Trinidad and Tobago’s senior footballers got a wake up call on Wednesday night as they faltered 3-1 to Jamaica in a friendly international before an overpacked Marvin Lee Stadium.
The “Reggae Boyz” under head coach Theodore Whitmore triumphed over the lackluster Soca Warriors outfit through goals by Dane Richards,a gem from outside the box, Rudolph Austin and Bryan to silence the home fans that turned out in their numbers to support Russell Latapy’s men.
Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones is at Stoke to have a medical ahead of a possible move to the Britannia Stadium.
The 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international joined Sunderland from Southampton for £6m in August 2007 and scored nine league goals last term.
If he does sign, he would very likely become Stoke's record signing, beating the £5.5m paid for Dave Kitson in 2008.
Stoke are keen to strengthen the squad and have been linked with West Ham's Carlton Cole and Loic Remy of Nice.
Current Stoke strikers Tuncay, James Beattie and Kitson have all been linked with moves away from the club.
Previously, Stoke boss Tony Pulis had said he was tired of the club being linked with so many players.
"We've been linked with 138 people and we'll see what happens," he said.
"I'm just very pleased that no one's linked us with the players that we're looking for.
"The best deals will be done at the back end of it [the transfer window] and we may have to wait until then to get the deals that we want." (BBC, August 11,2010)
Head Coach Russell Latapy spoke to the local media on Monday prior to the National Team's training session at the Marvin Lee Stadium. The ex-national captain spoke about the team's readiness following their preparations after the recent 4-1 win over Antigua/Barbuda and his hopes for Wednesday's encounter. Click video above for more.
National Senior men’s team head coach Russell Latapy on Sunday announced his 20-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly international against Jamaica and it includes several high performers from the T&T Pro League including top marksmen Kerry Baptiste of Joe Public and Defence Force duo Devon Jorsling and Kevon Carter.
Young skillful and talented midfielder Matthew Woo Ling is the only player from Trinidad and Tobago selected for the one week training sting at Sunderland's Academy of Light following the Digicel Kick Start Clinics in the Caribbean and Central America over the past few weeks,
Woo Ling was among eight players selected by John Barnes. tThe result include; Vidal Gonzalez and Fernando Meneses from Panama; Jose Villavicencio, Bryan Landaverde and Alvaro Lizama from El Salvador; and Julio Oliva and German Mejia from Honduras.
Commenting on his selection, John Barnes said: “This has been another fantastic year for the Digicel Kick Start Clinics and I’ve seen some great potential in this year’s crop of footballers. It was a tough decision to choose just eight from the 150 players which took part in the Digicel Kick Start Clinics to train at Sunderland. That said, I believe the footballers I have selected have the right amount of talent, desire and determination to have a good career in football if they continue to apply themselves. I would like to wish them the best of luck and I really hope that I come across them again in the not too distant future playing for a leading football club.”
Vice President of FIFA and President of CONCACAF and the CFU, Jack Warner, said; “The feedback I’ve received from John Barnes and the coaches in the Clinics this year has been fantastic. The Digicel Kick Start Clinics are a great initiative and a wonderful opportunity for aspiring young footballers to showcase their talent.”
Lesley Callaghan, Sunderland AFC Marketing and Commercial Director, said; “We are delighted that the Digicel Kick Start Clinics have been such a success and we are looking forward to welcoming the talented youngsters to Sunderland later this month. To train at a Premier League football club is an amazing opportunity for the boys and one we are sure they will embrace.
“Our long-standing partnership with Digicel is going from strength to strength and long may that continue.”
Digicel Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said; “Digicel is delighted with the success of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics 2010. Over 150 young footballers took part in this year’s Clinics with Head Coach John Barnes demonstrating a remarkable ability to pass on his invaluable expertise, which delighted the young footballers. We are particularly pleased with the wide reach of this year’s programme, which included regional tryouts that saw over 1,000 boys competing for a place in the Clinics.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank John for his dedication and hard work over the last month. I’d also like to thank President Warner who is a great supporter of Digicel’s efforts in developing football across the Caribbean and Central America and Sunderland AFC for once again partnering with us on this initiative. I would also like to wish the boys all the best in Sunderland and hope that they make the most of this opportunity. (August 3,2010)
