According to a report in the Trinidadian Guardian, Yugoslavian-born coach, Zoran Vranes, has expressed his disappointment with the turn-out of player for the first two training session last week with the Trinidad & Tobago Under-23 (Olympic squad).
Vranes, who led T&T to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Finals in Egypt last September where T&T gained its first ever point at a FIFA competition was appointed interim coach of the Under-23 squad. Vranes was expected to have 33 players for the training sessions at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva and Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar respectively.
However, on both days there were a number of players absent which has not gone down too well with Vranes and the other members of his technical staff which includes assistant coaches, Hutson “Barber” Charles and Anton Corneal, who also served as his deputies. For Tuesday’s session, Secondary Schools Football League’s trio, Shahdon Winchester and Ryan Frederick, of Naparima, and El Dorado East Secondary’s Daniel Cyrus who played in the Coca-Cola Inter-Col on the same day were all excused by Vranes while six other players failed to show.
While the attendance improved Thursday, there was still too many absentees for Vranes’ liking. Contacted an upset Vranes said: “I’m not at all happy with the turn out. If this is what they are doing with a chance to represent their country, what will happen when they get older?” The former T&T senior team coach and assistant said he understood with the Digicel Pro Bowl and FA competitions, some players who are involved may need some rest and this is a something he has to accept. “I know it’s been a long season and they may be tired somewhat, but at the same time some of the other players from the same clubs are showing up for the practice sessions.”
Vranes is preparing the team for a three-match tour of Bermuda where they will play Bermuda’s Under-23 National Team in two matches for the Bermuda Football Association Cup on December 28 and January 1. T&T also faces defending Premier Division champions Devonshire Cougars on December 30.
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