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Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve announced his 20-man squad for two exhibition outings in a four nations King’s Cup invitational tournament in Thailand this month. The Soca Warriors are rostered to play Tajikistan on 22 September before progressing to contest the trophy or third place play off against either Malaysia or hosts Thailand on 24 September.
Tajikistan is ranked 109th in the world by Fifa while Thailand and Malaysia are 111th and 148th respectively. Trinidad and Tobago are ranked 101st at present.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)
Eve will rely heavily on his overseas-based players for the two games with 19 of his 20 call-ups employed abroad at present. Veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, who represented Deportivo PF at the recent Ascension Tournament, was the only local-based selection.
The 2022 Ascension Tournament, the only TTFA-sanctioned adult domestic competition since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, ended two months ago.
From the foreign contingent, Columbus Crew (USA) attacking midfielder Kevin Molino and Ranheim NL (Norway) goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup both return to the fold for the first time since the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Molino’s absence was due to injury while Frenderup’s was allegedly due to his vaccination status.
Versatile central defender Anthony Herbert, who plays professionally for FC Haka in Finland, will make his international debut if he gets on the field in Thailand. Otherwise, Eve’s call-ups all played for him already this year.
Versatile defender and TTFA 2021 Player of the Year Aubrey David, who represents Liga Deportivo Alajuelense in Costa Rica, and speedy flanker Reon Moore, who recently moved from Defence Force to Club Social y Deportivo Municipal in Guatemala, are Eve’s most frequently used players. Both featured in 11 of Eve’s 12 outings as head coach—although eight of Moore’s appearances came as substitute.
(Trinidad and Tobago Team)
Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip (Deportivo PF), Nicklas Frenderup (Raheim IL Norway);
Defenders: Alvin Jones (Forward Madison—USA), Anthony Herbert (FC Haka—Finland), Aubrey David (Liga Deportivo Alajuelense—Costa Rica), Sheldon Bateau (KSK Beveren—Belgium), Jesse Williams (Pittsburgh Riverhounds—USA), Kareem Moses (Vaasan Palloseura—Finland), Keston Julien (Sheriff FC—Moldova);
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)
Midfielders: Leston Paul (Memphis 901—USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven—USA), Noah Powder (FC Tulsa—USA), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone FC—Scotland), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United II—USA), Andre Fortune II (Nomme Kalju FC—Estonia);
Attackers: Reon Moore (Club Social y Deportivo Municipal—Guatemala), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens—Greece), John-Paul Rochford (Sure Sports FC—USA), Judah Garcia (AEK Athens B—Greece), Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew—USA).
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One local player – Marvin? Players’ knowledge of each other holds the key. Hopefully, the 20-person-20-club spread would yield to the players’ knowledge of each other and the added prestige of being the highest FIFA rank of this four-team King’s Cup. T&T should prevail – lots of experience! Interested in seeing who is captain?