Goal 2014 camp kicks off

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Football Federation will kick off their first Goal 2014 training camp for overseas Under-21 players today at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The three-day camp, for 21 players, will begin with a registration and orientation from 9 am  which will precede training overlooked by Football Federation Technical Director Lincoln Phillips and coaches Michael Maurice and Ron La Forest. FIFA Vice President Jack Warner and TTFF President Oliver Camps will also be present for the orientation. Trinidad and Tobago football team coach Leo Beenhakker is aware of the exercise which has been put together mainly for the selection of the Under-21 and Under-23 teams and any special talent shown at the camp may be considered for selection on the Soca Warriors team.

“The Mission of “Goal 2014” is to have every Trinidad and Tobago National Football team qualify for every FIFA event by the year 2014,” Phillips said. “Following the historical qualification of the senior team for the 2006 World Cup, preparation of the Under-21 team represents the next logical step in the “GOAL 2014” mission; qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2010 World Cup,” Phillips said. “The first qualification step for the 2008 Summer Olympics is the CAC Qualifying Tournament in March 2006. The purpose of the Winter Break Under-21 Training Camp is to evaluate both US and UK-Based players who have returned to Trinidad and Tobago for the Christmas holidays as well as former U20 players already based in TT,” he said.

“Additional screenings will take place throughout TT to ensure the best possible players will represent Trinidad and Tobago in the CAC qualifiers in March 2006,” the former national goalkeeper said. Among the list of players involved, which could increase based on late additions, is former National Under-17 player Stephen De Las who is now attached to the Birmingham City Football Academy after being selected out of the Stern John Skills Award Programme. National Under-20 captain Makan Hislop of the University of South Carolina is also included in the line-up which will be shortened at the end of the camp. A squad of home-based players will also be involved in the Goal 2014 drive.

The other players involved are Abiola Sandy (Bowling Green College), Simba Aberdeen (Canisius College), Wacey Benjamin (University of South Carolina- Aiken), Kevin Crooks (Clayton State), Kedan Crosby (University of Rhode Island), Stephen De Las (Birmingham Football Academy),  Nikhil Dolly (University of Bridgeport), Ayinde George (Hercumer Junior College), Kyle Hall (University of Ontario), Justin Hay (University of Toronto), Jamal Warner (Cheshire Academy) Makan Hislop (University of South Carolina), Durell Johnson (University of South Carolina-Aiken),Lemuel Lyons (Howard University), Yohance Marshall (University of South Florida), Kevon Neaves (University of South Florida), Jack Weedon (North Carolina State), John Romano (Elon College), Robert Findley (Oregon State), Brandon Gilkes (Plattsburg State) and Clevon George (Young Harris College).