National U-23 Football Squad cut to 25

By Anthony De Beauville

The technical staff of the St. Lucia National Football Association headed by Coach Dennis Lukens has released the names of twenty five under 23 National Footballers who will continue training for a final call to national duties to represent St. Lucia in Olympic qualification matches on the path towards Beijing 2008.
It’s a do or die for the St. Lucia team who must win to progress to the next round of competition as their Olympic qualifying campaign will commence in St.Vincent and the Grenadines on the 9th of September 2007. The national team is grouped with the other Windward Islands and will fancy their good fortune.
With 45 days to go before St. Lucia’s first match and time running out, Coach Lukens says that a couple of friendlies for the national squad will take place in early August, taking into consideration the short time the technical staff has to get the team together to get that understanding and cohesion.
Coach Lukens further gave a quick rundown on some of players to this reporter who he believes will play key roles in St. Lucia’s quest for a berth in Beijing in 2008. Hezron Justin was described as a tough defender who is fit and leads from the front while Venus Abbot shows promise as a defensive midfielder and has a positive attitude. Clemarcus Nanton is a very well rounded player who can play a variety of attacking roles, Troy Prospere plays very well as a target player up front, scores goals on a regular basis at training, while Kerwin Augustin has done well as a marking back or defensive player.
At the look of things from my vantage point the twenty five member team named by Coach Lukens from the vigorous screening sessions which started on Saturday June 30th 2007 appears very talented augur well.
The full 25- man squad: Hezron Justin, Clemarcus Nanton, Claude James, Randy Polen, Cliff Valcin, Iram Cassius, Troy Prospere, Venus Abbot, Kerwin Augustin, Nynimie Gilbert, Nigel Francis, Brad Emmanuel, Ricardo Paul, Jamal Descott, Zackius Polius, Michael Annius, Sabbatus Hunt, Hamilton Leonce, Jonathan Jean Marie, Hiram Hunt, Everton Lambert, Chevon Jack, Cleveland Emmanuel, Everton Polius, and Andreus Willie.
The Technical Staff: Coach Dennis Lukens, Assistant Coach (1) Trevor Anderson, Assistant Coach (2) Anthony ‘Meshak’ Jn Baptiste, Goalkeeper Coach Dudley Foster, Fitness Coach Dane Magloire, and Team Manager Andy George.
Meanwhile, no word has yet been received about whom the team’s physiotherapist is as preparation continues.