T&T coach not focusing on results against Reggae Boyz

TRINIDAD AND Tobago’s national senior men’s coach Angus Eve says he will not be placing too much emphasis on winning the two upcoming friendly internationals against the Reggae Boyz.

The former Soca Warrior and his youthful squad are set to arrive in Jamaica today for the two friendlies, with the opening encounter set for the Catherine Hall Sports Complex on Saturday, before the final game at the National Stadium on Tuesday, March 14.

Among the youngsters who are looking to impress Eve are 18-year-old French-born and St Martin-based midfielder Kaile Auvray and 18-year-old W Connection striker Nathaniel James. Auvray, who has a Trinidadian mother, has decided to represent T&T.

Eve made it clear that this trip was purely about identifying fringe players who he hopes to bring into the main setup ahead of upcoming international tournaments, including the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup qualifiers versus Bahamas in Nassau on March 24 and against Nicaragua on March 27 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

“Our job here is not to win practice matches but to qualify for the Gold Cup coming up. In a practice match, I am really looking to see which players can come out of that game and get into the full squad when that is selected.”

On the flip side, the Jamaicans have named some of the top local talents as well as a number of overseas-based players in their squad for the upcoming friendlies, with coach Heimir Hallgrimsson including the United Kingdom-based Chelsea talent Omari Hutchinson along with Wolves’ player Dexter Lembikisa and Tyler Roberts, as well as Tottenham Hotspur’s Dante Harvey. There is also a return for veteran Adrian Mariappa and Ravel Morrison.

For Eve, he knows all too well the type of encounter he will face, and already he is citing one main disadvantage for his young team.

“Jamaica is ranked more than a half-century upon us and they have league football going on and we don’t, and so our guys are at a disadvantage from that standpoint, but if we can become competitive and put in good results, those things are what I am looking for.”

T&T SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip (AC Port Spain), Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Denzil Smith (W Connection)

Defenders: Alvin Jones (Unattached), Kareem Riley (Club Sando), Josiah Trimmingham (Club Sando), Andre Raymond (Dumiense FC, Portugal), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Jameel Neptune (AC Port of Spain), Jelani Felix (Defence Force)

Midfielders: Matthew Woo Ling (AC Port of Spain), Noah Powder (Unattached), Jesse Williams (Unattached), Kaile Auvray (Sporting Kansas City, US), Jomal Williams (Once Deportivo), Justin Sadoo (Defence Force), Michel Poon Angeron (AC Port of Spain), Joevin Jones (Unattached), Reon Moore (Defence Force), John-Paul Rochford (AC Port of Spain)

Strikers: Jamoul Francois (AC Port of Spain), Kwesi Weston (Louisiana Krewe FC, US), Nathaniel James (W Connection), Kadeem Corbin (Central FC)