Soca Warriors senior team midfielder Kevin Molino is one of five players with senior team experience named in an 18-man Olympic (Under-23) squad by coach Angus Eve which will leave on Saturday to participate in the 16th Pan American Games. The two-week event takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico, from October 14 to 30. T&T received an invitation from the organisers as a replacement for Guatemala which was withdrawn by the country’s Olympic committee for non-compliance with protocol.

Panama and Honduras, which finished behind Guatemala and ahead of T&T in the final rankings of the Concacaf Under-20 Championship in April, declined invitations to fill the vacancy in the eight-team competition, set for October 19-28. T&T is in Group A along with Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay and will face Uruguay in their opening game on October 19 at the Estadio Omnilife.

In addition to the USA-based Molino,  W Connection duo Joevin Jones and Shahdon Winchester as well as Caledonia AIA striker Jamal Gay have all represented the senior national team. The Pan Am Games is expected to serve as ideal preparations for the Caribbean Football Union 2012 Olympic qualifying final round in St Kitts/Nevis involving Cuba and Suriname from November 24 to 28. Eve will be assisted by former national defender Derek King while  Norris Ferguson is the team manager.

T&T squad

Andre Marchan, Zane Coker, Sheldon Bateau, Mekeil Williams, Joevin Jones, Shahdon Winchester, Trevin Caesar, Aquil Selby, Leslie Joel Russell, Jamal Gay, Jayson Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Kevin Molino, Jeromie Williams, Kareem Moses, Kaydion Gabriel, Micah Lewis, Cameron Roget.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt