SSFL stars depart for Guyana with T&T Under-20s; Keston Julien rejoins team

Editor Wednesday 14 September 2016 Global Football, Local Football, National Football, Volley 11 Comments

Naparima College skipper Shane Sandy, Presentation College (San Fernando) captain Kareem Riley and Shiva Boys Hindu College goalkeeper Denzil Smith are among three schoolboys who will take their leave from the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) 2016 Premier Division for a camp in Guyana this week.

The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team leaves the Piarco International Airport for a seven day training camp in Georgetown, during which time they will play two practice games against the local-based Guyana National Senior Team on Friday and Sunday at venues to be determined.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 midfielder Kadeem Riley (left) tries to win the ball from St Lucia playmaker Cassius Joseph during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 midfielder Kadeem Riley (left) tries to win the ball from St Lucia playmaker Cassius Joseph during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The trip serves as a warm-up for the Caribbean Under-20 Cup, which will be held in Curacao next month and is the second rung of their qualifying campaign for the Korea Republic 2017 Under-20 World Cup. The top five teams in the Caribbean tournament will advance to CONCACAF stage

Trinidad and Tobago will kick off the next phase of their campaign against Cuba on 22 October.

“It’s always good to have international warm-up matches,” said Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 coach Brian Williams told the TTFA Media. “We haven’t had international games since the last tournament and I think these two games will serve us well going into Curacao.

“We also have a couple more international outings coming up but these two games against the Guyana eleven will be a good test for us at this stage of our preparations.”

The young Soca Warriors are captained by W Connection midfielder Jabari Mitchell and will be boosted by the return of United States-based attacker Chaz Burnett and Marabella Crisis Centre left back Keston Julien, who were both members of the squad at under-17 level.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 captain Jabari Mitchell (left) tries to keep the ball away from St Lucia midfielder Zachernus Simon during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 captain Jabari Mitchell (left) tries to keep the ball away from St Lucia midfielder Zachernus Simon during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

North East Stars defender Hakim Baird, Harlem Strikers attacker Moses Jaikeran and former Naparima College right back Rondell Payne were also added to the squad.

However, there are eight omissions from the opening qualifying round, which include the overseas-based quartet of Noah Powder, Morgan Bruce, Jared Dass and Jacob Sooklal as well as Jadel Poon Lewis, Andrew Rullow, Yohannes Richardson andRushawn Murphy.

Winger Isaiah Hudson also remains in Trinidad to represent the National Under-17 Team, which opens their own qualifying competition on Friday evening in Couva.

The full touring party for Guyana is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Jabari Brice (St Anthony’s College/San Juan Jabloteh), Denzil Smith (Shiva Boys HC);

Defenders: Tyrek Sampson (North East Stars), Kori Cupid (Presentation/W Connection), Isaiah Garcia (Shiva Boys/W Connection), Kierron Mason, Keston Julien (both Marabella Family Crisis Centre), Rondell Payne (Naparima College), Hakim Baird (North East Stars);

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 forward Nicholas Dillon (left) tries to power past Guadeloupe defender Hanane Nebot (centre) while his teammate Loic Nuiro looks on during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016. T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 forward Nicholas Dillon (left) tries to power past Guadeloupe defender Hanane Nebot (centre) while his teammate Loic Nuiro looks on during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016.
T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Attackers: Jabari Mitchell (W Connection), Kareem Riley (Presentation/Central FC), Shane Sandy (Naparima/North East Stars), Micah Lansiquot (Mucurapo East/St Ann’s Rangers);

Forwards: Nicholas Dillon (Central FC), Kathon St Hillaire (St Anthony’s/St Ann’s Rangers), Josh Toussaint (St Ann’s Rangers), Chaz Burnett (Players Development Academy—USA), Moses Jaikaran (Harlem Strikers).

Editor’s Note: Shiva Boys Hindu College players Tyrel Emmanuel and Quinn Rodney were initially selected in the 20-man National Under-20 Team but did not travel to Guyana.