Ricky Shakes out Under-21 qualifiers

Technical Director Lincoln Phillips feels that the Ron La Forest coached team has made sufficient preparations for the tournament which kicks off with Trinidad and Tobago taking on Dominica at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Friday.

La Forest’s final squad was announced yesterday.

The US-based players started arriving on Sunday and among them were former national Under- 20 skipper Makan Hislop, Yohance Marshall, Jason Devenish, Marcelle Francois and Clevon George.

Ancil Farria and Abiola Sandy will arrive today with recent national senior team debutant Kevon Neaves expected tomorrow.

They will all go into the team camp ahead of Friday’s match.

Shakes pulled out after Swansea City management decided not to allow him to travel to the Caribbean for the two matches. He had made a second-half appearance in his first international outing when TT beat Iceland 2-0 in London, England last month.

“Ricky’s coach was of the impression that he was scheduled to play only one match. The coach was very reluctant to have him stay away for ten days.

“In order to maintain good relations with the coach, we opted to have him stay in England and hopefully represent TT in July should we qualify for the CAC Games in Columbia,” Phillips said yesterday.

Another standout at the recent training camp in Tampa, Florida was Randi Patterson and he will also miss out on the qualifiers. Patterson was part of the United States youth programme.

“Randi was born in the US. His father died quite some time ago and he acquired his mother’s name Patterson. As such it was very difficult to get the appropriate paperwork to process Randi’s passport in time for the qualifiers,” Phillips said.

The Under-21s suffered a 5-1 loss to local Pro League giants CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at the Ato Boldon Stadium last Thursday.

But they bounced back with a 4-2 whipping of Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA through goals by Hayden Tinto, Judah Hernandez, Shane Calderon and Keston Alexander.

La Forest said he will be working around the clock this week to iron out some of the problems, particularly the inconsistency of the team after a 1-0 loss to Defence Force on Sunday at UWI Grounds, St Augustine.

La Forest and his assistant Michael McComie will continue sessions each day this week before Friday’s opener which kicks off at 4 pm.

Haiti and Dominica will then meet at the same venue on Sunday from 4 pm with TT coming up against the Haitians next Tuesday after 4 pm.

The team will train daily at 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Tuesday and Wednesday.

TT Under-21 team—

Goalkeepers — Thorne Holder (Joe Public), Kerwyn Beckles

Defenders — Akile Edwards (Defence Force), Carlon Murray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Ancil Farrier (Southern Connecticut University), Marcelle Francois (Young Harris), Makan Hislop (University of South Carolina), Yohance Marshall (University of South Florida)

Midfielders — Hayden Tinto (Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA), Josimar Belgrave (Superstar Rangers), Kevon Neaves (University of South Florida), Clevon George (Young Harris College), Jason Devenish (University of South Florida)

Forwards — Kendall Jagdeosingh (Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA Fire), Shane Calderon (W Connection), Abiola Sandy (Bowling Green University), Judah Hernandez (Caledonia AIA), Keston Alexander