Some folks do not even like to call kicking of penalties in a football game to decide the result as a defeat.

Unfortunately, the current law pertaining to the final result of a knockout match, is the only way, hence the reason why coaches and players ought to pay attention to this special skill.

T&T entered this game with much confidence after such a satisfying performance against the might of Mexico.

The slight changes in the starting team brought Daniel Cyrus in to replace Aubrey David, while Abu Bakr returned to Central defense in place of Yohance Mashall.

For the first fifty minutes, the change did not bear relevance to the quality of play during the short period from the start.

Panama decided to pay respect to the new look Warriors, whom they had met some months ago and literally dominated the proceeding in Trinidad.

Their assessment was correct, in that Stephen Hart decided to seek composure and methodical approach in the early stages, where caution must be a major factor as a main ingredient that all teams use in the Knock-out game system.

The from six players appeared to be comfortable with a strong midfield of Kheelem Hyland in the back of Joevin jones, Kevon George, and Cordel Cato, a foursome which set the character of a possession game in the midfield with some smooth transitions to captain Kenwayne Jones and newcomer Kerron Cummings operating as twin strikers.

Panama did not appear dominant, neither did they appear to be in a hurry to attempt speedy attacking methods. They chased the passes used by the warriors as the ball was moved around laterally when there was no pressure, only to make full use of the speedy wingers Jones and Cato. For fifteen minutes, Panama looked uncertain as to how they plan to deal with some challenges to which they had not seen before from T&T. As happens so often in circumstances where a team is gaining in confidence, an awkward slip by Abu bakr, followed by an attempt to correct the error by Sheldon Bateau, his central defending partner. This turned out to be disastrous as bateau’s desperate clearance, bounced off Tejeda, struck Bateau in the face and fell to the feet of Tejeda.

His experience brought clinical accuracy and composure as he quickly realized that Keeper Marvin Phillips was stranded and could not defend against an accurate push of the ball into the net.

My own impression was that the setback would only be temporary, seeing that Panama was not really in the game in the early period.

A series of freekicks and corners went the way of the Warriors, but none making a positive impact on the defense of Panama.

The game was moving towards the half time whistle with T&T still showing that they were capable of taking control of the game. A few half chances were not accepted, mainly through errors in the final passes.

With five minutes to go in the first half, there was relentless pressure put on by the warriors, causing some tough tackles by Panama as a way to offset the attacking mode of their opponents.

My half time observation was that Jones (K) was again enjoying another good game. His placement for crosses was spot on and the services from the defense to him were well supported by Cato on the right, George in the middle and Jones (J) on the left.

It looked awesome but unproductive in the first half and promised better in the second.

It actually was and Panama did not appear to be the force that they had shown previously in their group matches.

Free-kicks and corners entered the fray against Panama when they were defending under pressure and just taking evasive action.

In the end it was a very good match for T&T as it now looks forward to the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign.

Source

Tobago YMCA’s Ornella Walker, who achieved a CCCAN qualifying standard but was not selected because of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s (ASATT’s) selection policy, will spearhead a 40-member T&T team when this country hosts the XXI Goodwill Swim Meet 2015 from August 14–16, at the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool, Macoya.

T&T are the defending champions after the squad under head coach Joseph Ryan clinched the 2014 title from perennial champs Suriname, in that South American country.

This year, Ryan lines up as an assistant coach after Dexter Browne was selected as head coach for the 2015 squad. The other assistants are Leslyn Alexander and Mark “Bush” Alexis.

The swimmers were selected following the conclusion of the ASATT National Short Course Age Group Championships two weeks ago.

This annual regional competition will see Trinidad and Tobago aiming to retain the title they won last year after a seven-year drought.

Teams from Suriname, Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia and guest team, the Bahamas, are expected to arrive from August 13.

The team’s manager is Amanda Mc Millan and she is supported by chaperones Elise Parag, Michael Nelson and Brent Yates.

For T&T , the Goodwill Swim Meet is a developmental competition for swimmers from the participating countries who have not yet competed at higher levels of regional or international competition (that is, Carifta, Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC) and the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships (CCCAN).

Goodwill and the promotion of the sport of swimming remain the goals of the competition in an atmosphere of intense rivalry and sportsmanship.

The full T&T team: 8 & Under GIRLS

Joy Blackett

Amelia Rajack

Lyla Browne

Breanna Ramirez

 

8 & Under BOYS

Zachary Anthony

Tyrese Boxill

Giovanni Rivas

Gevano Mohan

 

9 — 10 GIRLS

Zoe Anthony

Kiara Goodridge

Neishelah Caseman

Gabrielle Vickles

 

9 — 10 BOYS

Josiah Changar

Marquise Nelson

Riquelio Joseph

Johann-Matthew Matamoro

 

11 — 12 GIRLS

Jasmine Marajh

DeNicha Lewis

Marie Ayoung

Terri Yates

11 — 12 BOYS

Jonathan Constantine

Malik Nelson

Jordon Mc Millan

Delroy Tyrrell

 

13 — 14 GIRLS

Danielle Williams

Ornella Walker

Lleana Bocage

Courtney Lawrence

13 — 14 BOYS

Jarelle Williams

Obadayah Ince

Matthew Ocando

Joshua Prescott

 

15 — 17 GIRLS

Shenia Clapperton

Sajni Maharaj

T’Shelle Williams

Reizanne Richards

 

15 — 17 BOYS

Leshem Morris

Kegan Ford

Jeremy Sampson

Alex Ali

 

Manager:

Amanda Mc Millan

Head Coach

Dexter Browne

Coach

Leslyn Alexander

Joseph Ryan

Mark Alexis

Chaperone

Elise Parag

Michael Nelson

Brent Yates.

Source

JULIAN JERVIS gained revenge over Nku Patrick as the Cayman Islands edged Trinidad and Tobago’s boys when the team events of the CASA (Caribbean Area Squash Association) Junior Championships continued Wednesday in Barbados.

Patrick had captured the only individual gold medal for T&T on Monday night when he edged Jervis in five sets for the under-19 crown.

But Jervis got the last laugh when he nosed out last year’s bronze-medallist in another pulsating five-setter, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10.

Cayman Island ended up winning the fixture 3-2 as Daniel Murphy was an 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 winner over national under-19 champ Chad Salandy and Jasun Jaisingh defeated national Under-15 champ Kobie Khan 6-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-7.

T&T victories were achieved by Christopher Anthony and Nicholas Caddle.

Anthony, who picked up the under-13 bronze medal in “individuals”, whipped Pierce Terry 11-7, 11-7, 17-15 and national Under-17 champ Caddle was a 13-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9 winner over Christian Dube.

T&T had beaten Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 4-1 in their opening Group B fixture, and concluded their round-robin campaign yesterday against Jamaica, 3-2 winners over OECS on Wednesday.

The top two teams in each of the boys’ and girls’ groups will contest today’s semifinals.

Barbados whipped Bermuda 4-1 in the three-team Group A to advance to the last four, along with defending champs Guyana, 3-2 winners over Bermudians the day before.

In girls’ action, defending champs Guyana trounced Bermuda 4-1 after dismissing T&T by the same score on Tuesday.

T&T needed to beat Bermuda last night to finish second in Group C and move into today’s semis.

And in the Group D matches, Jamaica whipped OECS 4-1 and Barbados were 3-2 winners over Cayman Islands. Both winners had also prevailed on Tuesday and were assured of places in the semis before their clash last night.

The finals will take place tomorrow.

Source

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF), Robert Farrier says former national coach, Erin Hartwell is still interested in returning to help develop T&T cycling.

Hartwell is the current sprint coach of Canada Cycling, whose cyclists won five of the six sprint events at the current 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. T&T's Njisane Phillips copped silver in the match sprint behind top Canadian sprinter Hugo Barrette.

The services of Hartwell were terminated by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Sportt) six months into a two-year contract with the TTCF back in 2010, when then Minister of Sport Anil Roberts intervened and said the TTCF had hired an unqualified coach for the job of high performance director. But Hartwell countered he was indeed qualified, carrying a Level two US cycling certification and a US Cycling licence.

Hartwell sued the TTCF and Sportt for wrongful dismissal. The case is still ongoing at the Industrial Court. Farrier said the TTCF is currently attempting to work out a resolution with Hartwell. Hartwell, a former Olympic and World Championship medallist for the United States, is now a Level one US Cycling qualified coach, the highest qualification offered by US cycling.

Farrier, whose executive hired Hartwell in 2009 and who was in Toronto for a few days, said Hartwell's proven track record and experience could help to bolster T&T's cycling.

“We were advised by the then CEO of Sportt that they would no longer fund his (Hartwell's) salary and we were forced to terminate his services because we were totally funded by Sportt ... For me it was a bitter-sweet Pan Am, watching somebody who we had here as a coach winning five out of six gold medals. The sweet thing is we did eventually get a silver medal from Njisane Phillip but the bitter part was we possibly could have been the team winning five gold medals at Pan Am cycling,” Farrier said.

Farrier added that Hartwell indicated he still has interest in T&T cycling and he has ties to T&T as his wife is Trinbagonian.

“He still has great love for T&T so it is hopeful that somewhere in the future that we can continue the negotiations with him. At present we do need a sprint coach and under the new structure with the Cycling Centre, the TTCF plans to do programmes in specific areas of the sport. We will need a sprint coach, an endurance coach, a mountain bike coach and a junior coach; that's the way it is set up and developed in the more developed countries and that's the model we will try to follow,” Farrier said.

“But first we have to try and sort this last issue out with Hartwell and then we can move on,” he concluded.

Source

Cleopatra Borel's achievements in the service of Trinidad and Tobago should be  given recognition and respect .
Borel is a role model . Her perseverance.  Her dignity ,humility and indomitable will are attributes that have stood her in good stead over the years. That she continues to compete in a demanding discipline unblemished and displaying the highest standard of Fairplay is noteworthy. Always giving of her best for her country.
Her recent success  as this country's first ever Pan Am Games Gold medalist is a significant milestone following previous Pan Am bronze and silver medal success.
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) congratulates Cleopatra Borel , the TTOC 2014 Sportswoman of the year , on her Pan Am Toronto 2015  Gold medal but more importantly on her long, meritorious and exemplary  service to Trinidad and Tobago in the sphere of sport.

President of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA), Ephraim Serrette was not surprised by Cleopatra Borel’s gold medal winning performance in the shot put at the Pan American Games in Toronto on Wednesday night. Borel became T&T’s first female gold medallist at the regional meet when she threw 18.67m, adding to her bronze in Brazil in 2007 and silver in Mexico in 2011.

Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, Serrette said Borel, who boasts a personal best of 19.42, had been the favourite to win. “She’s been competitive at higher level international meets so she should be comfortable at this level,” he said. “She is supposed to have won.” Serrette also commended the 36-year-old for managing to prolong her career for as long as she has.

“There were individuals who said she should have retired after the 2012 Olympics but she remains competitive and is a great example for females in the sport,” he said. “I think she has another Olympics in her. I don’t know what her plans are, whether she will go into coaching or not, but she would make a great mentor for female athletes.”

Serrette was also impressed by the efforts of sprinters Kelly Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett, who, after returning from suspensions earlier this year, placed fifth and eighth in the women’s 100m final respectively. “They both did well to make the finals, having just returned to high level competition,” he said. “They’re on their way back to the level to which they’re accustomed.”

However, he was disappointed that Keston Bledman could not convert his form into a medal in the men’s 100m final. “He was the class sprinter in that field and should have got a medal at least. He probably lost focus,” he said of the fourth place finisher. “I’m not sure if he’s nursing an injury. His performances throughout the qualifying rounds were comfortable. He just needed to deliver in the final.”

Source