Latapy invited to join Soca Warriors

TRINIDAD and Tobago footballers will continue preparations at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo ahead of  the upcoming friendly inter-national against Venezuela on March 9. And coach Bertille St Clair was able to confirm the services of English-based goalkeeper Shaka Hislop for the match as he finalises his team for the one-off match trip which is being staged in Merida to raise funds for those affected by flooding and landslides. So far, Japan-based midfielder Silvio Spann and American-based midfielder Joel Bailey are the other overseas pros scheduled to join the team for the encounter.

“I think it’s good to see that Shaka will be with us for this match because it is yet another  that falls into our preparations for the Guatemala match and others to follow. We were still hoping to get some of the other guys but at the same time we will be working with the home based pros that we have now and I expect that we will put on a good show against the Venezuelans,” St Clair said. TT has also lined up a warm-up against Honduras on March 22 leading up to the qualifier against the Guatemalans on March 26. In related news, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation has attempted to clear the air surrounding speculation over the status of former national captain Russell Latapy.

The TTFF have advised that following discussions with the national coach St Clair, an invitation was extended to Latapy to join the senior national team as a player. The invitation was issued on behalf of the TTFF by the organisation’s special advisor Jack Warner on Monday February 28. After a brief discussion with Latapy, Warner was asked to call back later in the day. He did so but was unable to make any further contact. Since then, several calls have been made by Warner and  messages have been left but there has been no response since from Latapy. “The TTFF continue to leave their door open for Latapy and any other players who, in the opinion of the national coach, have a positive role to play in this country’s qualification for Germany 2006,” said a statement issued by the TTFF yesterday.