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It is rumoured that Trinidad and Tobago head coach Francisco Maturana has been spared the task of selecting a squad for international duty.
Certain local powerbrokers apparently doubt the Colombian's ability to spot a valuable player after his decision to overlook Dennis Lawrence against the United States, which took some doing considering the veteran defender is six foot seven.

If so, the presence of the Colombian bloc at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium on Friday night for the First Citizens Cup final was purely ceremonial. It would have been nice, all the same, for a local to do something to prompt Maturana to request a teamlist.

The final was exciting enough with four goals and 12 penalty kicks-three of which were unsuccessful-between eventual winners W Connection and bmobile Joe Public, but little to fuel talk of any exciting player who was mysteriously overlooked.

CLICO San Juan Jabloteh, who lost the third place playoff to St Ann's Rangers, seem to have the monopoly on sob stories this season.

Beanpole Rastafarian playmaker Marvin Oliver's subtle skills have started enough arguments over the past two years, while versatile left flanker Noel Williams, free-scoring striker Jerol Forbes and midfielders Trent Noel and Devon Jamerson all deserve a second glance.

But Jabloteh fielded mostly reserve players on Friday and none, including young midfielder Ataullah Guerra, ignited a forgettable curtain-raiser.

Fourth in the T&T Pro League at present, Rangers are the most prolific club in the country and captain Josimar Belgrave and Keon Edwards typically devoured half chances to set up their 2-1 win. But then, "pure" scorers are a dying breed these days. Forwards are expected to be strong enough to hold up the ball or fast enough to single-handedly alter their opponent's formation.

Belgrave and Edwards, both quite useful, may need to further develop their less eye-catching qualities to move up a level in the fast, physical modern game.

The Cup final was much more entertaining, but then the supposed "game for the neutrals" means little when your World Cup campaign is in the balance and the best talent on show is imported.

Joe Public were led by Guyanese striker Gregory Richardson, who ended as the competition's top scorer and MVP, while Connection smothered him between a defensive triangle of Brazilian Eder Gilmar Arias, Kittian Gerrard Williams and St Lucian Elijah Joseph.

At the other end, Connection's most likely source of goals was Dominican Republic international Jonathan Frias-the competition's second highest scorer with three items-while Public's Colombian custodian Alejandro Figueroa sought to deny him.

It is not that local talent failed to contribute. Fifteen of the 26 players used in the final were locals, which is a higher percentage than what obtains at most top English Premier League contests. But it was the same old faces that stood out.

Ever so often, Connection striker Andre Toussaint prompted applause for his clever pivots and passes. But the moments that you wanted to order him a wake up call or draw him a non-stop route to the opposition goal came with regularity too.

At present, Maturana uses Toussaint as an impact player off the bench and there was not enough on Friday for Connection to demand a promotion.

Public defender Keyeno Thomas gave an example of his aerial prowess when he headed home a second-half equaliser for the "Eastern Lions". But Frias and Toussaint frequently looked comfortable around the Public area and a nagging feeling persists that the big defender should be more intimidating.

Versatile Public flanker Kerry Baptiste, a substitute on Friday, has not come close to his best form since a dazzling performance against New England Revolution, while 2010 is surely too soon for teenaged striker Jamal Gay, although his rapid improvement is notable and commendable. On the other side, Connection midfielders Hughtun Hector and Andrei Pacheco failed to live up to the hype generated by their employers.

Hector has quick feet and serves the ball well but is unlikely to be accommodated at the international level unless he demonstrates greater urgency in his defensive duties.

Pacheco is quick, robust and left footed but did not show enough of those snapping tackles or powerful shots to recommend himself.

Friday night was a good outing for more than a thousand supporters who turned out at Marabella. But, for better or worse, Maturana-or whoever picks the national team, these days-would not have left with the feeling that the present 22-man squad to face Guatemala and the United States next month can be improved.