Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dennis Lawrence today announced a 19-man squad that will travel to face Japan in the upcoming international friendly on June 5th at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi.
The home-based players along with the technical staff will depart T&T on Friday evening and will have a lay over in New York before arriving in Japan on Saturday night.
The squad is led by Saudi Arabia-based midfielder Khaleem Hyland and includes US-based pros Duane Muckette, Kevan George, Mekeil Williams, Nathan Lewis, Alvin Jones, Leston Paul and Neveal Hackshaw while Israel-based forward Levi Garcia, Daneil Cyrus, Carlyle Mitchell and W Connection duo Shahdon Winchester and Jomal Williams as well as youngster Judah Garcia are among the other names in the mix.
Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino is carrying a slight hamstring strain and Lawrence did not see the need to risk him for the clash with Japan. Seattle Sounders’ Joevin Jones, who had been in training with the local-based team over the past two weeks, is out as he awaited US work permit and travel documents this week. He only returned to Seattle on Wednesday. Costa Rican-based defender Aubrey David also misses out as he awaits his US travel documents.
Cyrus, who has 78 appearances for T&T, said he expects the assignment in Japan to be a stern test for T&T.
“We know it is going to be a very difficult match for us but also a good test that we need right now ahead of the Gold Cup,” Cyrus told TTFA Media.
“We are missing a couple players but like coach continues to say, this is just an opportunity for other players to step up and prove they deserve to be in the squad and try to seal their place with a strong contribution. It is about grabbing opportunities and pulling your weight in international football.
“Japan has a good squad with a lot of experience but we also have players who have played at a good level with a lot of experience and I think once we stay focused and adapt to the environment quickly then we can put in a good performance and just basically continue focusing on the Gold Cup which is the most important thing for us right now,” Cyrus said.
“I have played in two Gold Cups and the feeling of being there is something I relish and look forward to again. It doesn’t come much better for us in the Concacaf region so it is important we are comfortable and focused to just put out the work that will have us ready for the matches against Panama, USA and Guyana and then look to take care of anything that comes our way after that,” Cyrus added.
T&T will face Canada in Los Angeles in its final Warm-up match on June 10th before taking on Panama in its opening 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup encounter on June 18th in Minnesota.
Trinidad and Tobago squad to face Japan
Goalkeepers:
Marvin Phillip (Central FC), Adrian Foncette (Police FC);
Defenders:
Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Carlyle Mitchell (Terminix La Horquetta Rangers), Mekeil Williams (OKC Energy FC—USA), Alvin Jones (OKC Energy FC—USA), Daneil Cyrus (Al Orobah FC—Saudi Arabia);
Midfielders:
Khaleem Hyland (Al-Faisaly FC—Saudi Arabia), Judah Garcia (Unattached), Kevan George (Charlotte Independence), Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando), Leston Paul (Memphis 901 FC), Duane Muckette (Memphis 901 FC—USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven FC—USA), Nathan Lewis (Lansing Ignite—USA), Jomal Williams (W Connection FC), Lester Peltier (Al-Orobah FC—Saudi Arabia), Levi Garcia (Beitar Jerusalem FC—Israel);
Forwards:
Shahdon Winchester (W Connection).
(Remaining available players on Gold Cup shortlist)
Goalkeepers:
Nicklas Frenderup (HB Koge—Denmark), Gregory Ranjitsingh (Orlando City—USA), Jan-Michael Williams (FC Halifax Town—Canada);
Defenders:
Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa—Costa Rica), Justin Garcia (Unattached), Ross Russell Jr (La Horquetta Rangers), Keston Julien (AS Trencin—Slovakia), Kareem Moses (FC Edmonton—Canada);
Midfielders:
Cordell Cato (Oklahoma City Energy FC—USA), Kevin Molino (Minnesota United—USA), Reon Moore, Dylon King (both Defence Force), Kathon St Hillaire (SKF Iclinic Sered—Slovakia), Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders—USA);
Forwards:
Willis Plaza (Churchill Brothers—India), Marcus Joseph (W Connection), Akeem Roach (Mosta FC—Malta).