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Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve selected 12 players and two reserves from his 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup squad in his travelling party, as the Soca Warriors prepare to resume international action away to Bolivia on Friday 21 January.
The Warriors leave tomorrow for the friendly, which will be played at the Estadio Olímpico Patria in Sucre, 2,810 metres above sea level.
T&T won the Concacaf Gold Cup play-off fixture 6-1.
(via Concacaf)
The fixture falls outside the Fifa international match window and, as a result, Eve is unable to summon players without the express permission of their clubs.
It leaves the Warriors without Europe-based players like winger Levi Garcia, defender Sheldon Bateau and goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup, along with the Central America-based duo of defender Aubrey David and attacker Jomal Williams as well as India-based forward Marcus ‘Lobo’ Joseph.
The US Major League Soccer (MLS) pair of Kevin Molino and Joevin Jones are also still recovering from serious injuries.
However, Eve still has seven starters from Trinidad and Tobago’s closing Gold Cup encounter within his ranks, including veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, speedy flanker Reon Moore and the versatile United Soccer League (USL) trio of Mekeil Williams, Jesse Williams and Noah Powder.
(via TTFA Media)
Thirty-four-year-old central defender Radanfah Abu Bakr, one of the heroes of T&T’s goalless draw with Mexico at the last Gold Cup, was also included, along with Neveal Hackshaw, who plays in central defence for USL club Indy Eleven but will likely feature in midfield for the Warriors.
CSU Bakersfield Athletics full-back Stephon Marcano, the 22-year-old former national youth team player, also got the nod and is in line to make his senior debut, as is utility player Keston George and 17-year-old Club Sando midfielder Molik Khan. Khan was a stand-by for the 2021 Gold Cup team.
Atlanta United II midfielder Ajani Fortune, 19, is the other teenager in the travelling squad and will be seeking his second national team cap. Charleston Battery central defender Leland Archer and midfielder John-Paul Rochford will also both hope to add to their solitary outings at national senior level.
Playmaker Duane Muckette, who has 12 senior caps with one goal, was the most notable member of Eve’s training squad who failed to make the final cut. Likewise Florida International University midfielder Kareem ‘Enzo’ Riley and Defence Force forward Brent Sam.
(via TTFA Media)
Bolivia, who are also due to play Nicaragua this week, are using the friendlies as warm-ups for crucial 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Chile on 28 January and 2 February respectively.
Eve told the TTFA Media that the Bolivia outing is part of his team’s preparation for the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League, which kicks off in June. Trinidad and Tobago are in League B, after being demoted from the top tier under former head coach Dennis Lawrence.
The Men’s National Senior Team has not played since its 2021 Gold Cup group stage elimination on 18 July, while Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic leagues have been dormant since March 2020 as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
(Trinidad and Tobago squad to face Bolivia)
Goalkeepers: Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Marvin Phillip (Unattached);
Defenders: Alvin Jones, Jamal Jack, Radanfah Abu Bakr (all unattached), Stephon Marcano (CSU Bakersfield Athletics—USA), Jesse Williams, Mekeil Williams (both Pittsburgh Riverhounds—USA), Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), Justin Garcia (Defence Force);
(via TTFA Media)
Midfielders: Michel Poon-Angeron, Keston George (both unattached), Noah Powder, Neveal Hackshaw (both Indy Eleven—USA), Matthew Woo Ling (Miami United FC—USA), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force), Molik Khan (Club Sando FC),
Attackers: John-Paul Rochford, Ryan Telfer (both unattached), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United II—USA), Reon Moore (Defence Force).
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Go, go, go, Trinidad ??
Why is the best midfielder in T&T, DUANE MUCKETTE not on the team?
Not because you attend school in the USA, you should be automatically selected.
Duane Muckette is not the best. Yes, he makes many complete passes but they are low-risk, backward and lateral.
Would like to see analysis of his forward and penetrative passes. Good call by coach.