Lawrence to make T&T coaching debut in Couva; Barbados replace Suriname as opponent

Gems at Lajoya

New Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence will begin his reign on home soil, after the TTFA announced a change in international sparring partners today.

And, instead of travelling to Paramaribo, the Soca Warriors will now host Barbados on Friday 10 March at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Tickets for the friendly match are priced at TT$50 (adults) and TT$20 (children).

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Akeem Roach (centre) tries to find a route to goal during 2017 Gold Cup playoff action at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on 4 January 2017. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Akeem Roach (centre) tries to find a route to goal during 2017 Gold Cup playoff action at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on 4 January 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The outing will mark Lawrence’s debut as a head coach at any competitive level and he will be joined by assistant coach Sol Campbell, who flies in from England on 9 March. Campbell, who has no coaching experience, is a former England and Arsenal stand-out. The pair will be flanked by Lawrence’s other assistant coaches, Stern John and Stuart Charles-Fevrier.

At present, the Warriors head coach has roughly 30 players in a non-residential training camp. His squad was beefed up with this week with the inclusions of National Under-20 Team goalkeeper Montel Joseph, defender Taryk Sampson and winger Kathon St Hillaire.

Barbados are deputising for Suriname who, according to the TTFA, pulled out of their initial promise to host Trinidad and Tobago on the same day.

KFC Munch Pack

Barbados are ranked 156th in the world by FIFA while Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are 84th and 129th respectively.

The match will serve as a warm-up for the Warriors’ World Cup qualifiers against Panama (ranked 53rd) and Mexico (ranked 17th) on 24 and 28 March respectively.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Sean De Silva (left) takes on Peru midfielder Adan Balbin during a friendly international match at the National stadium in Lima on 23 May 2016.  Peru won 4-0. (Copyright Ernesto Benavides/AFP 2016)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Sean De Silva (left) takes on Peru midfielder Adan Balbin during a friendly international match at the National stadium in Lima on 23 May 2016. 
Peru won 4-0.
(Copyright Ernesto Benavides/AFP 2016)

Central FC midfielder Sean De Silva and W Connection defender Alvin Jones both told the TTFA Media that they have enjoyed the intensity of the sessions under Lawrence so far.

“So far the training sessions have been fantastic,” said De Silva. “The intensity has been really good every day and it’s been good getting to know some of the new faces around the team and working under Dennis. Everything we do right now has been geared towards the two upcoming games.

“Coach Dennis has made it clear that the only thing that should be on our minds right now is that Panama game and then Mexico to follow.”

(Trinidad and Tobago training squad)

Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Glenroy Samuel (Ma Pau Stars), Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Andre Marchan (Defence Force), Montel Joseph (Boreham Wood FC—England);

Photo: Central FC and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams established himself as one of CONCACAF's top goalkeepers over the last three years. (Courtesy Mysanantonio.com)
Photo: Central FC and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams established himself as one of CONCACAF’s top goalkeepers over the last three years.
(Courtesy Mysanantonio.com)

Defenders: Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Julius James (Central FC), Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Daniel Cyrus (all unattached), Taryk Sampson (Ma Pau Stars), Jelani Peters, Jesus Perez, Triston Hodge, Alvin Jones (all W Connection);

Midfielders: Leston Paul, Sean De Silva, Darren Mitchell (all Central FC), Akeem Humphrey, Jared London (both Club Sando), Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Tyrone Charles, Nathan Lewis (both San Juan Jabloteh), Kathon St Hillaire, Jomoul Francois (both St Ann’s Rangers);

Forwards: Keron Cummings (Central FC), Jamille Boatswain, Hashim Arcia (both Defence Force), Akeem Roach (Club Sando), Jameel Perry (Police FC).

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46 comments


  1. Warning: Undefined variable $userid in /www/wired868_759/public/wp-content/plugins/user-photo/user-photo.php on line 114

    Any game is worthwhile as we get set for those two end-of-March WC Qualifying games. This young, predominantly local team needs some kind of litmus testing – good enough for me and a win, which should be a given, must be kept in perspective. As for Stuarty’s interview, measured and supporting – good short, non-specific 2-plus minutes contribution.

  2. What a waste, Central FC would beat Barbados

    Let us get real, what coaching do you have to do to beat Barbados, this is a gimic, 4 maybe 5 pro teams will beat Barbados.

    This is what we reach to.

    Is a good thing Lasana don’t like cursing, so I will leave that right there

    • I agree that Central would beat Barbados. But then T&T vs Central FC wouldn’t be an international fixture and wouldn’t pull a crowd.
      If Barbados are decent, I’d be fine with it. But it is a gamble.
      Would have been better to play a Jamaica local based squad. But captain Burrell doesn’t like to put the name “Jamaica” on a team if he doesn’t have a strong squad.

    • We could play a Pro League 11 and get a better match, because they would want to impress to get a chance on the National Team.

    • Who want to see Barbados???

      Not me

    • Mentally the players might enjoy facing another country more though. I still take your point.

    • hahahahaha I once was told that the reason why the TTFA likes to play against the weak Caribbean teams is that our players will beat them up so that they can get plenty confidence eh, but when the Soca Worries gets beat up by the real professional countries abroad is always ah set ah licks like peas eh steeuuppss hence the reason why if Alyuh remember when a youth team went to a youth World Cup tournament , the young player when for the first time he experienced the real professional football from the real upcoming young stars of tomorrow, he returned to our sweet country and was interviewed by one of the newspapers sports reporter and he said that he and his other players were all fooled by their bootleg Coaches in our sweet country eh in thinking that they was really all that good and better than their opponents eh and this story was in the newspapers eh well I started bussing out ah set ah laughing eh, Them really good yes Simone Ghirlanda hahahahahaha

  3. Not a fan of this friendly …this isn’t the level we looking for to guage our progress …cmon tallest …do better…

  4. I did make up my mind not to comment u know but this Gino McKoy talks so much shit and not censored i forced to tell you stop be an ass!!

  5. Trinidad & Tobago is really not serious about worldcup qualifying again. Really sad.

  6. That’s rubbish, why not Venezuela ?? instead

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