The quintet of USA-based Rundell Winchester, Alvin Jones, Shannon Gomez, Neveal Hackshaw and Kadeem Corbin all with senior team appearance named in a strong T&T Olympic men's football team qualifying squad by coach Zoran Vranes.
The team will contest the opening round of Caribbean Football Union 2016 Olympic qualification in Puerto Rico next week against Suriname, St Vincent and The Grenadines and host Puerto Rico.
The Yugoslav-born Vranes has been overseeing the team's preparations for the past few weeks and was able to come down to his final selection this week ahead of the qualifiers from which the group winner will join the three other CFU winners in the semi-final round in August from which the two finalists will advance to the Concacaf Final Olympic qualifying phase in the USA.
The team is expected to depart to Puerto Rico within the next few days as team manager David Muhammad explained that some players are without US Visas and arrangements are being made for this to be obtained in order for them to travel for the opening group stage of the competition.
Muhammed noted that Concacaf is aware of the situation caused by a delay in visa appointments.
Also included in the team are Aikim Andrews, W Connection's Jomal Williams and Jesus Perez while a few other players have made the step up from the national Under-20 team inclusive of Neil Benjamin Jr, Dario Holmes, Maurice Ford, Shackiel Henry and Dwight Quintero.
With regards to his team selected Vranes who once coach Antigua & Barbuda said it's the best selection we can have and I am confident in the team's ability."
Squad
T&T U-23 Team for Olympics qualifiers: Aaron Enil (Jabloteh), Jovan Sample (Central FC), Maurice Ford (W Connection), Jesus Perez (North East Stars), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Dario Holmes (Jabloteh), Tristan Hodge (W Connection), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars), Montell Joseph (UK-based), Jomal Williams (W Connection), Kadeem Corbin (St Ann's Rangers), Shannon Gomez ( W Connection), Aikim Andrews (W Connection), Nathaniel Garcia (Central FC), Jelani Felix (Defence Force), Dwight Quintero (Central FC), Neil Benjamin Jr (W Connection), Shackeil Henry (Pt Fortin Civic), Jibiri Mc David (Police FC), Rundell Winchester (Portland Timbers/USA)
T&T men's Rio de Janeiro 2016 CFU Olympic qualifiers (June 24-26:)
Venue: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Group F:
June 24: Suriname vs T&T
June 26: T&T vs St Vincent & Grenadines
June 28: Puerto Rico vs T&T