With less than a week to go to the CONCACAF Zone preliminary round Women’s Olympic Tournament for Tokyo 2020 kicking off, T&T women’s head coach Stephan Defour has named a provisional squad of 29 for a local training camp.
While veteran player Karyn Forbes has already been confirmed as captain, Defour is expected to announce his final squad this weekend. The competition takes the form of a four-nation group phase which will be played at the Ato Boldon Stadium from September 30 to October 8.
T&T will take on Aruba in the second match of a doubleheader in Couva from 5 pm on September 30. Prior to that match, St Kitts and Nevis and the Dominican Republic will meet from 2.30 pm.
Forbes, who is a veteran of the 2015 World Cup qualifying team, has warned her teammates against complacency. She said, “No doubt I think we have the potential, but at the end of the day we don’t want to underestimate any team,” Forbes told the T&T Football Association Media.
She said she hoped the new-look team will put in some solid performances during the week-long competition.
“It’s a new squad. At any point in life you have to have transition. With some of the new players coming in, we’ll be able to utilise them and have some fresh blood and help them (as experienced players) to grow.”
While acknowledging that Olympic qualification was up for grabs, Forbes also felt this was “an opportunity to make a statement and bring back the fun and bring back people out to watch women’s football.”
The Tobagonian also spoke about Defour’s impact as coach.
“Every coach is different but Stephan is very serious and we need someone who is serious and I’m elated to work under him,” she said of Defour, who previously worked with Haiti’s women’s programme.
The local ladies had a chance to tour the Home of Football in Couva this past weekend and Forbes said she was happy the facility was conveniently next to the ground where they’ll be playing.
“It’s really good, as having this facility will help us a lot. I have been travelling back and forth between Trinidad and Tobago. It’s really important that we have accommodation. Everything is near in terms of fields and the hotel,” she said.
After tackling Aruba on Monday, T&T will face Antigua and Barbuda two days later in their second match. They then play St Kitts and Nevis and wrap up against the Dominican Republic on October 8.
T&T’s provisional squad:
Agape Alexander, Faith Alexander, Alexcia Ali, Shanelle Arjoon, Sydney Boisselle, Afyiah Cornwall, Khadisha Debesette, Malaika Dedier, Amaya Ellis, Karyn Forbes, Kimika Forbes, Janine Francois, Nathifa Hackshaw, Liana Hinds, Asha James, Renasha Jones, Jasandra Joseph, Maya Matouk, Cayla Mc Farlane, Janelle McGee, Tenesha Palmer, Aaliyah Pascall, Tori Paul, Aaliyah Prince, Makayla Prince, Meyah Romeo, Maria-Frances Serrant, Laurelle Theodore, Nia Walcott
Match schedule with kick-off times:
(September 30)
St Kitts & Nevis v Dominican Republic, 2.30 pm
Aruba v T&T, 5pm
(October 2)
Dominican Republic vs Aruba, 2.30 pm
T&T v Antigua and Barbuda, 5 pm
(October 4)
Antigua & Barbuda v Dominican Republic, 2.30 pm
Aruba v St Kitts & Nevis, 5 pm
(October 6)
Antigua & Barbuda v Aruba, 2.30 pm
T&T v St Kitts & Nevis, 5 pm
(October 8)
St Kitts & Nevis v Antigua & Barbuda, 2.30 pm
T&T v Dominican Republic, 5 pm