Antigua coach defends including number of overseas players

St. John's (Antigua), Nov 11 (IANS/CMC) Antigua and Barbuda's head coach, Rolston Williams, said the decision to include 14 overseas based players for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) finals was made in the best interest of the country's football.

Williams was reacting to criticism in some quarters here over the record number of overseas-based players in the 23-member squad, reports CMC.

He said Monday that Antigua and Barbuda, known as the Benna Boys, are no different from other countries preparing for what is expected to be a tough tournament.

"Jamaica only has room for four local players, Haiti in the same group - 14 overseas players, the same amount as us. Martinique - it's the strongest team they have ever put in a CFU championship is this year with some 11 players coming out of France," said Williams.

"So if we are a little dot on the map and these countries who are big countries are bringing back all these overseas players and seeing the importance of the competition, why not Antigua?"

Five of the 14 overseas players will be making their debut for the Benna Boys - defenders Christopher Cordara-Soanes, Alvin Jarvis and Aaron Tumwa, midfielder Myles Weston and striker Jordon Smith.

"We couldn't win a game when we had all (local players) and we put a lot of blame on the players," said Williams.

"Now, they are not playing professionally we are saying that they are good enough to play and we shouldn't bring overseas players, so we are just contradicting ourselves over and over."

Last month, Antigua and Barbuda achieved their highest ever FIFA World ranking, jumping to 70th in the world to position themselves only behind powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago in the CFU rankings at number two.

Their movement has come as a result of their impressive form in the recent second round of the CFU qualifiers.

--IANS/CMC

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