Director of women’s football, Even Pellerud is back on the training pitch, preparing the national Under-17 team for the upcoming Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The local lasses resumed training under the Norwegian coach yesterday with two sessions, one at 9 am with 12 foreign-based players, and another at 4 pm with both foreign- and local-based players.
Making a return to the squad will be Kayla Taylor, Camille Borneo, Victoria Swift, Jo-Marie Lewis and Keri Myers, who were part of the U-20 team that took part in the Concacaf Final Round Qualifying Tournament last week in Mexico.
The 12 foreign-based players include Jessica De Leon, Saundra Baron, Mallory Archer, Shante Helwig, Sidonia Hoareau, Jasmine Sampson, Brianna Ryce, Shakirah Salandy, Annette Mims Liana Hinds, Diara Simmons and Nykosi Simmons.
Sessions have also been carded for 4 o’clock this afternoon at Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. This weekend marks the first time that the entire squad will be together since they toured Mexico last November and Pellerud said he was extremely excited about having the entire group together for the weekend.
“Of course, the most important goal is to see the foreign-based players with the local girls before we select a team for the international games. We will look at how they fit in in terms of skill and most importantly their fitness levels,” said the U-17 coach.
In related news, South America’s most promising women footballers commenced battle at the 2010 Sudamericano in Sao Paulo for the South American Football Federation’s (CSF) three berths at the 2010 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup in T&T. The tournament started Thursday and ends on February 11.
The opening week-and-a-half of the Sudamericano will see the ten competing nations battle in the round-robin format of the opening phase. In Group A, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay and Ecuador have been pooled together, while Group B comprises Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and Venezuela. The top two from each section progress to the semifinals.
Training squad:
(Foreign-based): Jessica De Leon, Saundra Baron, Mallory Archer, Shante Helwig, Sidonia Hoareau, Jasmine Sampson, Brianna Ryce, Shakirah Salandy, Annette Mims Liana Hinds, Diara Simmons, Nykosi Simmons.
(Local-based): Linfah Jones, Khadisha Debesette, Khadidra Debesette, Rehana Omardeen, Patrice Vincent, Tineisha Cobham, Jamila Derrick, Patrice Campbell, Camille Charles, Shalette Alexander, Anique Walker, Kedisha Castillo and Samantha Kissoon, Kayla Taylor, Camille Borneo, Jo-Marie Lewis, Victoria Swift and Keri Myers.