Vincy Heat off to Trinidad with ‘Fame’ and ‘Teeth’
Technical Director Zoran Vranes has recalled Dexter âTeethâ Browne and Curtis âFameâ Joseph for the final of the Digicel Caribbean Football Final in Trinidad and Tobago.
Browne and Joseph, both 34, were part of the 18-man squad that left here last Wednesday.{{more}}
Browne, who returned home for the Christmas vacation, impressed technical director Zoran Vranes and his coaching staff and was asked to extend his stay.
He made his senior debut in 1991 and was part of this countryâs first world cup sojourn in 1992. A defender and former national 100M athlete he migrated to the USA in 1995 following the Gold Cup there.
Joseph made his debut and his name as a nippy forward. Through his choice he has been in and out of the team. He last played for this country in the world cup qualifiers in 2000.
Joseph has resorted to the midfield position, reunites with his former schoolmate, Trinidad and Tobago stationed semi pro, the creative Kendall Velox, adding impetus in that department.
Much will depend on the magic of the midfield maestro Velox, who had an indifferent performance in the second round fixtures in Barbados last November.
While Joseph returns, Vincy Heat is without the Malaysia-based duo of experienced defender Cornelius Huggins and striker Marlon James. Both helped St Vincent and the Grenadines to their final berth, but are unavailable.
As the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation juggles with the overseas based players, midfielder Wesley John, who plies his trade in Portugal and was part of the first round in Jamaica, missed the second round, returns to packing much needed aggression in the middle of the park.
Johnâs elder brother Ezra Hendrickson maintains his role as captain. The lanky defender plays for Columbus Crewe in the US Major league.
Ireland based, brawny defender Wesley Charles completes the overseas quintet.
The durable Dexter Walker, Greg Myers, Marion Grant and Bevan Burgin are the other defenders making the trip.
Completing the midfield are Andrew Douglas, Darren Francis, Benford Joseph and Collingham Delves.
The mercurial Shandell Samuel, the tournamentâs leading goal scorer with nine goals heads the striking department. His partner is Shane Glynn.
Long standing goalkeeper Melvin Andrews keeps his number one spot, with teenaged Dwayne Peters-Sandy elevated as Andrewsâ deputy.
The other members of the technical staff are coach -Roger Gurley, physiotherapist/team doctor Dr. Perry De Freitas and kit manager Kevin Richardson. Andrew Bramble and Clyde Robinson are the executiveâs representatives.
Vincy Heat will open their campaign against the unbeaten Guyana on Sunday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium. Their next encounter is against Cuba on Tuesday and round off against Guadeloupe next Thursday, seeking to be one of the two teams from that group making it to the semi final phase.
The other group comprises Barbados, Haiti, Martinique and the host. The four semi finalists will qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup set for July in the USA.
In addition, up for grabs is US$120 000 for the team that emerges winner in the finals. The second place earns $ 70 000, third place $50 000 and fourth place $30 000.
Vincy Heat warmed up with a two match tour to Martinique in late December. The encounters ended in draws 2-2 and 1-1, but got a bad send off last Saturday night, losing 0-3 to the Presidentâs XI, a team made up of past national players based here and in the USA.
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