Oliver delighted with call-up

The match will be contested at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of- Spain on Ash Wednesday (February 6). “If they are judging me on the football aspect of it, then I don’t see any reasons why I shouldn’t make the national senior team,” Oliver said in an article on the ttproleague.com website.

At age 32, Oliver is yet to make his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago, having spent almost a decade playing in the lower leagues in the United States and a couple of years with Crab Connection in his Febeau Village, Santa Cruz community.

“I am at my peak right now, in terms of experience and fitness,” he said. “I was kept away from the senior team for a long time and I have no idea what the reasons are.

“But, after a season of about 40 games in the Pro League, I am sure they realise now that I deserve a place in the team,” added the soft-spoken Oliver.

Oliver last donned the national colours at the Under-23 level when he played in the 1993 CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games in Puerto Rico, under coach Keith Look Loy (now Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation technical adviser).

“I deserve a place in this team,” he stressed. “I’ve proved myself over the last year in the Pro League and I am sure that the national coaches saw me. I hope that this is not a setup.”

Anton Corneal is currently conducting the squad’s practice sessions at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva while newly-appointed coach Francisco Maturana will begin his stint with the national team on February 1.

Nine overseas-based professionals will join the squad for a five-day camp ahead of the Ash Wednesday meeting.

Invited Local Based Players

GOALKEEPERS - Cleon John, Daurance Williams (San Juan Jabloteh); Marvin Phillip (W Connection); Tristan Charles (United Petrotrin).

DEFENDERS - Ian Gray, Nigel Daniel, Dwayne Jack, Karlon Murray (San Juan Jabloteh); Seon Power, Anthony Noreiga, Keyeno Thomas, Jason Springer (Joe Public); Akile Edwards (Defence Force); Glenton Wolfe (North East Stars); Kern Cupid, Nickolson Thomas (W Connection).

MIDFIELDERS - Kerry Baptiste, Kendall Jagdeosingh, Silas Spann, Kerry Noray, Terrance Mc Allister (Joe Public); Trent Noel, Lester Peltier, Khaleem Hyland, Atullah Guerra (San Juan Jabloteh); Stephan David, Marvin Oliver, Hayden Tinto (Caledonia AIA); Keston Williams, Christian Baptiste (Defence Force); Keon Daniel (United Petrotrin); Clyde Leon (W Connection).

STIRKERS - Andre Toussaint (W Connection); Devon Jorsling, Richard Roy (Defence Force); Anthony Wolfe (North East Stars); Conrad Smith (Caledonia AIA); Gary Glasgow (Joe Public); Cornell Glen, Jason Marcano (San Juan Jabloteh).