Jones, Bateau, Peltier out Mexico friendly.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart has recalled the quartet of Marcus Joseph, Trevin Caesar, Gavin Hoyte and Neveal Hackshaw to the national team for Friday’s international friendly against Concacaf powerhouse Mexico at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Salt Lake, Utah, from 10 pm.
It will be the second meeting between both teams in less than two months after their 4-4 Group C draw at the Concacaf Gold Cup on July 15, which has been described as the best ever match in the tournament’s history. The quartet who were not part of the T&T team which reached the quarterfinals of tournament will now have their chance to impress coach Hart after being named in the 20-man T&T squad announced by Hart at a media conference held at the T&T Football Association’s head office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.
In the recent past, the 24-year-old Joseph, who has played seven times for the senior national team and is now attached to T&T Pro League champions Central FC after leading the frontline for Pt Fortin FC for a number years to great effect was said to be overlooked for national selection because of indiscipline.
However according to Hart, both him and the La Brea-born striker player, the 2013/2014 Pro League “Golden Boot” winner have held discussions and Joseph knows what is expected of him if he wants to be a fixture on the team.
According to Hart, Joseph, who last don the national colours in a 1-0 friendly loss to Panama on March 28 earlier this year, knows he has a lot of talent and is just for him to focus on his football.
The 26-year-old Caesar is currently attached to North American Soccer League club, Austin Aztex and last played for T&T against Antigua & Barbuda during the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Cup semifinal round in T&T
The 25-year-old Hoyte, who played just twice in two years under Hart, is the younger brother of 30-year-old T&T defender Justin Hoyte, and pulled out of the Jordan match last month, will now have another chance to impress Hart while Hackshaw who has one cap, last featured against Curacao in July.
The team which departs tomorrow for the Mexico contest includes regular goalkeepers, Marvin Phillip and Jan-Michael Williams, Daneil Cyrus, Yohance Marshall, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Mekeil Williams, Khaleem Hyland, Kevan George, Andre Boucaud, Joevin Jones, Cordell Cato, Keron Cummings, Willis Plaza, Jonathan Glenn, Rundell Winchester and Aubrey David.
Among the notable absentees were regular captain, Kenwyne Jones and Sheldon Bateau as well as Carlyle Mitchell and Lester Peltier.
In explaining their omissions, Hart said, both Jones (Cardiff City) and Bateau asked to be excused because of their situations with their clubs while Mitchell has only recently started back playing after returning from injury, and with regards to Peltier, he wanted to see how much depth he had in that position.
“Jones (Kenwyne) is trying to sort out his future with Cardiff City and Bateau has now joined Russian Premier Division club FC Krylia Sovetov Samara and have both asked to be excused,” he said.
The encounter between Mexico and T&T will be key to both teams as they look ahead to the start of their 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup Concacaf semifinal round qualifiers and will be the first time El Tricolor, who are under the care of interim coach, Brazilian-born Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti will be playing in Utah.
Ferretti takes over on a temporary basis following Miguel Herrera's firing last month for an altercation in Philadelphia International Airport, with the primary goal of winning a ticket to the Confederations Cup by defeating the USA on October 10 in a Concacaf playoff at the Rose Bowl.
The match at Rio Tinto Stadium will mark the 20th encounter between the nations with Mexico leading the series with 12 wins, four draws and three losses.
Following the Mexico match, the Soca Warriors also has a confirmed engagement with Panama on October 9 and according to national teams Operations Manager, discussions are still ongoing over another possible international engagement (October 13).
Wallace also noted that the TTFA had also written to Concacaf requesting word on the possible dates for their Copa America 2016, the 100th edition, home-and-away playoff matches with Haiti which could well squad plans for the second friendly in October ahead of their semifinal round Concacaf 2018 Russia World Cup qualifying Group C opener away to the winner of the Third Round tie between Guatemala and Antigua & Barbuda on November.
T&T Squad
Goalkeepers:
Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic FC).
Defenders:
Daneil Cyrus (Chicago Fire), Yohance Marshall (Murciélagos FC), Radanfah Abu Bakr (HB Køge), Gavin Hoyte (Barnet FC), Aubrey David (Shakhter Karagandy), Mekeil Williams (Antigua GFC), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars).
Midfielders:
Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge), Khaleem Hyland (KVC Westerlo), Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Keron Cummings (North East Stars), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes), Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire), Marcus Joseph (Central FC).
Forwards:
Willis Plaza (Central FC), Trevin Caesar (Austin Aztex), Jonathan Glenn (Breiðablik), Rundell Winchester (Portland Timbers 2).
Mexico Squad
Goalkeepers:
Moises Muñoz (Club América), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca).
Defenders:
Paul Aguilar (Club América), Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas Guadalajara), Miguel Layún (Watford), Rafa Marquez (Hellas Verona), Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven), Diego Reyes (FC Porto), Francisco Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres UANL).
Midfielders:
Javier Aquino (Tigres UANL), Jesus Corona (FC Twente), Jesus Dueñas (Tigres UANL), Carlos Esquivel (Toluca), Andrés Guardado (PSV Eindhoven), Javier Güémez (Club América), Héctor Herrera (FC Porto), Luis Montes (Club León), José Juan Vazquez (Club León).
Forwards:
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Raul Jiménez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club América), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad).
