St Clair names 19 for Thailand and South Korea

Trinidad and Tobago football coach Bertille St Clair has included striker Gary Glasgow and goalkeeper Kelvin Jack in a 19-man squad for the upcoming friendly internationals against Thailand and Korea Republic. Following a final training session at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar yesterday before the team departs on Monday, St Clair also named Croatia-based midfielder Silvio Spann as well as midfielder Arnold Dwarika. Both Glasgow and Dwarika are currently based in China. Jack, back from a stint with English club Reading FC, replaces Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Clayton Ince who is out because of a back injury, while Scottish-based defender Marvin Andrews is also unavailable as he will be going on a preseason tour to Austria with new club Glasgow Rangers.

The other overseas-based pros in the team include Birmingham City striker Stern John, Dundee United striker Jason Scotland, Dundee defender Brent Sancho, Wrexham’s Dennis Lawrence, Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim, Anthony Rougier who is currently in search of a club, Southampton defender Kenwyne Jones and Wake Forest University striker Scott Sealy. The local-based contingent includes CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s Angus Eve, Duarance Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Kerry Baptiste, Police defender Marlon Rojas, Joe Public’s Derek King and Arima Morvant Fire midfielder Densil Theobald, fresh from his brilliant volleyed goal in the 4-0 win over Dominican Republic last month. St Clair said he intends to expose as much talent as possible going into the semi-final round of the qualifiers which begins with an away clash to St Vincent and the Grenadines on August 18. He will have yet another chance to face teams ranked higher than TT with South Korea and Thailand ranked 20th and 61st respectively on the FIFA chart.

“We have included some new faces in the squad in keeping with my plan to expose the talent that is available. It is going to be a tough tour but the World Cup is not a tea party and players must get accustomed to performing under difficult conditions,” he said. “Now is the time for the younger players to step up to the higher level. Now is not the time to take it easy and beat up on weaker opponents. If we continue to tackle better and stronger (teams), the players will grow from strength to strength,” St Clair said. The internationals are scheduled for July 10 (Thailand) and July 14 (South Korea ). New York/New Jersey Metrostars striker Cornell Glen is not 100 percent fit and has decided to stay with his club. And Liberty College striker Daryll Roberts has been included as a stand by as well.

TT Squad for Thailand/S Korea: Kelvin Jack, Denis Lawrence, Duarance Williams,  Brent Sancho, Keyeno Thomas, Marlon Rojas, Kenwynne Jones, Derek King, Anthony Rougier, Angus Eve,  Kerry Baptiste, Densil Theobald, Brent Rahim, Arnold Dwarika, Stern John,
Jason Scotland,  Scott Sealy, Gary Glasgow, Silvio Spann.
Stand-bys: Michael Celestine, Errol McFarlane Jr., Derek Phillips, Daryll Roberts.