Trinidad and Tobago head coach Stephen Hart has finalized a 23-man squad for the Caribbean Cup Finals in Montego Bay from November 10-17th.
Hart and sixteen players entered a live-in training camp at the Carlton Savannah Hotel in St Ann’s on Monday and will engage in training sessions at the Hasely Crawford Stadium this week. The team opens its Caribbean Cup account against Curacao on November 10th.
Cardiff City forward Kenwyne Jones will captain the team. Hart has invited Iceland-based striker Jonathan Glenn for his first international call, while Finnish-based trio defender Aubrey David and forwards Jamal Gay and Shahdon Winchester have also been invited to join the team.
The players returning to the squad from the recent Caribbean Cup semi final phase which was played in T&T include Jones, Hughtun Hector, Daneil Cyrus, Carlyle Mitchell, Lester Peltier, Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Leston Paul, goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip, Yohance Marshall, Ataullah Guerra, Kevan George, Cordell Cato and Kevin Molino.
Hart has also included a third goalkeeper which is Adrian Foncette while Lithuania-based defender Radanfah Abu Bakr has also been named to the squad.
“The squad is a balanced one with a couple new faces which gives me and the coaching staff the chance to have an extra look with the future in mind and moreso the qualification for the 2018 World Cup. We had three decent matches in the semi finals last month in which the team performed creditably and now these Finals presents additional opportunities to see what is available for our general player pool.
These games will also give us valuable experience playing away from home in a tournament format which is good for our preparations for the qualifiers on the road, "Hart told TTFA Media.
“I know the players are all very committed to the doing well and representing their country. They missed out on winning the last Caribbean Cup in 2012, losing in the final and they believe it’s time to go one step better. In saying that, I don’t think there is going to be unwarranted pressure but of course taking the title is always one of the aims.
“But if we can get in some decent performances and secure our qualification for the Gold Cup as well as utilize these matches and the time together as a squad to prepare for the future engagements then I think in the end it would be a satisfactory undertaking in Jamaica,” Hart added.
Following the opener against Curacao on Monday, T&T will also face fellow Group A team French Guiana on November 12th and Cuba on November 14th. Group B includes Jamaica, Antigua/Barbuda, Haiti and Martinique.
The third place match and the Final will be played on November 17th. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the winner will also advance to the 2016 Centennial Copa America which is a celebration of the centenary of CONMEBOL and Copa América, and is to be the first Copa América hosted outside of South America.
The TTFA wishes to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of National Security and Sportt Company for their ongoing support to the Senior Men’s Team.
T&T 23-man Squad
Goalkeepers
Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic Centre), Adrian Foncette (Police FC).
Defenders
Radanfah Abu Bakr (Kruoja Pakruojis), Justin Hoyte (Millwall), Joevin Jones (HJK Helsinki), Daneil Cyrus (Hà Nội T&T), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aubrey David (FF Jaro), Yohance Marshall (Unattached).
Midfielders
Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk),
Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Ataullah Guerra (Central FC), Leston Paul (Central FC), Jamal Gay (Rovaniemen Palloseura), Hughtun Hector (Hà Nội T&T), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava), Kevin Molino (Orlando City), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes).
Forwards
Kenwyne Jones (capt) (Cardiff City), Jonathan Glenn (Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja), Shahdon Winchester (FF Jaro).