U-23s take on Finland

Finland edged host Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in a friendly international contest on Sunday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Both the Finland, coached by Mixu Paatelainen, and the national Under-23 teams, under the guidance of Angus Eve, are preparing for major assignments later this year.

Finland will be featuring in the 2014 FIFA World Cup UEFA Zone qualifiers from September while, in March, the TT Under-23s will be engaged in the Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers in the United States.

In a media conference following Sunday’s match, Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Sean De Silva revealed, “I’m more comfortable playing with the Under-23s.

“We’ve been together for a very long time and I think the team chemistry will come into play where everybody knows exactly where they’re supposed to be and the communication might be a little more sound,” the midfielder said.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity for us to get prepared for the Olympic qualifiers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our team to see where we are.”

The 22-year-old, who was a member of the national teams at the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea and the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, said, “we have a fantastic team, full of talent. There’s no favourites on that team, everybody deserves to play and, for me personally, it just gives me a lot of confidence and I can help out my team.”

Paatelainen pointed out, “We will take Wednesday’s match very seriously and try to do as best as we can.

“We’ll (assess) the fitness of the players but my plan is to give the whole squad a starting place in the two matches. We will see some new players on Wednesday.”

Teams -

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO UNDER-23: Sheldon Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh); Jamal Gay, Trevin Caesar, Aquil Selby, Micah Lewis, Zane Coker, Nuru Mohammad (Caledonia AIA); Kareem Moses, Cameron Roget (St Ann’s Rangers); Mekeil Williams, Jomal Williams, Andre Quashie, Leslie Russell (W Connection); Jayson Joseph (T&TEC); Jeromie Williams, Kaydion Gabriel, Andre Marchan, Jean-Luc Rochford (North East Stars); Sheldon Clarke, Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force); Marcus Chandoor (WASA); Kevin Molino, Sean De Silva Qian Grovesnor, Stephan Berkeley, Bradley Welch, Michael Roopchandsingh (overseas-based).

FINLAND: Lukas Hradecky (Esbjerg), Jesse Joronen (Fulham), Joona Toivio (Djurg?rden), Mikko Sumusalo (HJK), Markus Halsti (Malm?), Paulus Arajuuri (Kalmar), Joni Aho (FC Inter), Hannu Patronen (Helsingborg), Ilari ?ij?l? (FC Honka), Sebastian Sorsa (HJK), Joni Kauko (FC Inter), Juha Hakola (Ferencv?ros), Toni Kolehmainen (TPS), Kasper H?m?l?inen (Djurg?rden), Daniel Sj?lund (Djurg?rden), Sebastian Mannstr?m (HJK), Riku Riski (H?nefoss), Berat Sadik (HJK), Akseli Pelvas (HJK), Mika ??ritalo (TPS).