Glen named in Saintfiet’s team for Nicaragua tour

The team leaves for the Central American nation on Sunday evening for the two matches which are slated for December 27 and 30.

From the squad selected, overseas-based duo Cornell Glen (striker) and Kevan George (midfielder) will join the contingent in Managua.

United States-midfielders Kevin Molino (Orlando City) and Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes) are both unavailable due to club business while striker Willis Plaza is set to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for a trial stint.

Central defender Sheldon Bateau, midfielders Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud and Levi Garcia are also unavailable for the matches against Nicaragua due to club commitments.

Saintfiet commented on his selection yesterday.

“I think we have a mixed group of young players, talented players without experience in national team but also players who played a lot for the national team and are very experienced, who also have experience abroad.” Saintfiet said.

“The atmosphere is good. The boys trained good last week and we are looking forward to prepare this team for Nicaragua but Nicaragua is also preparation for the real matches against Suriname and Haiti (in the Caribbean Football Union Gold Cup qualifiers).” Saintfiet touched on the selection of a couple new faces in the final 23-man squad including Tyrone Charles, Nathan Lewis and Akeem Roach who were not in the initial training squad. Saintfiet observed the players during his viewing of local TT Pro League matches since arriving in the country.

“The reason they are invited is because they caught my eye. Secondly there are absences of some other players and some players can fill those vacancies. The players that come fit exactly into the system I want to play and I am very happy that they are added and I hope they can adapt very fast.” And on the call up for India-based striker Cornell Glen, Saintfiet added, “we are looking still for some strikers.

We have some absence with Wilis Plaza who is not available. We have to look for alternatives and we will look in these friendly matches and in the coming training sessions at his quality and level and we will see what he brings. He has to prove in training whether he is ready for it just like every other player.” The Belgian-born coach will not name a captain for the two games until he arrives in Nicaragua.

TT team - Marvin Phillip, Adrian Foncette, Glenroy Samuel (goalkeepers); Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Daneil Cyrus, Aubrey David, Triston Hodge, Maurice Forde, Alvin Jones, Curtis Gonzales, Carlos Edwards (defenders); Kevan George, Aikim Andrews, Jomal Williams, Nathan Lewis, Tyrone Charles, Hughtun Hector, Hashim Arcia (midfielders); Trevin Caesar, Shahdon Winchester, Akeem Roach, Cornell Glen (strikers).