
However, the matter is an ongoing one and time may tell what further development takes place.
"Every time Trinidad and Tobago has an international game I look forward to playing once I am called up. I just don't want to retire and walk away from the national team," Gray added. "As for now, I am looking forward to staying fit and continuing the good work of the 2006 season. The club has the Caribbean Club Championship and then the CONCACAF Finals and my goal is to do well there and I also want to be involved in the Gold Cup," he said.
Meantime, head coach Wim Rijsbergen is scheduled to return to Trinidad today and is expected to name a final 20-man squad to move into a live-in camp before the Digicel Cup opener against Barbados on January 12 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
In other Digicel action, with the withdrawal of the Dominican Republic, the following is the playoff schedule for Haiti and Bermuda:
Haiti vs Bermuda, Ato Boldon Stadium, 4pm, January 7, 2007
Bermuda vs Haiti, Ato Boldon Stadium, 5pm January 9, 2007.
Trinidad and Tobago head coach Wim Rijsbergen has selected a 21-man squad to challenge for the 2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup which this country opens on January 12 against Barbados at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Following the commencement of training with a squad of 41 players last month, Rijsbergen, along with assistant coaches Anton Corneal, Jan Van Deinsen and Brian Williams, carried out sessions before the Dutchman finalised his squad which is minus 12 players from CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh who were initially invited for training but were barred by their club from being available for the tournament due to their Caribbean Club Championship commitments.
The more experienced players in the current squad are Densill Theobald, who lined up for the Soca Warriors at the 2006 World Cup, Kansas City Wizards striker Scott Sealy, Joe Public striker Gary Glasgow and former Real Salt Lake midfielder Leslie Fitzpatrick.
The other players in the squad are relatively new to the international stage with ten players getting a first call to the national team for competition on the international stage. Those ten players are Seon Power, Christian Baptiste, Abiola Clarence, Kwame Wiltshire, Hayden Tinto, Keeron Benito, Yohance Marshall, Makan Hislop, Osei Telesford and Joel Bailey. Both Hislop and Tinto represented T&T at the Under 20 level while Benito is also a past national youth player. Power had stints with the national under-17 team of 2001. Telesford and forward Darryl Roberts were in the mix for the Miami training camp under Leo Beenhakker last January leading up the World Cup. Telesford, formerly of Joe Public, has shown great promise and was named US Premier Development League "Defender of the Year" for 2006. Roberts, meanwhile, who was in the squad for T&T's opening 2006 World Cup qualifier against Dominican Republic, is in his final year at Liberty and is the third all time highest scorer there.
The others, like Anthony Noreiga and Dwayne Jack, have limited international experience, while goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip are also relatively new to the international stage. Kerwyn Jemmot earns a recall following a lay off and an inconsistent run of form in the past in national colours.
Sealy feels it is important that players like himself, Theobald and Glasgow lead by example.
"I think in the past few weeks we got to see new faces who are willing to step up and fight for the place. The tournament is going to be interesting because we have a bunch of new guys who have never played at this level and so it will be very interesting to see who can step up," the former St Mary's
College player told TTFF Media Officer Shaun Fuentes, yesterday.
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T&T Digicel Cup squad:
Jan Michael Williams, Nicholson Thomas (W Connection), Marvin Phillip (Starworld Strikers), Seon Power, Gary Glasgow (Joe Public), Makan Hislop (University of South Carolina), Yohance Marshall (University of South Florida) Osei Telesford, Darryl Roberts (Liberty University), Abiola Clarence (University of Incarnate Word), Keeron Benito (University of Tampa), Anthony Noreiga (unattached), Dwayne Jack, Kwame Wiltshire (Tobago United), Densill Theobald, Hayden Tinto (Caledonia AIA), Kerwyn Jemmot (Superstar Rangers), Christian Baptiste (Defence Force), Joel Bailey (Montreal Impact), Leslie Fitzpatrick (unattached), Scott Sealy (Kansas City Wizards)
La Sélection nationale de football a pris l?avion le 27 décembre pour Port of Spain où elle a établi son quartier général en vue des deux matchs de barrage qu?elle doit livrer contre les Îles Bermudes les 7 et 9 janvier prochains. Ce n?est que le lendemain du départ qu?il a été annoncé par une voix autorisée de la FHF que la République dominicaine a déclaré forfait.
En effet, Haïti, la RD et les Bermudes avaient tous les trois terminé troisième de leurs groupes éliminatoires respectifs en deuxième phase de la Digicel Cup en novembre de l?année dernière et sont obligés de passer par des barrages pour accéder à la phase finale de ladite compétition, qualificative elle-même à la Gold Cup, équivalente nord-américaine, centre-américaine et caribéenne de la Coupe d?Europe des Nations, la Coupe d?Afrique des Nations ou la Copa America.
Dans le même temps, Cuba, Martinique, Barbade, Guadeloupe, Guyane, Saint Vincent avaient terminé, soit en première position, soit en deuxième, ce qui leur donnait droit de rejoindre directement Trinidad et Tobago qualifié d?office en tant que siège du tournoi.
Après l?échec de novembre (défaites contre Cuba et Martinique) la FHF a procédé au remplacement de Carlo Marcelin par l?entraîneur cubain Luis Armelio Garcia qui a entamé la préparation dès le 7 décembre, le lendemain de sa présentation à la presse. Pour éviter que les sélectionnés ne se dispersent dans les festivités de fin d?année, monsieur Garcia avait exigé qu?ils soient emmenés à Port of Spain dès le 27 décembre. La surprise demeure la non-sélection de Sony Alcénat, (Ti Ga) nouvelle coque- luche des stades haïtiens. Le Cubain lui reprocherait trop de déchets dans son jeu technique et peu de participation aux tâches défensives. Vu que les matchs de barrage et l?éventuelle phase finale courront du 7 au 23 janvier, deux semaines non incluses dans le calendrier Fifa des matchs internationaux, Jean-Jacques Pierre du F.C de Nantes ne pouvait être disponible. Aucune explication n?a été fournie sur l?absence de Jamil Jean-Jacques (Miami F.C, 2e division américaine). En revanche, Stéphane Guillaume (Miami), Rudy Lormera, qui vit aux USA, Fabrice Noël (Colorado ), Josué Mayard (Notoden de Norvège) font partie du groupe. Frantz Gilles, le vieux briscard léoganais, a été rappelé alors que le public conteste souvent sa présence en sélection.
Les dix jours de présence à Port of Spain permettent aux partenaires de Pierre Richard Bruny de jouer deux matchs de préparation contre des formations trinidadiennes et s?adapter au nouvel environnement : les Haïtiens ont gagné le premier par 3 à 1, deux réalisations d?Éliphène Cadet et une de Fritzson Jean-Baptiste. Il est fort possible que le deuxième match de préparation ait lieu ce 5 janvier, 48 heures avant le premier affrontement haïtiano-bermudien.
En cas de qualification aux dépens des Bermudes, Haïti intégrera le groupe de Trinidad , Martinique, Barbade. L?autre groupe est composé de Cuba, Guadeloupe, Guyane et Saint Vincent. Le tournoi se déroulera du 13 au 23 janvier.
Profile of Bermuda National Team: Opportunity abounds for recalled players
Profile of Bermuda National Team: Opportunity abounds for recalled players
With Haiti unable to win any of its last five matches, Bermuda is in good position to advance to the final round of the Digicel Carib Cup. If recent history is anything to go by, Bermuda stand a great chance of moving on if they score - in the team's last 10 matches, they haven't been beaten as long as they put one in the back of the net.
Bermuda national team assistant coach Paul Scope profiles the players that hope to bring home glory.
Nigel Burgess
Hamilton Parish, goalkeeper
4 caps, 0 goals
Nigel will claim the #1 spot in Timmy Figureido's enforced absence, if he can shake off a heavy cold that has prevented him from training this week.
Nigel has always played well for his country when called upon and he deserves his chance.
Jason Williams
North Village, goalkeeper
2 caps, 0 goals
Jason was called up as soon as we knew Timmy would be suspended and he has trained very well and consistently. We know he will be a reliable stopper if needed.
Kevin Richards
PHC, defender
9 Caps, 0 goals
The London-based defender will once again cross the Atlantic and play a key role for Bermuda.
His overlapping and all around aggressive play often sets the tempo for us and he normally wins his match-up, whoever he is playing against. Has the versatility to play central defender also.
Meshach Wade
Somerset, defender
25 caps, 6 goals
A very experienced ex-pro who has regained his fitness and drive at Somerset this year.
He has the ability to play at a very high level and is a very important addition to the squad with his ex-Hereford colleague, Kentoine, not quite making it. Meshach has the capability of playing in midfield also, which increases our options despite being only allowed a total of 18 players for the two games v Haiti
Kris Frick
Somerset, defender
1 cap, 0 goals
Kris has come back from a successful college season at Adelphi to boost our defensive capabilities at a time when injuries to stalwarts Kentoine Jennings and Stanton Lewis have left us short at the back.
He has the athletism and versatility to play at centre back or midfield, but will more likely to be used in the right back spot he has played all season for Adelphi. Still only 18, he has a great future ahead of him.
Darius Cox
Devonshire Cougars, defender
5 caps, 1 goal
Has started every Digicel game in this campaign so far and is set to continue that run, given the injuries to Stan and Kentoine. A much-improved player since his National Team call up, he is also an offensive threat from set plays and has a terrific shot from distance.
Dennis Zuill
Dandy Town, defender
7 caps, 0 goals
Dennis is now a regular in Kyle's squad and has represented himself well on previous trips. He is a passionate personality who is very popular with the other players. He has had limited opportunities due to the form of Stan and Darius, but is regarded in high esteem by both Kyle and I.
Blenn Bean,
PHC, defender
33 caps, 0 goals
Outstanding in the last Digicel campaign in Barbados, he is our only recognised left-sided defender with Stan Lewis and Logan Alexander both unavailable. A very clever and skilful player who has a mean streak when needed. Likely to see a lot of action, especially, if we progress. Will be well rested with PHC not taking part in the Premier's Dudley Eve.
Taurean Manders
NV Rams, midfield/defender
2 caps, 0 goals
Snapper is a very neat and tidy midfield player who was unfortunate to just miss out in Barbados when we had to cut the squad down from 20 to 18. He has the ability to play full back and is improving all the time.
Damon Ming
Hayes FC, midfield
23 caps, 15 goals
Damon returns to the squad after an enforced absence pursuing a pro career in the lower echelons of the English game. The amount of regular, tough games in England will have built his resilience and strength which when added to his speed and skill should enable him to cause Haiti a lot of problems. With Domico Coddington, it gives us cover in the wide midfield area or will allow us to play with two out and out wingers, as both Damon and Domico are comfortable on either flanks.
Jelani Scott
Somerset, midfield
5 caps, 0 goals
On a terrific run of form with Somerset, Jelani is set to grab his opportunity at international level, with Jemeiko and Kevin Jennings both out injured. One of three club captains in the squad, he leads by example with his all out effort and ability. Although likely to be used in a defensive midfield role, he is a genuine goal scoring threat as shown in recent domestic games.
Kwame Steede
Devonshire Cougars, midfield
8 caps, 5 goals
Kwame has been a sensation at both international level and domestically. He is a key player for us. With his clever late runs from midfield and his excellent finishing, he is our leading goal scorer in the competition so far with 4 goals in 5 games. Another club captain, he is an influential player for us.
Stephen Astwood
Somerset, midfield/forward
27 caps, 7 goals
Steve showed in the Premier's Dudley Eve final that he is in very good form and will be a very valuable member of the squad. A natural striker with his skill and strength, he has also equipped himself well for the National Team in a midfield role.
Domico Coddington
Dev. Cougars, midfield/forward
9 caps, 2 goals
Mico has also been in good form for Cougars this season, playing in a more advanced role than he normally plays for his country. Showed in the game against US Virgin Islands that he can be virtually impossible to stop, on his day, we will be looking for him to be a double threat either as a wide partner with Damon Ming on the other wing or as a second striker.
Khano Smith
New England Revolution,
forward/midield
19 caps, 7 goals
Now our top-ranked pro and should be back to his best after a season with New England that was delayed by knee surgery. Since the completion of the MLS season in November, he has been based in Bermuda and has trained regularly with the squad. He has the ability to be outstanding at this level and has all the weapons to destroy opposing teams.
John Barry Nusum
Philadelphia Kixx, forward
21 caps, 17 goals
John is likely to captain the team in Kentoine's absence and he is inspirational every time he plays for Bermuda. He has a phenomenal goal scoring record at all levels, including internationals, he will be one of the guys we will be looking to carry the team to the finals. He will be very sharp from playing indoors with the Kixx who top the MISL.
Shaki Crockwell
Boulevard, forward
Bermuda debut
Shaki has been brilliant all season for Boulevard and has also been tremendous in training. He has a lot of passion and is desperate to do well for his country. He could be a very good foil for John Barry Nusum and is set to play a vital part over the two legs, either as a starter or as an impact player off the bench.
Keishen Bean
NV Rams, forward/midfield
2 caps, 0 goals
Shen is looking sharp again after a hernia operation carried out shortly after returning from captaining the under-20 squad in Haiti.
He has a personal score to settle against Haiti and he has the potential to be a match winner as well as doing any job asked of him. n
Standby squad:-
Timmy Figureid
Somerset, Goalkeeper
Desperately unlucky not to make the initial travel squad, due to his unfortunate red card in the Barbados game, Timmy will be hoping for our qualification, so that he could join us in the new squad of 20 that will be allowed for the Finals. He is in tremendous form and justifying being Bermuda's #1.
Kentoine Jennings
North Village, Defender
The skipper just failed to convince the gaffer that it was worth the risk of taking him with the initial party due to his recent hamstring injury. He will stay at home and continue to have treatment on the injury with the hope that we will qualify and he will be fully fit to join the new squad for the Finals.
Michael Parsons
Dandy Town, Midfield/Defender
Michael's versatility makes him potentially a very important call up, if we progress. A well-balanced, two-footed player who can play midfield or defence and even as a forward. He is a good trainer and a reliable member of the squad.
Devaun DeGraff,
North Village, Midfield
Sammy is another unlucky omission from the initial squad as he really has done all that has been asked of him in training and on the previous trips to St.Thomas and Barbados. Used primarily as a winger at international level, he has been edged out by the availability and experience of Damon Ming. Will be high up on the list of replacements.
Tyrell Burgess,
North Village, Forward
Tyrell is a very talented impact player who will also be hoping for a call up to an expanded squad. He was on both previous trips and played his part in the demolition of Bahamas in the previous round. Making good progress at Lynn University, he has a lot of international appearances in front of them.
Reggie Baker,
Devonshire Cougars, Forward
Reggie has impressed us with his training dedication and promising performances for the under-20s and would be considered as a replacement if we have injuries to our strikers.
Logan Alexander,
North Village, Defender
Logan was unavailable fro the initial tour as he returned to his college this week, but may be available, if needed for the Finals. One of our few natural left-sided players he can play as a defender or a midfielder.
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Jabloteh blocking Gray for Digicel Cup 
