Maturana names 18-man squad to face Cuba in W/Cup qualifiers.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Trinidad and Tobago head coach Francisco Maturana announced his 18-man squad to face Cuba in next Wednesday’s world cup qualifier against Cuba in Havana on the eve of the team’s departure from Washington where it played El Salvador on Thursday.
The squad include twelve players who were part of the contingent for the two warm up internationals against Haiti and El Salvador over the past week. Six overseas professionals have been invited and will join the team in Havana with some of them arriving there from Friday.
The invited overseas pros include Swansea City defender Dennis Lawrence, Sunderland midfielder Carlos Edwards, Ferencvaros FC goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, Miami FC defender Avery John, Coventry City midfielder Chris Birchall and Denizlispor FC striker Darryl Roberts.
The other players included are goalkeeper Marvin Phillip (W Connection), Makan Hislop (United Petotrin), Keyeno Thomas (Joe Public), Cyd Gray (Clico San Juan Jabloteh), Clyde Leon (W Connection), Keon Daniel (United Petrotrin), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Khaleem Hyland (unattached), Aurtis Whitley (W Connection), Anthony Wolfe (North East Stars), Andre Toussaint (W Connection) and speedy striker Cornell Glen who is currently undergoing contract negotiations with an overseas club. Maturana commented on his selection, citing the importance of a good start for the team in Havana.
“I believe these players can be well put together to bring us the performance and the result which will be good for us in Cuba. We start the round away from home and that is always a difficult task but we will play the game with all the passion and purpose to bring home a good result –a win,” Maturana told TTFF Media.
Edwards should be the only late arriving player as he will be allowed to play for Sunderland in their Premiership opener against Liverpool on Saturday before joining the team in Havana a day later.
“I am looking forward to both games with a lot of excitement. It’s the start of the new season in England and it’s the start of the new qualifying round for the World Cup so obviously I want to be on two winning teams and I will try my best in both matches,” Edwards said. “I think if we can go to Cuba and get points then it would be the ideal start. We cannot underestimate them nor any of the other teams in the group which is why it will be a plus to get points off Cuba in their home venue.”
Edwards’ Sunderland teammate Dwight Yorke was not considered due to injury. Yorke’s World Cup teammate Densill Theobald doesn’t expect his absence to have a negative effect on the team though.
“Dwight’s presence always brings a lot to the team and when we heard he was making himself available again we felt good about it but I don’t think it’s a big setback with him not coming for the Cuba game. We have worked really hard over the past few weeks and the team has the type of experienced players needed to put out a good performance and get the result we are hoping for. When Dwight comes in he will boost the team but for now we will have to go out and get the job done,” Theobald added.
Meantime, the starting team for Thursday night’s friendly against El Salvador is: Marvin Phillip, Makan Hislop, Keyeno Thomas, Cyd Gray, Aklie Edwards, Densill Theobald, Clyde Leon, Keon Daniel, Khaleem Hyland, Andre Toussaint and Cornell Glen. Scouts from the United States and Cuba are expected to be at the RFK Stadium to witness Thursday’s friendly which according to the match organizers will draw close to 20,000 fans or more.
