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Soca Princesses’ coach, Even Pellerud received high praises from Concacaf president and T&T Football Federation Special Advisor, Jack Warner yesterday. Warner made the statements while speaking at the opening ceremony of a coaching clinic conducted by the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) at the Ken Galt Hall, Center of Excellence, Macoya, yesterday. The Norwegian-born Pellerud led the Soca Princesses to its first ever Under-17 Women’s World Cup where they defeated Chile 2-1 before losing to Nigeria 2-1 and 2008 winners, Korea DPR 1-0 to miss out on qualifying for the quarterfinal round. The win over Chile created history for T&T as it was the first by any national team at a World Cup Finals tournament.

Warner said :“Thank you for putting T&T on the map of women’s football. We faced international teams, giants, yet we can stand proud today. One year ago I would not have imagined this could have been even possible, I can only imagine coach if you had six months more to prepare these girls what could have been the outcome today. We have great plans for you and for women’s football in this country.” Warner believes that the T&TFF must use the success at the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup as a catalyst for change in not only its women’s programmes but also in its coaching structure.

“Senior members of this government including the Prime Minister attended all the T&T games. This team united a nation, it gave us hope. The passion, the drive and the skill displayed by these players are testament to Even’s abilities. Coaching is the foundation of any good player, a good coach can transform an average player into a phenomenal footballer.” Warner, who is also Minister of Works and Transport, revealed that the players of the national Under-17 women’s team as well as the coaching staff will soon be paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.