SVG Under-17 team off to Caribbean Cup

National Under-20 player, Myron Samuel leads this country’s Under-17 team to this year’s Caribbean Cup, CFU world Cup Qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago, which starts today Thursday, July 31st.{{more}}

Samuel, who plays in the striker position for the Under-20 outfit, will however, carry his weight in the midfield for the Under-17’s.

He along with Diego Philips, Damion John, Omar Thomas, Kemron Charles, Keeson Rouse, Teeeron Edwards and Kenny Glynn, will form the engine room in the midfield. Rouse, Edwards and Glynn are newcomers to national representation.

Jerand De Roche, who, like Samuel made the trip to the inaugural Youth Cup in 2005, also in the twin island republic, heads the list of defenders.

Joining him are debutants Nical Stephens and Nazron Hoyte, while Rohan Pompey, who kept goal last year, reverts to his defensive position, with Kenroy Williams, Danzil Edwards and Diandross Williams, who return from the 2006 Under-16 team.

The lone new striker making the final cut is Desborn Lavia, who will partner Azhino Solomon, and Curlon Joseph.

Jovan Lynch retains his place as one of two custodians, with newcomer Mc Ziggy Richards, other.

The coaching staff sees a change of guards with former St. Vincent and the Grenadines player Keith Ollivierre, replacing another former national player Christopher Harry.

Ollivierre is the fourth Coach to be put in charge of this country’s team to the Caribbean Youth Cup, in as many years.

Former Technical Director, Zoran Vranes led in 2005, with Tyrone Prince in charge in 2006.

Kemuel Browne, who was Harry’s assistant at last year’s outing, holds on to his post this time around.

A new position adopted by the Executive of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation is that of a Goalkeeper Coach. Urtis Blackette, a former national goalkeeper, and fresh from the Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course, has been slotted in that position.

Wadie Jackson, who like Blackette and Browne were part of the ten day course, fills the role of the team’s manager.

The twenty players and the four members of the management team left here midday last Tuesday for their assignment in Trinidad and Tobago.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been placed in Group A, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominica, and Cuba.

The 2008 CFU Youth Cup, which has attracted 21 teams will be contested from July 31 – August 10 and will double as the Caribbean Qualification to the 2009 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

The winner and runner-up from the CFU Youth Cup will progress to the CONCACAF U-17 Championship that will take place in Mexico next year. (RT)