Corneal names 18-man squad for Under 20 qualifiers.

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Press Officer.
06-Jan-2004 - Trinidad and Tobago coach Anton Corneal announced an 18-man Under 20 national squad which will leave for California on Saturday to engage in the 2005 CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round Qualification Group A.
Corneal revealed the names on Thursday as his team met the national senior team in a training match at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Among the players selected are former St Anthony’s College striker Abiola Sandy who is now attached to Bowling Green University in the United States and Kareem Smith, a defender who has been in past United States national under 14 and under 16 teams. Smith’s father Carl is a Trinidadian which makes him eligible to play for the young “Soca Warriors”. He was named an All American for outstanding service for South West Florida University during the 2004 season. He and Senior team striker Scott Sealy were the only two T&T players to be named All-Americans.
University of South Carolina defender Makan Hislop, who is Tobago-born and nephew of Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, is also in the team and is expected to wear the captain’s armband in T&T’s opening match against the United States on January 12 at the Home Depot Center, California. Also in the team is English-born goalie Andre Charles, who had a stint with Chelsea youth club in the past and has already played for T&T at the Under 17 level.
Young Harris College striker Kevin Crooks and stylish playmaker Hayden Tinto of Malick Senior Comprehensive is also in the team. But there is no room for English-born Bolton Wanderers utility player Ricky Shakes. Corneal explained that there was not sufficient time for Shakes to settle into the team and as such he decided against taking the risk of having a player in the team who may not have fitted into the plans for the three vital upcoming matches.
“We saw him on two occasions when he came down last month but I think it was just going to be difficult for us to have him in the team not really sure of what would happen on the field of play. I think time didn’t really allow for us to see more of him. He actually told me that he more plays a right full back position at the club after we first used him in a striking position. In saying that I am pretty sure he could be part of the team’s plans later down the road,” Corneal told TTFF Media on Thursday.
Commenting on the rest of the team, he added “We have selected a squad of players that we think are as ready as can be for what we are going to face next week. It was a difficult task to cut it down to 18 players but based on what we saw over the last three weeks has left us with these names.
“I think we have accomplished what we wanted to in the build up for these matches by assembling a squad of players that can compliment each other and the introduction of Kareem Smith has filled a gap that was open in the defense. I feel fairly confident that we can hold our own in the matches. We know America will be a tough opponent but we won’t be pushed over easily but rather we will go there feeling that we have a chance of ending up as one of the two teams to advance.” The top two teams from the Group will advance to the 2005 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.

T&T 18-man Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Thorne Holder (Queen’s Royal College), Andre Charles.

Defenders:
Kareem Smith (University of South Florida), Makan Hislop (Capt - University of South Carolina), Marcelle Francois (San Juan Jabloteh), Akil Edwards (South West Drillers), Karlon Murray (San Juan Jabloteh), Radhanfah Abu Bakr (Queen’s Royal College).

Midfielders:
Devon Maxwell (St Augustine SC), Keon Daniel (St Clair Coaching School), Kezi Lara (South West Drillers), Hayden Tinto (Malick SC), Atulla Guerra (Arima Morvant Fire), Kendall Jagdeosingh (North East Stars).

Forwards:
Shane Calderon (St Augustine SC), Kevin Crooks (Young Harris), Christopher Sam (San Juan Jabloteh), Abiola Sandy (Bowling Green University).

GROUP A SCHEDULE - Carson, California USA; Home Depot Center.

Date Match-up Kickoff (PT)
Jan. 12 Costa Rica vs. Panama 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 USA vs. T&T 8 p.m.
Jan. 14 T&T vs. Costa Rica 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 USA vs. Panama 8 p.m.
Jan. 16 Panama vs. T&T 12 p.m.
Jan. 16 USA vs. Costa Rica 2:30 p.m.

Former USA player trains with National U-20s.

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Press Officer.
01-Jan-2005 - Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 20 team has acquired the service of American-based defender Kareem Smith as they continue preparations for next month’s CONCACAF final round of qualifying matches for the 2005 World Youth Championship.
Smith, a sophomore, was the anchor of the Bulls’ defense this year, helping USF not allow a goal in 418 minutes while tallying six shutouts – four consecutive – on the season. The Hyde Park, Mass., native was honored for his defensive play during the season as he was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the week twice and to the all-conference first team. Smith has been named to the NSCAA/adidas All-America Second Team for the South region.
Smith, who was born in the United States, has been previously attached to the Under 14 and Under 16 National Teams of the United States, but he is now trying to claim a spot in the T&T team having joined the rest of players in training last week. His father Carl Smith is a past T&T senior player and was attached to the Midvale Club. The dreadlocks player is also a member of the University of South Florida soccer team.
Smith meantime got a second half run as the Under 20 footballers scored a resounding 6-2 win over a US-College based team in Thursday's training match at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. Getting among the goals for the national Under-20s were United States-based Abiola Sandy, who got a brace; Devon Maxwell; Radanjah Abu Bakr; Kevin Crooks and Cordelle Samuel.
Corneal said his team is tournament-ready and they have been training twice a day from their camp at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. "We have done all that is required to prepare for a tournament," said Corneal yesterday. "We are ready."
He also felt they had a good chance of emulating St Clair's team of 14 years ago.
"I think our chances of qualifying are good. I am not one to dwell on the negatives. I am hoping that the temperature stays about 50 degrees (F), but there is nothing we can do if it falls to 40 degrees. Rain, sun or cold, we are going there to play," stated Corneal.
The former T&T national striker was not able to get a few international warm-ups which he would have liked and instead will round off his squad's training next week with games against National Super League club Joe Public and the Trinidad and Tobago senior national team.
He also hopes to get a game in Los Angeles before opening the tournament against a powerful American line-up on January 12.
Trinidad and Tobago reached the CONCACAF Final Round after drawing 3-3 with Cuba at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium last month to qualify 6-5 on aggregate, after a 3-2 victory in Cuba.
Joining the team since then have been United States-based college players Clevon George, Abiola Sandy, Makan Hislop, Kevin Crooks, Ancil Farrier and Kareem Smith.
Also being strongly considered is Bolton Wanderers striker Ricky Shakes, who has returned to England after a recent trial in Trinidad, his mother's homeland.
Corneal announced he will cut the 25-member team on Monday to the final 18 who will go to the CONCACAF tournament.
Although the addition of the new players has strengthened the team's defence, Corneal was not totally pleased by the performances of the wide midfielders in the last match against Cuba, but has since worked hard to get them to recover into defensive positions.
He said that will be especially important when they meet the United States in the opening game on January 12.
The coach added they also have to formulate some tactical manoeuvres against the Americans, particularly to contain MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven and DC United striker Freddy Adu, their most influential players. What is needed as well is for the young T&T footballers to have a favourable response to weather which may be much colder than they are accustomed to.

Under 20 team selected for CFU qualifiers next week.

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF/CFU Press Officer.
29-Jul-2004 - National Under 20 coach Anton Corneal has finalized a 20-man squad to take part in the upcoming Caribbean Zone Under 20 qualifying tournament which will be played here from August 4-8. Corneal along with assistant coach Brian Williams have been preparing a local team for the past four months towards one of the four groups which will be contested in the CFU. Each group winner will advance to a home and away two game second round series in September from which each winner of the two ties will advance to the CONCACAF Finals in January, 2005. The 2005 World Youth Championship will be held in the Netherlands.
T&T’s first game is against Guyana on August 4 with matches against Grenada and Barbados to follow in the same week all at the Marvin Lee Stadium. Corneal mentioned that players from throughout T&T were scouted and he feels the best set of players were selected to represent the country, barring the fact that four promising players have been forced to miss out due to injury. They include defender Jamal Warner (groin strain), Kezi Lara (groin strain), Marcelle Francois (instep) and Kempes Villafann (groin strain).
“We have searched the country and came up with the best possible set of players. This preparation has been ongoing for the past four months and with this being our third camp currently, we are hoping to have everything in place for the competition,” Corneal told TTFF Media on Thursday.
He credited the scouting system put in place by technical director Lincoln Phillips.
“The system put in place by Lincoln was a great help to us because we were able to have a wider look at the talent in the country and the national under 20 league was also valuable because it allowed us to have more players at our disposal.”
He added that two players campaigning in the United States are also in the team while at least four have come out of Tobago including former Under 17 player Makan Hislop, who is the nephew of goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Canadian-based defender Kirk Hearn is also in the squad as well as Kevin Crooks out of Young Harris College.
“It took us a while to break it down to the final team because at first we had a squad of 37 players and only seven players from that group are in the final team which gives you an idea as to how many players were looked at. Most of our players are just under the age limit and this is a plus to us because it means we have a group of mature guys who are really just turning into young adults,” Corneal added. “Overall we are pretty solid in every position and what we may lack in experience, I am positive that we can make up in it with the will to succeed,” he ended.
Coach Corneal has promised a display of good gamesmanship and fight from the team which has been preparing for this stage for the past four months.
He had a final session with the squad at the Marvin Lee Stadium on Tuesday evening minus Under 17 standouts Gorian Highley and Josimar Belgrave. Corneal explained that the talented duo were originally part of the training squad but were omitted due to lack of appearances in training sessions and camps.
We did have them in the team but of course for various reasons we could not include them in the final team. Just not training for whatever reasons and not being consistent up to about four weeks ago was not acceptable. Highley did not attend our camp a few weeks ago and we just could not have guys like these representing our country. I still hope that they make a change and can represent the country in the future, Corneal told TTFF Media

T&T Under 20 Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Colin Belgrave (W Connection), Thorne Holder (San Juan Jabloteh).

Defenders:
Ancil Farrier (South West Drillers), Devon Maxwell (North East Stars), Joel James (Defence Force), Kirk Hearn (Vanier College), Keegan Mills (Tobago United), Karlon Murray (San Juan Jabloteh), Makan Hislop (capt - University of South Carolina), Radhanfah Abu Bakr (Arima Morvant Fire).

Midfielders:
Bryan Cumerbatch (Queen’s Park), Clevon George (Defence Force), Gabriel Lashley (Tobago United), Keon Daniel (St Clair Coaching School), Kevon Neaves (St Anthony’s College), Tarrel Elwin (San Juan Jabloteh).

Forwards:
Abiola Sandy (Arima Morvant Fire), Christopher Sam (San Juan Jabloteh), Kevin Crooks (Young Harris College), Shane Calderon (W Connection).

First Round Fixtures:

Group A In Trinidad & Tobago.
4 August: Barbados – Grenada; Trinidad & Tobago – Guyana 6pm and 8pm.

6 August: Guyana – Barbados; Grenada – Trinidad & Tobago 6pm and 8pm.

8 August: Guyana – Grenada; Trinidad & Tobago – Barbados 4pm and 6pm.

With a deadly left foot...Young Gorian hits the target.

By Joel Bailey - The Newsday Reports.
12-May-2004 - Stern John, Marvin Andrews, Shaka Hislop, Jason Scotland, Carlos Edwards and Clayton Ince are the names that dominate Trinidad and Tobago football on the international scene. But, very soon, the name Gorian Highley seems certain to be added to the list of players destined for great things on the national, regional and eventually, global stage. Standing slightly over five feet tall, the left-footed striker has already made his mark at the youth level during the last 12 months.
He was voted the Most Valuable Player of the 2003 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) after amassing a remarkable 33 goals for East Zonal champions Arima Senior Comprehensive. And he earned the distinction of being the top goalscorer at the Under-17 Division of the 2003 TT Pro League, netting 16 goals to lead W Connection to both the league and knockout titles. An individual of few words, he described his experience at the Pro League level as “good” and also added that he enjoyed his season with the Savonetta-based club. With an insatiable thirst for getting his name on the scoresheet, he was indeed pleased with his performance at the SSFL, “feeling good, scoring goals, like how I normally do it.” Highley’s strengths are his deadly left-foot, his speed on and off the ball, as well as his spot-kicking ability (freekicks and corners) and his stamina, which belies his pint-sized physique.
But his aggression on the field of play has not pleased many a coach, as he was initially dropped from the national Under-17 team by coach Dion La Foucade ahead of the 2002 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World U-17 qualifiers in Bermuda. As fate would have it, La Foucade was replaced by Ron La Forest as U-17 head coach and Highley was recalled to the team. While he scored seven goals in both the qualifiers and warm-up matches, Trinidad and Tobago failed to advance from the Bermuda phase. The 17-year-old Arima resident also comes from a footballing history, as his father Trevor “Mickey Rat” Highley played for the national team in the 1980s as well as Memphis in the National League.
But the younger Highley stressed that he had to work hard in order to achieve a measure of success. “I started off small, training in the (Arima) savannah,” he revealed. “I got accustomed (to being a striker) and I was able to handle (the pressure) from there.” “I had to work, everything is working,” he affirmed. While he sees himself earning a contract with an overseas club in the distant future, he is currently focussing his attention on the National Under-20 team, as he is one of 30 players called to training by recently appointed coach Anton Corneal.."

The players called by Anton Corneal were:

Thorne Holder, Jason Devenish - (Queen's Royal College).

Rondell Renwick - (Starworld Strikers).

Akil De Freitas, Yohance Marshall, Shevon Abraham, Kwesi Thomas, Adrian Toussaint - (Joe Public).

Matthew Cupid - (Morvant/Laventille Comp).

Haylan Warner - (1st Santa Rosa FC).

Carlon Roberts - (Mayaro Composite).

Simba Aberdeen, Josimar Belgrave, Machel James, Sean Bateau, Kitwana Abosi - (Superstar Rangers).

Marlon Ramsumair - (Union Claxton Bay SC).

Abiola Sandy, Kevon Neaves, Troy Thompson - (St Anthony's College).

Kezi Lara - (Naparima College).

Clevon George - (Defence Force).

Dion Peters - (El Dorada SC).

Kern Gardner - (Fatima College).

Ancil Farrier, Gorian Highley, Shane Calderon, Dorian Daniel, Kerwyn Beckles - (W Connection).

Adisa Alexander - (South West Drillers).