Coach Stern: We have three points to get

TT Under-17 coach Stern John
TT Under-17 coach Stern John

TT Under-17 men’s football team will be looking for a winning start to their 2019 Concacaf Under-17 Championship campaign when they face off with Bermuda in their opening fixture today, from 4 pm, at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, United States.

Team coach Stern John said, “We are here to compete and we’ve spoken about this as a team. That means we have three points to get in this opening game to give ourselves some breathing space for the remaining matches in the group.”

John, who is also an assistant coach on the TT men’s team, continued, “We’ve prepared as best as we can and now it’s down to the boys to execute. It’s up to them now as we cannot play from the bench. What we will do is guide them as best as we can.

“I am confident in their abilities. I think the key will be to settle early because there will be some nerves at the start and that’s expected because it’s a first time for a lot of the boys. Once we put our heads down and play to our ability then we should be pulling off a result to give us a good head start,” John added.

Canadian-based forward Justin Araujo-Wilson said, “The preparation was very organised and well done to coach Stern and (assistant) coach Kenwyne for bringing the boys together and pushing us hard to prepare for this tournament.

We have to come out and work hard and win games for ourselves, our families and the country. Doing well in these kind of tournaments can save our lives.”

The other group opponents Mexico and Jamaica will square off in the second match of the double-header while other matches on the day includes El Salvador versus Guyana and Honduras versus Haiti.

The top four teams from the competition will qualify for the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, which is scheduled from September 17 to October 8.

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has offered their support towards the team, particularly players who are still involved in the local schools league.

In a media release yesterday, SSFL president William Wallace said, “You all have an opportunity to pave your way towards further success and to write your own history. Go out there and give of your best for the country and represent your country, the league and your schools with honour and pride.

“Be a source of inspiration for your younger peers who will be looking to follow in your footsteps in the 2019 SSFL season and beyond. You have an opportunity to compete and showcase your ability at the Confederation’s biggest event in your age group and the chance to test yourselves against some of the region’s best teams. Make the best of it,” Wallace added.

Team (clubs and schools in brackets) –

GOALKEEPERS: Isaiah Williams (W Connection/Presentation San Fernando); Kahlil Oliver (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East).

DEFENDERS: Nigel Carraby (W Connection/Presentation San Fernando); Luke Savery (W Connection/St Mary’s College); Jordon Britto (San Juan Jabloteh/San Juan North); Cephas St Rose (W Connection/CTS College Chaguanas); Isa Sayeed (Indy Premier Soccer/Hamilton Southeastern High School, Indiana, USA).

MIDFIELDERS: Zachary Welch (North East Stars/Fatima); Jaiye Sheppard (unattached/Presentation San Fernando); Tyrese Pierre (WSV Apeldoorn/Rivers International School, Netherlands); Andrew De Gannes (North East Stars/Fatima); Curtis De Leon (North Carolina FC/Leesville Road High School, North Carolina, USA); Gary Griffith III (North East Stars/Trinity Moka); Jeremy Lashley (Internazionale of Edmonton/Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School, Canada); Kielon Burnette-Acevaro (W Connection/Carapichaima East); Kevan Kahoussi (NC Fusion/Crossroads Flex High School, North Carolina, USA); Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United/McEachern High School, Georgia, USA).

STRIKERS: Justin Araujo-Wilson (San Juan Jabloteh/Virtual High School, Ontario, Canada); Jean-Heim McFee (Club Sando/Fatima); Jerrell Nixon (Concorde Fire Club/Campbell High School, Georgia, USA).

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