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Trinidad and Tobago national senior team head coach Stephen Hart announced his final 20-man squad for the 2014 Caribbean Cup semifinal qualifying round today with only three Pro League players named among his 18 outfield players.
Central FC midfielders Ataullah Guerra and Leston Paul were both summoned while DIRECTV W Connection right back Alvin Jones, who spent his pre-season on trial with a French Third Division club, also got his first call-up. As usual, Central’s Jan-Michael Williams and Point Fortin Civic’s Marvin Phillip were selected as the team’s two goalkeepers.
Connection defender Daneil Cyrus (left) is on loan in Vietnam at present.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Otherwise, Hart leaned heavily on foreign expertise with 14 picks for players employed by overseas clubs and one unattached player. Jones is the only member of the squad who has never played under Hart at any level.
Cardiff City forward Kenwyne Jones, who plays in England’s Championship Division, captains the “Soca Warriors” and leads a list of seven Europe-based players who are Justin Hoyte (Millwall—England), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen—Belgium), Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk—Belgium), Joevin Jones (HJK Helsinki—Finland) and Leston Peltier (Slovan Bratislava—Slovakia).
Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino, whose team is about to join the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) is also in the squad along with fellow North America-based players Kevan George (Columbus Crew), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Trevin Caesar (San Antonio Scorpions).
The Vietnam-based duo of Hughtun Hector and Daneil Cyrus, who both represent Hanoi T&T, completed the foreign roster.
Hart told Wired868 that his selection was based more on familiarity with his methods than where the player happened to be plying his trade.
“This is not an indictment on the Pro League at all because the last few squads have been a 50-50 balance between foreign and local based,” said Hart. “But, at the time of selection, I wanted to go with a group that more of less understands what I am doing because we have so little time together.
“There are a number of players I would have liked to have included but I have never seen them at international senior level. Do I go with players who I don’t know how they will react? I can’t go into a tournament blind with players I don’t know how they are going to perform.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media)
The head coach also suggested that the late start to the 2014/15 Pro League season might also have affected his selection.
“The Pro League has just started and match fitness is something I have to consider too,” said Hart. “A number of Pro League players were out on trial and only returned in the last few days.”
The main omissions are Central FC attackers Willis Plaza and Rundell Winchester, who recently walked out of their contracts at Belgium Third Division team CV Visé due to financial issues, as well as Defence Force utility player Curtis Gonzales, Caledonia AIA midfielder Densill Theobald, Point Fortin attacker Marcus Joseph, who was the Pro League’s top scorer last season, and FK Kruoja Pakruojis defender Radanfah Abu Bakr, who was an all-star player recently in the Lithuania league. All six players were involved in Trinidad and Tobago’s South American tour in June.
Yohance Marshall, who played against Argentina and Iran in June, kept his place in the squad despite being unattached since leaving Central at the end of the Pro League season in May.
“He was in the latest camp we had and knew what we were trying to do,” said Hart, “so I decided to go with him.”
At least two absentees were not of Hart’s making. FF Jaro forward Shahdon Winchester and full back Aubrey David were excluded amidst talk of a financial dispute between the Finland Premier Division club and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) over a lingering debt.
(Courtesy FF Jaro)
Hart suggested that he wanted to select Winchester (S) and David although he opted not to give details.
“They were considered for selection but there is an internal issue there that I do not want to get into,” he said.
However, Jaro general manager Nicklas Storbacka said his club was unhappy that the TTFA allegedly reneged on a promise to refund the Finnish outfit for plane tickets purchased last year for Winchester (S) and Ataullah Guerra, who was at fellow Finland team RoPS at the time.
“We have addressed the TTFA about it several times and we have received promises that we would be reimbursed,” Storbacka told Wired868. “It is not something that you would expect from a federation… It is not a big amount. I see it more as a measure of a matter of principle.”
Still, Storbacka explained that his club did not withhold its Trinidad and Tobago players and said the TTFA decided not to select them.
Wired868 understands that, by the time temperatures cooled between the two parties on the matter, the deadline for selecting players for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) competition had gone.
There might be another issue regarding overseas players as some clubs have complained about the tournament fixtures, which scheduled three international games in five days. Hart said he will be mindful of the health of the “Soca Warriors” and suggested he might try to solve the problem through squad rotation and careful use of his substitutions.
(Copyright AFP 2014/ Juan Mabromata)
Otherwise, Hart expressed satisfaction with his 20-man team which opens its qualifying campaign against the Dominican Republic from 8.15 pm on Wednesday October 8 in the second game of a double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
The Warriors’ fixture is preceded by a clash between St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda at 6 pm.
“The players appear to be very enthusiastic and the mood is quite good which is what we want heading into the competition,” Hart told the TTFA Media. “It’s important for us to have the right approach which I am quite confident the team will have because these are all professional players who are very committed to doing what is right for the team and their country.”
The Dominican Republic squad includes former W Connection stand-out Jonathan Faria, who has 18 goals in 28 international appearances, and four Europe-based players including forward Mariano and central defender Cayetano Bonnín, who play in the Real Madrid and Villarreal reserve teams respectively.
Admission is $100 for the covered stands and $60 for uncovered.
(Trinidad and Tobago squad)
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillips (Point Fortin Civic);
Defenders: Justin Hoyte (Millwall—England), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen—Belgium), Yohance Marshall (Unattached), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps—Canada), Daneil Cyrus (Ha Noi T&T—Vietnam);
Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (Racing Genk—Belgium), Kevan George (Columbus Crew—USA), Leston Paul (Central FC);
Attacking midfielders: Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava—Slovakia), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—USA), Hughtun Hector (Hanoi T&T—Vietnam), Kevin Molino (Orlando City—USA), Joevin Jones (HJK Helsinki—Finland), Ataullah Guerra (Central FC);
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City—England), Trevin Caesar (San Antonio Scorpions—USA),
Caribbean Cup qualifying fixtures
(Wed Oct 8)
St Lucia v Antigua and Barbuda, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
T&T v Dominican Republic, 8.15 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Fri Oct 10)
Dominican Rep v Antigua and Barbuda, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
T&T v St Lucia, 8.15 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Sun Oct 12)
Dominican Republic v St Lucia, 4 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
T&T v Antigua and Barbuda, 6.15 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.
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first of all bro this is debate so don’t get angry ,cool? I am not a trini because i deal with the realities of life and i am a fair man.i don’t ask of my sportsmen what i don’t ask of my politicians ,doctors,teachers ,policemen etc. We in critcized Ataulla for paying respects to Messi ,while teachers don’t teach,doctors kill people in our health institutions,police can’t solve a murder,politicians tiefing our money,but its a sportsman that on a cross so to speak
I like my Jamaican counterparts will never be satisfied when our best young players seem to be only able to secure contracts in Finland, Vietnam and India. What is wrong with expecting better and more from local clubs. I’m inherently Trini yes cuz I expect our players to play in Italy, France, Germany and I came out of an era when with less opportunity players went to FC Zurich, Academica, Aston Villa and Columbus.
The thing boils down to dollars and sense yes sense. As a player in the local league shines he would be scouted or sent on trial thereby becoming a ” foreign based” professional. Our local league is too small to keep our top players so our national set up will mostlt be dominated by foreign based players. The three local players would probably not be local based for much longer. Such is the plight of a small country with not much funds pumped into football. As it stands now our local teams should all have coaching schools and focus more on developing players. It will be profitable both to them abd the national set up.
Exactly what is wrong with being critical, or maybe ur ill-conceived comments should be directed at coach Hart because he has clearly shown that his faith is diminished with the local players and yuh know what If there weren’t club issues with Winchester Leston Paul would not have been selected.
LOL, all of the “foreign” players were local players at a point in time so as poor as the local league is, the LOCAL league still producing players than can go abroad and secure a professional contract ,not so? Trinidadians eh boy,yuh never hear a Jamaican criticizing his sportsmen like us.
Finish the sentence, “and the local league/s is a reflection of the local clubs that aren’t providing a good enough output” (lol)
Or the local league… Although, of course, he did not say about either.
that might be indicative of coach’s faith (or lack thereof) in the local players.
How many tobago players on that team ‘ but same tobago players making waves in the Trini league hmmm
Have some faith in coach Hart. I think he knows what he’s doing.
Team has a lot of pace
We will win this!
I believe so. It will help Trinidad football. I like what they are doing. Collaborating and inviting teams in these smaller regions. It will give it a wider audience
The Copa 2016 is wide open. But imagine if Jamaica qualified again… T&T really needs to win this one. Only one Caribbean team will play and it is a great opportunity to play some top teams in a tournament format.
It will be like a World Cup for us.
Dang! Are they automatically in 2016 too? They must have turned to them. What experience they are getting there. Well we will have to just win this thing.
Only the winner gets into the Copa America 2016. The guest team for 2015, I think, was Japan and they pulled out. The next thing you knew Jamaica was in.
I don’t know if they turned to Jamaica or Jamaica made a case for themselves.
Maybe it was the fact that both teams starts with Ja and the printing was already in place. Or maybe the fastest man in the world would be in attendance.
It seems we must have bar b q’s to raise funds to help the guys. It’s a real joke that a team like trinidad and tobago has to go through this. ..I still consider T&T the best in the Caribbean …on its day…so much money wasting around and a national team endures this…really pathetic I must say lasana
How’s this for controversy- t&t has money to give past players but no money to “give away” to the future to get to another World Cup . And this is the best “marketing strategy” we have. Won’t be surprised to see a soca star get a couple million more to produce a nation building song in the event that we do! Viewership of carnival, hmmmmn few hundred thousand. Viewership of the World Cup, hmmmmmn, few billion!
Yes. Jamal has shown how useful he can be.
Really? How? What you mean acting quickly? And this is why he called a strong squad. What place we need to finish to get a berth man? We need to get into this tournament. Ah asking real questions sorry dey
Hope they keep their eyes on Jamal Gay too!
This tournament Prince. And Jamaica is already confirmed as Copa America 2015 guests by simply acting quickly when there was an opening.
Also is this the Caribbean cup that dictates who plays in Copa America 2016 or is that the 2015 tournament.
Thanks lasana…but there are always issues surrounding shahdon….they need to sort it out this youngster is amazing talent…he needs to be around the set up of national football..
Hart has regularly complained that he is not getting an opportunity to put a program in place because the TTFA cannot raise the money to fund it.
Yes, Prince. It is one of the strongest teams in over a decade in terms of international experience.
I keep saying this and thanks for the forum to do so. I tend to get very passionate when persons make excuses without even trying. Reminding, Trinidad and Tobago did not get seven from Germany as Brazil did. We got three from the other finalist. Our team is loaded not only with talent but technically sound players. Mr. live, would you prefer to have a team as Brazil with no money or a team like England with lots of money for qualifiers?
It is a very strong squad
Just wish the head coach can get funding so these guys can concentrate on doing the business on the field…the team needs to have camps and needs some stability. …gosh we are in 2014 and still no proper preparation….its really sad…
Isn’t this a particularly strong squad for a Caribbean cup?
Picking the right players is important but more importantly is picking the right team. Chemistry and morale outweigh talent. Fitness is a must and we must never compromise on match fitness. We can not be picking players for tournaments only every time a competition comes around. It’s time we pick a team and let them start gelling.
Nice team but its true have to be careful with players who are unattached and are not in competition especially when u dont have time to have a good 2 weeks of preparation
I agree with what you guys saying however it is one of the better selected teams in a while. My humble opinion.
The one concern about the squad as a whole is that less than half of the players can be classified as being truly match fit. The only players that get regular playing time at their clubs are Kevin Molino, Kenwyne Jones, Sheldon Bateau, Khaleem Hyland, Lester Peltier, Cordell Cato, and Andre Boucaud. Hughtun Hector and Daneil Cyrus are first team players, but their season ended in August. Then you have guys like Justin Hoyte who is only now returning from an injury and Yohance Marshall who has been without a club since the end of last season.
My bigger question is, if the team didn’t get it right vs Argentina, why choose some of the same fellas who were on that losing team, some who could not even threaten the goal. Is losing the new benchmark? I still think T&t could have at least drawn or scored on a makeshift argentine defense.
I agree with earl jean on point one but differ a bit on point two. I have been asking for it on another thread- what is the selection criteria? Is is based on a combination of stats and something else? How are players to know how to prepare themselves to be on that team? I think the reason of those who know his style of play is kinda lame. Why not teach more persons the style for crying out loud? I think that the money excuse is lame. Why not have the best of each zone play in a tournament vs the foreign based as warm ups? I am asking mr. Live if he can get a list of players that are eligible to play on the national senior team by position. Different formations would require different personnel. Other players need to be capped at a young age too.
Thanks lasana…someone has been giving him a hard time around that national set up…the guys has been his team leading goalscorer and doing very well young strong striker and yet he is not around the set up of national senior team..
My goodness are these people serious…I like to stay away from selection issues but come on …are the other strikers proven goalscorers for this national team? …..get me some statistics. …give the young guys a chance
A pity about Shahdon. He deserves to be in this squad.
Congrats to Cato on finally being called up. Not really sure why Boucaud is being selected, when we do have some younger talent in midfield in TT, i.e. Sean De Silva, JL Rochford…… Other than that, very positive team, congrats and well deserved selection of Alvin Jones…..
I don’t know but I hope they get their act together.
Yea boi! Shahdon and David is big players! Wonder what dispute that is?
Andre Cuffie check this….I like that Alvin Jones got called but would like to see Shadon and Plaza on the squad
Would like to see him get his century of caps before he retires.
Carlance u said finally a team without denzil but tell me the most consistent and better passer off the ball for T&T in the past 10 yrs??
He hasn’t retired though. So who knows. It is up to the younger players like Leston Paul to play well enough so he won’t be needed.
I like Densil as a player, he served well during his tenure
You’re right. But Cato trained with Hart before the New Zealand game.
The remaining players should be here by Sunday.
Cordell Cato is another one without a senior cap. What is the arrival schedule of the players?
A player who performed very creditably at a World Cup… Don’t forget that fellahs.
Leston Paul and Alvin Jones could both make their senior international debuts in this tournament.
Good luck to both of them.
For real eh.
Finally a squad without Denzil Theobald.!!!
It’s funny that zero defensive midfielders are actually named. however, with so many midfielders, I don’t envision the ball getting to the back of the net many times in open play. Don’t see the formation changing to 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 if it comes to chasing a game. At this stage of the tournament would’ve given a youngster a chance as keeper. Also, don’t see Jan Michael making much of an impact especially on these surfaces in rainy weather. I’ll be optimistic and say Coach Hart will go with a 3-5-2 on attack and 4-5-1 on defence. Nevertheless T&T is far superior and I am confident that they shouldn’t have many problems.