THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) commenced its preparations for the 2014 World Cup with its first Goal 2014 training camp for overseas-based Under-21 players on Wednesday at the Dr. Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya.The three-day camp which ended yesterday included registration and orientation at the centre, followed by training overlooked by T&TFF technical director Lincoln Phillips and coaches Michael Maurice and Ron La Forest.
FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and T&TFF president Oliver Camps was also present for the orientation.
The exercise was put together mainly for the selection of the Under-21 and Under-23 teams, but any special talent coming out of the camp could have the chance to work with the "Soca Warriors", who have qualified for next year's finals in Germany.
"The Mission of Goal 2014 is to have every Trinidad and Tobago national football team qualify for every FIFA event by the year 2014," Phillips said.
HISTORIC QUALIFICATION
"Following the historic qualification of the senior team for the 2006 World Cup, preparation of the Under-21 team represents the next logical step in the Goal 2014 mission-qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2010 World Cup.
"The first qualification step for the 2008 Summer Olympics is the CAC Qualifying Tournament in March 2006. The purpose of the Winter Break U-21 Training Camp is to evaluate both US and UK-based players who have returned to Trinidad and Tobago for the Christmas holidays, as well as former U-20 players already based in T&T.
"Additional screenings will take place throughout T&T to ensure the best possible players will represent Trinidad and Tobago in the CAC qualifiers in March 2006."
Among the list of 21 players involved were former national Under-17 player Stephen De Las, who is now attached to the Birmingham City Football Academy after being selected out of the Stern John Skills Award Programme.
National Under-20 captain Makan Hislop of the University of South Carolina in the USA was also in the line-up, which was shortened at the end of the camp.
A squad of home-based players were also involved in the Goal 2014 drive.
(Reprinted from the Trinidad Express)
