Trinidad and Tobago Head Coach Stephen Hart has finalized his 22-man squad for Tuesday’s Friendly International against New Zealand at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The squad, which will be captained by Stoke City forward Kenwyne Jones, includes two newcomers in San Jose Earthquakes forward Cordell Cato and Central FC’s Rundell Winchester and also sees the return of midfielder Hughtun Hector.
Also in the squad from recent matches in Saudi Arabia and the CONCACAF Gold Cup are Racing Genk midfielder Khaleem Hyland, Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, Slovak-based winger Lester Peltier, Kevin Molino, Vancouver Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell, Notts County midfielder Andre Boucaud, Willis Plaza and defender Radanfah Abu Bakr.
The two goalkeepers selected are Central FC’s Jan Michael Williams and Point Fortin Civic Centre’s Marvin Phillips while Caledonia AIA midfielder Densill Theobald, Columbus Crew midfielder Kevan George, Marcus Joseph of PFCC, defender Aubrey David of Caledonia, Curtis Gonzales of Defence Force and W Connection’s Mekeil Williams complete the roster for T&T’s first ever meeting against the “All Whites” who were unbeaten in their 2010 World Cup finals, earning draws with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia.
“The objective of the squad is to continue with experimentation but of course you always have to have a balanced squad,” Hart told TTFA Media on Monday as he looks ahead to the first training session on Wednesday at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
“Playing at home is an exciting prospect for all the players. A number of them have recounted to me when last they played at home so you can feel that sense of excitement. And it’s a chance to play against New Zealand who are in very strong preparations and all things being said it’s a good opportunity for us.”
Commenting on the selection of Winchester and Cato he added: “I think Cato, Winchester, Hector they can all bring something different offensively and it will be interesting to work into the training and see exactly how they fit in. They are three different type of players so it’s a matter of how quickly they could develop the relationship with the midfield and other attackers and to see how they carry themselves off the field and in game situations.”
Molino is currently back home as well as Hector and will be with the squad from Wednesday while some of the European-based players are scheduled to arrive by Friday.
T&T Squad:
Goalkeepers
Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC)
, Marvin Phillips (Point Fortin Civic FC).
Defenders
Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada)
, Justin Hoyte (Middlesbrough FC/England), Aubrey David (Caledonia AIA), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen/Belgium), Mekeil Williams (W Connection), Radanfah Abu Bakr (FC Voztok/Kazakhstan).
Midfielders
Kevan George (Columbus Crew/USA), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Hughtun Hector (Unattached), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk/Belgium), Kevin Molino (Orlando City/USA)
, Andre Boucaud (Notts County/England), Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin Civic FC),
Lester Peltier (ŠK Slovan Bratislava/Slovakia)
, Ataullah Guerra (Rovaniemen Palloseura/Finland).
Forwards
Willis Plaza (Unattached),
Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Rundell Winchester (Central FC), Kenwyne Jones (capt) - (Stoke City/England).
Marseille player in ‘All Whites’ squad.
T&T Express Reports.
New Zealand head coach Ricki Herbert announced his squad yesterday for next Tuesday’s showdown with Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Herbert has included uncapped Olympique de Marseille teenager Bill Tuiloma. The versatile former Birkenhead United and Waitakere United player--who has been turning out in the UEFA Youth League this season--has already represented New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 World Cups and may now force his way into the frame to help the All Whites reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“Bill is a talented young player we’ve been tracking for a while and we think the time is right to bring him into the environment and see if he can make another step up,” said Herbert. “We have almost a full week in camp which is more than we’ve had for a single international since probably the away leg against Bahrain. The tour gives us a real chance to work through options for November, try a few things away from the spotlight, then ramp things up for the match against Trinidad and Tobago.
“Who knows what will happen between now and November? This group of players could be in contention for the intercontinental playoff, we have a few [players] out with injuries for this tour and it could be the same in a month. We’re missing a number of players but the upside is that we bring in a group of players desperate to pull on the shirt and help New Zealand get to a World Cup. They now have that chance.”
Scotland-based Rory Fallon, whose goal took the “All Whites” to South Africa, is back in the mix since last representing New Zealand in the Solomon Islands last year, while Auckland City custodian Tamati Williams earns a recall to the national team for the first time since 2004 when he was an unused substitute throughout an ill-fated Oceania Nations Cup campaign in Australia.
Chris Killen’s Achilles surgery rules him out of the October window and potentially beyond, but Shane Smeltz (hip), Chris Wood (hamstring), Marco Rojas (foot) and Tim Payne (ankle) are all expected to be fit again for the intercontinental playoff against Panama, Mexico, Honduras or Jamaica.
Following communication to New Zealand Football from FIFA, New Zealand Football has imposed a one-match ban on Ben Sigmund for his red card against UAE last month, and he has not been considered for inclusion in the squad for the T&T game.
Ipswich Town player Tommy Smith, St Johnstone forward Rory Rallon, West Ham United defender and New Zealand captain Winston Reid and Burnley midfielder Cam Howieson are all included in the squad for the October 15 showdown.
New Zealand squad for October window
(Club – caps/goals)
Goalkeepers
Glen MOSS (Wellington Phoenix –23/0)
Tamati WILLIAMS (Auckland City – 0/0)
Defenders
Andrew DURANTE (Wellington Phoenix –3/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Unattached –45/1)
Winston REID (Captain / West Ham United, ENG– 16/1)
Tommy SMITH (Ipswich Town, ENG–24/2)
Aaron SCOTT (WaiBOP United – 5/0)
Bill TUILOMA (Olympique de Marseille, FRA – 0/0)
Ivan VICELICH (Auckland City – 87/6)
Midfielders
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix – 54/0)
Jake BUTLER (Waitakere United –1/0)
Aaron CLAPHAM (Canterbury United – 12/0)
Jeremy CHRISTIE (Unattached – 26/1)
Craig HENDERSON (Mjällby AIF, SWE – 0/0)
Cam HOWIESON (Burnley, ENG – 6/0)
Dan KEAT (Falkenbergs FF, SWE – 4/0)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (Central Coast Mariners, AUS – 22/3)
Cole PEVERLEY (Team Wellington – 1/0)
Forwards
Kosta BARBAROUSES (Melbourne Victory, AUS – 21/2)
Kris BRIGHT (IFK Mariehamn, FIN – 5/1)
Jeremy BROCKIE (Wellington Phoenix – 39/0)
Rory FALLON (St Johnstone, SCO – 14/3)