THE LONG WAIT is over for the Bajan Tridents, with their first friendly football international in 20 months against Dominica at the National Stadium at 6 p.m. today.
The last time the Barbados senior squad saw action was in February 2009 when they blanked Grenada 5-0 in a home friendly to herald the start of the domestic season.
Hence, tonight’s tune-up and tomorrow’s second game against the same opponents at 8 p.m., which are being held in preparation for next month’s Digicel Caribbean Cup first-round campaign in St Vincent, should attract hundreds of curious soccer-starved spectators.
Moreso, with today’s matches in all the out-of-season tournaments being cancelled, all roads should lead to the Stadium.
Even though Barbados now have a world ranking of 121 and Dominica are listed at 178, these two friendlies against the Land of Many Rivers, should also be very keenly contested.
The last time these teams met in a first-round World Cup qualifying tie in 2008, Barbados battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Windsor Park, Roseau, but narrowly won the return leg 1-0, courtesy a Dwayne Stanford goal at Kensington Oval.
Stanford won’t be in Barbados’ line-up but the match-rusty Bajan Tridents, will be fielding 12 players from the last Digicel Cup campaign two years ago when they reached the final round in Jamaica.
Head coach Thomas Jordan has a new assistant, Asquith Hamlett-Howell, who has made a name for himself in schools football at St Leonard’s Boys’ and with the national Under-17 team.
The team will again be led by Norman Forde, who may be used in an attacking role, just behind strikers Riviere Williams and Mario Harte as was the case in Cuba two years ago when he scored a hat-trick.
Jeffrey Williams will no doubt play wide on the right side of midfield with the experienced Rudy Grosvenor on the left and Romelle Burgess in the middle, unless Jordan starts with one of his new midfielders.
Another stalwart, John “Nobby” Parris, is likely to be slotted in the centre of the defence alongside Barry Skeete, in a flat back four, featuring wingbacks Bryan Neblett and Omar Archer. The experienced Jonathan Straker and Andre Daniel are other defensive options.
There are a number of first-timers like St Leonard’s schoolboy Raheim Sargeant; the Deacons’ trio of Terry Adamson, Jason Carter and Kadeem “Buju” Atkins; Wales’ midfielder Dawayne Stephens; Dayrells Road’s defender Jomo Brathwaite and Notre Dame’s goalkeeper Kareem Farrell.
But either Irish-based Alvin “Banana” Rouse or Adrian Chase will stand between the uprights.
Dominica have named an experienced side for the twin friendlies, minus midfielder Shern Dailey, but enhanced by the presence of former captain Wayne George.
SQUADS:
Barbados – Alvin Rouse, Adrian Chase, Kareem Farrell, Barry Skeete, John Parris, Omar Archer, Bryan Neblett, Andre Daniel, Kadeem Atkins, Jason Carter, Jonathan Straker, Jomo Brathwaite, Romelle Burgess, Dawayne Stephens, Jeffrey Williams, Terry Adamson, Rudi Grosvenor, Raheim Sargeant, Norman Forde, Riviere Williams, Mario Harte.
Dominica – Glenson Prince, Owen Oscar, Colin Bernard, Prince Austrie, Kurtney McKenzie, Jerome Thomas, Hubert Prince, Elmond Derrick, Rasheed Bertrand, Chad Bertrand, Kerry Alleyne, Glensworth Elizee, Leo George, Kelrick Walter, Donan Jervier, Wayne George, Kurlson Benjamin, Lester Langlais, Cheston Dangleben, Mitchel Joseph. Kirt Hector (coach).
