One new ‘Soca Warrior’ for Reggae Boyz

This game takes place at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, on Wednesday and is timed to kick off at 6 pm.

The squad consists players predominantly plying their trade in the TT Pro League including six players from defending champions Joe Public FC who recently qualified for the group stage of the Concacaf Champions League with an impressive 4-2 win over Costa Rican club Brujas FC at home. Joe Public’s prolific striker Kerry Baptiste, the tricky winger Hayden Tinto as well as midfielder Trent Noel are all in Latapy’s squad as well as goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and defenders Makan Hislop and Carlyle Mitchell who receives his first call-up.

Puerto Rico Islanders’ Kendall Jagdeosingh and Keon Daniel are in the squad fresh from their team’s win over MLS LA Galaxy in the Champions League. San Jose Earthquakes forward Cornell Glen was expected to be in the team but has now been ruled out duo to overseas commitments. Also missing out will be former national captain Densill Theobald as well as Clyde Leon through injury. Defence Force pair Devon Jorsling and Kevon Carter have been rewarded for their good performances in the 4-1 defeat of Antigua and Barbuda last week with a call-up.

The Jamaicans will arrive in Trinidad this evening and will train once on Tuesday ahead of the match which is expected to be keenly contested as always between two fierce rivals.

The Reggae Boyz are under the command of 1998 World Cup hero Theodore Whitmore and are expected to have five overseas-based players including the speedy winger Dane Richards of the New York Red Bulls. W Connection defender Kern Cupid would be very familiar with Richards as he had his hands full dealing with the raw pace and skill of the Jamaican when they clashed in the Concacaf Champions League last year.

TT and Jamaica are both preparing for the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup and will be using the encounter to gauge their readiness.

“We haven’t seen Jamaica in a while and I wanted to see where they are at the moment and I’m pretty sure they will be hoping to do the same,” Latapy said.

“The only point we have to prove is to play to the best of our ability. It’s always interesting when TT faces Jamaica and football is a game where you never stop learning,” he added.

The TT versus Jamaica friendly will be preceded by a match between TT Women’s Under-17 team against the TT Women’s team at 4 pm. Tickets are priced at $40 for adults and $20 for children and will be available on Wednesday at the venue.

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS - Marvin Phillip (Joe Public) and Jan Michael William (W Connection);

DEFENDERS - Makan Hislop (Joe Public), Keston Williams (Defence Force), Aklie Edwards (Defence Force), Kern Cupid (W Connection) and Carlyle Micthell (Joe Public).

MIDFIELDERS - Kendall Jagdeosingh (PR Islanders), Hughton Hector (W Connection), Kevon Carter (Defence Force), Hayden Tinto (Joe Public), Keon Daniel (PR Islanders), Devon Jamerson (Ma Pau FC), Trent Noel (Joe Public), Ataulla Guerra (Jabloteh).

FORWARDS - Matthew Bartholomew (W Connection), Shahdon Winchester (W Connection), Jason Marcano (Jabloteh), Kerry Baptiste (Joe Public) and Devon Jorsling (Defence Force).