Cato recalled for Friendly
Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dennis Lawrence will have the services of at least three overseas-based professionals for the upcoming international friendly against Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium next Thursday from 8pm.
Speaking ahead of training on Thursday at the Stadium training pitch, Lawrence
“The idea is to prepare for the Jamaica game which is leading up to the Honduras game which is the most important thing. I think the Jamaica game will be a fantastic test for the boys because Jamaica did really well in the Gold Cup. They will come here on a high and we are looking forward to the game,” Lawrence said.
“It is going to be good for the local players. We have managed to acquire the services of a couple of the foreign players and the main reason for that is the fact that they have not been playing for their clubs so it is important that we try and give them some match time before the Honduras game. I think we have three players confirmed – Cordell Cato, Mekeil Williams and Aubrey David.
“Everyone knows that between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica is a big rivalry and it’s a Caribbean derby.
“The idea is to integrate the young boys as quick as possible. They have all been doing very well in the training and the idea is to give them some game time as quick as possible.”
Lawrence added that he has since had a conversation with Cordell Cato after the player was left out of the final squad for the World Cup qualifying matches with United States and Costa Rica.
“Cordell phoned me and we had a conversation. Cordell understands the situation of what is expected of him. I think what happened is behind us now. The door was never closed on him. We had a good conversation and he will be here as part of the group and he is going to try and achieve what we want to..” Lawrence added.
On playing the Honduras game at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Lawrence commented “The idea is to basically create an atmosphere. If you look at the two previous games against Panama and Mexico at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, we didn’t have much of an atmosphere that we were looking for. Hopefully we can do this in a smaller setting to help us get the result that we want. Every bit of support from the people will be important to us in these matches.”
T&T Provisional squad for Jamaica
Goalkeepers
Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic), Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Andre Marchan (Defence Force FC).
Defenders
Maurice Ford (W Connection), Triston Hodge (W Connection), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Taryk Sampson (Central FC), Shane Sandy (St Ann’s Rangers), Mekeil Williams (Colorado Rapids—US), Aubrey David (PS Remi—Finland), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force).
Midfielders
Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Jared London (Club Sando), Nathaniel Garcia (Central FC), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force FC), Julio Noel (San Juan Jabloteh), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh), Isaiah Hudson (W Connection), Tyrone Charles (Club Sando), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—USA).
Forwards
Rundell Winchester (North East Stars), Marcus Joseph (W Connection), Neil Benjamin Jr (W Connection).