Critchlow, Connell star at Milo Barcelona qualifier

The qualifier featured 175 children between the ages of seven and 12 competing for 20 spots.

The competition was so fierce that the last four participants selected for the final on July 29 finished with the same number of points, forcing the judges to select 21 instead. Critchlow and Connell both advanced to the final after topping the charts with 160 points each. The 21 youngsters will now move on to the final in three weeks time at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima.

Ten children from the second pre-qualification tournament at Mt Pleasant Grounds in Tobago on Saturday will advance to the final. Also, 20 children will progress to the final from the third pre-qualification tournament on July 22 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. In the final, three youngsters will win a trip to Spain to take part in a two-day training camp with FC Barcelona coaches in early August.

Yesterday, the participants were assessed by their short passing, dribbling and control. One of the coaches scrutinising the youngsters, Terry Fenwick, said all the clubs across Europe teach young footballers skill sets and it is great that the local youngsters got that experience. Fenwick, who previously coached San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC in the TT Pro League, said, “I was impressed with the talent that we saw, recognising that most of these kids would not have done skill sets like this before.

This is something that is all over Europe at the moment. All the top clubs in the world are going through skill sets at this age group.” Fenwick was grateful the programme was held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium as it allowed participants the highest quality stage to display their skills. “For us here in Trinidad it is wonderful that we get to use the National Stadium. The set-up is something completely different to what we are used to in Trinidad, it is much more professional than we ever had it. I will like to thank Nestle and Milo for that.” Fenwick said it will be a tremendous opportunity for the three footballers selected to attend the camp in Barcelona. “It is a chance of a lifetime to go and see not just the best players in the world, but to see one of the top clubs in the world. How they operate, a big crowd, watching a game, watching them train and to see the purpose behind all their training sessions.”

TOURNAMENT ONE QUALIFIERS:

Jaydon Critchlow (160 points), Josiah Connell (160), Joshua Miguel (150), Anton Joseph (150), Kade Collier (145), Josiah Bain (145), Aidon Adams (135), Kerry Baptiste (135), Jose Attong (135), Thomas Decle (135), Michael John (130), Jaheim Faustin (125), Daquan Thomas (125), Marco Mayers (125), Jalani Outley (120), Kanye Eastman (120), Jasai Theopholus (115), Jahmarley Caleb (115), Kalif Sylvester (115), Kymani Holder (115).