T&TEC FC is taking all precautionary measures on a serious note following last Friday’s close shave 4-3 result against Super League side Stokely Vale in the quarter-final round of the 2011 Toyota Classic.
T&TEC will meet St. Ann’s Rangers from 6pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in the semi-final round on Friday 02 December but will not forget their 4-1 advantage slip to a 4-3 result in the end against the Tobagonian side Stokely Vale which was also denied by the crossbar in injury time.
“We started off on the front foot, the way we wanted to play,” said T&TEC captain and central defender Kern Peters. “We got the early goal and then dropped our heads a bit when Stokely Vale leveled the scores. But we dominated for most of the game especially following Pacheco’s goal.
And after going up 4-1 we dropped our game and allowed the scoreline to reach 4-3. This is not the first time it has happened to us, leading 4-1 and then losing that huge advantage.
It happened to us against Jabloteh also (ending 4-4 in the group stage of the 2011 First Citizens Cup). I see it as a concentration problem. The game isn’t done in the 70th minute or so. We have to play out to the 90 plus.”
The 25 year old Peters said that the team management is doing its part by having psychologist Mr. Brian Skinner on board and has worked with the team from time in the past couple months. Peters further added that Skinner has worked with the team this week ahead of Friday’s semi-final clash against Rangers coming off the scare in the last match.
Rangers defeated DIRECTV North East Stars 3-0 on penalties following a hardfought 2-2 draw to reach the semi-final round and Peters who stands out in defence for T&TEC and was one of four goalscorers last Friday said, “Definitely they (Rangers) will be coming in on a high after getting a victory against North East Stars.
But it’s the semi-final and we need to earn a win. We are not focusing on Rangers too much. We are simply going to focus on our game of attacking and exciting football and execute in the best way.”
Head coach Dexter Cyrus has a strong roster despite the unavailability of midfielder Romauld Aguillera and goalkeeper Clayton Ince on the injury list, and Kevon Neaves still working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring injury.
Available to Cyrus will be Sylvester Teesdale, Andrei Pacheco, Akeem Adams, goalkeeper Akini Adams, Peters, Corneal Thomas, Javed Mohammed, Kelvin Modeste, Jamal Ayres, Kerlon Furgeson, Bevon Bass, Marcus Joseph and Aubrey David as key ingredients.
2011 Toyota Classic
Semi-Final Round
Friday 02 December
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
T&TEC FC vs St. Ann’s Rangers—6pm
W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh—8pm