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Colombian stops Eastern Lions.
« on: May 06, 2008, 05:29:07 AM »
Colombian stops Eastern Lions.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).
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Defence dominated the key match-up between last year' runners-up Joe Public and Vibe CT 105 W Connection, the 2007 TT Pro League Team of the Year, until very late in the game, on Saturday, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, in Marabella.

But, once again, W Connection were able to call on their foreign legion to rescue a 1-0 victory from a match that looked set to end in a stalemate. St Lucian Stuart Charles Fevrier, the W Connection coach, played a master stroke when boosting his attack with the raw pace and trickery of Colombian match-winner Oscar Torijano in the final 20 minutes.

Previously, air-tight defences dominated a goalless first half in which neither goalie was severely tested. Joe Public looked more likely to get a goal, mainly through the long-range shooting of Silas Spann, a fringe midfielder on the Trinidad and Tobago national team. Silvio Spann's younger brother tested W Connection's Marvin Phillip three times, and also had the T&T national team keeper well-beaten with a powerful 30-metre shot that crashed into the W Connection crossbar in the 65th minute.

Once on, Torijano's raw pace and anticipation opened up the game, creating more space on the field. Andre Toussaint had an excellent scoring opportunity in the 70th minute, but Public keeper Alejandro Figueroa was able to push away his low stab. Colombian Figueroa, a W Connection player for many years, gave his former teammates no breaks. Later, when Torijano collected Clyde Leon's through ball in the penalty area, Figueroa was again able to foil W Connection. Torijano eventually got the match winner in the 84th minute, slipping a low shot into the goal.

Two minutes later, Torijano tricked Joe Public defender Dale Saunders into giving away a penalty when he fouled the Colombian in the penalty area. However, Aurtis Whitley's angled stance and nonchalant approach seemed to give his intention away, and Figueroa saved the spot kick.

The missed penalty spurred Joe Public into seeking an equaliser. And Kerry Baptiste looked set to pull his team level in the 87th minute when cushioning Gregory Richardson's cross towards the far post. But, as the ball was about to go in, a returning defender swept it away. Contented with their one-goal  lead, W Connection wasted the last few minutes by heading to the corner flag whenever possible.
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

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