Boyce names U-17 squad for Peru friendlies
Boyce names U-17 squad for Peru friendlies
Head coach Randolph Boyce has named a 23-man Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 squad for two international friendly matches against Peru, to be played in the capital Lima on January 28 and 30.
The encounters form a critical part of the team’s build-up to the Concacaf Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers, which kick off in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, February 3. As hosts, T&T will contest Group A, facing Barbados, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten and Mexico, with only the group winner advancing to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar this November.
Speaking on the team’s preparations and the selection process, Boyce expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far.
“So far, things have gone well. We’ve cut the squad down to the final group, and the boys have really been putting in the work and paying attention to detail,” Boyce said. “There are still areas where we want them to be more meticulous in their application, but that comes with time. We believe that within the three-week window we’ll get there.”
Boyce highlighted the value of the Peru friendlies, noting that the team has mostly been competing above their age group in recent matches.
“These games will help us a lot because we’ll now be playing against an Under-17 team of the same age. It allows us to see how they approach the game—whether they’re more aggressive, patient, or disciplined—and how well our players apply what we’ve been working on in the four moments of the game.”
He added that the players have shown a strong appetite to learn. “The guys are like sponges. They’re soaking it up, they want to learn, and that’s the most important thing at this age. With repetition, we’re already seeing improvements in execution.”
Boyce remains confident. “We would have liked to move a bit faster, but we’re hopeful we’ll have enough time to get it done.”
The T&T Under-17 coach also praised the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association for securing the international fixtures. “The Federation has done tremendously well in supporting us and giving us the opportunity to play these two matches,” he said.
