King focuses on disciplined, organised performance against Bolivia
2026-03-15 - 01:18
Discipline, organisation, and representing the country well are all that interim national football coach Derek King is asking of his charges for Sunday’s international friendly clash with Bolivia at the Ramon Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium in Santa Cruz at 4 pm. Following his appointment as interim coach, King has had just two days of preparation with a squad consisting mainly of local players. He was thrust into the position after former national coach Dwight Yorke and the T&T Football Association mutually agreed to part ways. King’s team includes just four players who ply their trade internationally, namely, newcomers James Lester, a 19-year-old centre back of Welsh Premier Football League (Cymru Premier) club Llanelli Town AFC, and Elijah Cordner, a centre back who just signed a deal with Polish club Raków Częstochowa from the West Ham Under-19 team. King, who previously served as assistant coach to Stephen Hart (2013-2016), a period during which T&T reached consecutive Gold Cup quarterfinals and attained a FIFA ranking of 49, has also included Halifax Wanderers duo Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad, as their team is currently in pre-season. The squad also features several uncapped players, such as goalkeeper Teshorne Ragoo (Club Sando FC); defenders Adam Pierre (MIC Central FC Reboot) and Jaydon Caprietta (Club Sando); and strikers Addae Paponette, Jaheim Faustin (San Juan Jabloteh), son of former national midfielder Marvin Faustin, and Jamaica-based schoolboy Kaieem Lewis (St Elizabeth Technical). On the composition of the team, which will be captained Rampersad, King said: “I think with this young squad, we have potential. It’s just about giving the youths that experience. As I told them, we have to be disciplined in this game. We have to go out there and really keep the discipline and keep the shape; that is the key. It’s about being brave and limiting errors because, in international football, one error could cost you the game. ”It’s important to see if these young players can match up and take instructions. So, it’s just to get them going. Following the instructions from the coaches and ball speed will be very important. Once we get our chances, we know we can create opportunities to score.” Regarding the team’s readiness, King said: “Bolivia is a strong team, especially playing here, and we respect that. The players are excited and ready to compete. This is a young national team with good potential, and we are looking forward to the challenge. Matches like these are important for their growth and experience. Our focus is to be disciplined, organised, and represent our country with pride.” King also noted, “The jelling process for the team has been very positive. Of course, we’ve only had a few days together, but the players have shown a great attitude and willingness to learn. They’ve worked hard to understand what we want as a staff, and the spirit in the group has been excellent.” The last time the teams met was in 2022, when the Bolivians won handsomely 5-0 with goals coming from Juan Arce (35th), Rodrigo Ramallo (45th), Marcelo Moreno (53rd), Leonel Justiniano (63rd), and Bruno Miranda 87th). King will be using the match as part of his team’s preparations for the FIFA Series, where T&T will face Venezuela on March 27 and Gabon on March 30 in Uzbekistan, while the Bolivians are preparing for the FIFA Continental World Cup playoff versus Suriname. Following the recent draw, Bolivia are set to face Suriname in Path B, and if successful, will meet Iraq for a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup. The playoff matches will take place during the March 2026 international window in Mexico. King’s responsibilities will go beyond the FIFA Series with the Concacaf Nations League to take place later this year. He is attempting to recover from an unsuccessful World Cup Qualifying campaign as an assistant under Yorke, to build a team that would eventually rise to prominence in the Caribbean first, before being a competitive nation in the Concacaf region. T&T squad for Bolivia friendly Goalkeepers: Jabari Brice (Central FC), Jabari St Hillaire (Defence Force), Teshorne Ragoo (Club Sando) Defenders: Ross Russell Jr (Central FC), Alvin Jones (Central FC), Adam Pierre (Central FC), Jaydon Caprietta (Club Sando), Shervohnez Hamilton (Club Sando), Isaiah Garcia (Defence Force), Jesse Williams (Caledonia AIA), Darnell Hospedales (Prison FC) Midfielders: Daniel David (Central FC), Derrel Garcia (San Juan Jabloteh), Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers/Canada), Joevin Jones (Defence Force), Lindell Sween (San Juan Jabloteh), Elijah Cordner (Rakow Częstochowa/Poland) Forwards: Addae Paponette, Jaheim Faustin (San Juan Jabloteh) Ryan Telfer Halifax Wanders/Canada), Kaieem Lewis (St Elizabeth Technical/Jamaica), Kathon St Hillaire (Defence Force) Coach: Derek King