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Thu, Mar

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INTERIM president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), Lennox Watson revealed that even if government did not inject funds for the national squad’s Caribbean Cup participation, the team would have still found an alternative to be present for their opening qualification matches.

The squad departed the Piarco International Airport yesterday to begin their campaign in Group Five of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup First Round tourney.

Only recently Minister of Sports Anil Roberts accused Anthony Harford, the TTFF’s Marketing manager of poorly submitting documents to receive funds for the TT team to participate at the Caribbean Cup staring tomorrow.

Roberts in Parliament on Friday later explained that his ministry had agreed to pay the expenses for the ‘Soca Warriors’ to compete.

However speaking to Newsday yesterday, Watson made it clear the national team would have gone to the CFU Cup. “Either one way or another the team would have been there” Watson said yesterday.

“The team would have gone to their matches in spite of the situation. We at the (TTFF) were doing things to make sure that the team got there successfully, no matter what. I’m not into all of the controversy and politics, I just want the proper administration of football and the development of young players to take place,” he said.

Watson explained the misunderstandings were more or less an occasional happening among sporting organisations. But he remained tight-lipped on where the funding would have come from.

“We can only work with what we have. Whatever funds are sent our way, we will use it to the best of our ability. Funding, as little as it is, we have to work with it in the past. Our players and officials are most important to us,” he added.

Meanhile the national squad has been strengthened by the selection of former national midfielder Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Keon Daniel (Philadelphia Union) and Jamal Gay (Caledonia AIA). Before the team left in two batches yesterday, they boasted of a blend of youth and experience.

Watson explained that the merging of players from the different teams will work in TT’s advantage at the tournament. According to Watson “We have a lot of Under-17’s, Under-20’s and Under-23’s on the squad. The experience is there with the older players and the upcoming talents will also be an asset to the squad. The nucleus of the team is young and we’re really looking at 2018 (World Cup),” he declared.

On November 21 last year, Guyana ended TT’s hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when they surprised the “Soca Warriors” 2-1 in Georgetown. Goals from Ricky Shakes (10’) and Leon Cort (81’) were more than enough to prevent Kenwyne Jones’ 90th minute goal from causing any significant impact.