National Senior Team coach Leo Beenhakker has made his first official selection of players for preparations ahead of the upcoming 2006 World Cup qualifier to be played against Panama at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on June 4.
Following his first training camp last week with a 27-man squad assembled by the TTFF technical advisory committee, Beenhakker, with the aid of his assistants Theo De Jong and Wim Rijsbergen, has now cut the squad to 17 for the next live-in camp which commences this Monday with training at the Larry Gomes Stadium and housing at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence. The team will also play a training match against 2004 Pro League champions North East Stars on Tuesday from 5:30pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh had nine players selected with regular names like Arnold Dwarika who is attached but not playing with Vibe CT 105 W Connection, Gary Glasgow, Densill Theobald, Angus Eve, Nigel Pierre, Atiba Charles, Derek King and Michael Celestine all making the cut. Aurtis Whitley was also kept while Irish-based defender Derek Phillips left Trinidad on Thursday but will be back in the squad later this month. The only notable omission was that of Defence Force defender Anton Pierre. Goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams was also left out due to injury. Beenhakker noted to TTFF Media that if he spotted any other player in Pro League action over the weekend, there was a possibility of additions being made to the squad.
“We have narrowed the squad down a bit because obviously we have to get as close as possible to the players who will be involved in the matches. I will keep my eyes opened and then we have the other players coming in this month who we need to have a look at as well. We are working quickly but we are also ensuring that everything is settled so that we know exactly what we have and how we need to work over the next few weeks, Beenhakker told TTFF Media on Friday.
Beenhakker also had an interview published on the FIFAWorldCup.com official site where he spoke about his readiness for the challenge of working in T&T.
“I have been coaching for a long time now in many different circumstances. I have been with Holland, Ajax, Real Madrid and many other teams - and these experiences give you a lot to work with. The situation is different here in Trinidad, but it is still a matter of getting the best out of your players. Though it may be a different culture, it's still football. It's always the same wherever you are. You need to know the game, know the tactics and know how to deal with people,” Beenhakker told FIFAWorldcup.com.
He also spoke of utilizing everything at T&T’s disposal at this time.
“ We must use what we have, this is the crucial thing. You need to have eleven players who know where to be, how to move, how to support each other. PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar are great examples of this principle. Each player must know what the others are going to do. The team, not the individuals, is the most important thing. We will need to play to our strengths and know what we can and can't do. If we can achieve this unity, we can reach our goals. You don't need 11 superstars to have success."
Squad For Training Camp
Goalkeepers
Duarance Williams (San Juan Jabloteh), Hasely Holder (Unattached).
Defenders
Atiba Charles (W Connection), Dwayne Jack (Tobago United), Derek King (Joe Public), Keyeno Thomas (San Juan Jabloteh), Nigel Daniel (San Juan Jabloteh).
Midfielders
Angus Eve (San Juan Jabloteh), Aurtis Whitley (San Juan Jabloteh), Arnold Dwarika (W Connection), Densill Theobold (Caledonia AIA Fire), Gary Glasgow (Unattached), Kerry Baptiste (San Juan Jabloteh), Michael Celestine (San Juan Jabloteh), Trent Noel (San Juan Jabloteh).
Forwards
Anthony Wolfe (North East Stars), Nigel Pierre (San Juan Jabloteh).