Trinidad and Tobago's national under 20 footballers will play a warm-up encounter against local club Starworld Strikers this Saturday from 6pm at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella as they continue preparations for the upcoming World Under 20 qualifying series.
Under the guidance of coach Clayton Morris, will go into action in the Caribbean zone series next month in this country. The other competing nations in T&T's group a include Guyana, Barbados and either Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. The matches will be played on a round robin basis with the winner of the group advancing to the final stage which will see the winners of the four groups playing on a two leg basis to determine the Caribbean's two representatives at the CONCACAF final phase. Morris was quietly optimistic of a positive showing from T&T during the qualifying phase despite the fact that there is limited time before action and a lack of international warm ups.
"We were training before and we are continuing this for the tournament. We don't have much time so we have to make good use of this period. One of the good things for us is that most of the players have been playing with their local clubs and have some match fitness which is a plus for the preparations," Morris said on Tuesday. The presence of Kenwyne Jones and the other members of the T&T under 17 team who played at the 2001 FIFA under 17 World Championship is also a plus.
"That is another thing in our favour. These players have been there before and we will welcome their international experience but again they must know the importance of wearing the red white and black and representing the country well," added Morris, who following a request from the TTFF, has recommended that former national midfielder Hutson "Barber" Charles assist him in the upcoming sessions.
Both Morris and Charles were part of last Saturday's exhibition encounter at Bon Air Recreation Ground between the Strike Squad and a team of overseas-based players and current national players. Goals by Birmingham City striker Stern John, Michael McComie (penalty), Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence and Livingston's Marvin Andrews gave the TnT All stars a 4-3 victory with guest player Adrian Narine getting a double and Philbert "Pamo" Jones getting the goals for the Strike Squad.
The list of twenty players who have been called for Saturday's game which will also mark the opening of the 2002 Interbank League are:
Devon Jorsling, Anton Joseph (Defence Force).
Marvin Phillip, Jerol Forbes, Anthony Thompson (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh).
Kenwyne Jones (St Anthony's College).
Wendell Joseph (Starworld Strikers).
Jamal Hamid, Terrance McAllister, Sterling O'Brien, Ochieng Abosi (Joe Public).
Kerron Phillip, Kenyon Manswell, Devon Leacock Akeil Pierre (Vibe CT 105 W Connection).
Cyronne Edwards (Queen's Royal College), Andre Pacheco (Princes Town SC), Shai Prescod (Naparima College), Seon Power, Roderick Anthony.