A thirty-six member squad is now in training to represent this country at the Caribbean Football Union World Under 17 qualifying series next month in Suriname.
Under coach Dion La Foucade, several prominent players have come through the screening sessions which took place over the past few weeks. In the squad of thirty six, twelve players selected by former technical director Rene Simoes have been included and will vie for selection on the final 25-man squad which will be selected later in the month.
They are Thorne Holder, Kerwin Beckles, Matthew Cupid, Machel James, Josimar Belgraves, Ancil Ferrier, Simba Aberdeen, Rondell Paul, Devon Drayton, Lemuel Lyons, Kitwana Abosi and Gorian Highley.
Also among the list is English-based goalkeeper Andre Charles, who was in Point Fortin on holidays last month before turning up for trials. The 16-year-old Charles has returned to England and according to La Foucade, is on trial with Arsenal’s Under 20 team and arrangements will be made to have him return here to rejoin the squad. He will carry the list to thirty seven players. La Foucade explained to TTFF Media that a recommendation has been made to the Secondary Schools Football League that these selected players represent their Schools during the current season and train on Sundays with the national team on Sundays. Then from October, they will be asked to train and play solely with the National team. The next session is at the Larry Gomes Stadium this Sunday.
“There isn’t much time before the competition starts so we have to try and get in as much sessions and get the guys together to get that understanding and cohesion going,” La Foucade stated. “This bunch has some very talented players which were selected out of the screening sessions and we will be seeking to get the best possible squad together along with those who we kept back from what Professor Simoes had earlier selected,” added La Foucade.
Arrangements are being made to have the team travel to Barbados in October to play two warm-up internationals on October 11 and 13 as well as two games against Jamaica’s Under 17 team here prior to the competition kick off.
T&T will face off with hosts Bermuda, St Lucia and Grenada in a round robin group phase from October 30 to November 3. Four CFU groups will be contested with the top team from each group moving on to the Caribbean Zone finals. Separate ties on a home and away basis will be played among the winners of the four groups to determine the Caribbean Football Union’s two representatives at the CONCACAF final qualifying round at a date to be announced. The 2003 FIFA under 17 Championship will be held in Finland in August.
The full 37-man squad.
Goalkeepers
Andre Charles, Thorne Holder, Rondell Wenwick, Nigel Parris, Rondell Paul, Kerwin Beckles, Adrian Toussaint.
Defenders
Matthew Cupid, Machel James, Lynton Pompey, Joel Williams, Shevhon Abraham, Jameel Warner, Josimar John, Dain Ferdinand, Ancil Bobb, David Jordan, Kyle Parker.
Midfielders
Keston Jones, Lemuel Lyons, Marquis Alexander, Wesley Frederick, Jerron McKnight, Kemo Marcis, Kitwana Abosi, Ancil Farrier, Josimar Belgrave, Kwesi Thomas, Stefan Grandison, Devon Drayton, Dorian Daniel.
Forwards
Simba Aberdeen, Akil Defreitas, Delano Pierre, Gorian Highley, Adisa Cornell, Kern Robinson.