Published:
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Soca Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones has been included in a 30-man provisional squad by two-time reigning Caribbean Football Union and Digicel T&T Pro League champions Central FC for their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps on August 2.
The 31-year-old Jones is coming off loan spell with Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates and will playing for a local club for the first time since leaving W Connection in 2004 to join English club Southampton.
In addition to Southampton, Jones who began his local club career at Joe Public also lined up for Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City, Sunderland, Cardiff and Bournemouth before his move to Al Jazira where he won the UAE President’s Cup to end off his loan spell.
Jones, who will surely have his eye on T&T next two Concacaf World Cup qualifiers at home on September 2 versus Guatemala, and four days later away to USA was one of several new names to appear on the roster of for Central FC although the club has retained the majority of their record breaking “double-double” winning team who claimed successive domestic and regional titles.
Central F.C. will compete in Group C, against two US Major League Soccer clubs, Sporting Kansas City and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Whitecaps is the first Canadian club to qualify for SCCL in two successive years, and will be the first Canadian club to face “The Sharks” and will be expected to be followed on the long trip to Trinidad by their famous scarf waving supporters.
Meanwhile, Central F.C.’s players have been enduring double training sessions in their race to be fit for the big game on August 2nd.
Aside from the usual football drills, the players have engaged in core strengthening and balance work with Gerard Alfonso of ASF located in the Long Circular Mall gym.
Alfonso has devised a special programme for the players to ensure that they will play at maximum intensity for the full 90 minutes against Vancouver.
“The players have responded very well to Gerard in the gym” said coach Dale Saunders “and they have worked extremely hard with Stern John and myself on the training field”
Central F.C. is currently searching for a sponsor for the coveted spot on the front of the jersey, as well as being in discussions with a major French club and a top MLS outfit, who are looking to partner with the Caribbean champions.
Match tickets will go on sale from Tuesday 19th July at Irie Elephant, Maraval and Bankers Insurance offices in St James and Chaguanas.
Covered stand tickets will retail at $60 while tickets for the uncovered stand will be on sale at $40. Tickets will also be available for the Sporting Kansas City match on August 16th, Alongside a major radio advertising campaign, information will also be available on the clubs facebook pages; central fc fan club and central fc the sharks.
Sport