Under-20 footballers ‘excited’

THE Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 football squad currently in Carson, California are excited over the challenge they face for a spot in the FIFA World Youth Championships in the Netherlands. The TT lads faced the United States on Wednesday and played Costa Rica yesterday. They come up against Panama tomorrow. American-born Kareem Smith has been selected in the final 18-member TT team after a successful trial stint with the training squad. The dreadlocked defender admitted recently: “I’m excited, because it’s a big tournament.” As far as his adjustment to the TT squad is concerned, the University of South Florida student noted:  “I think I adapted well to the team for the short time I’ve been here.”

Another player due to make his debut for Trinidad and Tobago is South West Drillers youth captain Akile Edwards. “I’m happy to be here and I believe that the guys can do it,” stressed the easy-going defender. “Everybody has been working hard in training.” “Making the 18 was tough but everybody just have to go out there and play for their country and play hard,” he continued. “I know anytime I get an opportunity to go out to the field of play I’m going to (do) my best, play for my country.” Like Edwards, midfielder Keon Daniel is also putting country before self in the round-robin competition. “I would make sure that I work hard and play well to make sure that my team wins,” said the soft-spoken playmaker. “That’s what I want for my country. I want us to go to the World Cup so that’s my dream.”

The St Clair Coaching School standout is known for his languid, laid-back style of play. “I bring that (ability) to the team because I have a little more (control) than some others,” he stated. “So I just try my best to help out the team to do as good as we can and see how far we can reach.” Fellow Tobagonian Kevin Crooks is one of four players on the team who play in the collegiate circuit in the United States. “I’m used to the conditions and it wouldn’t be a big factor for us,” said the burly striker. “As a group, I think we can cope with it. When we go out there we’ll have a good show.” And he admitted that his experience with Young Harris College in Georgia would be an asset for the team. “I’ll know how to deal with the conditions, deal with the players out there as well,” he noted.

Goalkeeper Andre Charles would be vying with Thorne Holder for the goalkeeper spot, but the affable gloveman stressed: “It’ll be a lot of hard work for the team and I’ll (try to) push the team along the way.” “I think that my experience playing for Chelsea (at the youth level) can help the guys through,” he added. Charles was born in Point Fortin but migrated to England with his parents at a tender age. He is not affiliated to any club but plays for his school Southampton Institute. Commenting on his time with the TT team, Charles said: “It was quite difficult at the start.” “They play with a more intense pace than I’ve been playing at the moment in the Institute,” he admitted. “I’ve adapted quite well and I hope the coaches have been pleased with what I’m doing at training.”