DAVID SCARLETT
HEAD coach of the TT men’s Under-17 national Team Shawn Cooper has announced his 20-man squad for the Concacaf Under-17 Championship to be held in Guatemala from February 11 to 26.
Cooper released the roster to the TT Football Association (TTFA) and the media shortly before a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon.
The squad includes five players from the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership champions, St Benedict’s College – namely, Lyshaun Morris, Josiah Ochoa, Derrel Garcia and Jeremiah Niles and Malachi Webb.
Three players from the Premiership runners-up Fatima College were also called up. Goalkeeper Jaden Ottley, defender Jaden Williams and striker Michael Chaves will all represent the yellow and blue outfit from the north on the national youth team.
To add some foreign experience to the roster, Cooper included Crystal Palace’s Rio Cardines. The American sextet of Ailan Panton, Samuel Duncan, Jeremiah Cateau, Armani Rowe, Dominic Wilson and Tyrell Moore were also selected. The young Warriors’ coach believes that these players will be key members of his team, not only for the tournament but also for the future.
On papaer, the young Soca Warriors, on paper, face a difficult task at the tournament having been drawn alongside the United States, Canada and Barbados in Group B.
To prepare for the battle ahead, they will play two matches against fellow tournament participants, Jamaica, on February 4 and 7 in Kingston, Jamaica.
In his press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Cooper stated, “I, alongside the staff, had a very tedious task in selecting these players. But, I think that they are working very hard and they are looking forward to this competition.”
He continued, “Going through the screening, we wanted players who could have added value to us and not (those who are) just equal to some of our (current) guys. I think, going through the process, we realised that there were about five or six players who can add some sort of experience to the young chaps that we have coming out of the SSFL.”
“We also have an under-14 player – Seth Hadid – who came through the screening and we will be taking him to Jamaica. So, the squad (for the Jamaica trip) will not be of 20 (players), but it will be 21. We think his development needs a game or two at the top level because, as far as I see, he’s (a step) above most of the (other) under-14s.”
“I have always thought that, when picking an under-17 team, you must select about three youngsters who will be around for the next under-17 (cycle) for some continuity, and Seth Hadid is one that I think has a bright future and I’m looking for big things from him.”
Cooper also believes that the players he selected, despite having no international experience, are capable of competing at a regional tournament. “They have a lot of potential”, he said, “(I think that) going to Jamaica will prepare them. They will have an idea (of what playing other countries will be like) be
