TT to face Suriname in Lawrence’s first match

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TT FA) yesterday secured an international friendly against the South Americans on March 10 at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo, Suriname.

This game will fall in line with team’s build-up towards two 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Panama and Mexico on March 24 and 28 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

On Wednesday, Lawrence, who is coaching a national team for the first time, named a 27-man provisional training squad which will commence a training camp on Monday.

“I think it is important to work with the local players from now. The Pro League will be concluded on Sunday. So what I have done is selected the local players to work with the local players and to start building on some, so that these players will be able to push for a position on the team, come March 24,” Lawrence said at Wednesday’s press briefing.

The friendly against Suriname will be the second time in the space of two months that the two countries face each other. On January 4, Suriname defeated TT 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva in a Gold Cup qualifier under previous coach Tom Saintfiet. The TT players and Saintfiet were rounds criticised for a poor display.

Lawrence, in his first interview with the local media upon his arrival at the Piarco International Airport on January 25, promised to play a brand of football that would please TT fans.

“I hope to implement football that would make Trinidad and Tobago fans and Trinidad and Tobago people happy. Make sure that the boys show to the public that we’re out here fighting for the national flag and we’re gonna do our best for the country,” he said.

TT TRAINING SQUAD:

G o a l k e e p e r s : Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillips (Caledonia AIA), Glenroy Samuel (Ma Pau Stars), Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Andre Marchan (Police FC)

Defenders: Carlyle Mitchell (Unattached), Julius James (Central FC), Radanfah Abu Bakr (Unattached), Daneil Cyrus (Unattached), Jelani Peters (W Connection), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Jesus Perez (W Connection), Triston Hodge (W Connection)

Midfielders: Leston Paul (Central FC), Sean De Silva (Central FC), Jared London (Club Sando), Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Tyrone Charles (San Juan Jabloteh), Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando), Jomoul Francois (Superstar Rangers), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh), Keron Cummings (Central FC), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force) Forwards - Akeem Roach (Club Sando), Jameel Perry (Police FC), Jamille Boatswain (Defence Force).