I commence this match report by making everyone aware that T&T is certainly without a doubt going to qualify for Germany 2006. It may be too late to grab a third place finish, but with some extra work in addition to what we have accomplished so far under Leo B, 4th place has our names written all over it. We are on a course bound for a home-and-away battle with the 5th place Asian qualifier.
I arrived at the game 5 minutes before kickoff, and this was our starting line-up and eventual formation:
Ince
Lawrence A.John
A.Charles Rojas
Edwards Whitley Birchall Tiger
Jones Yorke
Today, our Soca Warriors exibited a fine display of total football for the majority of the 94 minutes of regulation and added on extra time. I was quite impressed with our possesion play especially in the first half, and in particular how we banded together as a team in our offensive and defensive efforts.
The team played a compact style of total football, with virtually no gaps between midfield and defense/attack.
The Warriors proved to all concerned that our foreign-based legion are on another level to that of their local counterparts.
Although the final score turned out to be a 1-0 victory to the visiting team, I believe that our efforts and our experimenting have produced results at a significant time in our build-up to our do-or-die date with the Panamanians. The majority of players showed compousure, class, quality ball control and our team has made great strides towards peaking at a time when it counts the most, namely World Cup qualification.
The defense should be commended for their exceptional reading of the game, timely aggression and composure playing the ball across the back and bringing out into midfield. As opposed to last week's game with North East Stars, these defenders are at a different level in terms of technique and skill. Marlon Rojas had a very average game, but I believe he is not substitutable as there is no one else in the squad that is groomed for this left wing back position. One must say however, that most of the time he does get the job done, but he would maybe do well to inject some confidence and unpredictability into his offensive game. Rojas did make some overlapping runs, linked up well with Tiger, and did advance into the opposing half, but with minimal effect. Given time, his game will improve, and I believe we should stick with him, he will learn in time. He does however seem to have his basics under control, which is exactly what is needed. The only other downside to his game is his marking. His man-marking can be very loose at times, and because of his lack of pace he was caught out a few times. He played an acceptable game to in his position, but needs to improve quickly as we are to encounter faster and more skilful oppostion soon.
Avery John had a very solid game. He won most of his headers, tackled well, passed the ball well in the back while looking composed on the ball. His aggression was tempered, and his marking and closing down of the opposing players were exceptional. I believe he is at his ideal position at that Left Centre Back position. I am by no means a big fan of Dennis Lawrence, but to his credit, he has silenced his critics again. Dennis won most of his headers(obviously), did well to close down players, and was also composed at the back with the ball at his feet. He can remain in the starting line-up, but will have to battle for that Right Centre Back position with Marvin Andrews, Ian Cox, Brent Sancho and Anton Pierre. However, I am of the opinion that his competition should only be Marvin Andrews. Dennis made a few blunders, including closing down a player and backheeling it straight back into the player's path, but overall turned in a solid performance for the Warriors. Atiba Charles was also very solid at the back, composed on the ball, and effective in his defensive duties. He did make a few errors in judgement but will be forgiven after a gutzy performance at his position. He is extrememly effective when overlapping though, and the few times he did venture forward, he looked really confident at turning on the speed, taking on defenders and putting in crosses. He has developed good chemistry on the right side with Carlos Edwards. He is a must start.
The midfield also has improved vastly solely because of the addition of certain key players. Although, many have been hard on Tiger's performance, I thought he played quite well on the left wing. He linked up well with Rojas, took on players, was effective with his passes and tried a few crosses. I could not argue with his effort at all, but then he was substituted at the beginning of the second half. Tiger's work rate is very high, and he has earned a spot in my starting line-up in the very same position. Chris Birchall was my midfielder of the night. Birchall has very good ball control, excellent overall technique, he is decent at set plays, shows up everywhere for the ball, a tireless workhorse offensively and defensively, and has earned his spot in the starting line-up in center midfield after his international debut. Whitley had an above average game, but yet again was not nearly as effective as we know he can be. He did well to track back and help out with defensive responsibities, and generally passed the ball well, but some extra creativity and purpose in his play is needed. He is definitely good enough to come on as a substitute though. Spann or Theobald would most likely take his place in the starting line-up. Carlos Edwards put in one of his best perfomances with the Senior team in a very long time. I was very impressed with the progress Carlos has brought to his game. Edwards is a nippy right winger who appears to have increased in confidence after that knee injury which sidelined the player for months. He took the initiative to take on players when necessary, turned sharply, crossed the ball effectively, tracked back well to support the defense, and seems to have developed some good chemsitry with Atiba Charles coming forward on that right side.
Nakhid came on and played some nice one-touch football, turned well, passed well, and injected purpose and attacking flair into the midfield instantaneously, but he only lasted 20 mins or so before being roughed up and eventually substituted. Rahim, did not fair badly, looked a touch better than his last appearances actually, but will remain on the substitutes bench. But, to my dismay, Derek Phillips is a total waste of time, and is not ready for international football. He belongs in American domestic leagues. He cannot trap a ball to save his life. Phillips is technically weaker than all his teammates, and is a certain weak link that can be easily exposed by better opposition.
The strikers were not given to much time on the ball with the exception of Dwight Yorke who cleverly slipped back several times to support the midfield. Yorke displayed true grit and effort once again and combined well with his midfield, earning him the accolade of being one of the better players on the night. Kenwyne Jones, was trying a post up game while trying to take on defenders. To his credit, he was not given a great deal of service as the ball was mostly kept in possesion with the betwel. Cornell Glen cannot create opportunities on his own, out of the game for long periods of time, and is only effective if given a 1v1 situation. His all-round game needs improvement. He is relegated to the bench. Sam came on for a few minutes but was very tightly marked, so he cud not make an immediate impact.
All in all, LeoB has done wonders with this foreign squad(vs local squad because of their superior technical ability and execution of the coach's plans. The warriors played well as a team in defense and attack, and I for one am totally satisfied with their 1-0 loss. Further progress will be made with our offensive threat in front of goal after more training sessions, and I expect nothing less than a draw against El Salvador.
My Starting eleven for Panama:
Ince
Lawrence/Dog A.John
A.Charles Rojas
Edwards Spann Birchall Tiger
Jones/Stern Yorke
Bench:Theobald,Dwarika,Glen,Sam,A.Pierre,Sancho,A.Eve.