Levi Garcia is in such high spirits at the moment, living the dream of every young teenage footballer. He’s playing every week in one of the biggest European Leagues and he’s coming off two World Cup qualifying appearances for his country including a man of the match performance in the come from behind 3-2 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines on March 25th. One would think there isn’t much the kid from Santa Flora would want. But he surely has great ambitions and has set his goals.
“It’s a great feeling for me at the moment. I couldn’t have asked for more. I am with two great teams and great teammates. Being in the national team for these World Cup qualifiers opened my eyes even more and I feel blessed,” Garcia said.
“For me it was good being involved and helping the team and seeing how much the fans appreciated what I and the team was able to achieve. But we are far from finished. We still have two games to play in this round and the whole of the final round which means we haven’t achieved anything as yet like coach Hart told us,” Garcia said.
The former Shiva Boys player did mention one thing that is still on his “to do list”. And that is coming face to face with Leo Beenhakker, the Dutch-both head coach who took T&T to the 2006 World Cup Finals.
“I haven’t been able to meet him as yet. I have heard a lot about him and I know he is big here. And for me it would be a pleasure meeting him because I can recall what he did for Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 and yes people did talk about it here when they hear I am from the country,” Garcia said.
“I am still in touch with Marco Van Basten after he did work with me during my early days at the club and this was a great experience for me.”
Hoyte happy with Hart’s faith in him
English-born defender Justin Hoyte said he had no qualms over the decision by Stephen Hart to insert him into a right midfield position for the first World Cup qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines last month. Hoyte started both games for the “Soca Warriors” and later admitted the contest at Arnos Vale was a grueling one for him.
“The manager asked me if I could do the job in that position which was not nearly new to me because I’ve played there before and it was not a problem. I said I could do it. Obviously the game was a tough one with the conditions which saw us fell behind just before the half. But we got right back into it and went onto to secure the win which was most important,” Hoyte said.
“And then we came back to our home stadium and showed a lot of class in the way we dominated the game and finished them off. For me the main thing is the way this team is getting stronger every time we get together both on and off the football pitch. And even with new players coming in, everyone wants what is best for the team and there is a feeling of one love and unity among everyone. We’ll be taking this into the two games in September and then straight into the final round next year and onward to Russia,” Hoyte added.
The former Arsenal player is under contract with Dagenham & Redbridge until May.
Scottish boss: door not closed on Latapy
Alex Smith, the head of the Scottish League’s Manager’s Association is insisting that once the opportunity is there, Russell Latapy could surely find a job as a head coach in Scotland. The former Dundee United boss was responding to statements last month by Latapy and Jason Harper which indicated there was a problem with black coaches getting jobs in Scotland.
“Russell enjoyed a long and successful spell with John Hughes, where he helped lead Inverness to the Scottish Cup, I’m sure if the right opportunity is there, Russell will make his mark in coaching,” Smith said in the Scottish Press.
“I don’t believe there is a problem in this country at all, I find that hard to believe. Today, more than ever, there are players coming through of different ethnicities, I think there are opportunities for everyone in Scottish football,” was Smith’s take on it. Latapy said: “Young black managers are not being afforded the same opportunities as young white managers.
“Since John Barnes, there hasn’t been another black manager, but I have to say this: I don’t want a job because of the colour of my skin. I want a job based on what the chairman thinks I can bring to that football club.”
Latapy is the holder of a UEFA Pro License and held the post of assistant coach for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish top flight in his last job. The UEFA Pro License is the final coaching qualification available, and follows the completion of the UEFA ‘B’ and ‘A’ Licenses. It is required is required by anyone who wishes to manage a club in the the top level of the nation’s league system (Europe) on a permanent basis and such a license is also required to manage in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League.
Cummings doing ball work again
National team midfielder Keron Cummings is well into his rehab following a gun shot wound in January which has sidelined him from the game since and is expected to keep him out for a few more months.
• Shaun Fuentes is the TTFA Director of Communications.