Tonight the TT public said farewell to one of the most successful goalkeepers that we have produced in recent times. Shaka, thank you for your services and you have made T+T proud.

He was presented with a cheque worth 100,000$ at the end of the game and he donated all to various charites in T+T.

Our very Own Patriot was also part of the award proceedings and presented Shaka with a token of appreciation on behalf of the Warrior Nation.

For me the big game was the first match between Paranese and the Foreign based PFL team. It did not disappoint and there was significantly more action than the previous set of matches.
After 30 Minutes the PFL outfit were down 4 nil and it looked like double figures were on the horizon.

The Brazil team put on their stronger players and I was treated to some nice off the ball runs, fancy footwork, good passing and some nice dead ball situations which resulted in some good headers being slotted past the PFL keeper.

After collecting 4 goals around the 30 min mark the PFL goalie came out and made a clearance under no pressure and fell in a heap. Apparently he pulled something or landed bad and was substituted. The replacement keeper was a tall white guy…I was wondering at first if it was the Scottish guy who posts here James Baird from Tobago United but the commentator said a spanish sounding name which I did not recognise.

It was also difficult to hear the announcer as there was plenty entertainment in the form of 2 riddim sections and a tassa group. Tempo down the line and I was really impressed with the Siparia riddim section, they had a brass section and was belting out tunes much to the delight of patrons. At halftime SHerwayne Winchester also entertained the crowd.

The beat of the game was a brazilian hitting a fella in the center of the park……. a roly poly aka a zidane..after spinning like a top with the defender committed he back heels the ball and belts the poor man. The speed, precision and ease at which this was done was something to behold.

In the second half the PFL foreign based went in damage control mode and put about 7 men in the back and looked to hit on the counter.
As much as they tried it was all Paranese additionally the numerous subs that were made changed the flow of the game.

The PFL stars then got a gem of a goal and could be the goal of the series. A ball was floated in, a game of head tennis ensued and when the ball came out a PFL player slapped a laser beam of a volley into the “V”. A real good goal that gave the PFL outfit some more spunk but the Brazilians locked up shop and played around with the game over as a contest.

AFter the game the Brazilian players came into the stands and sat right next to me and they are really a bunch of small men. Youths around 17-21. Given the manner they handled our teams this is a worrying thing. The PFL locals should have done better given the opposition and considering the foreign based PFL were blown out this is not a good sign.

On to game two.

TT started with the same side as Fridays game. However starting in Goal was Shaka and he was given a round of applause.

Marvin Oliver may have read my comments and stepped up his game big time. He had a good game, supporting the play, making some good through passes, winning the ball and covering for other players. He has a football brain, he did some things that showed his knowledge and ability. He is worth a look. Only concern is that he was a bit weak and got “pongs” off the ball a few times, he is slender so he may need to beef up a bit but he put in a good shift. He was substituted and did not play in the 2nd half.

Toussaint played much better and looked more composed and played sensible.

Tinto had a real bad game,,,picking up the vibes from Toussaints last match.

The abortionist for the night was Devon Jorsling. Ball rolling across the goal and only a toe is needed but just not there to put it away. The few clear cut chances that came were squandered.

The only goal of the night was Conceded By Shaka Hislop. It was very funny…he came off to a standing ovation. Changed into his Dallas jersey and was back on the field again for Dallas FC.

Tinto gets a ball on the break has time and space to shoot but slows down and allows the defence to recover. he then does a bit of skill whips in a cross and it is tapped home. GOAL PFL…Shaka in no mans land and well…so it go.

Its a shame he didnt manage to keep a clean sheet while he was on the field regardless of the team he was playing for but it looked like fun and the game was played in a good spirit.

After that plenty subs were made and the game got scrappy. Both Dallas and the PFL team had opportunites, shots, some good runs but somehow the forward at the end of the final ball for both teams would contrive to miss the easiest of chances.

Cyd grey came on the second half late to shore up the defence but whoever was playing Left back for the PFL outfit will have nighmares as the Brazilian I think his name is Ricardinho in a blue boots beat that fella like a bad step chile. He get sex, belt, push past, fan,with consumate ease and what make it worse is the defender trying hard to pelt blade, pull jersey and recover and is just….whissshhhh leave out.

Trent Noel did not have a standout game as he did on friday. But he did his job.

Did not notice Keon Daniel

This game was not attractive and both teams had poor shape, formation tactics and no real constructive knocks or periods of possession. It was similar to the boring match played on Fri night.

At the end of it the TT Pro league locals won by 1-0. But I am not convinced by any of the players on show. I do not think they are ready to make the next step up and TT will have to rely on all their foreign based players to move to SA 2010.

No one has shown they could replace our old defence. Cyd, tallest sancho avery and Dog are still the best we have and I cant see anyone making the grade in time. Similarly besides Noel and to a lesser extent Oliver I not seeing anyone else who can make the grade. As for the fwd dept Kenwyne, Stern, Scotland, ROberts and Sealy is the strike force. The local players ent sharp or have the skill or experience to make it yet.

I am concerned. I not seeing suitable replacements and or bench players that can hack it. Our digicel team got better as they progressed but were not intl standard. We have to play some friendlies and get the foreign based to gel if we intend to go anywhere. The local core while well intentioned is not up to standard and does not really exist at this point in time.

Till Ash Wed vs Guadeloupe.