National Under 17 Team member John Paul Rochford is currently engaged in the biggest training stint of his career to date as he takes part in a two-week training camp at Manchester City after being selected by City scouts at a Digicel Kickstart Academy in November for Caribbean talents.
Rochford was chosen among other players including Jamaicans Akeem Robotham, Alain Skerritt and Malik Powell, Charleus Talson (Haiti), Elysee Nael Wellofky (Haiti) and Elijah Shade and Tyrell Emmanuel of T&T.
“The camp is moving on quite well so far. The skill level and the intensity level is very high. The skill level is not the usual level. The ability of the guys here is very high and we are learning more everyday. It’s been quite a fulfilling experience” Rochford said on Wednesday. “The camp is exciting because every day we are being shown new drills and learning different techniques,” he added.
Rochford, a product of FC Santa Rosa, indicated that the feedback from the Manchester coaches has been positive thus far. “The coaches have told us that they are impressed with our ability and our attitude and they’ve really made us very comfortable since we’ve been here. The experience so far has been extremely good and will definitely contribute towards my development as a player,” said Rochford of Queen’s Royal College.
Rochford was initially selected from a group of thirty players at one of the Digicel Kickstart camp at Sabina Park, Jamaica in late October.
His older brother Jean Luc was a member of the T&T Under 17 and Under 20 teams which appeared at the 2007 FIFA Under 17 World Cup and the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt and has the distinction of scoring in the opening game of the finals against the host nation.
Jones vows to bang in goals
T&T captain Kenwyne Jones is backing his new club Al Jazira to climb the league table in the Arabian Gulf League and is vowing to start banging in the goals.
Jones was speaking after setting up his team’s second goal in a 2-2 draw at Al Wasl when he expressed his optimism about the club’s ability to improve on its run so far.
“I see enough room for progress, I don’t see any problem for this team,” Jones said. “They can progress easily. We just need to tighten up a few things and we’ll be fine.
“It’s like anywhere in the world. You have moments where you lose a bit of concentration and don’t do things to stay on top of the game. But it’s OK—I believe 100 per cent in this team, we have a lot of talent.”
Jones cited the need for Jazira to be stronger in defence, with the capital club conceding from two set pieces against Wasl.
According to Jones, “I hope so, that would be nice,” he said. “Wasl was my first time getting used to the team, the players and who we’re playing against. I feel quite positive and I’m hopeful in the next 12 to 13 games the goals will come.”
Jones will return to international duty in March as he prepares to lead the Soca Warriors in two World Cup qualifiers against St Vincent/Grenadine on March 25th and 29th.
Hart happy for Jones,
Hyland nomination
T&T head coach Stephen Hart expressed “surprise” about his nomination for the “Coach of the Year” award for 2015 but believes that the recognition given to team captain Kenwyne Jones and Khaleem Hyland is more deserving to the duo.
Also nominated for the female Goalkeeper of the Year award was T&T Senior Women custodian Kimika Forbes. “I think it’s great for both Kenwyne and Khaleem to be recognised. They have been two players who made a great contribution to the performances of the team in 2015 and they thoroughly deserve it,” Hart said.“Kenwyne had been good leader and he has delivered for the team on the field. His goal which turned out to be the winner against Guatemala was an absolute stunner and he motivates and leads the team quite impressively.
Khaleem on the other hand has put in the hard work and his performances have been quite strong. The performances of these two and the performance on the team on a whole is what I think has contributed to my nomination which was quite a surprise for me,” Hart added.
Carlos suffers injury setback
Midfielder Carlos Edwards has been sidelined with a hamstring injury which he sustained in Millwall’s 2-1 defeat to Barnsley earlier this month.
Edwards, just back following a lengthy lay off following surgery, was forced to leave the game in the 68th minute.Club manager Neil Harris said Edwards’ absence at right back would not affect the club’s transfer plans.
“Carlos is definitely going to be out for a period of time, he’s pulled his hamstring. He’s going to be out for a number of weeks,” Harris said. “But we won’t be looking to bring anybody in.”
Edwards recently signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the season. “They say hard work pays off and the contract extension was something the club and I were working towards for some time.The club has kept its promise and now I'm looking to help Millwall back to the Championship,’ Edwards stated.
•EDITOR’S NOTE: Shaun Fuentes is the Director of Communications for the TTFA. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com
“I'm not someone who suffers from self-doubt. I want to play and I was determined to force my way back into the team. I'm not going to take my foot off the pedal because I've got a deal to the end of the season.
"I'm looking for us as a group and as a club to push on and try to win promotion."