Scottish-based f/baller in Under-23 squad

SCOTTISH-based striker Collin Samuel is among 20 players named in the Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 men’s football team, under former national senior team coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, for the CONCACAF Olympic final qualification round in Mexico, from February 2-12. The 22-year-old Samuel, who is in his first season with Premier League club Dundee United, will spearhead the national team which also features two overseas-based players —- former St Mary’s and national Under-20 striker Scott Sealey and Antonio “Anthony” Noreiga, a lanky defender who was a member of the 2001 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Intercol champs Princes Town. Samuel, Sealey (who attends Wake Forest University) and Noreiga (who attends George Mason University) will join the team in Miami on Friday, when the 17 other players and technical staff leave en-route to Guadalajara.

In two matches against the Cuban senior team last week, the local lads were beaten 1-0 in each game at Havana. Wearing the captain’s armband during the competition is Silvio Spann, who is one of seven members with senior team experience goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, defenders Kenwyne Jones and Nigel Daniel, midfielder Kerry Baptiste as well as strikers Samuel and Devon Mitchell. Jan-Michael Williams and Jones were both members of the Team 2001 (national Under-17 World Cup team in 2001) as well as national school giants St Anthony’s College in 2002. In Group A action, Trinidad and Tobago will oppose Mexico on February 2 at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara and then clash with Costa Rica two days later and Jamaica on February 6. The top two teams advance to the semi-finals to meet the other two teams from the Group B comprising of United States, Honduras, Panama and Canada, with the two finalists advancing to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

TT Team — Jan-Michael Williams, Daurance Williams (goalkeepers); Antonio Noreiga, Nigel Daniel, Lyndon Diaz, Kenwyne Jones, Errol Charles, Ronald Primus (defenders); Silvio Spann (capt), Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Devon Caseman, Kern Thomas, Michael Celestine, Clyde Leon (midfielders); Collin Samuel, Scott Sealey, Devon Mitchell, Kendall Davis, Jason Marcano (strikers); Stuart Charles-Fevrier (head coach), Brian Williams (assistant coach), Wayne Lawson (physio), Ikin Williams (equipment manager), George Joseph (manager).