T&T's Head coach Eve believes Soca Warriors on path to success; urges support from local fans for next month's fixture

By Sports Desk September 21, 2023
Angus Eve Angus Eve file

Well aware that many football enthusiasts are not fond of his leadership, Trinidad and Tobago’s Head Coach Angus Eve has encouraged the public’s continued support for the players, despite personal feelings of him.

Eve’s side recently secured two crucial victories over Curacao and El Salvador in their Concacaf Nations League campaign, and the strength of those performances has resulted in a climb up the latest FIFA World Rankings.

Trinidad and Tobago, who currently head Group A of League A on six points, jumped back into the top 100 on the world rankings after sometime away.

They will be aiming to make further inroads during the October window when they engage Guatemala and Curacao and Eve believes they deserve every bit of support.

“(The fans) may not come out and support Angus Eve because they may have an issue with Angus Eve, but let's support these players who are trying to do something positive for their country and nation. It's extremely important that people come out and support and understand that this is a new beginning,” Eve said at a media briefing recently.

"The campaign has started like a house on fire. It's a new beginning. There is a lot more work to be done, but we are well-placed and we have a good platform to build on.

"Our country is in a state where we're losing young people every day through violence and gun violence and to see young people do something positive for the country (is great). They go out and give their hearts to their country. It may be a case where we need to come out and support that," he added.

Given their current position, Eve knows that a win against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on October 13, would book Trinidad and Tobago a spot in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals where they will meet one of the four seeded Concacaf nations –Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico or the US.

As such, he stressed the significance of the 12th man to give players an extra lift when the time comes.

"Any team at home is dangerous. Some places don't think home advantage means anything, but we need to capitalise on home advantage and we need to capitalise on this start we have gotten. Hopefully, the fans will come out and celebrate these kids and push them forward so they can continue to achieve excellence,” the tactician said.

On that note, the 51-year-old Eve pointed out that though unexpected by many, the start to the Nations League is confirmation that his players are focused.

"We believe in ourselves and we believe that if we go out and do the work we can do, and match these teams' intensity, we can compete at this level,” he reasoned.

"Our first inclination would have been trying to stay in (Nations League) A, just like any team who (has been promoted) to the Premier League. We have to take it one game at a time. If we get a point, we are guaranteed a spot in the Nations League A. If we get three points, then who knows, the sky's the limit for us,” Eve ended.

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    Saint Kitts and Nevis earned a victory to maintain its group lead to also improve to a 3-0-0 record. The victory assures the nation at least a spot in the Play-In round.

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    Saint Kitts and Nevis won 3-1 against the British Virgin Islands in Group C at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

    Malique Roberts scored the opening goal in the 25' with a header in the box to connect on a free kick service.

    Gvaune Amory increased the lead for the Sugar Boyz in the 37' with a right-footed hit inside the penalty area, connecting on a pass over the top by Raheem Hanley.

    Kristian Javier Samuel cut the deficit for the British Virgin Islands in the 46' with a right-footed hit from the top of the box.

    Ikyjah Williams accidentally hit the ball into his own net in the 90'+5, striking a deflection off a ball into the box from Romaine Sawyers for a third goal for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

    The result seals a qualification to the Play-In round for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Sugar Boyz can win the group without playing if the Cayman Islands fails to win against the British Virgin Islands on Saturday.

    U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Barbados

    Barbados won 5-nil against the U.S. Virgin Islands in Group A at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.

    Hadan Holligan struck the opening goal in the 42' with a right-footed finish to place Barbados in the lead before the end of the first half.

    Niall Reid-Stephen extended the lead for Barbados in the 45'+2 with a conversion from a penalty kick opportunity.

    Reid-Stephen scored on the other side of halftime, with a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 47', securing a brace in consecutive matches.

    The Barbados scorer struck with his left again, from a free kick chance in the 65', to earn his hat-trick.

    Omani Leacock scored inside the penalty area in the 90'+2 to put a bow on the victory for the Tridents.

    Kishmar Primus made four saves as he collected his second clean sheet of the campaign.

    The victory clinched the top of the group, and a return to League B, for Barbados.

    Anguilla vs. Belize

    Belize won 1-nil against Anguilla in Group B at FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.

    Orlando Velasquez broke the deadlock in the 56' with a strike inside the box, connecting on a pass from Krisean López.

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  • McClaren, Lowe cautious but confident as Boyz hunt Nicaragua scalp in Group B top-of-the-table showdown McClaren, Lowe cautious but confident as Boyz hunt Nicaragua scalp in Group B top-of-the-table showdown

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    “But again, sometimes the surface has an effect on the game, but with the quality of players that we have and how focused we are going into this game, we have no excuses and we're just going to go in... it's a cup tie, and so it's going to be very difficult. So we just have to focus on the task at hand and not worry about the obstacles ahead,” the tactician declared.

    Defensively, Damion Lowe, whose leadership and experience have been invaluable, and his partners will need to be on high alert to contain any counterattacking threats.

    Like McClaren, he too is confident that with efficient execution, they should secure the win.

    “I think we prepared well. The gaffer has, you know, put the game plan on the board and we just have to follow the instructions. I can't give too much away because then we would be giving you the game plan. But just know that the guys are excited, we're focused, and we're ready for the task at hand. Fully prepared, and we're going there to get three points,” Lowe stated.