Bean, Dill back in the fold
By Stephen Wright
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Ralph Bean: Returning to national team duty after his self-imposed exile.
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National team coach Kenny Thompson has named a new-look squad for Bermuda's home turf double-header against Barbados next month.
Bermuda Hogges' pair Ralph Bean and Kofi Dill have returned from their self-imposed international exiles, while veteran defender Meshach Wade retains his place following his performances during the team's recent UK training tour.
Surprise selections include Dandy Town goalkeeper Mykal Crockwell and Devonshire Cougars' midfielder Randy Robinson, who will both be in contention for senior international debuts.
Stevie Astwood is the only notable absentee after picking up an injury for the Hogges during last Saturday's home defeat against Crytsal Palace Baltimore.
Bermuda take on Barbados for their final World Cup qualifying warm-up matches on Friday June 6 and Monday June 9. Both games will be played at the National Sports Centre.
The friendlies will see Thompson take charge for the first time since the resignation of his pre-decessor Keith Tucker.
Thompson, who was Tucker's assistant, said his coaching transition had been seamless and had not affected the team's preparations for the qualifiers.
"I'm just doing the job I was doing when Keith was here," said Thompson at yesterday's press conference at Bermuda Football Association (BFA) offices in Cedar Avenue.
"Before, I was assisting with the programme and working in a coaching capacity - I'm pretty much doing the same thing now.
"You would be better suited talking to the players (about the impact of Thompson becoming head coach). For me it's just business at usual."
The Somerset Eagles' player/coach said he was pleased that Ralph Bean and Kofi Dill, who has been in imperious form for the Hogges this season, had decided to return to the national team set-up.
"From an agreement standpoint Kofi Dill and Ralph Bean have been involved for a number of weeks now," said Thompson.
"It was a difficult squad to put together because currently we have a pool of close to 30 players, including some of the Under-20 players who have demonstrated that they are very close to being selected.
"It was a challenge (to select the squad) but a good challenge from a coach's point of view. It took some real thought to put this group together. It's a group that I believe can perform well in the Barbados matches.
"It's good we have competition for places and it's important each player selected makes an impact. If they don't make an impact we have other players waiting in the wings to take their place. That's a good situation to be in.
"These are preparation matches and we're taking them very seriously to get ready for the Trinidad and Tobago games."
Bermuda national team's 25-man squad to play Barbados
T.Figuerido, J.Williams, M.Crockwell, K.Richards, M.Waldron, K.Dill, O.Shakir, A.Lowe, D.Cox, J.Ball, M.Wade, S.DeGraff, J.Jennings, R.Robinson, R.Lambe, K.Smith, K.Steede, K.Bean, R.Bean, J.Barry Nusum, T.Burgess, S.Darrell, J.Davis, D.Ming, D.Coddington
