PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago Football chief Raymond Tim Kee says he is disappointed with the failure of the national team to qualify for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The young Soca Warriors crashed out of the qualifiers at the quarter-final stage after losing 4-2 to hosts Panama on Saturday night.

A win and semi-final spot would have given them one of four World Cup berths.

“I’m disappointed in the result. I thought we did what we we’re supposed to have done in terms of exposing them to the practice games,” the TTFF pwresident told the Express.

“Based on what I have seen coming up before Saturday, I thought that we were really prepared, but I suspect our players were a little tired.”

Also, senior national co-coach Hutson Charles says Trinidad and Tobago failed to finish among CONCACAF’s top four because other teams in the competition were better prepared.

Charles also blamed his country’s expulsion on a lack of concentration among the players.

“T&T gave away the ball a lot, and their finishing could have been a lot better. They got the opportunities…When the other teams got their opportunities they made better use of it,” said Charles.

“At this level, to go to the CONCACAF level, our teams are underprepared in terms of getting matches. A lot has to do with preparation. We are reaching the brink and not able to cross.”

Meantime, the Football Federation president has announced plans to keep the Under-17 squad together to serve as part of T&T’s thrust for World Cup 2018 in Russia, as well as to provide match practice for the country’s senior team ahead of their July CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in the US.