{moszoomimage: galleryid=51 filename=kareem.jpg} TRINIDAD and Tobago's Under-20 football team have acquired the services of US-based defender Kareem Smith as they continue preparations for this month's CONCACAF final round of qualifying matches for the World Youth Championship. Smith, who was born in the United States, has been previously attached to the Under-14 and Under-16 United States teams, but he is now trying to claim a spot here having joined the rest of players in training last week. His father Carl Smith is a past Trinidad and Tobago footballer attached to the Midvale Club.
The dreadlocks player is also a member of the University of South Florida team. Smith meantime got a second half run as the Under-20 footballers scored a resounding 6-2 win over a US-College team in Thursday's training match at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. An opening goal by Cordell Samuel and a penalty by skipper Radhanfah Abu Bakr put TT ahead 2-1 at the break with Nigel Daniel's curling free kick away from goalkeeper Thorne Holder pulling one back for the College XI. But TT Under-20s pulled away from their opponents in the second half with some persistent pressure and composed football.
Strikes by Abiola Sandy, one a brilliant strike past goalie Allan Crane after beating his man on the left of the box, another by powerfully-built striker Kevin Crooks and one by Devon Maxwell did the job for the Anton Corneal coached team. Some of the players in the college team included senior team striker Scott Sealy, former St Anthony's College midfielder Keeron Benito who pulled back a second half goal, Kurt Borel, former Under-23 striker Dean Logan and ex-Naparima College defender Fabien Lewis and fellow teammate Atiba McKnight.
Also in the squad were ex-QRC player Sterling Rivers, former St Mary's College midfielder Brendon Barry and former Naparima College skipper Leon Brown among others. Daniel of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh appeared as a guest player. English-born goalie Andre Charles kept goal for TT in the second half. The team will continue to train before the final travelling team for the CONCACAF final qualifying phase in California from January 12-16 is named on Monday. England-born striker Ricky Shakes of Bolton Wanderers will join the team in California three days prior to the opening match against United States on January 12.