DUTCH-BORN left winger Ryan Trotman has been called up to the Barbados men’s national team for CONCACAF’s qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2022 later this month in the Dominican Republic.
Head coach Russell Latapy named a 24-member squad inclusive of five overseas-based players for the first game against No.78 Panama on March 26 at the Estadio Olimpico Feliz Sanchez.
Trotman, 21, plays for Dutch club FC Den Bosch in the Eerste Divisie and was born in the Netherlands, but he qualifies to play for Barbados because he is the son of former Barbados batsman and cricket coach, Emmerson Trotman.
United States-based defender Najee Holder, Carl Hinkson and Krystian Pearce have been selected, but there are no recalls for Kaeson Trench, Ricardio Morris, Zico Phillips, Ramar Millar and Ranaldo Bailey.
Mario “Bagga” Williams, Akeem Hill, Rashad Smith and Ackeel Applewhaite are all in the squad.
Omani Leacock returns and Barbados will not be short for midfield options with Jomo Harris, Nicoli Brathwaite, Hadan Holligan and captain Rashad Jules named in the squad.
Surprisingly, Latapy has included the uncapped attacking midfielders Emile Saimovici and Keon Atkins.
Latapy has shown faith in the youth as junior nationals Roshon “Speedy” Gittens, Jamol Williams, Romario Drakes and Niall Reid-Stephen have been included.
Former Reading striker and Manchester United academy player Nick Blackman will also join the team.
Interestingly, top local strikers Zeco Edmee, Jabari Chandler, Dishon Howell and Shakille Belle were not included.
Kishmar Primus and Liam Brathwaite are the two goalkeepers for the two qualifying matches.
Barbados has been drawn in Group D in the opening round of the qualifiers and will take on Panama and Anguilla before returning home to play Dominica and the Dominican Republic in June.
The team will leave the island tomorrow on a charter flight around 1 p.m.
Goalkeepers: Kishmar Primus, Liam Brathwaite.
Defenders: Carl Hinkson, Mario Williams, Akeem Hill, Rashad Smith, Ackeel Applewhaite, Najee Holder, Krystian Pearce
Midfielders : Jomo Harris, Nicoli Brathwaite , Darico King, Hadan Holligan, Raheim Sargeant, Roshon Gittens, Jamol Williams, Omani Leacock, Rashad Jules, Emile Saimovici, Jomo Harris. Strikers : Niall-Reid-Stephen, Nick Blackman, Keon Atkins, Ryan Trotman.
(AGB)
