Scotland gets axe for England.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express)
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team could well start the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign without another of their stars in Germany 2006, Jason Scotland.
The Express was informed yesterday, 29-year-old Swansea striker Jason Scotland, a squad member at the 2006 World Cup in Germany has failed to make the cut for the June 1 centennial match against England. The squad for that game is expected to be announced today.
Also, it is understood that record goalscorer Stern John was included in the squad partly as a result of the wrist injury to Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones.
The 31-year-old John has a remarkable strike ratio of 67 goals in 101 appearances and is the eighth most prolific forward in the history of the game.
Scotland, who has five goals from 27 international outings, and John, are coming off their most productive seasons in Britain and were the leading scorers and Most Valuable Players for their respective employers.
Scotland bagged a division-high 29 goals in all competitions to help Swansea gain promotion into the England Championship Division. His tally set a modern day record for the Wales-based club and he was named to the League One All Star Team. The former Malick schoolboy and Defence Force star has also attracted interest from several high profile English teams including Derby and Crystal Palace.
John notched one goal in his sole Premiership appearance for Sunderland in 2007/08 before moving to Championship outfit, Southampton, where he scored a team high 19 goals including a double in the final match of the season as the south club staved off relegation.
Maturana was present at Southampton to see John's heroics in their 3-2 win over Sheffield United.
Scotland and John arrived in Trinidad this week but neither could be reached for comment before press time.
Maturana apparently sees Sunderland striker Jones as the leader of his frontline and does not see Scotland as the ideal partner for the England Premiership star.
The 23-year-old Jones also played in the Germany showcase tournament and is regarded as the country's hottest commodity at present although his strike tally stands at a mediocre three goals from 31 outings. He was used up front in 17 of those appearances while the others came at right back and central midfield.
Maturana is likely to choose three attackers from Sparta Rotterdam's Darryl Roberts, 18-year-old El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive schoolboy Jamal Gay, United Petrotrin's Jerol Forbes and Defence Force's Devon Jorsling to serve as Jones' supporting cast.
The only other World Cup players likely to be included on June 1 are Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards, Swansea defender Dennis Lawrence, Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince and Vibe CT 105 W. Connection midfielder and present international captain Aurtis Whitley.
FIFA vice-president and T&TFF special advisor Jack Warner allegedly promised 45 minutes each to retired stars and ex-World Cup players Dwight Yorke (Sunderland) and Russell Latapy (Falkirk) against England but it is uncertain whether Maturana will live up to his end of the bargain, though.
The impending omission of Scotland is par for the course under the respected coach who has ignored a string of World Cup Warriors including Coventry midfielder Chris Birchall (24), Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA playmaker Densill Theobald (25), Ross County defender Brent Sancho (31), ex-New England Revolution defender Avery John (32) and Ma Pau striker Cornell Glen (27).
If Maturana's selection policy raises eyebrows, the two-time Colombia World Cup coach has won only praise for his work on the field so far. He is undefeated in five games against Guadeloupe, El Salvador, Jamaica, Grenada and Barbados. Three of those outings ended with wins for T&T while his squad is yet to concede a goal at home.