TEN MEMBERS of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup squad, all under age twenty-three (23), have been included in the 21-man squad which new Trinidad and Tobago national team head coach Stephen Hart has selected for the OSN Four National Cup, which takes place from September 5-10 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hart has also recalled Lestier “Corn Curls” Peltier, Ataullah Guerra and Willis Plaza to international action, along with the England-based trio of Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, Andre Boucard (Notts County) and Justin Hoyte (Middlesborough).
The Soca Warriors leave for the tournament on Sunday and will arrive in Saudi Arabia a day before kicking off the tournament against the United Arab Emirates.
New Zealand will play hosts Saudi Arabia in the other match on opening day. On the second day, the winners will meet in the final, while the two losers battle for third spot.
Caledonia AIA’s Glenroy Samuel, Trinidad and Tobago’s goalkeeper at both the 2007 FIFA Under-17 and 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cups, get his first tour with the senior team.
Also included are his youth World Cup teammates Robert Primus (FC Aktobe), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Mekeil Williams (W Connection), Aubrey David (Caledonia AIA), Kevin Molino (Orlando City), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin Civic Centre) and Sheldon Bateau (KV Melchien).
Hart did not include former Under-20 World Cup captain Leston Paul, but said he liked some of what he saw from the Guaya United midfielder and will be keeping an eye on him in the future.
“It’s a time for experimentation. We have to be realistic. We finished the Gold Cup and we have an idea of a nucleus, but we have to build for the future,” Hart said, while announcing his team yesterday at the VIP lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium. “I felt it was extremely important that I look at players I did not get to see at the Gold Cup. I think it was important to see them play international games.”
Hart chose some of the players based on scouting, some on information obtained from performances on the internet, and also recommendations from his technical staff.
The San Fernando-born former Canada national coach also confessed difficulty in getting players released, despite the tournament being played on an official FIFA match date. There was a hint he might not have gotten everyone he wanted for the series.
“Clubs are never happy about releasing players for international dates and in some countries the leagues don’t stop even when its is a FIFA international date,” he said.
Trinidad & Tobago Squad
Goalkeepers
Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillips (Point Fortin Civic Centre), Glenroy Samuel (Caledonia AIA).
Defenders
Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen), Justin Hoyte (Middlesbrough), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Robert Primus (FC Aktobe), Mekeil Williams (W Connection), Aubrey David (Caledonia AIA), Radanfah Abu Bakr (FC Vosto), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force).
Midfielders
Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Andre Boucaud (Notts County), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava), Kevin Molino (Orlando City), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Ataullah Guerra (Rovaniemen Palloseura), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk), Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin Civic Centre).
Forwards
Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City), Willis Plaza (Song Lam Nghe).