Trinidad and Tobago coach Anton Corneal announced an 18-man Under 20 national squad which will leave for California on Saturday to engage in the 2005 CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round Qualification Group A.
Among the players selected are former St Anthonys College striker Abiola Sandy who is now attached to Bowling Green University in the United States and Kareem Smith, a defender who has been in past United States national under 14 and under 16 teams. Smiths father Carl is a Trinidadian which makes him eligible to play for the young Soca Warriors. He was named an All American for outstanding service for South West Florida University during the 2004 season. He and Senior team striker Scott Sealy were the only two T&T players to be named All-Americans.
University of South Carolina defender Makan Hislop, who is Tobago-born and nephew of Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, is also in the team and is expected to wear the captains armband in T&Ts opening match against the United States on January 12 at the Home Depot Center, California. Also in the team is English-born goalie Andre Charles, who had a stint with Chelsea youth club in the past and has already played for T&T at the Under 17 level.
Young Harris College striker Kevin Crooks and stylish playmaker Hayden Tinto of Malick Senior Comprehensive is also in the team. But there is no room for English-born Bolton Wanderers utility player Ricky Shakes. Corneal explained that there was not sufficient time for Shakes to settle into the team and as such he decided against taking the risk of having a player in the team who may not have fitted into the plans for the three vital upcoming matches.
We saw him on two occasions when he came down last month but I think it was just going to be difficult for us to have him in the team not really sure of what would happen on the field of play. I think time didnt really allow for us to see more of him. He actually told me that he more plays a right full back position at the club after we first used him in a striking position. In saying that I am pretty sure he could be part of the teams plans later down the road, Corneal told TTFF Media on Thursday.
Commenting on the rest of the team, he added We have selected a squad of players that we think are as ready as can be for what we are going to face next week. It was a difficult task to cut it down to 18 players but based on what we saw over the last three weeks has left us with these names.
I think we have accomplished what we wanted to in the build up for these matches by assembling a squad of players that can compliment each other and the introduction of Kareem Smith has filled a gap that was open in the defense. I feel fairly confident that we can hold our own in the matches. We know America will be a tough opponent but we wont be pushed over easily but rather we will go there feeling that we have a chance of ending up as one of the two teams to advance. The top two teams from the Group will advance to the 2005 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.
T&T 18-man Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Thorne Holder (Queens Royal College), Andre Charles.
Defenders:
Kareem Smith (University of South Florida), Makan Hislop (Capt - University of South Carolina), Marcelle Francois (San Juan Jabloteh), Akil Edwards (South West Drillers), Karlon Murray (San Juan Jabloteh), Radanjah Abu Bakr (Queens Royal College).
Midfielders:
Devon Maxwell (St Augustine SC), Keon Daniel (St Clair Coaching School), Kezi Lara (South West Drillers), Hayden Tinto (Malick SC), Atulla Guerra (Arima Morvant Fire), Kendall Jagdeosingh (North East Stars).
Forwards:
Shane Calderon (St Augustine SC), Kevin Crooks (Young Harris College), Christopher Sam (San Juan Jabloteh), Abiola Sandy (Bowling Green University).
GROUP A SCHEDULE - Carson, California USA; Home Depot Center.
Date Match-up Kickoff (PT)
Jan. 12 Costa Rica vs. Panama 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 USA vs. T&T 8 p.m.
Jan. 14 T&T vs. Costa Rica 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 USA vs. Panama 8 p.m.
Jan. 16 Panama vs. T&T 12 p.m.
Jan. 16 USA vs. Costa Rica 2:30 p.m.