FORT LAUDERDALE – Overseas-based professionals Hallam Hope and Nick Blackman will lead the line for Barbados Tridents national football team and Liam Brathwaite keeps his place in goal for their crucial play-off CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier against Bermuda tonight at the DRV PNK Stadium in the United States.
Blackman, 31, has been a revelation for the side since his international debut, contributing three goals in his five caps so far.
Hope has been similarly impressive for the national team in his eight appearances so far, bagging four goals and an assist, when the Tridents gained promotion from League C in the CONCACAF Nations League last year.
There is also a place in the starting line-up for new addition Emile Saimovici, after he scored the winner against Anguilla and opened the scoring against Dominica in the World Cup qualifiers last month in the Dominican Republic.
There is, unfortunately, no place in the starting team for national captain Rashad Jules, so Hadan Holligan will continue with the armband and lead the side from midfield.
Brathwaite will again be key for the Tridents between the uprights. The lanky goalkeeper showcased his shot-stopping quality during the trip to the Dominican Republic and coach Russell Latapy has kept faith in the 20-year-old to replicate his confident performances.
Starting 11:
Hadan Holligan (captain), Liam Brathwaite (goalkeeper), Rashad Smith, Krystian Pearce, Mario Williams, Andre Applewhaite, Jomo Harris, Omani Leacock, Emile Saimovici, Nick Blackman, Hallam Hope.
(NM)
