Spann leads TT Under-23s

W CONNECTION midfielder Silvio Spann will lead the national Under-23 football team in their friendly match against Costa Rica at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna on Wednesday. Both teams are  using the game as a warm-up for their forthcoming 2004 Athens Olympic qualifiers. Kick-off time is 7.30 pm. And the senior squad will square off against Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Sunday. These matches were finalised by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) through special advisor and CONCACAF president Jack Austin Warner. National coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier will have  most of his English-based players available to him as all European countries will be involved in Euro 2004 qualifiers. Among players earning selection to the Under-23 squad were Team 2001 goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, defender Julius James and striker Kerron Phillips; 2002 TT Pro League MVP Andre Toussaint; current TT senior players Kerry Baptiste and Nigel Daniel and former St Anthony’s striker Sean Cooper, who recently returned home after a stint in Portugal.

According to Charles-Fevrier, “this game is obviously one which will come in very handy for us as it gives us a chance to play against a team from Central America which we will be facing in the semi-final round once we get to that stage.” With regards to the Peru confrontation, Charles-Fevrier noted: “We need to be playing as many matches as we can at this stage and Peru is fairly strong opposition for us. This game should prove to be a very worthwhile one for us.” Under-23 Team: Goalkeepers - Jan-Michael Williams (W Connection), Daurance Williams (San Juan Jabloteh); Defenders - Julius James (St Anthony’s College), Errol Charles (Starworld Strikers), Lyndon Diaz (SWIF), Nigel Daniel, Ronald Primus (Jabloteh), Shelton Williams (Defence Force); Midfielders - Silvio Spann (W Connection), Kerry Baptiste, Michael Celestine, Josh Johnson (Jabloteh), Devon Caseman (Joe Public); Strikers - Kendall Davis, Kerron Phillips (W Connection), Andre Toussaint (Joe Public), Kevon Carter (Defence Force), Sean Cooper.