7 News Belize

Deon In Camp
posted (April 21, 2015)
YESTERDAY, star striker Deon McCaulay attended his first practice with the National Team. This is after he was brought home by fans and a generous patron last Friday.

As we told you, the Football Federation of Belize welcomed McCauley back on the team, but did his football peers and the coaching staff do the same? Well, that's what we found out today, when we spoke with McCaulay and the Assistant Head Coach. Here's what they told us about the first 2 practices since his return:

Charlie Slusher, Assistant Head Coach, National Team
"We need to continue working on ball position. I think that was one of the positive things from the team that we maintain good ball position, we pass the ball a lot, and we got opportunities. Now what we have to do is also work and making use of the opportunities that we got during the past games. And so like I said were working basically on our strengths and weaknesses and we are making some necessary adjustments to the way we were playing. So that in the event that we are playing a tougher team, we will be able to survive and advance."

"From the first day Deon came, he came with a positive mentality. He was one of the first, I would think, the first or second person showing up at camp. And even on the field, as coaches we felt really good to see the way he was moving, the way he was dedicating himself. And just looking at him, you know, made us feel much better going into the next game, because just by looking at what he was doing was kind of already saying to us that we have solved most of our striking problem that we had when it comes to finishing - from what he had displayed already. And we know we even have a month or more to work with him. So again, it was a very refreshing thing for him to be here and everybody welcome him and everybody even built a lot more confidence, they feel more confidence with the team going forward, because they know that some of the issues that we have when it comes to finishing will not be there anymore with Deon present in the forward line."

Deon McCaulay, Member, National Team
"I think it's a positive one, not only for the players but for the entire country. I look forward to working with the guys every day and they look forward to working with me. Everybody is working right now, working very hard, even the younger players. But that's where we, as experienced players, come in to help the younger players to try to let them get to that next level. So I don't see any problem with the transition from the young players to the older players. So, I feel very good about that and like I said I am here to bring my experience to the team, so as long as I am on the field I will try to help out the younger players, advising them - this is what you need to do, that was what you needed to do, so I am here positively just to help the team in any way that I can."

Right now, the Premier League of Belize is in the finals and so the National Team's Coaching staff only has the opportunity to train with the entire team for 2 days this week. As soon as that is over, the practices will intensify to 2 times per day.

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