TT U-15 footballers in Colombia

The team, under coach Shawn Cooper, has been in training for the past five months and were supposed to have participated at the CONCACAF U-15 Tournament in August in the Cayman Islands but were unable to attend.

As such the TTFA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association) made every effort through assistance from the Ministry of Sport and Sportt Company to have the group make the trip to Cali.

Former TT coach, Colombian Francisco Maturana, was again instrumental in the twin-island being among the invited teams from outside of South America to feature in the tournament, for the third time in its history.

“We thought it was appropriate to ensure that we did not miss out on an opportunity like this where our young footballers will have the chance to test their ability against some of the bright talent from South and Central America,” TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee said.

“We needed to ensure that the team got some kind of match practice after missing out on the CONCACAF championship earlier this year and we are pleased that they are now able to go off to Colombia which for all of them will be their maiden experience in an international tournament,” Tim Kee added.

Cooper, who will be assisted by former national striker Leonson Lewis, is hoping to make the best of the opportunity handed to the team which is preparing for the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup qualification.

“We’ve been to this tournament before and it really presents us with an excellent opportunity to test our skills and to compete against some really good teams from Central and South America,” said Cooper. “It’s an ideal situation for our young players to get the kind of exposure necessary for preparing for them for future World Cup qualifiers at the youth level.”

The Mexico Under-17 team is also participating in the tournament. TT will meet Norte del Valle of Sevilla in their opening game today. A total of 27 teams are in TT’s group, which includes Under-16 and Under-17 outfits.

Trinidad and Tobago team

(schools in brackets):

Goalkeepers: Enrique Changiah (Naparima College), Kareem Arcia (St James Secondary).

Defenders: Shirwin Noel (Presentation College, San Fernando), Romario Villafana (St Augustine Secondary), Keston Julien (Gasparillo Secondary), Matthew Joseph (St Benedict’s College), Sharkell Louison (Moruga Secondary), Travell Edwards (St Anthony’s College), Tekay Hoyce (East Mucurapo Secondary).

Midfielders: Jesse Joseph (St Augustine Secondary), Jahreed Murray (Fatima College), Anthony Samuel (St Augustine Secondary), Kareem Riley (Presentation College, San Fernando)

Kierron Mason (Naparima College), Nate Brooks (Presentation College, San Fernando), Shakhun Hanley (Mt Hope Secondary), Shakeem Patrick (St Anthony’s College).

Strikers: Dereem Daniel (Arima Secondary), Akil Frank (Signal Hill Secondary), Isaiah Hudson (Naparima College).

Technical Staff - Shawn Cooper (coach), Leonson Lewis (assistant coach), Ross Russell (goalkeeping coach), Christopher Gouveia (manager), Michael Taylor (physio), Devin Elcock (equipment manager).