A Trinidad and Tobago senior men’s team will depart for Antigua/Barbuda on Tuesday morning for a friendly international against that country’s senior team on Wednesday (Feb 29th) night from 7pm at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
The game falls on a FIFA date but interim head coach Hutson Charles will be using the encounter to have a look at some of the talent from the T&T Pro League and giving them international exposure. The Antiguans meantime have recalled some six UK-based professionals as they prepare for the upcoming CONCACAF semi-final round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers which includes a clash with regional giants United States, Jamaica and Guatemala.
Some of the more experienced players in the T&T line up include goalkeeper Marvin Phillip who captained the team in the recent 3-2 defeat to Finland, midfielder Clyde Leon, defender Seon Power, striker Devorn Jorsling while Defence Force’s Kevon Carter earns a recall following his injury last year while Andre Toussaint also earns a recall.
Two Under 23 players in Daneil Cyrus and Curtis Gonzales have been included while Jabloteh’s Jamal Jack, T&TEC’s Kerlon Ferguson and Defence Force’s Rodell Elcock have also earned call ups. Former national youth forward Kevon Neaves of T&TEC has also earned a recall after a lengthy lay off from the national team arena.
Striker Darryl Roberts was also called up but is unable to travel as he will depart back to Houston Dynamo next week after a trial earlier at the club earlier this month.
Jabloteh goalkeeper Cleon John has also been called up but there is some doubt over his ability to travel as the player, upon checking, only informed team manager Peter Rampersad on Friday that his passport had expired and efforts were being made to have it renewed in time for the team’s departure.
Charles is again hoping to see a promising showing from his local bunch.
“It’s about exposure at this time as we’re working on getting the best squad together for the Digicel Caribbean Cup later in the year and of course our goal is to do well and move on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup next year,” Charles told TTFF Media.
“We will use the match to have a look at some of the new faces but we also have some good experience in there and we’ll be making sure that we put on a good showing against Antigua. They are into the next round and they will be hoping for a good contest on Wednesday night,” he added.
The five England-based players in Antigua’s squad include – Justin Cochrane, Marvin McCoy, Keiran Murtagh, Ashton Blackwood who is formerly of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs, and Dexter Blackstock of Nottingham Forest.
The locally-based line-up comprises goalkeepers Molvin James, Keita DeCastro, Olson Forde and Tahari Lewis, defenders George “Sowa” Dublin, Luke Blakely, Brian Edwards, Akeem “Leppy” Thomas, Karanjah Mack, Troy Dublin, Gavin Lewis and Dave Carr.
Midfielders Eugene Kirwan, Quinton Griffith, Lawson “Boy Blue” Robinson, Tamarley “Ziggy” Thomas, Ken Pennyfeather, Kemoi Alexander, Rolston “Lexi” Phoenix and Jamie “Taliban” Thomas are also included, while strikers Ranjae Christian, Peter “Big Pete” Byers, Stephan Smith, Kerry “Arab” Skepple, Randolph “Etty” Burton, Gason “Bubbler” Gregory and Lloyd Jeremy complete the line-up.
T&T Squad: Kerlon Ferguson, Kevon Neaves, Andre Toussaint, Marvin Phillip (T&TEC), Elton John, Jamal Jack, Cleon John, Willis Plaza (Jabloteh), Kevon Carter, Curtis Gonzales, Richard Roy, Rodell Elock (Defence Force), Keon Boucher (St Clair Coaching School), Clyde Leon (W Connection), Seon Power (DirecTV North East Stars), Daneil Cyrus (unattached), Ataullah Guerra, Devorn Jorsling (Caledonia AIA).