Hyland: We can’t take Grenada for granted.   
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
 
Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Khaleem Hyland is gearing up for yet another international appearance for this country as it looks ahead to Sunday’s friendly international against Grenada from 6pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
The 18-year-old former Clico San Juan Jabloteh standout made his debut in January against Puerto Rico and has appeared in each of the following matches against Guadeloupe, El Salvador and Jamaica becoming somewhat of a regular fixture in Francisco Maturana’s team.
Reported to be eyed by Scottish giants Celtic in the past, Hyland, now out of contract with Jabloteh, has been back and forth in the training with English club Portsmouth. He is in Trinidad to play in the upcoming games against Grenada and Barbados with Portsmouth eager to have him get the international experience.
Hyland is also eying an appearance against England on June 1 in Port of Spain four days before he turns 19. “I feel good being in the team and playing those games have been a good learning process especially against Jamaica,” he said.
“We played against seasoned professionals so that was a good experience for us. I’m looking forward to the next couple of games to keep learning more. Right now I’m being patient and training hard...waiting for that break. I’m praying to God to remain injury free and waiting for that game against England on June 1. That’s the big one,” added Hyland.
“They (Portsmouth) have released me to come home for the games. They are showing interest and I’m also feeling comfortable with Portsmouth at the moment. I hope to start pre-season on July 1.”
Hyland remembers looking on at the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards and now he’s keen on lining up alongside the duo.
“It’s always good to be playing with professionals from your country. Last World Cup I was sitting down watching these guys on my television and now a few years later I can have the chance to play with them. That’s definitely a great thing for players like myself.
“Right now we have to stay focused and we have to remember that Grenada will not come to play easy. They could be a tough bunch as well and they will be coming to get a result in Trinidad. We have to ensure that we don’t let them off easily,” Hyland added.
Also back in the mix is former National Olympic team goalkeeper Adrian Foncette. He is one of the three goalies along with Marvin Phillip and Glenroy Samuel working under goalkeeper coach Michael Maurice. Foncette, in May of 2007 suffered a severe hand injury on being involved in a car accident on his way home from a gym session. Initially doctors were considering the option of amputating the hand but constant treatment and faith has kept him in the game. He has undergone six surgeries since the accident.
“It’s been a really tough time but thank God I’ve been able to come out of this almost a year later. Some six operations after, four in Trinidad and two in Miami I’m now back. At first they wanted to amputate the arm because I didn’t have any use of the wrist and fingers on my left arm. I have to be really that I can play again. I still have a lot of strengthening to do on the hand itself but I’m looking forward to the whole process,” Foncette said.

Videos

View Hyland's Interview.

View Video of Team in Training.

Forbes wants to follow Jones' leap.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

New Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team call up Jerol Forbes says the exploits of Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones and other players who have gone on to wear the Senior Team uniform is the motivating factor behind his run of form for United Petrotrin and now he’s aiming to carry it over to the international stage.
Forbes has impressed T&T head coach Francisco Maturana in the early rounds of the T&T Pro League, earning him a place in the 25-man squad preparing for Sunday’s friendly international against Grenada at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Forbes, was the scorer of T&T’s lone goal in a 6-1 defeat to Brazil at the FIFA Under 17 World Championship in 2001 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and subsequently went on trial at Manchester United with Jones. But he hasn’t not pushed on as Jones, remaining in Trinidad and looking on at other teammates such as Marvin Phillip, Julius James and Jan Michael Williams go on to represent the country at the senior international level. Now he wants to prove his worth again.
“It feels good to be back training with the national team again. I’ve been away for a while because I didn’t really make a national team since the youth level,” Forbes told TTFF Media. “But now being here with the guys again is a plus. I think I have a great chance of getting back out there (overseas stage) because I’m feeling upbeat about the game again and I really want to give back, especially for the fans who have stood by me through the hard times.
“I think I was missing motivation because of having not been given the opportunity after the Under 17 (Championship). I think I was out of favour. Coach Brian Williams has pushed me a lot as well and I want to thank him for that.”
Forbes, formerly of Naparima College, wants to become reacquainted with Jones who is now in line for the Sunderland “Player of the Year” award.
“Kenwyne is an exceptional player and I won’t mind playing alongside him again (and) getting some hints from him. I just want to take it one day at a time and keep on improving my game” About Petrotrin’s four-match winning run so far, Forbes isn’t getting carried away.
“We have had a good start so far but we need to take it one game at a time. The season is a long one. We will not allow ourselves to become too confident because the other teams will be coming back strong as the season goes on so we have to stay focused and keep the results positive,” Forbes added.
Some of the other new faces taking part in Monday’s training session at the Marvin Lee included Jerrel Britto and Michael Edwards with the recalled Anton Pierre of Defence Force, Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Clico San Juan Jabloteh duo Lester Peltier and Ataullah Guerra also present. Joe Public’s Kerry Baptiste, Silas Spann and Keyeno Thomas, Akile Edwards of Defence Force, W Connection’s Akeem Adams, Makan Hislop, Jamaal Gay, Daniel Cyrus, Keon Daniel of United Petrotrin and skipper Aurtis Whitley among others also involved.
Meantime, Grenada are likely to have its star player and Caribbean “Player of the Year” for 2007 Shalrie Joseph in its line up for Sunday’s game at the Marvin Lee. The New England Revolution announced that it will release Joseph on Friday following its MLS fixture with Dallas FC the previous day. "There is a buzz about how far [Grenada] has gotten," Joseph said. "But we have a real challenge playing Costa Rica, which is the second or third best team in CONCACAF."
Grenada booked a second round clash with Costa Rica in the 2010 World Cup qualifying phase in June after trouncing US Virgin Islands 10-0 in its first round qualifier last month. Grenada, under coach Norris Wilson, will arrive here on Friday while another Caribbean national team, St Vincent and the Grenadines are in the country for pre-World Cup training camp. They face Joe Public in a training match at the Marvin Lee Stadium from 4pm on Tuesday.

Videos

View Video of Monday's training session.

View Jerol Forbes Interview/Photo video.

T&T to face Grenada on April  27.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Footballers will face Grenada’s National Senior Team in a warm-up international on April 27 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. The Grenadians will make the trip here instead of Puerto Rico due to the late inability of the latter country to arrive here on the proposed date.
Grenada are preparing for their World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in June and according to their English-based striker Jason Roberts, the Caribbean side will be no pushovers in their upcoming slate of matches. Roberts appeared in Grenada’s 10-0 thrashing of US Virgin Islands in their previous World Cup qualifier last month.
“I'm impressed with the look of the squad. There are some fine players in this squad like Shalri Joseph [New England Revolution in MLS] and Byron Bubb [Farnborough in England]. I think a lot of people in England would be surprised by the quality of football we have down here in the Caribbean,” Roberts said.
“Last time, we lost out over two legs to the USA. Now, though, we are hoping to get things together and make a decent go of it. Like I said, we have some good talent and we'll be hoping to make the most of it,” added the Blackburn Rovers striker.
Meantime, T&T head coach Francisco Maturana has revised his 25-man squad to prepare for the encounter with Charleston Battery striker Randi Patterson being excused.
There are two new additions with National Under 17 striker Jerrel Britto, who was on trial with English club Portsmouth earlier this year, as well as Zavion Navarro being added to the roster. Clico San Juan Jabloteh’s Ataullah Guerra has also been called up by Maturana. Training resumes on Monday morning at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

French-based striker called for Puerto Rico friendly.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Trinidad and Tobago National Team head coach Francisco Maturana has selected a squad of twenty-six players to attend training sessions ahead of this country’s next friendly international against Puerto Rico at the Marvin Lee Stadium on April 27.
The Colombian-born coach has called up French-based forward Kevaughn Connell and in-form United Petrotrin striker Jerol Forbes. Connell is a 24-year-old striker with French Third Division club L'Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien.
Forbes meantime was a member of the T&T Under 17 team at the 2001 FIFA Under 17 World Championship, scoring T&T’s lone goal in its defeat to Brazil at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Team manager David Muhammad confirmed that Connell who had stints with Joe Public, Clico Jabloteh, New York/New Jersey MetroStars as well as played for French club AS Cannes, was already contacted and will make the trip home for the encounter.
Also earning calls for the encounter is Toronto FC defender Julius James, English-based goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, Lester Peltier of Clico San Juan Jabloteh and Charleston Battery’s Randi Patterson.
Current team captain Aurtis Whitley is also in the mix with some other recalls including Defence Force defender Anton Pierre, Devon Jorsling, Michael Edwards and Caledonia AIA’s Stephan David.
The rest of the squad, for training which begins a week ahead of the game includes members of the teams which defeated El Salvador 1-0 and drew 2-2 away to Jamaica last month. They are goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, Keon Daniel, Kern Cupid, Akile Edwards, Kerry Baptiste, Keyeno Thomas, Jamaal Gay, Silas Spann, Keston Williams, Makan Hislop and Akeem Adams.
Maturana, who has viewed some of the opening round matches in the T&T Pro League, maintains that he will use the opportunity to see how the players fare in the training sessions and against international opposition. Some of the other overseas-based players were not considered due to the game falling outside of the FIFA international window.
“It’s a good opportunity for the players to be involved and we have made the calls according to what we have seen here in the League and of course we have our reports on some of the players from abroad,” Maturana told TTFF Media. “It is very important that we maintain our philosophy of working with the players who show the right potential and attitude that we are looking for. The last two games I saw a lot of promise and a lot of heart from my players and we are hoping to continue this pattern,” he added. Puerto Rico meantime, held T&T 2-2 in a friendly earlier this year are preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifying action against Honduras in June.
T&T will also face Barbados on May 11 in another friendly international on a request from the Barbados FA with their team preparing for their World Cup qualifier against United States.
The 2010 Local Organizing Committee, under the chairmanship of Jack Warner, met on Sunday at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence to discuss the planning and hosting of upcoming events including the friendlies against Puerto Rico and Barbados, the June 1 Centennial clash with England and the June 7 return friendly international against Jamaica in Port of Spain. The “Soca Warriors” will also face Bermuda in its first 2010 World Cup qualifier on June 15 in Trinidad followed by the away leg a week later.

Squad invited for training ahead of Puerto Rico game.

1-Marvin Phillip – W Connection
2-Kern Cupid – W Connection
3-Makan Hislop – United Petrotrin
4-Akile Edwards – Defence Force
5-Kerry Baptiste – Joe Public F.C.
6-Aurtis Whitley – W Connection
7-Keon Daniel – United Petrotrin
8-Keyeno Thomas – Joe Public F.C.
9-Lester Peltier – Clico Jabloteh F.C.
10-Randi Patterson – Charleston Battery
11-Julius James – Toronto F.C.
12-Khaleem Hyland – unattached
13-Akeem Adams – W Connection
14-Jamaal Gay – Under 20 National Team
15-Jan Michael Williams – English-based
16-Kevaughn Connell – French-based
17-Jerol Forbes – United Petrotrin
18-Devon Jorsling – Defence Force
19-Anton Pierre – Defence Force
20-Stephan David – Caledonia AIA
21-Keston Williams – Defence Force
22-Silas Spann – Joe Public F.C.
23-Glenroy Samuel – Under 20 National Team
24-Michael Edwards – Defence Force
25-Kevon Carter – Defence Force
26-Daniel Cyrus – Under 20 National Team

Scotland selected on League One 'Team of the Year'.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland has not only thrilled Swansea City fans with his goalscoring heroics this season, setting the pace for their promotion push up to the Championship Division as well as copping the March “Player of the Month Award”, now he has been selected on the prestigious Professional Footballer’s Association League One Team of the Year.
Scotland, formerly of Defence Force and Malick Senior Comprehensive has a tally of 29 goals this season for Swansea City and is likely to attract interest from other top clubs going into next season.
But wearing the Swansea shirt in the English Championship Division, a step away from the Premiership, was his main ambition at the moment. And they achieved that on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Gillingham which will see Scotland, Dennis Lawrence and Kevin Austin up in the Championship Division next season.
His agent Mike Berry was delighted on commenting on Scotland’s selection on the team of the year.
“He follows in the footsteps of Carlos (Edwards) and Clayton (Ince) last year and keeps the Trini Flag flying once again at this Major Event. His 29 goals (So far), Player of the month awards and this PFA honour with, hopefully, promotion in his first season to the Championship has made this a truly memorable season for Jason where he has exploded on the English scene and made a tremendous impact with his prolific goalscoring and robust attacking style,” Berry told TTFF Media on Saturday.
“He really is in great form which is not only great for Swansea City FC but also for T&T with their forthcoming World Cup campaign around the corner.”
Scotland himself was pleased with the accolades but is remaining focus on getting Swansea into the Championship Division.
“I’ve worked hard all season and it’s good to get the goals and the awards but the main focus right now is winning the League and helping get Swansea into the Championship Division. We haven’t had the best results in recent games but we have what it takes to go up and it’s in our hands at the moment. The main thing is to play our football and get the necessary results to go up. That’s my main aim right now,” Scotland said. He also won the player of the month award in December. Scotland will attend the Annual awards Ceremony in London at the Grosvenor House hotel in the company of a host of Premiership/Championship and media personalities.

Toronto FC waive Collin Samuel.
Flex Mohammed.

Trinidad and Tobago forward Collin Samuel was cut from Toronto FC for the new 2008 MLS season yesterday. This was announced in a press release on the Toronto FC official website. The news came as a shock to many Samuel supporters as he has looked all but good since the new season kicked off 2 weeks ago and also during pre-season. Samuel international slot will be replaced by midfielder Rohan Ricketts. The Englishman joins the MLS club after being freed from his contractual obligations at Barnsley of the English Championship.
Toronto FC stated that "In a separate move yesterday Toronto FC also announced they have waived T&T's Samuel due to personal matters. "We are sad to see Sammy go," said Johnston. "Obviously everyone knows what he brought to the team. We wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future career, and we thank him for contributing to Toronto FC." Samuel, 26, joined Toronto FC on June 25, 2007 after playing out his contract with Scottish Premier League team Dundee United. He started all 19 games he played in, registering 1,600 minutes, scoring three goals.
Samuel has been trying hard in recent times to break into the Toronto FC first team and to also regain his full fitness for the start of the MLS season which kicked off in March. Toronto is winless two games into the season and has scored one goal and given up six. Samuel were featured in just one so far against Columbus Crew.
Toronto meantime, will have one Trinidadian at the club to turn to and that's defender Julius James who has been out with a shoulder injury and could make a return to face Los Angeles Galaxy tomorrow. Should James play tomorrow it would be his debut game in his first ever MLS season and as a Pro footballer.

T&T to face Bermuda.
...in its opening match of 2010 campaign.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

The Bahamas slipped past the British Virgin Islands on Sunday to reach the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, where they will be joined by Bermuda who comfortably beat the Cayman Islands on the same day.
And next up – Trinidad and Tobago will host Bermuda at home on June 15 followed by the away leg on June 22 in its second round tie to commence its South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign.
Recently appointed Bermuda Technical Director Derek Broadley, former Crystal Palace technical staff  member was in Kingston to witness T&T’s 2-2 draw with Jamaica on Wednesday and met up with the local staff at the Airport the following day. Francisco Maturana and Anton Corneal later made the trip to Cayman to view Sunday’s encounter.
"We saw the game and we thought it was important to be here. We know what we have to come up against and what we have to prepare for. We've played these two teams before so knew what to expect from them but in saying that... no game is the same we have to treat each team and each game with the respect it deserves," Corneal told TTFF Media.
Sunday's second contest saw Bermuda make easy meat of an improved, but still outgunned, Cayman Island side, according to fifa.com.
After the first leg last month finished in a 1-1 draw, a fortified Bermudan outfit, complete with USA-based Khano Smith, made the trip to Grand Cayman looking to leave nothing to doubt.
Devaun DeGraff, one of eight Bermuda Hogges club players in the side, scored a brace in the first half. Kwame Steed, scorer of Bermuda's goal in the first leg, added another in the 52nd minute, rendering Marshall Forbes strike from the spot mere consolation for the Caymanians.
The 3-1 result on the night (4-2 on aggregate) sees Bermuda move on to the second round of CONCACAF qualifying where they will meet Germany 2006 finalists Trinidad and Tobago over two legs.
Nine other Caribbean and Central American sides booked passage to the second round last week, and they will join up with the Bahamas and Bermuda this summer as qualifying action in the region heats up.

CONCACAF second-round series

Grenada-Costa Rica
Barbados-USA
St. Lucia-Guatemala
Antigua & Barbuda-Cuba
Suriname-Guyana
Belize-Mexico
El Salvador-Panama
Netherlands Antilles- Haiti
Puerto Rico-Honduras
Bahamas-Jamaica
Bermuda-Trinidad and Tobago

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