Defender Sheldon Bateau was happy to set the pace for the 6-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The goal was Bateau’s first on home soil for T&T and the third of his career following his two goals at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Before his acrobatic finish. He has played 22 games for T&T.
T&T was finding it hard to push themselves ahead with Kevin Molino, Kenwyne Jones and Khaleem Hyland going close as the visitors were contented to keeping the score deadlocked for as long as possible.
“I couldn’t ask for a better stage and platform to score my first international goal,” Bateau said. “I felt the goal came at a good time because we needed to break the tie at that point. If you dominate but don’t take your chances, the game can change at any moment and the pressure was on us,” added the former San Juan Jabloteh player.
“The play that led to the goal itself was outstanding. I saw the opportunity to go at them and once I got it wide for Joevin I knew something would happen and I was all too happy to run in and finish on the rebound.
“I wasn’t going to sit back and blame the strikers. I think it’s a responsibility when it comes to doing whatever it takes to get results. It shows how far I am willing to go in order to get to Russia. As a team, we go to all lengths and die for each other out there,” Bateau said.
He and his “Red Army” will need to maintain this attitude for what is expected to be a rigorous campaign up ahead starting with the next home game against Guatemala on September 2 where T&T needs at least a point to secure its spot in the final round, T&T will close off the semi final phase against the United States in Jacksonville, Florida on September 6.
Phillip happy to step in
Goalkeeper Marvin Phillip kept his 22nd clean sheet in 54 international appearances for this country in Tuesday’s 6-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines. Phillip came into the starting team ahead of first choice Jan Michael Williams after the Central FC custodian suffered a shoulder injury while on club duty.
T&T head coach Stephen Hart knew he had a ‘keeper in Phillip that he could rely on.
“We knew Marvin is very capable of holding his own and I thought he did well in the two games. It’s always difficult for a goalkeeper who is not always playing for the team but in this case he came and completed the job,” Hart said. Phillip has conceded 59 goals in his 54 appearances between the sticks.
“I know I had to come in and just stay focused. Once Jan, the first team ‘keeper got injured, it was a situation where the opportunity came for me to step in and perform,” Phillip said.
“We’ve been the two goalkeepers for quite some time going back to the national under 17 team and we are both always committed to doing what is best for the team,” Phillip said.
Jomal stays patient in Warriors camp
Coach Stephen Hart will need to keep some extra bottles of aspirin because of what he foresees as a selection headache for coming matches. T&T needs one point from its next two 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches against Guatemala on September 2 and United States on September 6 in order to advance to the final round.
And one player who will be making Hart think about him during his selections is DirecTV W Connection midfielder Jomal Williams. The ex-Under 20 player was on the bench for the both matches against St Vincent and the Grenadines and Hart has applauded him for his persistence
and discipline.
“He’s work quite hard and it’s pleasing to see players like him and some of the other players who went to Grenada showing that kind of desire. This is good for the squad in general and it means players do not have the luxury of believing their spots are sure. The attitude in camp has been tremendous and it shows how much everyone wants to do what is right,” Hart said.
As for Williams, he will wait patiently on his chance.
“It’s been a great two weeks or so with the team. I’ve been learning everyday and taking in everything that the coach has to say to me and the other players. I know my chance will come and I intend to keep working hard and staying fit for that time,” Williams said.
“The chemistry in the team is strong and every player wants to keep pushing each other and doing what is best for the whole squad. I am quite happy to be part of this whole experience,” he added.
Shaun Fuentes
Dir. of Communications
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
(868) 681 5429 (mobile) 623 9500 (office)
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