Under-20s off to California

TRINIDAD and Tobago defender Makan Hislop will leave for California, United States today with his teammates confident that they can give a solid show in the 2005 CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round Group “A” Qualification competition. Hislop, nephew of Portsmouth goalie Shaka Hislop, is among the US-based college players in the 18-man squad named by coach Anton Corneal. And he thinks that despite the lack of international warm-up matches, the “boys can still hold their own.” “To be honest since I have been back in training with the team I have realised that the guys have come a long way over the past couple months. And it showed this evening because we were able to compete well with the senior players and we were also good physically,” Hislop said.

His comments came after a training match which the senior team won 2-1 thanks to a last minute striker by Nigel Pierre who had also put the seniors ahead in the first half. Forward Shane Calderon was the scorer of the equaliser before the break. “I feel that once we go out there and play with passion and play to our ability then we have no reason to be intimidated, especially against America. That first match is going to be maybe our biggest test but we will be going out there to give it our best shot because I think the boys realise that we have a really good chance of making it to the World Cup at the Under-20 level,” added the former national Under-17 player.

US-born defender Kareem Smith is expected to add some experience and stability to the TT backline having been in the United States Under-14 pool. He was also a member of the US Under-18 team with which he went on tour to France two years ago. Getting the chance to face the Americans is an experience he’s all geared up for. “It’s something that I didn’t expect would happen but having been in the team and now getting the chance to come up against them is exciting. I think our chances in the tournament are as good as any,” he said. “For me personally it’s an honour to play for Trinidad and Tobago because when my college coach first came and asked me if I would like to try out for the team I thought that it was a chance I couldn’t let slip and here I am now with the team,” said Smith.

He has played alongside TT-born players Keeron Benito, former St Anthony’s College player and Ryan Abraham, son of former national and Joe Public manager Richard Abraham. Smith, like his father, also carries the first name Carl, and was voted an All American for his performances during the 2004 season with the University of South Florida. Following Thursday’s training match, TT senior team coach Bertille St Clair spoke briefly to the players, telling them that he was impressed with their gutsy display against his team. “You guys must believe strongly in yourselves because what you showed out their today was a performance with a lot of heart and determination. Now you must go there and fight until the end. You must make those other teams cry and you have a chance to make a statement and move on to the next level,” said St Clair.

The Tobagonian coach helped TT to become the first English-speaking Caribbean country to the 1991 World Youth Championship in Portugal. Attacking player Clevon George, who returned from the US to train with the team over the Christmas vacation and former national Under-17 player Joel James who played in some of the Under-20 qualifying matches, were among the players left out by Corneal. But the former national player wanted to let them know that they are not out of contention for other competitions. “We still have the CAC and Pan American Games to come so it’s not like these guys have been left by the way side. It was a hard decision to leave out players like Joel and Clevon who made the sacrifice to train with ,” he said.

“And like some of the other players, we will be keeping them in our pool of players. It was just a matter of them not being able to fit into the overall composition of the team for this tournament which we hope can take us on to the next level,” Corneal said. TT play the United States in the second match of a double-header at the Home Depot Centre, Carson, California next Wednesday. Panama and Costa Rica meet in the earlier match. TT will then face Costa Rica on Friday and Panama on Sunday. The top two teams will advance to the 2005 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.

TT team:
Goalkeepers —  Thorne Holder (Queen’s Royal College), Andre Charles
Defenders —  Kareem Smith (University of South Florida), Makan Hislop (University of South Carolina), Marcelle Francois (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Akil Edwards (South West Drillers), Carlon Murray (San Juan Jabloteh), Radhanfah Abu Bakr (Queen’s Royal College)
Midfielders —  Devon Maxwell (St Augustine SC), Keon Daniel (St Clair Coaching School), Kezi Lara (South West Drillers), Hayden Tinto (Malick SC), Atulla Guerra (Arima Fire), Kendall Jagdeosingh (North East Stars)
Forwards —  Shane Calderon (St Augustine SC), Kevin Crooks (Young Harris), Christopher Sam (San Juan Jabloteh), Abiola Sandy (Bowling Green).
Staff —  Manager: Rudy Roberts; Head Coach: Anton Corneal; Assistant Coach: Brian Williams; Goalkeeper Coach: Ross Russell; Trainer: Gilbert Bateau; Physiotherapist: Wayne Lawson; Equipment Manager: Esmond O’Brien.