Depleted Jabloteh meets Petrotrin in Couva

Striker Anthony Wolfe, his brother Glenton, wing-back Cyd Gray, central defenders Ian Gray (no relation) and Keyeno Thomas, as well as midfielders Aurtis Whitley and Trent Noel are currently en route to Japan ahead of Wednesday’s friendly international in Tokyo.

As a result, Jabloteh’s coach Terry Fenwick will have to use a number of his fringe players for the fixture against Petrotrin, which is timed to kick off at 7 pm.

Kerry Noray, who recently returned from a stint with Saba FC in Lebanon and another former Lebanese-based striker Peter Prosper will definitely be the focal point of Jabloteh’s attack, while Wendell Joseph (who, like Prosper, played for Petrotrin last season) and Akiel Guevara are expected to replace Whitley and Noel in the middle.

Nigel Daniel, the only first-team Jabloteh defender not considered for selection by national coach Wim Rijsbergen, will be joined in the back by Karlon Murray, Ronald Primus and Elton John.

Petrotrin will not be a walk-over opponent for Jabloteh, as the Brian Williams-coached outfit will be relying on their determination and leadership of ex-TT utility player Anthony Rougier for success.

There will be another match carded for Couva, at 5 pm, with Starworld Strikers hosting second-placed Joe Public.

Starworld will not have the services of temperamental goalkeeper Marvin Phillip while striker Gary Glasgow will be missing from the “Eastern Lions” line-up.

Reigning champs W Connection, like Jabloteh, will have to use a few reserves in tomorrow’s encounter against third-placed North East Stars at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground from 4 pm.

Goalie Jan-Michael Williams, stopper David Atiba Charles and the youthful midfield duo of Andrei Pacheco and Clyde Leon were included in the 18-member Trinidad and Tobago team for the Japan friendly, with coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier expected to call up keeper Kerwyn Beckles, Hughton Hector, Dwight Scott and Shane Calderon for the match.

A double-header is also carded tomorrow at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, with Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA (minus midfielders Stephan David and Kendall Jagdeosingh) facing Tobago United from 4 pm while Defence Force meets Superstar Rangers two hours later.

STANDINGS

P W D L F A Pts

Jabloteh 16 10 5 1 31 8 35

Joe Public 16 9 5 2 29 10 32

North East Stars 16 10 1 5 26 17 31

W Connection 16 8 4 4 28 13 28

Caledonia AIA 16 7 3 6 25 25 24

Superstar Rangers 16 6 3 7 19 29 21

Petrotrin 16 5 5 6 13 16 20

Defence Force 16 4 3 9 17 26 15

Starworld Strikers 16 4 2 10 16 24 14

Tobago United 16 0 3 13 11 47 3