T&T U-17s choose Couva over POS for CFU qualifiers; Hudson and Lammy raring to go

The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team will concede their traditional home ground this weekend, after the Russell Latapy-led technical staff suggested that playing in Couva would be more advantageous to their India 2017 Under-17 World Cup qualifying chances.

The junior Soca Warriors open their World Cup bid against 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) champions, Haiti, from 7:30pm on Friday 16 September at the Ato Boldon Stadium. It is the second match of a double header as Jamaica and Bermuda square off from 5pm at the same venue.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team coach Russell Latapy (background) looks on at a national training session. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team coach Russell Latapy (background) looks on at a national training session.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

However, bizarrely, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Cuba and Curacao will be based at the Hasely Crawford for Group B, which kicks off at 4pm on 17 September with Suriname tackling Guadeloupe.

Team manager Alexandrine Elliott-Procope explained why the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) opted to swap Port of Spain for Couva.

“[The technical staff] feels that the Couva venue will be an advantage,” Elliott-Procope told Wired868. “One, it’s a smaller venue and they are accustomed to the venue [after doing most of their preparation at the Ato Boldon Stadium].”

The Hasely Crawford Stadium seats 23,000 patrons while the Ato Boldon Stadium holds just 10,000. However, Elliott-Procope suggested that the latter was more likely to get a bigger turnout and could provide a better atmosphere.

“In terms of the viewing public, we expect that the attendance at the games would be better [at Couva] than at the Hasely Crawford Stadium,” said Elliott-Procope. “When you have 4,000 persons watching you at the Hasely Crawford Stadium compared to 4,000 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, it’s a different kind of feeling.”

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 winger Isaiah Hudson (centre) runs at the Turks and Caicos defence during Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 17 June 2016. T&T won 11-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 winger Isaiah Hudson (centre) runs at the Turks and Caicos defence during Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 17 June 2016.
T&T won 11-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The National Under-17 coach, Latapy, declined the chance to discuss the upcoming tournament on the grounds that he did an interview with Wired868 last week. His assistant, Reynold Carrington, also did not speak to the media.

Sixteen year old Warriors attacker Isaiah Hudson, who scored three times from as many games with the Under-20s in June, said he and his teammates were raring to go.

“I am involved with a lot of teams at the moment and a lot of football is taking place but I am taking in it in stride and enjoying every moment,” Hudson told the TTFA Media. “For the tournament with the Under-17s, I am very anxious because it is another chance for me to do well in this age group…

“It will be important for us to start well on Friday against Haiti. The players will be giving their all and trying their best to do what the coaches want of us.

“And a good win will give us that level of confidence we will need for the remainder of the tournament.”


Striker Nion Lammy and Canada-born midfielder Luke Singh were also confident that the team will do well.

Photo: Former Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup captain and Manchester United star Dwight Yorke (right) gives instructions to National Under-17 midfielder Luke Singh at a training session. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Former Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup captain and Manchester United star Dwight Yorke (right) gives instructions to National Under-17 midfielder Luke Singh at a training session.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

“The fans can expect a fast pace game and we will be coming out there to give it our best,” said Singh. “I think Haiti will also come strongly because every team wants to win on the day. But I think we are prepared for it.”

Lammy, who scored in the Under-17s’ win over the Under-20s, has also set himself an individual target.

“I want to finish as the leading scorer,” said Lammy, who is also a Presentation College (San Fernando) student. “My aim is to make the starting team or at least come off the bench and get among the goals…

“Once we work hard and stay focused then I think we have a great chance of coming away victorious in all of our matches.”

Latapy’s 22-man squad were passed medically fit after undergoing a series of tests at the HealthNet Clinic in San Fernando last week. HealthNet is currently engaged in a four-year partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) to oversee all of its national teams.

The National Under-17 Team defeated their Under-20 counterparts 2-1 in a friendly exercise on Monday. They will hope for similar success against their regional guests.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team defender Tyrique Andrews (right). (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team defender Tyrique Andrews (right).
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

(Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team)

Goalkeepers: Emmanuel John (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East), Elijah Shade (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s);

Defenders: Jessie Williams (St Ann’s Rangers/East Mucurapo), Tyrique Andrews (W Connection/Naparima), Jerren Jackie (Point Fortin Civic/Presentation San F’do), Kerdell Sween, Brandon Semper (both San Juan Jabloteh/San Juan North);

Midfielders: John-Paul Rochford (FC Santa Rosa/QRC), Jodel Brown (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s College), Keon Boney (North East Stars/North Eastern), Luke Singh (Vaughn Azzuri—Canada/St Edmund Campion), Omar Da Naia (Vaughn Azzuri—Canada/Bill Brothers Secondary), Nikel Orr (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East), Che Benny (St Ann’s Rangers/St Anthony’s), Mark Ramdeen, Isaiah Hudson, Andre Raymond (W Connection/Naparima);

Forwards: Jaydon Prowell (Central FC/St Anthony’s), Nion Lammy (Point Fortin Civic/Presentation San F’do), Jonathan Godette (DC United—USA/Maryland), Kishon Hackshaw (North East Stars/Trinity East), Tyrese Bailey (San Juan Jabloteh/St Anthony’s).

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team captain John-Paul Rochford (left) trains with a teammate. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team captain John-Paul Rochford (left) trains with a teammate.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

CFU Under-17 Schedule

Group A [All matches at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva]

(16 September)

Bermuda vs Jamaica, 5pm;

T&T vs Haiti, 7:30pm;

(18 September)

Jamaica vs Haiti, 4pm;

T&T vs Bermuda, 6:30pm;

(20 September)

Haiti vs Bermuda, 5pm;

T&T vs Jamaica, 7:30pm;

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team Elijah Shade (left) is prepared by goalkeeper coach Nigel Neverson. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team Elijah Shade (left) is prepared by goalkeeper coach Nigel Neverson.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Group B [All matches at Hasely Crawford Stadium]

(17 September)

Suriname vs Guadeloupe, 4pm;

Cuba vs Curacao, 6:30pm;

(19 September)

Guadeloupe vs Cuba, 5pm;

Suriname vs Curacao, 7:30pm;

(21 September)

Curacao vs Guadeloupe, 5pm;

Cuba vs Suriname, 7:30pm.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 attacker Isaiah Hudson (centre) is denied by St Lucia goalkeeper Noah Didier during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016. Hudson is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 attacker Isaiah Hudson (centre) is denied by St Lucia goalkeeper Noah Didier during 2016 Caribbean Cup qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 19 June 2016.
Hudson is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Knock Out Round [All matches at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva]

(23 September)

Group A Winner vs Group B Runner Up, 5pm;

Group B  Winner vs Group A Runner Up, 7:30pm;

(25 September)

Third place – Semi Finals losers, 4pm;

Final – Winners of Semi-Final matches, 6:30pm.

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About Roneil Walcott

Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary's College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.

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66 comments

  1. I don’t know why meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner didn’t also build another stadium opposite the Trincity mall with all that land there nah and of course build a road leading to connect to the South highway so that meh family Savitri Maharaj and Kirwin Weston and others could always come to the games eh and then lime in the mall either before or after the games eh Them really good yes.

  2. I complained about this venue last night at the stadium. He won’t get 4000 supporters from d bush as opposed to from d city. KMT

  3. I am watching Iran U-16 playing Saudi Arabia at this moment and at 10;30 am India will be playing UAE to Qualify for the U17 World cup next Year in India Check the game on LiveTv.sx/en

  4. Interesting selection…the team has 5 defenders and 5 strikers too

  5. So Latapy wants to play a slick on the floor passing game but they choose the one venue with savannah grass … Lol

  6. Guys, remember to go out on Friday and support these future stars…. Our young warriors…..

  7. Because the govt health services cannot meet what is required.

  8. Apologies for distracting from the discourse. But why does TTFA have a four year deal with Healthnet?
    Why doesn’t the public health sector address their needs? Why isn’t that one way in which the government is supporting national footballers?
    (And by extension all national athletes?)

  9. I just talk to the right people Lasana…anything you want to find out let me know…lol

  10. PS I livin Mayaro… and once I on land… I goin!!

  11. Trinidad small peeps if you want go the football you will go… Caesar’s Army’s Mai Tai was in Brechin Castle 2 years str8 and was sold out… so wah… if yuh livin in d east… reach Curepe Junction… then take a Chaguanas taxi… when yuh reach Chag… take a main road maxi… stop out by Couva KFC… take a short car to the stadium… easy!!!

  12. But I think it makes sense because the boys would need and hopefully get that support and in the bigger venue they would not feel the fans

  13. Yep the traffic eh too bad these days.

  14. Anyone from the east-west corridor who has to travel won’t be as happy.

  15. I reside in Couva but originally from San Juan.

  16. You’re a south or central girl Joann?

  17. Confess please Savitri Maharaj… Did you have a hand in the venue selection?! Lol.

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