March 28, 2024, 12:35:08 PM

Author Topic: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.  (Read 2196 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« on: November 14, 2015, 06:23:12 AM »
‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA).


Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s team made the perfect start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying quest with a spirited 2-1 victory over hosts Guatemala at the Estadio Mateo Flores on Friday night.

The “Soca Warriors” were powered by second half goals from Belgium-based midfielder Khaleem Hyland and captain Kenwyne Jones to capture their first three points of the CONCACAF semi-final round group.

The victory on the night would have left all T&T supporters with a proud feeling as Stephen Hart’s “Red Army” battled through the 94 minutes of play, leaving everything on the pitch to come away with deserving victory after their gutsy display.

The win was T&T’s first in Guatemala in twenty six years dating back to the 1-0 shut out in 1989 by the “Strike Squad”. And the goal that paved the way for the win on Friday had a similar look to the one which Kerry Jamerson drove home in 1989 as Hyland drilled a right footer past a hapless Paulo Motta in the 67th minute.

“Sometimes you can’t always be playing beautiful football. You have to roll up your sleeves and do what is necessary to come away with a result. It was not pretty but we got the three points in a very difficult environment and I’m happy with that,” Hart told TTFA Media after the win.

“I was really pleased with the second half and the way in which we buckled down. We endured rough period with about five or six straight corners but we defended them well. We got the goal off a nice play with Khaleem and then the second goal was just beautiful to watch with the pass from Joevin,” Hart added.

Jones’ item would turn out to be the winner when Joevin Jones floated a perfect delivery into his path from the left and the big man clinically volleyed home past Motta to the dismay of the partisan Guatemalan home crowd. The goal was Jones’ fourth in five outings for T&T, his 15th in 26 appearances since Hart took the helm and his 22nd overall.

Earlier the first half, T&T failed to settle against the Guatemalans who came hot out the blocks and intent on jostling the ‘Warriors”.

Gerson Tinoco and veteran Carlos Ruiz seemed at ease in the first half and threatened to leave T&T trailing but solid goalkeeping by Jan-Michael Williams kept the hosts at bay. Williams used his legs to deny Tinoco in the 12th minute and Ruiz tested the Central FC custodian on a couple of occasions.

T&T had one look at goal, an effort from midfielder Keron Cummings which sailed over bar. The visitors had not found proper footing and would have been contented with a 0-0 scoreline at the break.

But as is the case in such tough away encounters, resilience is a key and that was proven at the end of the affair.

Hart introduced midfield steel Kevan George and nippy winger Cordell Cato in the second half at the expense of Cummings and Lester Peltier.

But still it seemed to be all Guatemala and at one point, shortly after the 55th minute, the hosts won five consecutive corner kicks and had the T&T defense laboring. But the backline of Radanfah Abu Bakr, Mekeil Williams, Sheldon Bateau and Daneil Cyrus held out well to keep the opponents at bay.

T&T didn’t dwindle and unlike the 2005 squad which conceded heavily in the 5-1 loss, Hart’s men came into their own and spoilt any plans of a Guatemalan party

Substitute Carlos Mejia pulled a goal back on a Ruiz assist but T&T would hold their composure in the closing four minutes of added on time to leave with maximum points.

The result was certainly not an easy one for the Guatemalans to digest as the T&T team bus, under advice of the Police, had to remain inside the stadium for at least 25 minutes before exiting at the risk of angry home fans stoning the team bus. The Police escort eventually led the bus out through another exit and safely to the Vista Real hotel.

The team returns home at 4:27 pm on Saturday on Copa Airlines via Panama City. The United States team is also scheduled to arrive around the same time on a charter.

The U.S. trounced St Vincent & the Grenadines 6-1 in their opener on Friday night in St Louis. A double by Jozy Altidore and one each from Bobby Wood, Geoff Cameron and Gyasi Zardes gave the US the win after the had fallen 1-0 behind in the 5th minute.

In Group A, Mexico won 3-0 at home against El Salvador on goals by Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Carlos Vela, and Canada beat visiting Honduras 1-0 on a 38th-minute goal by Orlando City’s Cyle Larin.

In Group B, Panama won 2-0 at Jamaica as Armando Cooper and Alberto Quintero scored, and Costa Rica defeated visiting Haiti 1-0 on Cristian Gamboa’s 29th-minute goal.

Results

Guatemala  1  v  Trinidad and Tobago  2
Mejia 90    Hyland 67
                Jones 80

United States  6  v  St Vincent  1
Wood 11    Anderson 5
Johnson 29
Altidore 31
Altidore 74
Cameron 51
Zardes 58

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago - 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 5.Daneil Cyrus, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 4.Sheldon Bateau, 17.Mekeil Williams; 8.Khaleem Hyland 14.Andre Boucaud; 23.Lester Peltier (13.Cordell Cato 63rd), 20.Keron Cummings (19.Kevan George 61st), 3.Joevin Jones; 9.Kenwyne Jones (capt) (10.Willis Plaza 84th).

Subs not used - 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 7.Jonathan Glenn, 18.Yohance Marshall, 16.Justin Hoyte, 12.Carlyle Mitchell, 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 11.Trevin Caesar.

Coach - Stephen Hart.

Guatemala - 12.Paula Motta; 4.Hamilton Lopez, 3.Elias Vasquez (6.Carlos Mejia 54th), 13.Dennis Lopez, 11.Moises Hernandez, 18.Stefano Cincotta (7.Henry Lopez 74th), 15.Fredy Thompson, 10.Jose Contreras, 16.Marco Papa, 9.Gerson Tinoco (22.Mynor Lopez 83rd), 20.Carlos Ruiz (capt).

Coach - Ivan Sopegno

Referee - Mathieu Bourdeau (Canada).

Standings

P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
United States  1  1  0  0  6  1  3
T&T  1  1  0  0  2  1  3
Guatemala  1  0  0  1  1  2  0
St Vincent  1  0  0  1  1  6  0
« Last Edit: November 14, 2015, 07:50:26 AM by Flex »
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2015, 06:25:08 AM »
Warriors joy with opening win.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA).


Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones gave a thumbs up to all the members of the National Senior team on their opening 2-1 victory over Guatemala in Guatemala City on Friday night.

The big forward said he was satisfied with the way in which the team held itself together and is anticipating better momentum as the campaign continues.

“First of all I have to give the entire team and staff credit. I think we have a task in mind tonight. Coming away to a place like Guatemala is always difficult for us. We know that we had to be patient and soak up a lot of pressure and if we got the first goal we would be able to score more because Guatemala would have to push and we could play them on the counter. Tonight we executed the perfect away performance,” Jones told TTFA Media.

“We had a little team meeting before and I expressed to the team that we are a different group. Of course there is a history of teams coming to Guatemala and not doing so well but I do believe in the entire squad. I believe that the work we’ve been doing for the last three years had all culminated to this point. We had no reason to fear and not believe in the way we could play and not have confidence in our talent. It was just about us going out and playing as a unit and making the game about us.

“The goal came at a great time after Khaleem’s effort went in so sweetly. Funny enough as we broke, Joevin got the ball and two or three Guatemalan players went to him and I just peeled off the back and he lifted his head and gave me a beautiful ball,” Jones added.

Midfielder Khaleem Hyland was also ecstatic with the win but warned that the Warriors would not get carried away.

“We want to thank the Lord for this day. I think it was a great fighting effort from the whole team. We knew we had to weather the storm and we did great to come away with the result.

“The coach changed around things a bit. We were losing the battle a bit and we wanted to go a bit more solid in midfield. It was a great pass and I took my opportunity. I saw the far post so I just placed it. Before the game Sheldon (Bateau) told me don’t go for power but just placed it, “ Hyland said.

“The win is very important. The journey has just started and this just one hurdle we’ve passed and now we have to keep focused and go back home and give the public another good performance and something more to celebrate,” he added.

Goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams was solid throughout but would have liked to have kept a clean sheet.

“It was unfortunate that we conceded that late. But overall I will take this result. We dug deep and I am really pleased to see how the boys pulled it off in extremely difficult conditions which is what we were prepared to face,” Williams said.

“Now we have to recover well and focus on Tuesday’s game. But I think this start is just what we needed and I am really looking forward to see us continue from here,” Williams added.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline frico

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2682
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2015, 07:39:35 AM »
This TT team is growing in stature,and is more aware,and savvy on the day.It is never easy on the road,especially in Central America,the plan seemed to keep Guatemala out,not allowing them an early goal,and hit them on the break,it worked perfectly.It was a minor blemish conceding that late goal,memories of El Salvador flashed by.
I feel the USA will be coming to TT to play a defensive game,we must not leave ourselves open,I think we are a smarter team now,a draw will do us fine,but we can beat the USA,it's about time we break the duck.

Offline trini_stallion

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 1297
  • soca in mih veins, soca in mih blood...
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2015, 08:13:36 AM »
We have what It takes to beat the US...we just gotta bring the game to them...they always can bring that 'game on' kinda attitude...but if we attack, defend and attack again...we shall win!!!
Soca in mih vein, Soca in meh blood
Soca in yuh vein, Soca in blood,
Soca in we vein, Soca in we blood,
It's a heart of love, can't deny soca, cuz its good fuh de soul...
Trinidad and Tobago jump up now!

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25253
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2015, 08:32:50 AM »
WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2-1 win over Guatemala
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/kpDzauy709M" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/kpDzauy709M</a>

WATCH: Comments from Khaleem Hyland
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/A5KhoOZgLRA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/A5KhoOZgLRA</a>

WATCH: Comments from Kenwyne Jones
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/pWqazGwlEQM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/pWqazGwlEQM</a>

WATCH: Comments from Coach Stephen Hart
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/8TtViP7m5i8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/8TtViP7m5i8</a>
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Sando prince

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9192
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2015, 08:54:20 AM »

Good win Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹🇹🇹

This was a good win away from home and I am happy we coming back with nothing less than 3pts against a team I believe we are better than. I hope to see us improve on defense gong forward in the tournament.

Offline Sando prince

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9192
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2015, 08:54:40 AM »


Highlights from T&T’s 2-1 win in their first World Cup Qualifying match against Guatemala.


https://www.facebook.com/cnewslive/videos/10153689037040610/

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25253
    • View Profile
Hats off to coach Hart...ex-players sing praises to coach, team
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2015, 07:10:14 AM »
Hats off to coach Hart...ex-players sing praises to coach, team
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)


It was undoubtedly the best start for a T&T team at a World Cup Qualifying match. An impressive 2-1 victory over Guatemala in their backyard in Guatemala City on Friday night earned the young “Soca Warriors” full three points and the confidence for their next match tomorrow against the USA at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Former national captain Clayton Morris and ex T&T players Brian Williams and Ron La Forest described the result as extraordinary and congratulated coach Stephen Hart.

La Forrest said that, for all his life playing football, Guatemala has been the most hostile of the Central American countries.

“They make noises at your hotel, they tap the bus that takes your team to matches and back and basically try to throw you off your game. And for the T&T team to win in the midst of all this was a magnificent achievement,” La Forrest said. He also expressed the view that the players have been responding nicely to coach Hart.

“In fact, the players are not playing for T&T but rather for coach Hart. I think he has a really good thing going with the players and they are really responding to him,” La Forrest noted.

Meanwhile, Morris said he cannot remember a T&T team getting a better start to a World Cup campaign.

“They were playing at a very high tempo which is not a customary thing with T&T teams. In fact, the way they were playing I told myself it was just a matter of time that we would have gotten a goal and we did.”

According to Morris the team also played with a certain level of confidence that was impressive.

“You can see them controlling the ball under pressure and making passes. In defence the defenders were also taking the ball in pressure situations and starting attacks which was great,” Morris explained.

Meanwhile, Morris warned against simple mistakes being made by the defence that he feels will be costly if the team does not work on it now. Morris, the ex T&T captain of the 1989 “Strike Squad”, which came within a point of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, is warning that Hart’s men need to spend time working on defending as a unit.

“Individually I think we have great defenders but as a team there is some work to be done. For instance, the goal that we received; there was absolutely no marking and tracking. When the Guatemalan player got through the defence with the ball and went wide of the post, there was no one marking him. He even had the time to pick out a man to pass the ball to while the T&T defence was slow to track back and pick up players in the box,” Morris explained. 

Morris, who played as a central defender for the Strike Squad, wants the Soca Warriors to not become complacent by the result but rather use it to go after the US at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in pursuit of a another victory in their second match.

Williams is calling on the T&T players to express themselves a bit more in the home game on Tuesday night at 7.36 pm.

After congratulating Hart for the win Williams made the observation that T&T teams tend to play too cagey when they are in front their own home crowd.

“We saw it against Nicaragua last month and we have had a history of doing this, but I think the time has come for us to build our confidence more when we are at home and go after opposing teams. We need to go after the US team because we will have nothing to lose,” Williams said.

The Trinidad and Tobago team is coming off a series of impressive showings, particularly a 4-4 draw with Concacaf giants Mexico and a 2-1 triumph over Panama in Panama. Williams explained that despite playing away from home on Friday night he always felt that T&T had the edge over their counterparts, as has always been the case for T&T teams.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.


Offline lefty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5888
  • would u like to buy an 'O'.........
    • View Profile
Re: Jones goal versus Guatemala chosen as #2 for best 10 goals of the weekend
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2015, 11:43:33 AM »
yeah well deserved, no.1 was nothing to scuff at though, nice....if wasn't for dat jones was top for sure
I pity the fool....

Offline Coach

  • Sr. Warrior
  • ****
  • Posts: 491
    • View Profile
Re: Jones goal versus Guatemala chosen as #2 for best 10 goals of the weekend
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2015, 11:51:06 AM »
They should also give best assist, Joevin will definitely be in the running for #1

Offline palos

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 11529
  • Test
    • View Profile
Re: Jones goal versus Guatemala chosen as #2 for best 10 goals of the weekend
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2015, 11:51:56 AM »
yeah well deserved, no.1 was nothing to scuff at though, nice....if wasn't for dat jones was top for sure

Saw #1 as it happened.  I bawl yes.  That was a goal of goals
Carlos "The Rolls Royce" Edwards

Offline lefty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5888
  • would u like to buy an 'O'.........
    • View Profile
Re: Jones goal versus Guatemala chosen as #2 for best 10 goals of the weekend
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2015, 12:13:05 PM »
yeah well deserved, no.1 was nothing to scuff at though, nice....if wasn't for dat jones was top for sure

Saw #1 as it happened.  I bawl yes.  That was a goal of goals
:beermug: yeah it look nasty :o
I pity the fool....

Offline soccerman

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4659
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2015, 03:52:30 PM »
I watched the first half this morning on TV before work. I watch a Guatemalan wrestled KJ to the ground on a corner kick, I mean physically restrained him for 5 secs and took him down on top of the box. I was surprised the linesman missed that when he had the best view.
I also saw a defender came in late on a tackle on Cummings after he released the ball with a break foot tackle, could've seriously injure the man. We got the foul and no card to the player.
Ruiz deliberately backed in to Hyland with his studs up during and infringement and it caused Hyland to retaliate and bring it to the refs attention. I think Ruiz might've gotten a yellow for it.
These men really crossed the line at times from what I saw and they will do whatever it takes to win, so to go in there and come way with 3 points was excellent because it's not easy to play under those types of conditions and keep composure.

Offline dreamer

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4582
  • These fellas are real Warriors.
    • View Profile
Re: ‘Warriors’ start right with 2-1 win over Guatemala.
« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2015, 04:54:02 PM »
Well said soccerman. Brutal and unfair conditions
Supportin' de Warriors right tru.

 

1]; } ?>