“It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight… but it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.”

That’s a saying that Anton Corneal works by and reminds his players ever so often as they gear up to take the stage at the FIFA Under 17 World Championship in Korea next month.

As the days before the team’s departure for Holland next Sunday quickly approaches, the members of the team continue to work feverishly towards ensuring that they are adequately ready to take on the likes of Ghana, Germany and Colombia.

Corneal is expected to name his 21-man squad for the Finals by Wednesday and has been encouraged by the support given to the team by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and the parents of the players in the team, according to team manager Christopher Gouveia.

“The Federation has kept the faith with this team, delivering on everything that they said they would for the team,” Gouveia said in a recent address.

“The federation has kept the faith and the hope that this team will continue to be the future of Trinidad and Tobago football and set an example for the other teams coming after it and we thank the TTFF for that.”

Gouveia made special mention of the parents who hung in there with the team since its inception two years ago.

“When Anton shared with us his vision for what this team can achieve and we went through the screening stages and got to the selection, the parents were there and their support  have been magnificent”

Gouveia maintained that the current team is focused on closing the gap with the other teams on the CONCACAF  and world stage.

“These players have worked very hard and they have their sights set on that. Anton is driven, he’s a man of purpose and passion and he set the bar very high from day one for this team. Anton indicated that there were three levels for us to cross, we had to by pass the Caribbean and Mr Warner was firm on that because we are most times the first to qualify from the Caribbean and first to go out from the Concacaf. We have gone a long way to closing the gap in CONCACAF and now we are working towards closing the gap on the world stage. The staff in particular has done a tremendous job thus far and at this time we are working towards trying to ensure that we get the best possible form of representation next month in Korea,” Gouveia concluded.

T&T World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was also extending best wishes to the team as he pointed out the fact that it was fortunate to have goalkeeper coach Ross Russell on its staff.

“I have always been a fan of the local goalkeeping talent. From my time

working with Ross Russell, who I seem to mention in every interview I  do, to the current crop. He continues to work and I’m proud to see this team has gone on to make a youth World Cup which can only be a positive step for our football. I truly hope that we can continue in this fashion towards future success and development,” Hislop told TTFF Media. (July 28, 2007)