Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: asylumseeker on February 05, 2022, 07:16:18 AM
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Concacaf announces details for 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League presented by Qatar Airways
Concacaf has confirmed the details of the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League presented by Qatar Airways (CNL). The competition’s group stage matches, featuring the men’s national teams of all 41 Concacaf Member Associations is scheduled to take place during the FIFA Match Windows of June 2022 and March 2023. The Concacaf Nations League Finals presented by Qatar Airways (CNLF), between the four League A group winners, will be played in June 2023.
“The first edition of the Concacaf Nations League was a huge success, and this competition has already transformed men’s national team football in our region,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani. “Where previously teams had limited opportunities to play and compete, the Nations League provides a consistent set of official matches for every Member Association in Concacaf. Players can look forward to regional rivalries, coaches can test themselves against the best in Concacaf and fans in all 41 nations can follow their teams with pride.”
“By including qualification to the Gold Cup, and promotion and relegation between editions, there is a competitive edge throughout this tournament. I can’t wait for the draw in April and the opening matches of the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League in June”, added Montagliani.
The official draw for the 2022/23 CNL, which will sub-divide Leagues A, B and C into groups, will take place on Monday, April 4, in Miami, FL. The made for tv live event will feature the participation of Concacaf President and FIFA Vice president, Victor Montagliani, as well as current and former coaches and players, and guests from the world of international football.
Concacaf launched the region’s men’s Nations League in March 2018, with the aim of ensuring all Member Associations have the opportunity to compete in more official matches, driving the development of the game and providing a compelling tournament for fans in all parts of the Confederation.
The group stage of the inaugural CNL kicked off in September 2019 and culminated after one-hundred-and-two memorable matches. The four League A winners, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and USA, all advanced to the 2021 CNLF in Denver, CO. After two high quality semifinals, Mexico and the United States faced off in an unforgettable Final. An extra time penalty conversion by US forward Christian Pulisic proved to be the decisive moment and served as the winning goal in the 3-2 victory for the United States, who were crowned as the first CNL champion.
2022/23 Concacaf Nations League Group Stage presented by Qatar Airways
The 2022/23 CNL group stage will continue to be played in a three League format (League A, League B and League C), with home and away round robin play on the FIFA Match Windows of June 2022 (double window) and March 2023.
The distribution of the teams for each league has been determined based on the results of the 2019 CNL group stage (available here), including a promotion and relegation system (bottom team in each group relegated and top team in each group promoted).
Based on the 2019 results, the 41 Concacaf Member Associations will be distributed in the three Leagues as follows (teams listed in alphabetical order per league):
League A (12 teams): Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador (promoted), Grenada (promoted), Honduras, Jamaica (promoted), Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Suriname (promoted) and United States.
League B (16 teams): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas (promoted), Barbados (promoted), Belize, Bermuda (relegated), Cuba (relegated), Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe (promoted), Guatemala (promoted), Guyana, Haiti (relegated), Montserrat, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago (relegated).
League C (13 teams): Anguilla, Aruba (relegated), Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica (relegated), Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis (relegated), Saint Lucia (relegated), Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additionally, the 2022/23 CNL group stage will continue to serve as the qualifier for the Concacaf Gold Cup. More details on the exact qualification process for the 2023 Gold Cup will be announced prior to the start of the 2022/23 CNL group stage.
2022/23 Concacaf Nations League presented by Qatar Airways Official Draw
The official draws for the 2022/23 CNL group stage will take place Monday, April 4, in Miami, FL. The three draws, one for each league, will all be done using a single-blind system involving three pots for League A, four pots for League B and three Pots for League C.
The 41 participating Concacaf Member Associations will be allocated in their respective League pots according to their Concacaf Ranking following the FIFA international match window of March 2022.
League A
Pot 1: 3 highest ranked teams and Concacaf’s representative in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Intercontinental Playoff
Pot 2: Next 4 ranked teams
Pot 3: Lowest 4 ranked teams
Note: The Concacaf representative that qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Intercontinental Playoff will automatically be allocated in Pot 1. This is to ensure they can participate in the Intercontinental Playoff which will take place in Doha, Qatar, during the second FIFA Match Window of June 2022.
League B
Pot 1: 4 highest ranked teams
Pot 2: Next 4 ranked teams
Pot 3: Next 4 ranked teams
Pot 4: Lowest 4 ranked teams
League C
Pot 1: 4 highest ranked teams
Pot 2: Next 4 ranked teams
Pot 3: Lowest 5 ranked teams
Each of the League’s draws will begin by randomly selecting a team from Pot 1 and placing them in Group A of their respective league. The draws will continue by selecting the remaining teams from Pot 1 and positioning them into Groups B, C and D in sequential order. The same procedure will be done for the remaining pots.
Fans will be able to follow the live event through the Confederation’s partner networks, including CBS/Paramount + (USA-Eng), Univision/TUDN (USA-Spa), OneSoccer (CAN), Televisa (MEX), regional partners in Central America and the Caribbean, and the Concacaf Official App (subject to territory restrictions). The free mobile app is available in the Apple and Google Play stores.
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Of possible implication for the MNT is the prospect of drawing Nicaragua in our group. Nicaragua had recent engagements against Cuba and Belize and seemed positioned to settle in with their recent head coaching appointment (a contract extension had been signed). However, that situation has changed. The coach has been replaced and a new appointment will be announced on Tuesday (same day the Nicaraguan women are supposed to be arriving at Piarco for the WNT encounter). I'm gathering that this MNT move is strategic rather than reflexive. It seems they are about to throw some focused coin and know-how at 2026.
However, I suspect there is a measure of hype involved. Might be a Mexican coach or an experienced Central American campaigner. Doubt it is another Argentine appointment. However also not improbable that a Spanish coach is entering the pic. Ah might find out before Tuesday.
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Of possible implication for the MNT is the prospect of drawing Nicaragua in our group. Nicaragua had recent engagements against Cuba and Belize and seemed positioned to settle in with their recent head coaching appointment (a contract extension had been signed). However, that situation has changed. The coach has been replaced and a new appointment will be announced on Tuesday (same day the Nicaraguan women are supposed to be arriving at Piarco for the WNT encounter). I'm gathering that this MNT move is strategic rather than reflexive. It seems they are about to throw some focused coin and know-how at 2026.
However, I suspect there is a measure of hype involved. Might be a Mexican coach or an experienced Central American campaigner. Doubt it is another Argentine appointment. However also not improbable that a Spanish coach is entering the pic. Ah might find out before Tuesday.
Found out faster than thought.
Some hype and from an unlikely source country but without NT head coaching experience. Experienced journeyman coach. I'm categorizing it as an optimistic gamble with a profile that fits the scenario.
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Of possible implication for the MNT is the prospect of drawing Nicaragua in our group. Nicaragua had recent engagements against Cuba and Belize and seemed positioned to settle in with their recent head coaching appointment (a contract extension had been signed). However, that situation has changed. The coach has been replaced and a new appointment will be announced on Tuesday (same day the Nicaraguan women are supposed to be arriving at Piarco for the WNT encounter). I'm gathering that this MNT move is strategic rather than reflexive. It seems they are about to throw some focused coin and know-how at 2026.
However, I suspect there is a measure of hype involved. Might be a Mexican coach or an experienced Central American campaigner. Doubt it is another Argentine appointment. However also not improbable that a Spanish coach is entering the pic. Ah might find out before Tuesday.
Found out faster than thought.
Some hype and from an unlikely source country but without NT head coaching experience. Experienced journeyman coach. I'm categorizing it as an optimistic gamble with a profile that fits the scenario.
The announcement was made on Monday. Had originally been scheduled for Monday (that was my error). In all other respects, accurate intel ... Chilean coach El Fantasma Figueroa is the new coach. First training camp will be with 35 players and in 5 weeks his first competitive assignment will be a tour of Mexico.
Anticipate attacking football.
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...
The announcement was made on Monday. Had originally been scheduled for Monday (that was my error). In all other respects, accurate intel ... Chilean coach El Fantasma Figueroa is the new coach. First training camp will be with 35 players and in 5 weeks his first competitive assignment will be a tour of Mexico.
Anticipate attacking football intent.
Come to think of it, Jomal and Yohance probably played under him in Mexico. Should be overlap there.
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T&T to avoid Haiti, Guatemala in Nations League qualifiers.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve and his players will avoid facing Haiti and Guatemala among their matches for promotion back to Pool A when the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League Pool B group stage qualifiers presented by Qatar Airways (CNL) kicks off in June.
The competition’s group stage matches, featuring the men’s national teams of all 41 Concacaf member associations are scheduled to take place during the FIFA Match Windows of June 2022 and March 2023.
The Concacaf Nations League Finals presented by Qatar Airways (CNLF), between the four League A group winners, will be played in June 2023.
Concacaf launched the region’s men’s Nations League in March 2018, to ensure all Member Associations have the opportunity to compete in more official matches, drive the development of the game and provide a compelling tournament for fans in all parts of the Confederation.
During their League A Group C campaign, T&T under former coach Dennis Lawrence failed to win any of its four matches, suffering defeats to Honduras, 4-0 and 2-0 and a draw against versus Martinique, 2-2 and 1-1 to finish bottom of the three-team group to be demoted to League B.
The trio of Haiti, Bermuda, and Cuba was also relegated from their respective pools in League A while Bahamas, Barbados, Guadeloupe, and Guatemala gained promotion as League C pool winners.
The eight demoted and promoted countries from League A and C respectively are joined by Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Montserrat, Nicaragua, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who were second and third-placed finishers in their respective League B pools in the 16-team draw for the 2022/2023 League B competition.
The draw will take place on Monday, April 4, in Miami, Florida featuring the participation of Concacaf President and FIFA vice-president, Victor Montagliani, as well as current and former coaches and players, and guests from the world of international football.
The three draws, one for each league (A, B, and C), will all be done using a single-blind system involving three pots for League A, four pots for League B, and three Pots for League C.
The 41 participating Concacaf Member Associations will be allocated in their respective League pots according to their Concacaf ranking following the FIFA international match window of March 2022.
And for League B, the four highest-ranked teams will all be in Pot 1 which means, 87th ranked Haiti, T&T (#100), Guatemala (#122) and Antigua & Barbuda (#127) will be bunched together.
The second pot in League B will comprise Nicaragua (#143), Dominican Republic (#156), Barbados (#162), and Bermuda (#166) while Pot Three comprises Belize (#170), St Vincent and The Grenadines (#174), Guyana (#176), and Montserrat (#178) while Pot Four will feature 179th-ranked Cuba, Bahamas (#201) and non-Fifa members, French Guiana, and Guadeloupe, both French overseas departments.
League A comprises 12 teams inclusive of USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador (promoted), Grenada (promoted), Honduras, Jamaica (promoted), Martinique, Mexico, Panama, and Suriname (promoted) while League C features 13 nations, Anguilla, Aruba (relegated), Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica (relegated), Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis (relegated), Saint Lucia (relegated), Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, and US Virgin Islands.
As part of their preparations for the qualifiers in June, T&T will host Barbados and Guyana in a tri-nation tournament beginning Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The Soca Warriors meet Barbados on Friday before meeting Guyana on Tuesday while the two visiting nations clash on Sunday, with all three matches kicking off at 7 pm.
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Trinidad and Tobago has been placed in Group C alongside Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Bahamas in the 2022 Concacaf Nations League B.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FPioch4WQA4XJnp?format=jpg&name=medium)
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groupe de la mort avec les Bahamas meurtriers aussi
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groupe de la mort avec les Bahamas meurtriers aussi
It sets up a nice narrative but really this group is only as difficult as we make it.
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groupe de la mort avec les Bahamas meurtriers aussi
It sets up a nice narrative but really this group is only as difficult as we make it.
Somehow we manage to be good at making acquisitions of critical points difficult. Constantly hoping for a paradigm switch.
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Yeah boy. I doh understand what happen to our production of players who liked to run at defenses.
I was surprised to see that the constant back-passes by the NT was the players choices against the instructions of EVE. I cyar watch football when players don’t seem to understand the objective of the game. I does be kicking ball forward when dem man an dem passing it back.
All that to say that if they don’t remedy that (I know he didn’t have much time with them), they may very well belong in League B.
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Group C is not a group of death. Group A and B are more competitive.
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groupe de la mort avec les Bahamas meurtriers aussi
It sets up a nice narrative but really this group is only as difficult as we make it.
Somehow we manage to be good at making acquisitions of critical points difficult. Constantly hoping for a paradigm switch.
You're correct.
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Yeah boy. I doh understand what happen to our production of players who liked to run at defenses.
I was surprised to see that the constant back-passes by the NT was the players choices against the instructions of EVE. I cyar watch football when players don’t seem to understand the objective of the game. I does be kicking ball forward when dem man an dem passing it back.
All that to say that if they don’t remedy that (I know he didn’t have much time with them), they may very well belong in League B.
It has to be prepared intentionally.
Saw a segment of play during the Ascension in which this issue played out on multiple occasions. Not saying it is endemic in the Ascension (have a lot of it to view still) but it was evident in a match played by Rangers. Think it was Rangers vs Cunupia. Rangers playing personnel being the culprit. Also tied to poorly interpreting how to play between the lines.
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Almost all the teams playing that way. Everybody wants possession. Long ago man reach down by the corner flag and cross. Now, is a la Pepe G tiki taka. back, across, across, forward, back, across, across. Then when opposing teams set up their defence like that, modern day attacking teams don't have the plethora of attackers and dribblers. All the rich clubs are stacked with 2 first elevens, the teams below have to make bread out of stone with the players they have. That is why Simeone of ATM is regarded highly. He does make the best out of the "labourers" that he has.
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But, I am not knocking the play as yet. This pre-season which is well worth it. You can see uneveness in the players. Some fitter than others. The most teams are not gelling quite yet. But the vibes and crowds are real good. When this league finish, is the TTFA league ready to go. Or are we going to have Acension II football league.
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Angus Eve: Communication is key ahead of Nations Cup campaign.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).
WITH no additional international friendlies carded for Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team ahead of the Concacaf Nations League in June, head coach Angus Eve will use the next two months to carefully observe and assess both local and foreign-based players before his final team selection.
Eve used the recently concluded Courts Caribbean Classic tri-nation tourney, which was held during FIFA’s international window, to bring in some of T&T’s foreign-based talents so he could get a final, first-hand look at their progress before they returned to their respective clubs.
From now until the Nations League kicks off, Eve will have to monitor these overseas players virtually and through video footage from games, to see who will make the final 23-man team. In this regard, communication, he said, is essential.
Thankfully, however, T&T’s roll-back on its covid19 restrictions has allowed for domestic leagues to resume which, according to Eve, will aid in expanding the selection pool.
On Monday, T&T were drawn into Group C in League B of the Concacaf Nations League qualifiers alongside Nicaragua, Bahamas and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Also in League B are Cuba, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados (Group A); Saint Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla (Group B) and Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands (Group D).
League B group winners (four teams) will guarantee slots in the 17th edition of the Gold Cup in 2023.
With no official friendlies on the team’s short-term itinerary, Eve said he will have to use players’ performances during club competition over the next eight weeks as his measuring stick for T&T’s Nations League team selection.
At Monday’s press briefing on the draw, Eve said, “We would just be observing the players (ahead of the tournament). The players are all in-season. Up to yesterday (Monday) I had conversations with Daniel Phillip (England-based), Sheldon Bateau (Turkey-based) and a number of guys who didn’t come to the camp.
“The main thing we can do is communicate with the players and watch their progress, see the games they are playing and making sure they are fit with the clubs. The good thing is all the players are now playing and we have to monitor them.
“The possibility of us trying to get a locally-based team to play one match is real. But other than that, there is no FIFA international window from now until the competition.”
Eve added that the resumption of local leagues such as the Ascension Tournament and the Tiger Tanks U20 Invitational also serves as a good test to evaluate players. He has already attended a couple of games and follows the progress of other players via television or online.
He expressed pleasure this time around, owing to a resumption of local leagues, that T&T’s local footballers would have a better chance to be match-fit and ready for national team selection.
“The locally-based players are playing in a league and we can watch them. This time there is local football going on so they can get match-fit also. There is also the U20 (tournament) going on so we have released the U20 players to their clubs so they can also get match practice.
“If they can go back to their clubs and get more match fitness, it will be easier for us to bring them in as a group to try to gel them in the representative positions they would play.
“These tournaments (Ascension/U20) give the locally-based players to play and put themselves up for selection. We’re viewing the foreign-based players. We had a lot of locally-based players, playing in the last mini-series we had with Courts,” he added.
Eve said T&T has a “rich history” competing against the Bahamas and St Vincent and the Grenadines and drew reference to the former knocking T&T out of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers last year.
He also reflected on T&T’s meeting with St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2016, in which Levi Garcia made his debut for the senior national team, and scored two crucial second-half goals to give T&T a narrow 3-2 win over their Caribbean rivals.
“We’re not taking anything for granted. The group that we’re drawn in has a rich history against T&T. Bahamas, knocked us out of the last World Cup (qualifying campaign) recently so they’re a very difficult outfit.
“St Vincent, I remember in 2006, I had to come off the bench (as a player), me and Hector Sam to win that game against them.
“And under Stephen Hart, Levi (Garcia) was 17 when he made his debut and had to score two for us to win that game.
“Nicaragua has been developing their football and all these teams have players who have international calibre outside. It’s a difficult group but we’ll do our best to be prepared for it,” he added.
He closed, “Our goal is preparation for the 2026 World Cup. This is another phase in that preparation. The Nations League is one of the avenues we have to go through so that we can qualify for other tournaments in the region and start back to re-establish ourselves in the region. We need to do this before we go and tussle with the big boys. We are at a rebuilding stage and this is another stepping stone in that cog.”
Concacaf Nations League Groups
League A
Group A: Mexico, Jamaica, Suriname
Group B: Costa Rica, Panama, Martinique
Group C: Canada, Honduras, Curaçao
Group D: United States, El Salvador, Grenada
League B
Group A: Cuba, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados
Group B: Haiti, Bermuda, Guyana, Montserrat
Group C: T&T, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Bahamas
Group D: Guatemala, French Guiana, Dominican Republic, Belize
League C
Group A: Bonaire, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, St Maarten
Group B: Saint Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, Saint Martin
Group C: Saint Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla
Group D: Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands
WATCH Eve Reacts to 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League Matchups (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynucyuFmHrg)
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Of possible implication for the MNT is the prospect of drawing Nicaragua in our group. Nicaragua had recent engagements against Cuba and Belize and seemed positioned to settle in with their recent head coaching appointment (a contract extension had been signed). However, that situation has changed. The coach has been replaced and a new appointment will be announced on Tuesday (same day the Nicaraguan women are supposed to be arriving at Piarco for the WNT encounter). I'm gathering that this MNT move is strategic rather than reflexive. It seems they are about to throw some focused coin and know-how at 2026.
However, I suspect there is a measure of hype involved. Might be a Mexican coach or an experienced Central American campaigner. Doubt it is another Argentine appointment. However also not improbable that a Spanish coach is entering the pic. Ah might find out before Tuesday.
Prescience moderately priced. ;D Contact me for rates before our promotion to League A. Rates rise STEEPLY thereafter. :)
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Not picking players from rangers :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: hmm angus i wonder why ?
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Not picking players from rangers :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: hmm angus i wonder why ?
Maybe Fergusson don't want them to play.
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Aubrey keeps keen eye on Nations League opener.
TTFA Media.
Costa Rica-based defender and Trinidad and Tobago 2021 Player of the Year Aubrey David believes this country can come out of the upcoming international window with the desired results as the Concacaf Nations League gets set to take centre-stage.
T&T will be away to Nicaragua on June 3 before returning to face Bahamas on June 6th at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 8pm. T&T then faces St Vincent/Grenadines in Kingstown on June 10 before closing off the window against the Vincentians on June 13 at the Hasely Crawford from 7pm.
T&T head coach Angus Eve will announce his squad for the upcoming matches within the next few days.
David shared his views with us today, also giving a recap of his recent period with Deportivo Saprissa.
“The last few weeks at Saprissa has bene up and down. We had some very difficult times in terms of the results weren’t going our way. but we turned it around and we got six wins a row and we qualified for the semi finals which is going to start after the next international break,” he told TTFA Media.
How would you describe the last international window for the T&T Senior Team?
“The last coming together we had with the national team at the Courts Caribbean Classic was one with a great vibe and display by the boys. There was good energy and everyone was totally up to giving it their all to accomplish their tasks as individuals and as a team. Everyone was willing to run hard for his teammate and literally kill themselves out there on the pitch to make sure we achieved the goal. This is something we can build on going forward.”
What are your thoughts on our Group in League B of the Nations League?
“I think the draw for the Nations League is a good one. Obviously its not going to be easy. Our biggest threat will the opening game away to Nicaragua where we’ll need to step out on the right footing and try to get three points or a minimum one point on the road. I think if we put our heads together, put the work in and stay United then we can come out of this group.
It’s very important to start well and set the tone. We also need to send a message to the other teams in the group and the rest of the region. We are not going to be pushovers. We want to start with a win against Nicaragua.”
How keen are you to rejoin the National Team Set-up for the Matches in June?
“I’m excited and fully committed to joining the boys and helping the cause in anyway possible for us to get the results that we need. It’s been a while since we’ve had four games in such a space of time so we will need to prepare well and take each assignment accordingly. It’s good to have these matches because it will help with developing the team and putting things in place for 2026 as well. It’s just for us to be united like the last camp, put in the work and represent the country to the best of our ability.”
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So when will angus name his squad ?
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So when will angus name his squad ?
he may as well play the U20s cuz that seems to be his main focus right now
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If you fail to prepare be prepared to fail.
Wait it little over a week and no squad named? no training? no prep? and we defaulting to old ways of doing.
Quickly round up some fellas and we go treat dis just like ah fete match- what is the big deal? why people fretting dis is how we does roll.
One coach for both teams- well we could either foster great program continuity or else have ah man trying to serve two masters and failing at each end.
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Soca Warriors add star power to squad to face Nicaragua.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
LEVI Garcia and Joevin Jones are among the 25-man T&T squad to face Nicaragua in the Concacaf Nations League match on Friday at 10 pm (TT time) in Managua, Nicaragua.
The T&T squad chosen will also play the Bahamas and St Vincent and the Grenadines twice later this month.
The T&T team arrived in Nicaragua on Tuesday.
Defenders Sheldon Bateau, Aubrey David and Joevin’s brother Alvin, along with goalkeeper Marvin Phillip will add their experience to the set-up.
Youngsters Real Gill, John Paul Rochford and Molik Khan will aim to make an impression on coach Angus Eve.
After T&T’s match against Nicaragua, the Soca Warriors will return home to play Bahamas, on Monday. The match kicks off at 8 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
After that match, T&T will tackle St Vincent and the Grenadines in St Vincent on June 10 and play the same opponent on June 13 at Hasely Crawford from 7 pm.
Before leaving for Nicaragua, T&T defeated St Lucia 1-0 in a practice match at Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, on Monday.
The full Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior squad for the June 2022 battle in the Concacaf Nations League is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Marvin Phillip (Deportivo PF), Jabari St Hillaire (Terminix La Horquetta Rangers), Denzil Smith (W Connection);
Defenders:
Kareem Moses (Vaasan Palloseura—Finland), Sheldon Bateau (Samsunspor—Turkey), Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa—Costa Rica), Mekeil Williams (Pittsburgh Riverhounds—USA), Shannon Gomez (Sacramento Republic—USA), Alvin Jones (Forward Madison—USA), Triston Hodge (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC—USA), Keston Julien (FC Sheriff Tiraspol—Moldova);
Midfielders:
Kevon Goddard, Justin Sadoo (both Defence Force), Michael Kedman (Thróttur Vogar—Iceland), Leston Paul (Memphis 901—USA), Noah Powder (Indy Eleven—USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United II—USA), Kaihim Thomas (Terminix La Horquetta Rangers), Daniel Phillips (Watford FC—England), Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven—USA), Duane Muckette (Unattached), Judah Garcia (AEK Athens B FC—Greece), John-Paul Rochford (Sure Sports FC—USA), Joevin Jones (InterMiami CF—USA), Real Gill (Terminix La Horquetta Rangers), Jabari Mitchell (Police FC);
Forwards:
Marcus Joseph (Mohammedan SC—India), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens FC—Greece).
This is the Selection for the Concacaf Nations League Games in June.
T&T vs Nicaragua (Away) June 3
T&T vs Bahamas (Home) June 6
T&T vs St Vincent/Gren (Away) June 10
T&T vs St Vincent/Gren (Home) June 13
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Notable absentees
Jesse Williams, Andre Fortune II, Ryan Telfer, Keron Cummings, Reon Moore, Nicholas Dillon, Leland Archer, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Samory Powder.
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Would've loved to see Boatswain, Malcolm Shaw and Corbin make the team. And Angus seems to think Frenderup isn't good enough or is he injured? Is Kedman any good? If anyone knows. He's listed as a midfielder here but left back for his club team
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Yes Kedman is LB dk.how they listed him as a midfielder
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Would've loved to see Boatswain, Malcolm Shaw and Corbin make the team. And Angus seems to think Frenderup isn't good enough or is he injured? Is Kedman any good? If anyone knows. He's listed as a midfielder here but left back for his club team
Maybe it could be passport issue with Malcom Shaw . I wondering the same thing about Kedman ..what more surprising is the inclusion of John-Paul Rochford (Sure Sports FC—USA) i am afraid to google for this team ... Duane Muckette (Unattached). Angus is the same guy talking about players being hard done etc now he is selecting unattached players :rotfl: :rotfl:
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Would've loved to see Boatswain, Malcolm Shaw and Corbin make the team. And Angus seems to think Frenderup isn't good enough or is he injured? Is Kedman any good? If anyone knows. He's listed as a midfielder here but left back for his club team
Maybe it could be passport issue with Malcom Shaw . I wondering the same thing about Kedman ..what more surprising is the inclusion of John-Paul Rochford (Sure Sports FC—USA) i am afraid to google for this team ... Duane Muckette (Unattached). Angus is the same guy talking about players being hard done etc now he is selecting unattached players :rotfl: :rotfl:
I not googling sure sports either nah lol. I questioned muckette selection on fb and someone got upset. But he's unattached for 3+ years, not even a local team wants him? Is Molik Khan Angus' son or something?
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So any info about the venue and times for the local games yet?
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This is the Selection for the Concacaf Nations League Games in June.
T&T vs Nicaragua (Away) June 3
T&T vs Bahamas (Home) June 6
T&T vs St Vincent/Gren (Away) June 10
T&T vs St Vincent/Gren (Home) June 13
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Michael Kedman might be a good find. Came through Chelsea, West Ham and Sheffield United youth system.
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Michael Kedman might be a good find. Came through Chelsea, West Ham and Sheffield United youth system.
He came through that system, but what has de done since then? There's nothing eye catching on his resume. He even played with Central FC in 2017. He's currently playing second division in Iceland, whereas Anthony Herbert is playing in the top division.
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Eve will never pick players like Luke Singh, Ryan Ince, Dion Perreira, Rory McKenzie or Malcolm Shaw. He's also never going to pursue any potential players who haven't reached out, he's never going to try to convince them it's worthwhile to play for TNT. He always moaned about local players just as good enough as foreign born or those playing outside TNT. He already said he only picked players he worked with before.
He also followers a Bertille St. Clair philosophy where fitness, determination and will trump skill. Marry that with the former and you'll see what he's on about and the results will be. He'll stick with this squad and try get through this group. And if he does progress his ego will not allow him to pick any better players to press on. We will get shown up sooner rather than later.
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T&T Senior Men prepare in Managua.
TTFA Media.
A 19-member squad is scheduled to take the training pitch on Wednesday night in Managua following the arrival of the contingent in two batches on Tuesday and today ahead of Friday’s opening Concacaf Nations League encounter with Nicaragua.
Head Coach of the Men’s Senior Team Angus Eve will miss the encounter after being unable to travel due to a personal family emergency. Also missing the trip are players Alvin Jones, Noah Powder, Neveal Hackshaw and Jabari St Hillaire for a combination of reasons.
Both Jones and St Hillaire did not reveal their online travel health pass approval from the Nicaraguan Health Authority in time to board the departing flight out of Piarco. Powder and Hackshaw also did not receive their PCR Results in the United States within the required time necessary to receive similar approval for their entry into Nicaragua.
The players would have arrived on Friday evening, mere hours before the 8pm kick off of the match and Eve and his staff felt it was therefore unfitting to have them travel to Managua. All four players will join the team in Trinidad for Monday’s match against Bahamas at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
In Eve’s absence, Assistant Coach Reynold Carrington will take charge of the team for Friday’s match which will be broadcast live on Flow Sports main channel from 10pm TT Time.
“The task is the same and we remain upbeat and committed to that task,” Carrington told TTFA Media on Wednesday. “We have 19 capable players with loads of experience and ability with the overseas and home-based players in the mix. The important thing is for us to remain focused and understand the importance of the match and also wanting to get a positive start to the campaign on Friday.”
Costa Rican-based defender Aubrey David who arrived to join the squad in Managua on Wednesday morning is also anticipating the start of the Concacaf Nations League which also serves as qualifiers for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
“First up, it’s always an honour to get called up to represent the national team regardless of the occasion or the challenges. I’m excited to be here. I know the boys are all looking forward to it because we’ve made some progress over the past few months and the spirit and momentum from the last two matches against Barbados and Guyana was excellent. This is something we’ll be looking to take into these upcoming matches.
“It’s also great to have experienced players such as Joevin (Jones), Sheldon Bateau and Leston Paul back in the squad. Overall we have the capability to go in there and put on a performance that can hopefully give us a winning start before we head home for Bahamas,” David said.
Of the 28-man Roster selected for the four matches, five of those players were not included in the traveling squad for Nicaragua. They include Real Gill, Kaheim Thomas, Jabari Mitchell, Kevon Goddard and Duane Muckette. They are all in the pool for the remaining three matches after Friday’s outing.
WATCH Senior Men's Team arrives in Managua for CNL clash on Friday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7uvMv3wpKg)
WATCH Carrington looks ahead to opening CNL clash with Nicaragua (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCmk0zxpY60)
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Yuh cyar be serious- this sounding like dey going fuh ah fete match. The ' Comedy of Errors' continues with TnT football.
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Weakened Warriors face Nicaragua
T&T Express
Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors left with mixed emotions the last time they visited Managua, but tonight, assistant head coach Reynold Carrington hopes to take the senior men’s football team to victory over hosts Nicaragua as they open their League B campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League.
The Soca Warriors face the Nicaraguans tonight from 10 p.m., before returning home to settle an account on Monday against minnows Bahamas - the team that knocked them out of the FIFA World Cup qualifying series last year following a disappointing 0-0 draw.
T&T will then play away and home matches against St Vincent and the Grenadines on June 10 and 13 to end this leg of the four-match Nations League series. The group winners automatically qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Former national midfielder Carrington takes charge in the absence of head coach Angus Eve, who was unable to travel due to a personal family emergency.
“The task is the same and we remain upbeat and committed to that task,” Carrington stated in an interview with TTFA Media. “We have 19 capable players with loads of experience and ability with the overseas and home-based players in the mix.”
Eve selected a 28-man roster to cover the four matches. Five of those players were not included in the traveling squad for Nicaragua. They include Real Gill, Kaheim Thomas, Jabari Mitchell, Kevon Goddard and Duane Muckette. They are all in the pool for the remaining three matches after today’s outing. Also missing the trip are players Alvin Jones, Noah Powder, Neveal Hackshaw and La Horquetta Rangers goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire for a combination of reasons.
Both Jones and St Hillaire did not reveal their online travel health pass approval from the Nicaraguan Health Authority in time to board the departing flight out of Piarco. Powder and Hackshaw also did not receive their PCR results in the United States within the required time necessary to get similar approval for their entry into Nicaragua.
Despite the unavailability of some key players, Carrington still has many of the experienced men Eve has worked with since taking over last year, such as Aubrey David, Sheldon Bateau and Joevin Jones. Carrington also has available the England-born midfield pair of Daniel Phillips and Michael Kedman.
Phillips made his debut against Guyana in World Cup qualifying, while Kedman is grandson of deceased former Trinidad Express newspaper editor Mervyn Wells and played on local soil for Central FC’s 2017 Caribbean Club Championships team, which included several foreign players. Meanwhile, Phillips played for Gillingham this season on loan from Watford, and also made his T&T debut during last year’s World Cup campaign.
“The important thing is for us to remain focused and understand the importance of the match and also wanting to get a positive start to the campaign,” Carrington stated.
Costa Rica-based defender Aubrey David is keen to start of the Nations League campaign which also serves as qualifiers for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. David was part of the contingent which split a pair of friendly internationals in Managua in 2016 during the short-lived, 35-day stint of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.
T&T suffered a first ever-loss to Nicaragua when going down 2-1 in the opening match, before winning the return game 3-1. David would hope for a better start in Managua this time around.
“It’s also great to have experienced players such as Joevin (Jones), Sheldon Bateau and Leston Paul back in the squad. Overall we have the capability to go in there and put on a performance that can hopefully give us a winning start before we head home for Bahamas,” David said.
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Sup my dudes ;D
Going to check out the game tonite! :beermug:
This game better be good! ::)
That Panama group is :laugh:
I hoping these men hungry and touch them Nicas,
every time I see red white and black recently
is like a watching Norwich, men getting packaged and
slapped up all the way back to Piarco international airport
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Starting Xi
Phillip
Moses. Aubrey. Bateau. Hodge
Daniel Phillip Leston Paul
Shannon Gomez Roachford. Julien
Levi Garcia
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I wonder what kind of game we have to play for Ranjitsingh to get a looksee.
VB
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While Rochford is on the field we should be trying to knock the ball on the surface. Would be a 'waste' to have him chasing, expend energy and then be replaced. His playing style is built for exposing this opponent.
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Can we get another attempt on goal before HT? Better to propose with the ball than to defend with only 2 minutes of stoppage.
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Can we get another attempt on goal before HT?
we need many attempts now
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Ah well ... we asked for that. 1-0 Nicaragua. Predictable nonsense.
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Back pass after back pass.. only Levi playing offense. Paul, Gomez and Roachford just picking up a spot in this line up. This is your Angus Eve coached team.
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Steups. 2-1 in the least hostile environment in Central America. No justice done to mitigate Marvin's brilliant save.
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wait who playing midfield ???
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we need a to hammer the rest of those teams and beat Nicaragua at home now to top the group
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groupe de la mort avec les Bahamas meurtriers aussi
It sets up a nice narrative but really this group is only as difficult as we make it.
Somehow we manage to be good at making acquisitions of critical points difficult. Constantly hoping for a paradigm switch.
And so it came to pass.
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Of possible implication for the MNT is the prospect of drawing Nicaragua in our group.
Once upon a time there would have been little to no implication.
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Has the US Homeland Security red flagged Eve? He could not come to Washington for the tryouts. Now we hearing he has family issues. Something drastically wrong hear. If Eve cannot travel or intransit on US territory, then why is still the coach. This entire fiasco is on the Normalization Committee. Get f**king rid of them.
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Imagine Khaleem Hyland playing with authority and leadership last night ... holding players accountable. I would wager we would not have left Managua 'pointless'.
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i
Imagine Khaleem Hyland playing with authority and leadership last night ... holding players accountable. I would wager we would not have left Managua 'pointless'.
Well now eve is playing our defenders as holding midfielders .
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Has the US Homeland Security red flagged Eve? He could not come to Washington for the tryouts. Now we hearing he has family issues. Something drastically wrong gear. If Eve cannot travel or intransit on US territory, then why is still the coach. This entire fiasco is on the Normalization Committee. Get f**king rid of them.
I just ask that question on Facebook. He was able to go to the Gold Cup, so I wonder what happened since then. Of course, we'll never know cause transparency isn't 'a thing' with them fellas. Also, I feel your frustration, but you know the NC and Angus eh going ah place...the foolishness will continue...sigh.
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Let us see How many will turn out On Monday. Even The regulars on this site seem uninterested.
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Fellas.. It was a good game. We lorse.. but, we fought tooth and nail for a result so credit to the boys. It was a semi enjoyable game.
We went for it in the end but came up short, maybe we could of keep a little better shape instead, left ourselves a bit open and was punished. Lots of good things though, i thought Number 18 and 19 were good. We bossed the second half, much much better than the first. I see the quality. First half, we struggled to connect passes, absolute shambles. Leston struggled to cope with the pace in the middle, he didn't have a great positioning and was bypassed many times. Number 9.. This dude made a critical mistake not clearing the ball in a dangerous area, got picked and we conceded. It was a foul on him but you can't play danger mouse in these areas.. Our CB's like David was good but he looks a bit out of shape. Referee allowed the fouls, managed the game fairly well but some tackles were wild. Those Nicas playing like Panama and Honduras, very aggressive and physical, most of them were in great shape as well. It's early days but don't see us been promoted from this group unless things change in terms of our midfield and the right back position massively exposed at times. Still the same brand of football on display, not seeing the improvements in key areas. We move on.. to the next game. Everything is still on our hands though, lets go for it. They have to play us at home.
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Bonilla's winner see Nicaragua top T&T 2-1
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)
Trinidad and Tobago will still be searching for it first 2022-2023 Concacaf Nations League points on Monday against Bahamas, after leaving Managua empty handed on Friday night.
Nicaragua emerged from a blackout and on a night of heavy rain won 2-1 over Trinidad and Tobago in Group C of League B of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.
It was about the 70th minute, and with matters all square at 1-1, when it got dark . The venue plunged into darkness due to an electrical blackout, sending both combatants to the dressing room, and it got even darker for the visitors on the resumption. Nicaragua emerged the brighter of the two teams and playmaker Byron Bonilla provided the decisive moment with a shot from outside the penalty area in the 78th minute.
Having taken the helm at the beginning of the year, Chilean-born coach Marco Antonio Figueroa have moulded Nicaragua into a very capable team and the home team led throughout. Another shot from distance, a speculative left-footer by the right-back Josue gave the host an opening goal a minute into added-on time, sending Nicaragua in with a 1-0 lead at halftime. Quijano put a low shot which deflected off T&T defender Tristan Hodge, and sent the ball between the sprawling dive of T&T Marvin Phillip and the left upright.
Assistant Reynold Carrington took control in the absence of T&T head coach Angus Eve, who remained at home to tend to a personal emergency. Carrington brought on veteran Joevin Jones and talented teenager Molik Khan at the beginning of the second half and was immediately rewarded when a cross by T&T right-midfielder Shannon Gomez deflected off Christian Reyes and beat goalkeeper Douglas Forvis at his near post for an own goal in the 46th minute.
Trinidad & Tobago's formation was one of protection rather than adventure. Orthodox, but attacking wing backs Keston Julien and Gomez both played further up field as wide midfielders. Meanwhile, the lone true striker Marcus Joseph was benched until the second half, leaving the attacking to two other true midfielder, young John Paul Rochford and traditional winger Levi Garcia, who has been playing a more attacking role this season with AEK Athens, his Greek club.
The early action was back and forth, with Nicaragua holding the ball in Central American style, and ending with an overall 57 percent possession. Trinidad & Tobago counter-attacked and had the better chances, despite AEK Athens striker Levi Garcia often looking isolated. Garcia put an early left-footer and a header onto Jon Paul Rochford's cross both wide, while only a vital touch kept another Rochford cross from reaching advanced defender Aubrey David deep in Nicaragua's penalty area.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO:
1 (C) Marvin Phillip (Gk), 2 Aubrey David, 4 Sheldon Bateau (16 Michael Kedman 80), 5 Daniel Phillips (10 Molik Khan 46); , 6 Kareem Moses, 11 Levi García, 14 Shannon Gomez, 15 John Paul Rochford (3.Joevin Jones 46), 18 Triston Hodge (17 Mekeil Williams 60) , 19 Keston Julien, 23 Leston Paul (9 Marcus Joseph 60).
Unused substitutes: 21 Denzil Smith (GK), 12 Judah Garcia, 20 Justin Sadoo.
Coach: Reynold Carrington.
NICARAGUA:
23 Douglas Forvis (GK); 2 Josue Quijano, 6 Christiam Gutierrez, 20 Christian Reyes, 3 Oscar Acevedo (21 Francisco Flores 71); 4 Henry Niño; 11 (C) Juan Barrera (8 Richard Rodriguez 85), 17 Matias Moldskred; 22 Brayan Lopez (9 Jaime Moreno 82), 7 Ariagner Smith, 10 Byron Bonilla.
Unused substitutes: 1 Alyer Lopez (GK), 12 Denvorn Fox (GK), 5 Marvin Fletes, 13 Henry Garcia, 14 Jason Coronel, 15 Melvin Hernandez, 16 Bancy Hernandez, 18 Jonathan Moncada, 19 Junior Arteaga.
Coach: Marco Figueroa.
Referee: Keylor Herrera (Costa Rica).
https://www.youtube.com/v/ygyytf35YFs
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Agreed with everything said here on this sport page https://tinyurl.com/ywfe8ku9
And I am beginning to just accept the possibility that this generation of T&T footballers just dont have the talent to get it done
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Agreed with everything said here on this sport page https://tinyurl.com/ywfe8ku9
And I am beginning to just accept the possibility that this generation of T&T footballers just dont have the talent to get it done
Well alot of them play dat USL championship ... :pissedoff:
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No mention of why half the team bussed it. Why are there still issues with visas, passports and other elementary things that keep screwing up our teams. TT is being run(ruin) by fifa and its abnormalization committee 😞
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.. :pissedoff:
Agreed with everything said here on this sport page https://tinyurl.com/ywfe8ku9
And I am beginning to just accept the possibility that this generation of T&T footballers just dont have the talent to get it done
Well alot of them play dat USL championship ... :pissedoff:
But ‘26, what other big leagues other countries players play in ?
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Agreed with everything said here on this sport page https://tinyurl.com/ywfe8ku9
And I am beginning to just accept the possibility that this generation of T&T footballers just dont have the talent to get it done
Put together a team of the best 11 U-24 European raised of T&T heritage, and play them against the best 11 on the island. Who do you think will come out on top?
Likely the foreigners would beat the local born, would you agree? If that were to be the case, its the organizational competence and efficacy of the local governing body that makes the difference, not talent.
Nicaragua is not consistently beating us because we have no talent. They're beating us because over time their governance has been better than ours. Small to big decisions. Day in day out.
We are in a crisis with no end in sight. And its exactly where we deserve to be.
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Agreed with everything said here on this sport page https://tinyurl.com/ywfe8ku9
And I am beginning to just accept the possibility that this generation of T&T footballers just dont have the talent to get it done
Put together a team of the best 11 U-24 European raised of T&T heritage, and play them against the best 11 on the island. Who do you think will come out on top?
Likely the foreigners would beat the local born, would you agree? If that were to be the case, its the organizational competence and efficacy of the local governing body that makes the difference, not talent.
Nicaragua is not consistently beating us because we have no talent. They're beating us because over time their governance has been better than ours. Small to big decisions. Day in day out.
We are in a crisis with no end in sight. And its exactly where we deserve to be.
The foreigners will likely come out on top because they are more talented. That is why...the end
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The foreigners will likely come out on top because they are more talented. That is why...the end
Never because of better organization or preparation?
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.
https://www.youtube.com/v/v66fPKKrqFo
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Matchday in Port of Spain - T&T vs Bahamas Nations League clash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66fPKKrqFo
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st Vincent vs Nicaragua 2-2 tie ...
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TT 1 vs Bahamas 0. 5th min
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Pedestrian pace with a puzzle as to how to penetrate. Get the 2nd while we can.
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Pedestrian pace with a puzzle as to how to penetrate. Get the 2nd while we can.
10 shots 3 on goal and we have 77% of the ball
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Pedestrian pace with a puzzle as to how to penetrate. Get the 2nd while we can.
10 shots 3 on goal and we have 77% of the ball
We will recall this high watermark when goal difference decides the group.
Ah sniffing a Fire Angus Thread.
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Hackshaw: Man of the Match by a country mile?
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the local members who attended this match must be cursing it up like crazy. thank God i separated myself from this team and TT football altogether. you can't keep doing the same ole same ole and expect success. football is a business yet still the people down there treat it like a past time.
by the looks of it this game could go anywhere knowing that a 1-0 lead for TT is like being down a goal, especially with that unpredictable outdated goal keeper who for the most part always seem to give up a dumb goal 90% of the time.
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Pedestrian pace with a puzzle as to how to penetrate. Get the 2nd while we can.
10 shots 3 on goal and we have 77% of the ball
We will recall this high watermark when goal difference decides the group.
Ah sniffing a Fire Angus Thread.
angus has done way worst than terry by far but shockingly no one is paying attention as they did with fenwick. i guess it's the ahwee boy syndrome at work, he could suck all he wants but keep on coaching no questions asked.
he will eventually get a pass from the good ole local boys club and would be allowed to continue destroying our fifa rankings like dennis did.
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The bad news, we should've beaten them by at least 3. The bad news, this sets us up for another showdown in Bahamas where they can take away points from us.
The good news, this group is wide open. And it seems as if anything can happen.
I don't know what this team is missing. But it is more than one thing..
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The bad news, we should've beaten them by at least 3. The bad news, this sets us up for another showdown in Bahamas where they can take away points from us.
The good news, this group is wide open. And it seems as if anything can happen.
I don't know what this team is missing. But it is more than one thing..
Maybe they lost one of them on that adventure of a bus ride to Nicaragua. :devil:
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Look at crowd in Honduras ... even without a drink special on the Avenue.
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The bad news, we should've beaten them by at least 3. The bad news, this sets us up for another showdown in Bahamas where they can take away points from us.
The good news, this group is wide open. And it seems as if anything can happen.
I don't know what this team is missing. But it is more than one thing..
Maybe they lost one of them on that adventure of a bus ride to Nicaragua. :devil:
Might be just me, but I think this is the worst spell in ages.
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I watching Honduras and Curacao. We can't compete on this level.
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The bad news, we should've beaten them by at least 3. The bad news, this sets us up for another showdown in Bahamas where they can take away points from us.
The good news, this group is wide open. And it seems as if anything can happen.
I don't know what this team is missing. But it is more than one thing..
Maybe they lost one of them on that adventure of a bus ride to Nicaragua. :devil:
Might be just me, but I think this is the worst spell in ages.
It isn't an era that is awe-inspiring or confidence building, but it ain't de worse. Something ain't right doh.
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I watching Honduras and Curacao. We can't compete on this level.
That's why I am watching it: to erase the nonsense I just viewed.
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Pedestrian pace with a puzzle as to how to penetrate. Get the 2nd while we can.
10 shots 3 on goal and we have 77% of the ball
We will recall this high watermark when goal difference decides the group.
Ah sniffing a Fire Angus Thread.
angus has done way worst than terry by far but shockingly no one is paying attention as they did with fenwick. i guess it's the ahwee boy syndrome at work, he could suck all he wants but keep on coaching no questions asked.
he will eventually get a pass from the good ole local boys club and would be allowed to continue destroying our fifa rankings like dennis did.
Ah doh think we reach de grace period for mentioning Fenwick with reverence. :devil: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
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I just find we looking really bad. Any slip up now, we ain't getting in
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(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK) (captain); 16. Alvin Jones (18.Shannon Gomez 74), 12.Kareem Moses, 2.Aubrey David, 19.Keston Julien; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 8.Kevon Goddard; 7.Noah Powder (20.Molik Khan 81), 10.Duane Muckette (14.John-Paul Rochford 61), 13.Judah Garcia (9.Nicholas Dillon 61); 11.Levi Garcia (17.Reon Moore 81).
Unused substitutes: 21.Denzil Smith (GK), 22.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Sheldon Bateau, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 3.Jameel Neptune, 23.Leston Paul, 5.Daniel Phillips.
Head coach: Angus Eve
The Bahamas (3-4-3): 18.Julio Jemison (GK); 4.Troy Pinder, 10.Lesly St Fleur (captain), 8.Evelt Julmis; 7.Quinton Carey (5.Kenaiz Swain 47), 16.Jean Francois (15.Michael Massey 80), 19.Roen Davis (14.Logan Russell 85), 13.Christopher Rahming; 11.Marcel Joseph (17.Jordin Wilson 80), 6.Wood Julmis, 12.Omari Bain.
Unused substitutes: 23.Vance Weaton (GK), 2.Alexiou Cartwright, 3.Miguel Thompson.
Head coach: Nesley Jean
Referee: Shavin Greene (Guyana)
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:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
WHAT AH MESS!
SO MUCH TALENT I'M HEARING ABOUT IN HERE!!
Same result over the years. We continue to struggle
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what i don't get is that the worst goal keeper we ever had in the last 30 years who is way past his sell by date, who rarely keeps a clean sheet, and to top it off, refuses to hang up his glove, why do we persist with him? this team seriously needs new blood.
guys like JJ and molino aren't really what we call leadership material, though they are very good footballers who can still contribute to the cause, but i watch sheldon bateau in the highlights and correct me if i'm wrong, but that man seems to me that he struggles a lot concentrating for 90 plus minutes.
the sad reality is showing that football is leaving TT behind, and these dumb bells in port of spain are too self involved to realize it.
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JJ is with a club came just came back from injury made a few appreances. D Muckette is without for 2 years yet angus say JJ is short match practice. He picked players whom he worked with for Bermuda stating they have an idea the way he is trying to play !! . He fly kedman all this way for??? Nicholas dillon does not standout in the local league. Still no rangers players. ???
....
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:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
WHAT AH MESS!
SO MUCH TALENT I'M HEARING ABOUT IN HERE!!
Same result over the years. We continue to struggle
well our overall MNT level has dropped ...
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I just find we looking really bad. Any slip up now, we ain't getting in
There ought to be a demonstration of wanting to get in and deserving to get in. At the moment, on an objective scale, that honour belongs to the group leader, Nicaragua. On a subjective scale, SVG would be above us on the table also.
Match 3 we await you.
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JJ is with a club came just came back from injury made a few appreances. D Muckette is without for 2 years yet angus say JJ is short match practice. He picked players whom he worked with for Bermuda stating they have an idea the way he is trying to play !! . He fly kedman all this way for??? Nicholas dillon does not standout in the local league. Still no rangers players. ???
....
Would like to see him in a properly expressive situation.
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JJ is with a club came just came back from injury made a few appreances. D Muckette is without for 2 years yet angus say JJ is short match practice. He picked players whom he worked with for Bermuda stating they have an idea the way he is trying to play !! . He fly kedman all this way for??? Nicholas dillon does not standout in the local league. Still no rangers players. ???
....
Would like to see him in a properly expressive situation.
let see if he plays then ... ..
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assylumseeker, I clearly understand what yuh saying,but we buss dem rass,ent is dem who f**k we up not long ago, dey suddenly get to big for their little boots.Let dem go ress up and ready for a second serving.
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Soca Warriors labour to beat Bahamas 1-0 to keep hopes alive
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)
Heavy weather on a heavy ground, but still just enough to give Trinidad and Tobago's senior men's football team their first points of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Last night, T&T moved back into contention when defeating Bahamas 1-0 courtesy a fourth minute Neveal Hackshaw header, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
With some help after Nicaragua was held 2-2 by St Vincent & the Grenadines earlier yesterday, last night's home victory brought the Soca Warriors firmly back in the equation.
Nicaragua still lead Group C, of League B, with four points, followed by T&T and Bahamas, both on three points, and then SVG on a single point. T&T now have away and home games against St Vincent & the Grenadines, on June 10 & 13.
Soca Warriors head-coach Angus Eve made six changes to the team which lost the series opener last Friday and might have been happy with the near 80 per cent possession his footballers enjoyed in the first half against the Bahamians, who defended deep and had not a single meaningful attack on the T&T goal throughout the match.
Even so, Bahamas stuck to a game plan meant to frustrate the hosts, and their coach Nesly Jean might have been satisfied being down just a goal when the first half ended. Even so Bahamas were lucky to not be a player short, owing to lenient officiating by Guyanese referee Shavon Greene, who allowed defensive midfielder Roen Davis to get away with half dozen late tackles before reluctantly issuing the player a yellow card.
Bahamas had almost none of the possession in the opening half-hour and were totally pushed back. But for all their possession, T&T played far too slow, and did not pressure the Bahamas defenders, allowing crosses to easily go out of play.
The very first pass the Bahamas made went out of play. The second one similarly. It never got better for them.
Hackshaw had the Soca Warriors ahead in just the fourth minute with a powerful header onto Noah Powder's corner-kick.
Duane Muckette then headed Levi Garcia's cross onto the crossbar in the 12th minute and Powder delivered another corner which Kareem Moses got power behind, only for Bahamian goalkeeper Julio Jemison to make a terrific save.
Garcia (Levi) also skied a shot from a good position atop the penalty area, while the impressive Jemison kept his team in the match with two crucial saves as the first half waned.
First, turning around Kevon Goddard's low, long-range effort, then making a close up save as Judah Garcia procrastinated, when only putting in a weak effort at an open goal.
The Soca Warriors offered far less in the second half, but had little to worry against the Bahamians, who had mainly teenagers on the field by the time the final whistle blew.
TEAMS
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK) (captain); 16. Alvin Jones (18.Shannon Gomez 74), 12.Kareem Moses, 2.Aubrey David, 19.Keston Julien; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 8.Kevon Goddard; 7.Noah Powder (20.Molik Khan 81), 10.Duane Muckette (14.John-Paul Rochford 61), 13.Judah Garcia (9.Nicholas Dillon 61); 11.Levi Garcia (17.Reon Moore 81).
Unused substitutes: 21.Denzil Smith (GK), 22.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Sheldon Bateau, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 3.Jameel Neptune, 23.Leston Paul, 5.Daniel Phillips.
Head coach: Angus Eve
Bahamas (3-4-3): 18.Julio Jemison (GK); 4.Troy Pinder, 10.Lesly St Fleur (captain), 8.Evelt Julmis; 7.Quinton Carey (5.Kenaiz Swain 47), 16.Jean Francois (15.Michael Massey 80), 19.Roen Davis (14.Logan Russell 85), 13.Christopher Rahming; 11.Marcel Joseph (17.Jordin Wilson 80), 6.Wood Julmis, 12.Omari Bain.
Unused substitutes: 23.Vance Weaton (GK), 2.Alexiou Cartwright, 3.Miguel Thompson.
Head coach: Nesley Jean
Referee: Shavin Greene (Guyana)
https://www.youtube.com/v/KebV-bxTmvk
https://www.youtube.com/v/qBSXlQrif9E
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assylumseeker, asylumseeker I clearly understand what yuh saying,but we buss dem rass,ent is dem who f**k we up not long ago, dey suddenly get to big for their little boots.Let dem go ress up and ready for a second serving.
It didn't feel like we avenged the defeat. It felt like we co-signed on our decline. I really would like to hear or read Lesly St. Fleur's [the Bahamian captain's] take on both matches.
In my mind, this was a less accomplished and capable opponent than was presented in the first match. Last time they played a college-bound freshman in goal. He thrived. This time they had a thinner bench and a fair quantum of players U-18. At one point, the oldest player on the field for them was 24 (might have been the GK). Largely more inexperience. Had they poise and St. Fleur on the edge of their opportunities, we would be looking at a 1-1 draw.
Our 1-0 lead was tenuous and not convincing ... with respect to the future we imagine and desire.
They did well to limp to a respectable loss. Notably, we limped to a 1-0 victory, despite the glossy PR statements emanating from the camp.
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Right now I watching JA play Suriname. The level of play and intensity I seeing here, we far behind. I even watch the Grenada and El Salvador game, and Grenada play them out good. I have no doubt that Grenada could bust we ass right now. If Nicaragua beat Bahamas, then the SVG on Friday is going to be the game that determines our fate. We must win that game. A tie and Nicaragua will control our destiny.
Btw, that win against Bahamas yesterday was a loss in my books.
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JJ is with a club came just came back from injury made a few appreances. D Muckette is without for 2 years yet angus say JJ is short match practice. He picked players whom he worked with for Bermuda stating they have an idea the way he is trying to play !! . He fly kedman all this way for??? Nicholas dillon does not standout in the local league. Still no rangers players. ???
....
Would like to see him in a properly expressive situation.
let see if he plays then ... ..
He has been excluded for the SVG match.
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JJ is with a club came just came back from injury made a few appreances. D Muckette is without for 2 years yet angus say JJ is short match practice. He picked players whom he worked with for Bermuda stating they have an idea the way he is trying to play !! . He fly kedman all this way for??? Nicholas dillon does not standout in the local league. Still no rangers players. ???
....
Would like to see him in a properly expressive situation.
let see if he plays then ... ..
He has been excluded for the SVG match.
I hope we did not waste money to fly him here ...
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assylumseekerif we have to do it the hard way so be it but I am sticking with the Socawarriors,I have suffered so much just hoping,I'll continue hoping till I' gone.Go Warriors make me happy. :frustrated:
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WATCH Jones keen to get advantage over St Vincent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1WD3c4yvbg)
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assylumseekerif we have to do it the hard way so be it but I am sticking with the Socawarriors,I have suffered so much just hoping,I'll continue hoping till I' gone.Go Warriors make me happy. :frustrated:
bro, hoping for this team to come around is like falling in love with a self loathing slag who can’t stop herself from being lose. staying with her would only mean pain and disappointment in the end, so is better to detach yourself and accept the fact that she’s not worth loving.
these lads here just ain’t good enough, and they don’t have what it takes to compete on a higher level collectively. they play in very mediocre leagues and most of them have very poor basic skills, in addition, their concentration level leaves much to be desired, so what’s there to love?
These people refuse to invest in sports but expects to be successful, that’s madness. they will continue to bum, and to weaker teams in concacaf. and I’m hoping that if this continues maybe then they will get the message and make a turn around and invest heavily in all sports especially football.
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ahhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! We touching these MEN HOSS!! :beermug:
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Looks like Hackshaw is the in-form player.
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assylumseekerthis should bring a smile to your face,the cutarse was applied and we now in de mood,
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Hackshaw is the ace in that midfield right now
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assylumseekerthis should bring a smile to your face,the cutarse was applied and we now in de mood,
Result in the right direction, but no beaming smile or smile because direct qualification to League A isn't a clear cut outcome.
We are doing enough to get by, but we are also doing some detrimental things repeatedly (less than wonderful management of the ball and the clock, for instance).
Buh yeah, I feel significantly better than having less than 6 points would have produced.
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Yeah we playing the game hard against ourselves. We are our worst opponent.
The game that'll probably decide things is the Bahamas game. We need to beat Bahamas convincingly. At least 3. Not just a get by win. Mark my words, we beat Bahamas by 3, we will walk through Nicaragua. A get by win will put too much pressure on us. Dais wha I see
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this is the best chance we have to qualify for gold cup versus the dodgey qualification process rather than been in league A. and it's a good test for us. Would like to see more bleeding in youngsters though but its a decent balance in the squad. Its still in our hands. :beermug: promotion may end up on goal difference. the next two games are critical.
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Hacksaw and and Levi's goal were great. Levi heading is superb. I just saw highlights, so I can't make a capable assessment. As long as they top the group by almost any means necessary is all that matters right now.
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We seem to be turning the corner slowly,this will be such a big deal for us to top our table and it's a strong possibility we may do so.We Trini supporters haven't had much to celebrate over the last 10/12 years,let's hope we have something now.
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We seem to be turning the corner slowly,this will be such a big deal for us to top our table and it's a strong possibility we may do so.We Trini supporters haven't had much to celebrate over the last 10/12 years,let's hope we have something now.
Turning a corner with a victories over St Vincent and Bahamas?
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We seem to be turning the corner slowly,this will be such a big deal for us to top our table and it's a strong possibility we may do so.We Trini supporters haven't had much to celebrate over the last 10/12 years,let's hope we have something now.
Turning a corner with a victories over St Vincent and Bahamas?
St Vincent is nobody's fool and could be proper "banana skin",just remember Bahamas a few months ago and you'll see why I said "turning the corner slowly".The team is showing some improvement and I can't deny them that.I think we will top our group.Have faith Trini_2026
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We seem to be turning the corner slowly,this will be such a big deal for us to top our table and it's a strong possibility we may do so.We Trini supporters haven't had much to celebrate over the last 10/12 years,let's hope we have something now.
Turning a corner with a victories over St Vincent and Bahamas?
In the situation we are in right now, YES!!!!
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Soca Warriors seal second Nations League win.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Neveal Hackshaw and Levi Garcia both scored first-half goals as the T&T Soca Warriors cooled St Vincent and the Grenadines “Vincy Heat” 2-0 in their Match Day Three clash off to move temporarily to the top of Group C of the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League matches in League B at Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, St Vincent Friday.
With the win, their ninth in 14 matches against the “Vincy Heat”, the Angus-Eve-coached Soca Warriors improved to six points from three matches, two ahead of Nicaragua. That was until the Nicaraguans sealed a 2-0 win over Bahamas at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, two hours later, to retake the lead.
Meanwhile, the loss was also the first for St Vincent and the Grenadines in a CNL match on home soil and they remain at the bottom of the four-team pool ahead of their second match against T&T at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on Monday from 7 pm, while Nicaragua, who sits in the top spot in Group C with seven points, and Bahamas will also meet again.
Yesterday, the Soca Warriors were on the front foot from early on with Garcia taking on three defenders before firing a shot off his weaker right foot over the bar from just inside the 18-yard box after only four minutes.
Two minutes later, T&T went close again when the lively Reon Moore fed Garcia a pass from the left flank and the Greece-based T&T striker then squared to an onrushing Noah Powder, but he too fired over with goalkeeper Lemus Christopher at his mercy, when it seemed easier to hit the target.
St Vincent and the Grenadines though would come the closest to an opener in the 14th minute when Garret Leigertwood found some space on the left byline and chipped a pass across the T&T goal mouth and goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, but Moldova-based defender Keston Julien was alert to the play and cleared the ball away with the host captain Cornelius Stewart ready to pounce.
The opener eventually came for T&T in the 17th minute when Hackshaw of United Soccer Championship outfit Indy Eleven intercepted a pass in SVG midfield and played a forward pass to Garcia.
Garcia, in turn, played a cheeky through ball over the top to Hackshaw who had continued the run and the T&T midfielder then held off his marker before lobbing a left-footed effort past the onrushing Christopher and into the open goal for a deserved 1-0 advantage.
AEK Athens striker Garcia then doubled T&T's lead when he leapt between defenders Mekeal Williams and Jahvin Sutherland to connect with a long-range pass from John-Paul Rochford with a downward header back across Christopher and into the far corner off the inside of the post.
Two minutes before the half-time interval, T&T almost extended the margin to 3-0 via a long-range free-kick, but unluckily for the T&T player, it cannoned off the right upright with goalkeeper Christopher beaten at full stretch and out of play for a goal kick.
On the resumption, coach Eve would have hoped for the T&T players to add to their tally, but faced with a heavy downpour of rain and a robust tackling host who were the benefit of some lenient officiating by American referee Alex Chilowicz, the Soca Warriors failed to add to their tally with Garcia glancing a header over from a corner in the 57th and Moore firing against the cross-bar in the 59th while Stewart headed wide of the target for the host after a right-sided centre skidded off the head of T&T defender, Turkey-based Sheldon Bateau.
T&T then wasted another chance in the 67th minute when Moore failed to pick out substitute, India-based Marcus Joseph, who was unguarded at the centre of the goal while in the 82nd, Rochford was put through on the right side of the 18-yard box but with three T&T players awaiting his cut-back pass, St Vincent and the Grenadines Kevin Francis made a timely interception for his team.
The T&T players were then left frustrated by another bizarre call from referee Chilowicz when he failed to call a penalty kick after goalkeeper Christopher missed his attempted punch on a right-sided cross and connected with the head of Hackshaw.
And two minutes into time added-on, Joseph tried his luck from just outside the 18-yard box, but Christopher was equal to the task and made a comfortable low save.
In the end, it was a well-deserved win for T&T who will return home today (on Saturday) ahead of Monday night's penultimate match in the group against SVG at Mucurapo.
The "Vincy Heat", meanwhile is still searching for its first CNL victory of this tournament, having fallen to the Bahamas in the opener but earning a point in a 2-2 draw with Nicaragua last time out.
The loss was also the first for SVG in a CNL match on home soil.
Yesterday's result:
T&T 2 (Neveal Hackshaw 17th, Levi Garcia 24th) vs St Vincent and the Grenadines 0
Group Standings:
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Nicaragua 3 2 1 0 6 3 7
T&T 3 2 0 1 4 2 6
Bahamas 3 1 0 2 1 3 3
SVG 3 0 1 2 2 5 1
T&T: 1. Marvin Phillip (GK/capt), 2. Aubrey David, 3. Sheldon Bateau, 7. Noah Powder (20. Molik Khan 85th), 11. Levi Garcia (9. Marcus Joseph 60th), 14. Shannon Gomez, 15. Neveal Hackshaw, 17. Reon Moore (5. Daniel Phillips 71st), 18. John-Paul Rochford (13. Judah Garcia), 19. Keston Julien, 23. Leston Paul (8. Kevon Goddard 51st)
Subs not used: 21. Denzil Smith (GK), 22. Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 3. Jameel Neptune, 6. Andre Ettienne, 10. Duane Muckette, 12. Kareem Moses, 16. Alvin Jones.
Head coach: Angus Eve
SVG: 23. Lemus Christopher (GK), 3. Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, 4. Mekeal Williams (15.Kevin Francis 76th), 5. Jahvin Sutherland, 7. Nazir Mc Burnette, 8. Darren Hamlet (14. Keshorn Durham 61st), 9. Cornelius Stewart (captain), 11. Azinho Solomon, 12. Garret Leigertwood, 18. Jamol Yorke (6. Kurlon Williams 82nd), 21. Brad Richards (20. Aaron Jackson 45th)
Subs not used: 1, Josh Stowe (GK), 22. Jadiel Chance (GK), 2. Camal Bass, 13. Tristan Marshall, 16. Diel Spring, 19. Hosni Chandler.
Head coach: Kendale Mercury
WATCH Eve at Post-Match Presser after T&T's 2-0 win over St Vincent at Arnos Vale. Both teams meet again on Monday 7pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5pEXDe6w1Q)
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Rochford wants Soca Warriors to maintain intensity against Vincy Heat
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
JOHN-PAUL Rochford, the Trinidad and Tobago attacking midfielder, wants his teammates to maintain the same intensity they showed on Friday when they square off against St Vincent and the Grenadines, in the second time in four days, in their League B, Group C tie of the Concacaf Nations League. This game is carded for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7 pm.
T&T whipped St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 on Friday, at the Arnos Vale Recreation Ground in Kingstown, with first half goals from Neveal Hackshaw and Levi Garcia.
Nicaragua lead the four-team standings with seven points from three games, followed by T&T (six), Bahamas (three), and St Vincent and the Grenadines (one).
In an interview on the TT Football Association (TTFA) YouTube channel, Rochford said, "I think the intensity and the professionalism that we had in the game (on Friday) and the game against the Bahamas (last Monday), that same intensity is key for us because we had an amazing start to the game and we got two goals in the first 30 minutes.
"If we do that same thing on Monday, especially at home with the atmosphere and the crowd backing us, I think we'll come out with a better result, especially going to the last two games (in the group)."
The last two set of matches in League B, Group C is set for March 25 and 28, 2023.
On June 3, T&T fell to a 2-1 defeat to Nicaragua, but rebounded with a 1-0 victory over the Bahamas, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, last Monday.
The group winners will gain promotion to League A and earn an automatic spot in the 2022 Concacaf Gold Cup, the runners-up will feature in the Gold Cup preliminary round and the cellar-placed team will be relegated to League C.
WATCH Rochford and Reon Moore aim to finish CNL window on a High (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3etOBz6yBZw)
WATCH Phillips embracing T&T role at international level (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlml6k8Kss)
WATCH Goddard: I've been waiting for this opportunity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZRpS0lPFM)
WATCH Short Film - The T&T versus Bahamas Affair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ggYQqN2tY)
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So the Ref was a proper "party pooper",seems like he had een for us.i really would like to describe him with some more colourful Caribbean epithets,for now I'll stick to "party pooper" ;D
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Frico, like you and most of the forum I support the team. We have been underwhelming in our performances so far. I have not seen an entire games, thus unable comment, criticize, etc. I spoke to my friends and they say midfield lacking badly. They are disappointed in Rochford current play. There are players in the Ascension league should be on the team. They say Defence Force could handle Bahamas, St. Vincent and with some others players take on Nicaragua. MikeGrayson said that even Attuallah Guerra would add much needed impetus in the middle. For a player in his heyday who was an all attacking player, they are disappointed in Angus selection.
I watch Haiti destroyed Guyana 6-2 in Guyana. Haiti was all power and attacking football. I doubt very much that was Guyana 2nd team playing. I doubt this current TT team can measure up to Haiti.
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Frico, like you and most of the forum I support the team. We have been underwhelming in our performances so far. I have not seen an entire games, thus unable comment, criticize, etc. I spoke to my friends and they say midfield lacking badly. They are disappointed in Rochford current play. There are players in the Ascension league should be on the team. They say Defence Force could handle Bahamas, St. Vincent and with some others players take on Nicaragua. MikeGrayson said that even Attuallah Guerra would add much needed impetus in the middle. For a player in his heyday who was an all attacking player, they are disappointed in Angus selection.
I watch Haiti destroyed Guyana 6-2 in Guyana. Haiti was all power and attacking football. I doubt very much that was Guyana 2nd team playing. I doubt this current TT team can measure up to Haiti.
Rochford is being used to exploit play on the wing: that's not his game. His strength is interior play, but this version of the NT does not focus on creation in the middle sectors of the field. You know football --- compute those variables. Rochford presented difficulties for the Nicaraguans prior to his substitution (take that to the bank) and they were happy to see his back.
In the match at home, I know some have quibbled about his retention of possession, but in several instances the issue was not the quality of his passing but an absence of thinking the circumstances at the same speed as the player in possession (Rochford). Of course, he isn't without responsibility but one has to factor in the mix of enthusiasm, maturity and interpretation of a player granted greater responsibility than he has ever had at this level. All of the above stated, I think we are not honing in on his attributes that would give us a more cohesive and consistent attacking presence.
The negatives with the NT are systemic rather than particularly individual. I would caution against scapegoating specific individuals because in this instance their output is tied tightly to coaching preferences as to circulation of the ball.
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Guyana struck me as having been poorly warmed-up and activated pre-match.
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I watch Haiti destroyed Guyana 6-2 in Guyana. Haiti was all power and attacking football. I doubt very much that was Guyana 2nd team playing. I doubt this current TT team can measure up to Haiti.
[/quote]
That team was really Haiti C team with one regular national team player , the goaly. the team was made up of mostly U23 players straight out of Haiti. Haiti's best are currently in France lighting up the score board in France D2 league. They wouldn't come to play for Haiti due to disagreement with the current coach that they had publicly criticized in the media. They put together a B team. Most of that B team players couldn't get US visa to go to Guyana since there are no straight fly from Haiti to Guyana.That team that destroyed Guyana at home was mainly Haiti U-23 local based players and would probably take care of Guyana again tomorrow to move up Haiti in league A and a spot in the next GC.
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Daniel Phillips not even on the bench .i guess he don't fit into the eve style ?
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I think there was a foul on Aubrey that should have been regarded as a penalty.
Getting that 3rd goal before HT was important.
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I think there was a foul on Aubrey that should have been regarded as a penalty.
Getting that 3rd goal before HT was important.
Are you impressed?
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I think there was a foul on Aubrey that should have been regarded as a penalty.
Getting that 3rd goal before HT was important.
Are you impressed?
No.
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Nicaragua beat the mighty Bahamas 4 zip.
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Nicaragua beat the mighty Bahamas 4 zip.
🙂
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Daniel Phillips not even on the bench .i guess he don't fit into the eve style ?
Maybe he has matters to tend to: he was released by Watford.
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Soca Warriors whip St Vincent and the Grenadines 4-1.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
NOAH POWDER scored a double and fellow midfielders Judah Garcia and John-Paul Rochford got the others as Trinidad and Tobago notched their third straight win in the 2022-2023 Concacaf Nations League with a 4-1 result over St Vincent and the Grenadines, in a Group C, League B encounter at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Monday.
Garcia netted in the ninth minute, while Powder scored his first set of international goals in the 11th and 41st. Rochford, who replaced Garcia in the 63rd, completed the scoring in the 90th.
Cornelius Stewart pulled one back for St Vincent and the Grenadines, in the 26th.
However, T&T seemed certain to end this phase of the Nations League in second place in Group C, League B with nine points from four games.
Group leaders Nicaragua, who started the day at the top of the four-team standings with seven points, were leading their guests Bahamas 3-0 at half-time.
Garcia registered his second international goal early in the contest, as he capitalised on a poor attempted clearance from Jamol Yorke, raced towards goal and sent a low right-footer between the body and the right arm of a flat-footed goalkeeper Lemus Christopher.
Two minutes later, Powder, a United States-born utility player, extended T&T’s lead, with a low left-footed shot into an open net after Christopher failed to connect with a punch, from Shannon Gomez’s right-sided cross.
Powder missed a chance to net T&T’s third shortly after, with a right-footed shot that was blocked by Christopher.
At the opposite end, Gomez was caught napping as Stewart moved into open space, in the penalty spot, met a cross from right-back Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and slotted his effort beyond the reach of T&T keeper and goalie Marvin Phillip.
Judah Garcia (35th) and central midfielder Duane Muckette (36th) saw efforts blocked by Christopher, while striker Levi Garcia could only watch in agony as his right-footed shot rebounded off the crossbar.
But, a minute later, Powder got his name again on the scoresheet, with a right-footed shot from close range after good work, down the right, by Levi Garcia.
As is the case lately, T&T coach Angus Eve sought to protect his lead, but the T&T team failed to take advantage of the few chances on offer, until the 90th minute.
Substitute Reon Moore raced down the left and squared the ball to Levi Garcia, whose effort was saved by the keeper, but Rochford pounced on the loose ball and finished from close range.
Action in Group C, League B will resume in 2023, with T&T travelling to the Bahamas on March 24 and hosting Nicaragua three days later.
Squads -
Trinidad and Tobago: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK) (capt); 18.Shannon Gomez, 12.Kareem Moses, 2.Aubrey David, 19.Keston Julien (16.Alvin Jones 73); 8.Kevon Goddard, 15.Neveal Hackshaw (23.Leston Paul 83); 13.Judah Garcia (14.John-Paul Rochford 63), 10.Duane Muckette (17.Reon Moore 63), 7.Noah Powder (20.Molik Khan 83); 11.Levi Garcia.
Unused substitutes: 21.Denzil Smith (GK), 22.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 3.Jameel Neptune, 4.Sheldon Bateau, 5.Daniel Phillips, 6.Andre Ettienne, 9.Marcus Joseph.
Head coach: Angus Eve
St Vincent and the Grenadines: 22.Lemus Christopher (GK); 3.Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, 5.Jahvin Sutherland, 18.Jamol Yorke (13.Tristan Marshall 86), 2.Najima Burgin; 6.Adeen Charles; 17.Aaron Jackson, 21.Brad Richards (14.Keshorn Durham 65); 11.Azinho Solomon, 10.Rondell Thomas (20.Matthew Jackson 65), 9.Cornelius Stewart (capt) (12.Garret Leigertwood 83).
Unused substitutes: 1.Josh Stowe (GK), 22.Jadiel Chance (GK), 4.Mekeal Williams, 8.Dorren Hamlet, 15.Kevin Francis.
Head coach: Kendale Mercury
Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras)
Results
Trinidad and Tobago 4 (Judah Garcia 9, Noah Powder 11, 41, John-Paul Rochford 90), St Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (Cornelius Stewart 26) at Port of Spain;
Nicaragua 4 (Juan Barrera 19, Jaime Moreno 34, 45, Ariagner Smith 74), The Bahamas 0 at Managua.
Watch Trinidad & Tobago vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Highlights | CONCACAF NL | CBS Sports Golazo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScOZTDR6tqM)
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Did they qualify for the gold cup?
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Not sure! ?
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Did they qualify for the gold cup?
we have Bahamas away next year and Nicaragua at home
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Did they qualify for the gold cup?
we have Bahamas away next year and Nicaragua at home
As far as it understand, we have to win our group, to be promoted to league A and qualify for the Gold Cup. Top 2 teams from the groups of League A and winners of League B groups are doing in Gold cup. Last place teams of Groups you in League A and B relegated.
https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2022/04/04/concacaf-draw-nations-league-groups-will-decide-2023-gold-cup-qualification/
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we got nine months to sort out our right wing and center forward positions
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Number 18 scored, but he lost the ball every single time
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Number 18 scored, but he lost the ball every single time
:rotfl: So he actually lost it in the other team goal. We need 2 more like he then ? ;D
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Daniel Phillips not even on the bench .i guess he don't fit into the eve style ?
Maybe he has matters to tend to: he was released by Watford.
He is unattached now if he stays this way he should get more playing time our NT... ;D
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I watch Haiti destroyed Guyana 6-2 in Guyana. Haiti was all power and attacking football. I doubt very much that was Guyana 2nd team playing. I doubt this current TT team can measure up to Haiti.
That team was really Haiti C team with one regular national team player , the goaly. the team was made up of mostly U23 players straight out of Haiti. Haiti's best are currently in France lighting up the score board in France D2 league. They wouldn't come to play for Haiti due to disagreement with the current coach that they had publicly criticized in the media. They put together a B team. Most of that B team players couldn't get US visa to go to Guyana since there are no straight fly from Haiti to Guyana.That team that destroyed Guyana at home was mainly Haiti U-23 local based players and would probably take care of Guyana again tomorrow to move up Haiti in league A and a spot in the next GC.
Who is the regular NT player? The player with the Denmark JNT connection or is he a C team baller? ;D
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Daniel Phillips not even on the bench .i guess he don't fit into the eve style ?
Maybe he has matters to tend to: he was released by Watford.
He is unattached now if he stays this way he should get more playing time our NT... ;D
Heheheh. There's not even a chance of him playing in De Ascension. ;D
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Haiti playing mas with Guyana in these opening minutes. Doh miss de highlight reel. If this is a C team ... Hmmm!
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Haiti playing mas with Guyana in these opening minutes. Doh miss de highlight reel. If this is a C team ... Hmmm!
Guyana settled somewhat, but were eventually undone by a searching diagonal individual run with the ball (right flank to the left top of the D) accompanied by a foul that was sought across the face of the defender's body. That led to a free kick that hit the right upright ... being converted by a trailing player on the rebound directed to the left. All happened a few minutes before HT.
A bit naive by some of the defending Guyanese players as there was a failure to consider that offside would not apply to secondary movement. Good goal.
This match is unlikely to end as drastically as the previous one, but GT has to change a thing or two to get anything from this match.
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i am surprised what eve said at 3:55 . hmmm
https://www.youtube.com/v/57je5fo7Oms&t=245s
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i am surprised what eve said at 3:55 .
https://www.youtube.com/v/hHoo18osz2Q
The clip is 2:44 in duration. ???
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The clip is 2:44 in duration. ???
wait wrong one got posted
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Haiti playing mas with Guyana in these opening minutes. Doh miss de highlight reel. If this is a C team ... Hmmm!
Guyana settled somewhat, but were eventually undone by a searching diagonal individual run with the ball (right flank to the left top of the D) accompanied by a foul that was sought across the face of the defender's body. That led to a free kick that hit the right upright ... being converted by a trailing player on the rebound directed to the left. All happened a few minutes before HT.
A bit naive by some of the defending Guyanese players as there was a failure to consider that offside would not apply to secondary movement. Good goal.
This match is unlikely to end as drastically as the previous one, but GT has to change a thing or two to get anything from this match.
6-0 is more drastic than 6-2 :). It must have been very hot. Haitian and Guyanese players seem like fish in hot water. Very slow pace.
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Well, someone touched the destruct button. They were heading to a 4-0 outcome and then conceded 2 with less than 3 minutes to go in regulation. 4-0 would have been less drastic. :)
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Eve baffled over long Nations League break.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
ANGUS EVE, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago football team, is baffled over the long break in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League.
T&T played their first four matches, in Group C, League B earlier this month, but would have to wait until March 2023 to complete the group stage.
T&T were beaten 2-1 away to Nicaragua on June 3, but followed up with a trio of victories – versus Bahamas (1-0 at home on June 6) and against St Vincent/Grenadines (2-0 away on June 10 and 4-1 at home on Monday). The final pair of matches in the group will see T&T away to the Bahamas (March 24) and at home to Nicaragua (March 27).
Nicaragua sit atop the group with ten points from four games, followed by T&T (nine), Bahamas (three) and St Vincent/Grenadines (one).
The group winners will gain promotion to League A as well as a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. The runners-up will participate in the Gold Cup preliminary round, the third-placed team will remain in League B but the cellar-placed team will be relegated to League C.
Nonetheless, Eve is wondering why the Nations League could not have been completed in September.
During the post-game media conference on Monday, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Eve said, “It baffles me why we couldn’t finish the next two games in September, in the next (FIFA) window, while everybody is fresh and the competition is still in our minds.
“I don’t understand the big lay-off,” he added. “I think we could have just played in September and finish off the last two games.”
The next FIFA window runs from September 19-27, and that will be the last window before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which takes place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.
United States, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica are the Concacaf representatives at the World Cup, and there is a likelihood that, in the September window, those teams may prefer to focus on the World Cup rather than the Nations League.
Monday’s game at St Vincent/Grenadines was T&T’s most convincing in this Nations League campaign.
Eve commented, “It feels good when you can win 4-1 at home. I think the score could have easily been 10 or 11 (with) the chances we had. We have to give (their) goalkeeper (Lemus Christopher) a lot of credit, but I thought we missed a lot of easy chances to kill off the game a lot earlier.”
Asked for his assessment of the Nations League campaign, the T&T coach replied, “We started really badly, losing the game to Nicaragua and then we had to dig ourselves out of a hole. I think we’ve done that successfully so far. We’re treating each game that we play as a final.”
Utility player Noah Powder scored twice for T&T, while Judah Garcia and John-Paul Rochford contributed one apiece.
The United States-born Powder notched his maiden international goals and Eve pointed out, “(There) are a lot of players that are multi-faceted, who can play different positions.
“When you’re in a country like ours, where you don’t have a big cadre of international players who can play at this level, you have to maximise the players that you actually have. Noah is one of those players.”
Concerning the T&T team’s plans ahead of the Nations League resumption, Eve mentioned, “The guys would go back to their clubs and we’ll monitor them. It’s going to be a little bit difficult for us because a lot of our players are based in the United States and (their leagues) don’t start until April. We have a difficult task to try to get the players to be match-fit in time for those matches.”
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It’s going to be a little bit difficult for us because a lot of our players are based in the United States and (their leagues) don’t start until April. We have a difficult task to try to get the players to be match-fit in time for those matches.”
So Angus, what is the NC doing ? When there is a fifa window. Arrange games for the team. try and fit in which players are available. Arrange games with Ven., Panama, Colombia, Suriname, JA. Demand it from NC. I tired ah hearing that BS. Same thing with Hart and John Williams. We had a great run in the GC. We lost on pks to Panama. We had to go to Panama for a play off against Haiti about 3 months later for a guest appearance in the South American Copa. No friendlies!!! Haiti buss we with ah chongo goal. And that is what set off the impasse with Hart and Williams. Angus, you have been thru. this before. Demand a change in approach by the admins.
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The group winners will gain promotion to League A as well as a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. The runners-up will participate in the Gold Cup preliminary round, the third-placed team will remain in League B but the cellar-placed team will be relegated to League C.
It does not say anything about promotion for the second place team. So do what is necessary to gain promotion. Get these kiss me-arse friendlies for the team.
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Soca Warriors eye possible Guyana clash for GC spot.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors and coach Angus Eve face a possible second-round winner-take-all clash with the Guyana “Golden Jaguars’ coach by former T&T coach Jamaal Shabazz for a place in the main draw of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, which will also offer six places to the Copa America.
This was determined following Concacaf’s release of the details regarding the 2023 Gold Cup draw, including the event’s hosts, pots, and seeded nations.
The live draw, scheduled to take place on April 14, 2023, at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, will start at noon PT/local time (3:00 pm ET) and will be hosted by TUDN sportscaster Valeria Marin, Fox Sports Lead Soccer Analyst and US Men’s National Team legend Alexi Lalas and ESPN play-by-play commentator Fernando Palomo.
Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani, will participate in the event, alongside the teams’ head coaches and important guests. All will be available for interviews at the event’s arrival red carpet and post-draw mixed zone.
The 17th edition of the Gold Cup is scheduled to take place between June 16 - July 16, 2023, with the Final at SoFi Stadium, on Sunday, July 16, which will crown Concacaf’s best men’s national team and will conclude two months of elite football in the region that also include the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final and 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League Finals.
But before the Soca Warriors can step foot on the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage they will have to get through two rounds of preliminary qualification matches after failing to qualify directly from their four-team Concacaf Nations League B Group C round-robin home-and-away series.
T&T went into its final match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago needing a win against group leaders Nicaragua to secure the top spot in the group, and automatic qualification to the Gold Cup.
However, Eve’s men could only muster a 1-1 draw to end with 13 points, one behind Nicaragua to miss out on being among the 12 automatic qualifiers.
Following the conclusion of the second edition of the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) which served as the qualifier for the 2023 Gold Cup, the 12 teams who secured a berth in the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage, joining Asian Champions and guest nation, Qatar were League A group winners: Canada, Mexico, Panama, and USA along with League A runners-up Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Jamaica along with the League B group winning quartet of Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, and Nicaragua.
The 12 other teams to qualify for the Gold Cup preliminary qualifiers were League A third-place finishers, Curaçao, Grenada, Martinique, and Suriname along with League B second-place finishers French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, and T&T and League C group winners Puerto Rico, St Kitts/Nevis, St Lucia, and Sint Maarten.
And in the 2023 Gold Cup preliminary draw which was carried out using a single-blind system and one pot and based on the Concacaf rankings as of March 31, 2023, the teams participating in the prelims were seeded into a Round One matchup or placed in Pot One, as follows Round One matchups (six highest-ranked teams): T&T (#1), Martinique (#2), Curaçao (#3), French Guiana (#4), Suriname (#5), and Guyana (#6) who will be drawn against one of the teams from Pot One (Six lowest ranked teams) were Guadeloupe, St Kitts/Nevis, St Lucia, Grenada, Puerto Rico, and Sint Maarten.
The draw then determined that the T&T match against one of the teams from Pot One will meet the winner of the Guyana match (#1 vs #6) while #2 meets #5, and #3 comes up against #6 to give the three qualifiers for the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage Draw which will be carried out using a double-blind system, involving eight pots.
T&T has qualified for the Gold Cup main draw 11 out 16 times with its best showing coming in 2000 under coach Bertille St Clair when they were edged out by Canada 1-0 in their semifinal while they topped their main draw group comprising Mexico, Cuba and Guatemala in 2015 under Stephen Hart before losing 6-5 on penalty-kicks to Panama in the quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw.
T&T was also beaten 1-0 by Mexico in the quarterfinals in 2013, the only other time they have managed to qualify out of their round-robin pool.
Two years ago, with Eve at the helm for just under a month, T&T also had to go through a preliminary stage and hammered Montserrat 6-1 before getting the better of French Guiana 8-7 in sudden-death penalty-kicks after a 1-1 draw to reach the main draw where they drew goalless with Mexico, went under to El Salvador 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Guatemala in Group C.
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If we cyah beat Guyana, then ...................................
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If we cyah beat Guyana, then ...................................
Before getting to Round 2, we have to get past Round 1. Leave no round behind. :)
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Jones brothers among League B Best XI.
T&T Guardian Reports.
MIAMI – Several performances from English-speaking Caribbean Football Union (CFU) players proliferated three Best XIs chosen after the Concacaf Nations League group stage ended on Tuesday.
Concacaf said there were many great performances during the March window of matches, but they identified 33 performances that stood out the most from players at their respective positions.
Performances from CFU players earned only two spots in the Best XI 11 chosen out of League A, they secured all but three of the spots picked from League B, and swept all the spots in League C, which featured only teams from the Union.
Jamaica Reggae Boyz striker Bobby Reid earned recognition in the League A Best XI after he scored one of the best goals of the window with a hard-hit, swerving shot that went blazing into the top right corner of net in a 2-2 draw for the Reggae Boyz on the road against Mexico.
He also had a steal in the contest against the Concacaf giants in a crucial match for the Jamaicans.
The performance of Barbadian midfielder Shaquan Clarke caught the eye of the selection panel in League B.
No player had more steals during the window than Clarke, who amassed 26 over the two matches for the Bajan Tridents. He also had a clearance and completed almost 90 per cent of his passes.
Performances from Antigua & Barbuda goalkeeper Nicholas Townsend, Trinidad & Tobago Soca Warriors pair, defender Alvin Jones and his brother, midfielder Joevin Jones, were also among the Best XI recognised from League B.
Townsend was excellent in both matches for the Benna Boys, a 1-0 win against Guadeloupe and a narrow 2-1 loss against Barbados. He made a total of 13 saves in the window.
Alvin Jones completed 26 of 27 passes in a 3-0 win for the Warriors on the road against The Bahamas, plus three steals, a clearance, and an assist.
Joevin Jones scored in the win against The Bahamas and supplied the lone goal for the Warriors in the 1-1 draw against Nicaragua. He also had two steals and completed 94 per cent of his passes.
Performances from Turks & Caicos Islands striker Billy Forbes and St Lucian defender Kurt Frederick were among the leading from League C.
Forbes struck a pair of first half goals to power TCI to a 2-1 win on the road against Bonaire on the final day of matches. He also had an assist during the window.
St Lucia had two wins in two matches to finish Group C with a perfect record, and Frederick scored twice for them in a 3-1 win against Dominica, while adding a steal and three clearances.
Other performances recognised came from United States Virgin Islands goalkeeper Ramius Stiehler, St Lucia midfielder Gregson President, TCI midfielder Jeff Beljour, and St Kitts & Nevis striker Keithroy Freeman. - CMC
RELATED NEWS
Matos, Pierrot and Clarke star in CNL League B Best XI.
CONCACAF.COM.
MIAMI, Florida – The 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League group stage has come to an end for the 16 teams involved in League B. There were many great performances during the March window of games, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.
GK Nicholas Townsend, Antigua & Barbuda – Townsend was excellent in both games for the Benna Boys, a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe and a narrow 2-1 loss with Barbados. He made a total of 13 saves in the window.
DF Edarlyn Reyes, Dominican Republic – Reyes was as active as they come for a defender, with a goal on 10 shots and an assist for the Dominican Republic, who drew 1-1 at French Guiana and defeated Belize 2-0.
DF Alvin Jones, Trinidad & Tobago – Jones completed 26 of 27 passes in the 3-0 win at the Bahamas, plus three steals, a clearance and an assist.
DF Nicolas Samayoa, Guatemala – Guatemala captured first place in Group D thanks in part to Samayoa, who played in the 2-1 win at Belize and the 4-0 home win versus French Guiana. Samayoa had a goal, three steals and seven clearances.
MF Shaquan Clarke, Barbados – No player had more steals during the window than Clarke, who amassed 26 over the two games for the Bajan Tridents. He also had a clearance and completed almost 90 percent of his passes.
MF Joevin Jones, Trinidad & Tobago – Jones was stellar for the Soca Warriors, scoring in the 3-0 win at Bahamas and supplying the lone Trinidad & Tobago goal in the 1-1 draw with Nicaragua. He had two steals and completed 94 percent of his passes.
MF Derrick Etienne Jr., Haiti – The Haitian midfield stalwart was key in defense with 15 steals, while also productive going forward with a goal and an assist, as Haiti beat Montserrat 4-0 and Bermuda 3-1 to win Group B.
MF Matias Moldskred Belli, Nicaragua – Nicaragua won promotion to League A as the winner of Group C and Moldskred was a big reason why, with a goal, assist and clearance, as Nicaragua topped St. Vincent & the Grenadines 4-1 and drew Trinidad & Tobago 1-1.
FW Frantzdy Pierrot, Haiti – Pierrot had a goal in each Haiti victory, plus a steal while completing more than 84 percent of his passes.
FW Ariagner Smith, Nicaragua – Smith had a goal in each game for Nicaragua on nine shots in helping Nicaragua win their group and earn promotion to League A.
FW Yasnier Matos, Cuba – Matos’ goal in the finale versus Guadeloupe made all the difference for Cuba, who won Group A with a 1-0 victory. Matos completed 70 percent of his passes in two games.
WATCH Top Goals | The best goals of the Concacaf Nations League - March window (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owu2c4gNPRc)
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Prelims are June 16-20, gold cup proper is June 24-July 16.
Hopefully we have a very busy month.
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T&T draw DR, Barbados in next Nations League.
T&T Express Reports.
Trinidad and Tobago’s “Soca Warriors” have drawn Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Montserrat, in Group B of League B, following the draw for the 2023-2034 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) on Tuesday night.
The 2023/24 CNL group stage will be played during the official FIFA Match Windows in September, October, and November 2023.
The 2023/24 Nations League will be played in a three-League format (A, B, and C), with the region’s 41 men’s senior national teams distributed into the Leagues according to the results of the 2022/23 CNL.
As previously announced, League A has been expanded to include 16 teams, up from 12, and a new quarter-final round has been created to include more direct elimination matches, that will qualify teams for continental summer competitions.
For League A, the new quarter-finals will be played in November 2023. The 2023/24 CNL finals, where the third CNL champions will be crowned, will take place at a to-be-announced venue in March, 2024.
LEAGUE A: 16
NATIONAL TEAMS (GROUP STAGE AND QUARTER-FINALS)
Automatic quarter-finalists: United States, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica
Group A: Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Curaçao, Martinique, Nicaragua
Group B: Jamaica, Honduras, Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, Suriname
League B
Group A: Guadeloupe, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten
Group B: Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Montserrat, Barbados.
Group C: Belize, Bermuda, French Guiana, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Group D: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Guyana, Puerto Rico
League C
Group A: Anguilla, Bonaire, St. Martin
Group B: Aruba, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands
Group C: British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Turks and Caicos Islands
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Defence Force’s Biggette gets Soca Warriors CNL call-up.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Defence Force goalkeeper Christopher Biggette, 27, is the lone un-capped player named in a 40-man provisional squad by Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve for their opening match of the upcoming 2023/2024 CONCACAF Nations League which kicks off on September 7 against Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The Soca Warriors have been drawn in League A Group A with Curacao, El Salvador, Panama, Martinique, and Guatemala while Group B comprises Haiti, Jamaica, Honduras, Cuba, Suriname, and Grenada.
However, the Soca Warriors will only contest four matches in their pool based on the competition’s format with their opening fixture before travelling to El Salvador four days later.
T&T will then host Guatemala on October 13, and then play away to Curacao on October 17 to end their group campaign, after which the first and second-place finishers will advance to the CNL quarterfinals, where they will join the four top-ranked League A national teams.
The quarterfinal round will be played in a home-and-away format in the FIFA Match Window of November 2023, with the aggregate score winners in each quarterfinal matchup advancing to the 2024 CNL Finals and qualifying for the 2024 Conmebol Copa America.
The four seeded nations in the quarterfinals are (in alphabetical order): Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the USA.
The pairing for the quarterfinals will be determined based on the Concacaf Rankings of October 2023 (after the FIFA Window) and the 2023/24 CNL Group Stage results.
Along with Biggette, a former Jabloteh goalkeeper before making the switch to Defence Force whom he helped to the T&T Premier Football League and Knockout titles, Eve also recalled locally-based midfielders Tyrone Charles, Duane Muckette and Michael Poon-Angeron, all of AC Port-of-Spain, Tiger Tanks Club Sando striker Nathaniel James, the Defence Force trio of Reon Moore, Justin Garcia and Justin Sadoo as well as Ross Russell Jr of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, and USA-based Jesse Williams.
The other locally based named in the 40-man squad include goalkeepers Marvin Phillip (AC PoS), and Denzil Smith (Club Sando), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Real Gill (Club Sando), and Alvin Jones (Club Sando), who were all part of the 23-men Concacaf Gold Cup squad.
Among the other notable players shortlisted are Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren/Belgium), Kevin Molino of US Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, AEK Athens’ Levi Garcia, who is nursing a groin injury, Leland Archer (Charleston Battery/USA), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim/Norway), Aubrey David (Alajuelense/Costa Rica), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA), Tristan Hodge (Hartford Athletic/USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United/USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots/USA), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United/USA), and Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers/Canada) all members of the Gold Cup contingent while Canada-born midfielder Kristian Lee Him of IFK Eskilstuna, Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone), Jomal Williams (Once Deportivo), Canada-born striker Malcolm Shaw, and USA-based nippy winger Kaile Auvray.
At the Gold Cup, T&T ended with a 2-1 win-loss record in Group A after beating St Kitts/Nevis 3-0 before suffering heavy defeats against Jamaica 4-1, and then 6-0 versus the USA.
Following the squad of the squad Eve said he is always optimistic going into whatever tournament the team has and this will provide another opportunity for the team to come together.
With regards to his team’s chances of qualifying for the Copa America, Eve admitted that it will be a difficult task but at the same time, it will give the players the chance to improve their positioning in terms of enhance their chances of World Cup qualification.
Since being appointed in September 2021 when he replaced Englishman Terry Fenwich, Eve, 51, has enjoyed a record of 12 wins, nine draws, and seven defeats, and among his major wins, were a 9-0 triumph over Barbados and a 1-0 triumph away to Jamaica earlier this year in Jamaica, while his team also played to a 0-0 draw with Jamaica in March and with powerhouse Mexico to open their 2021 Gold Cup campaign.
Eve’s contract is expected to come up for review just ahead of the start of the 32-team Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in March 2024 as part of a competition in which teams will play up to 12 matches to reach the tournament.
T&T 40-man Concacaf Nations League provisional squad:
Goalkeepers:
Christopher Biggette (Defence Force), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim IL—Norway), Marvin Phillip (AC Port of Spain), Denzil Smith (W Connection);
Defenders:
Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren—Belgium), Aubrey David (SD Aucas—Ecuador), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC—USA), Triston Hodge (Hartford Athletic—USA), Alvin Jones, Josiah Trimmingham (both Club Sando), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Kareem Moses (FF Jaro—Finland), Andre Raymond (Dumiense CJP—Portugal), Ross Russell Jr (TLH Rangers), Luke Singh (Atletico Ottawa—Canada), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego—USA);
Midfielders:
Michel-Poon Angeron, Duane Muckette (both AC Port of Spain), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United—USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots SC—USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United 2—USA), Kristian Lee Him (IFK Eskilstuna—Sweden), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone—Scotland), Noah Powder (Northern Colorado Hailstorm—USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers—Canada), Justin Sadoo (Defence Force);
Forwards:
Kaïlé Auvray (Sporting KC Academy—USA), Tyrone Charles (AC Port of Spain), Judah Garcia (AEK Athens B—Greece), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens FC—Greece), Kadeem Corbin, Real Gill, Nathaniel James (all Club Sando), Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew—USA), Reon Moore (Defence Force), Malcolm Shaw (Atletico Ottawa—Canada), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC—USA), Jomal Williams (Once Deportivo—El Salvador).
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Defence Force’s Biggette gets Soca Warriors CNL call-up.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Defence Force goalkeeper Christopher Biggette, 27, is the lone un-capped player named in a 40-man provisional squad by Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve for their opening match of the upcoming 2023/2024 CONCACAF Nations League which kicks off on September 7 against Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The Soca Warriors have been drawn in League A Group A with Curacao, El Salvador, Panama, Martinique, and Guatemala while Group B comprises Haiti, Jamaica, Honduras, Cuba, Suriname, and Grenada.
However, the Soca Warriors will only contest four matches in their pool based on the competition’s format with their opening fixture before travelling to El Salvador four days later.
T&T will then host Guatemala on October 13, and then play away to Curacao on October 17 to end their group campaign, after which the first and second-place finishers will advance to the CNL quarterfinals, where they will join the four top-ranked League A national teams.
The quarterfinal round will be played in a home-and-away format in the FIFA Match Window of November 2023, with the aggregate score winners in each quarterfinal matchup advancing to the 2024 CNL Finals and qualifying for the 2024 Conmebol Copa America.
The four seeded nations in the quarterfinals are (in alphabetical order): Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the USA.
The pairing for the quarterfinals will be determined based on the Concacaf Rankings of October 2023 (after the FIFA Window) and the 2023/24 CNL Group Stage results.
Along with Biggette, a former Jabloteh goalkeeper before making the switch to Defence Force whom he helped to the T&T Premier Football League and Knockout titles, Eve also recalled locally-based midfielders Tyrone Charles, Duane Muckette and Michael Poon-Angeron, all of AC Port-of-Spain, Tiger Tanks Club Sando striker Nathaniel James, the Defence Force trio of Reon Moore, Justin Garcia and Justin Sadoo as well as Ross Russell Jr of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, and USA-based Jesse Williams.
The other locally based named in the 40-man squad include goalkeepers Marvin Phillip (AC PoS), and Denzil Smith (Club Sando), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Real Gill (Club Sando), and Alvin Jones (Club Sando), who were all part of the 23-men Concacaf Gold Cup squad.
Among the other notable players shortlisted are Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren/Belgium), Kevin Molino of US Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, AEK Athens’ Levi Garcia, who is nursing a groin injury, Leland Archer (Charleston Battery/USA), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim/Norway), Aubrey David (Alajuelense/Costa Rica), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA), Tristan Hodge (Hartford Athletic/USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United/USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots/USA), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United/USA), and Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers/Canada) all members of the Gold Cup contingent while Canada-born midfielder Kristian Lee Him of IFK Eskilstuna, Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone), Jomal Williams (Once Deportivo), Canada-born striker Malcolm Shaw, and USA-based nippy winger Kaile Auvray.
At the Gold Cup, T&T ended with a 2-1 win-loss record in Group A after beating St Kitts/Nevis 3-0 before suffering heavy defeats against Jamaica 4-1, and then 6-0 versus the USA.
Following the squad of the squad Eve said he is always optimistic going into whatever tournament the team has and this will provide another opportunity for the team to come together.
With regards to his team’s chances of qualifying for the Copa America, Eve admitted that it will be a difficult task but at the same time, it will give the players the chance to improve their positioning in terms of enhance their chances of World Cup qualification.
Since being appointed in September 2021 when he replaced Englishman Terry Fenwich, Eve, 51, has enjoyed a record of 12 wins, nine draws, and seven defeats, and among his major wins, were a 9-0 triumph over Barbados and a 1-0 triumph away to Jamaica earlier this year in Jamaica, while his team also played to a 0-0 draw with Jamaica in March and with powerhouse Mexico to open their 2021 Gold Cup campaign.
Eve’s contract is expected to come up for review just ahead of the start of the 32-team Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in March 2024 as part of a competition in which teams will play up to 12 matches to reach the tournament.
T&T 40-man Concacaf Nations League provisional squad:
Goalkeepers:
Christopher Biggette (Defence Force), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim IL—Norway), Marvin Phillip (AC Port of Spain), Denzil Smith (W Connection);
Defenders:
Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren—Belgium), Aubrey David (SD Aucas—Ecuador), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC—USA), Triston Hodge (Hartford Athletic—USA), Alvin Jones, Josiah Trimmingham (both Club Sando), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Kareem Moses (FF Jaro—Finland), Andre Raymond (Dumiense CJP—Portugal), Ross Russell Jr (TLH Rangers), Luke Singh (Atletico Ottawa—Canada), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego—USA);
Midfielders:
Michel-Poon Angeron, Duane Muckette (both AC Port of Spain), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United—USA), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots SC—USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United 2—USA), Kristian Lee Him (IFK Eskilstuna—Sweden), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone—Scotland), Noah Powder (Northern Colorado Hailstorm—USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers—Canada), Justin Sadoo (Defence Force);
Forwards:
Kaïlé Auvray (Sporting KC Academy—USA), Tyrone Charles (AC Port of Spain), Judah Garcia (AEK Athens B—Greece), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens FC—Greece), Kadeem Corbin, Real Gill, Nathaniel James (all Club Sando), Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew—USA), Reon Moore (Defence Force), Malcolm Shaw (Atletico Ottawa—Canada), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC—USA), Jomal Williams (Once Deportivo—El Salvador).
Ah guess, the memo that Aubrey is in Costa Rica (on loan) and not in Ecuador got stuck in the pipeline.
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Auvray, Williams urge unity before Curacao clash.
T&T Newsday Reports.
Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers Kaile Auvray and Jesse Williams are calling for unity in the team ahead of their Concacaf Nations League opener against Curacao on Thursday.
The teams clash at 6pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
The players spoke to TTFA media about T&T's upcoming matches vs Curacao and El Salvador (September 10). T&T men's coach Angus Eve, just three days before kick-off, is yet to name his final 23-man squad.
Both players were named in Eve's 40-man provisional squad, which also included former captain Kevin Molino. However, the 33-year-old Molino on Friday announced his retirement from international football.
Molino alleged a lack of respect for players by Eve as well as the FIFA-appointed TTFA normalisation committee, headed by Robert Hadad. The Columbus Crew attacker who captained T&T during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup also complained about a lack of strategy by Eve during that tournament. T&T exited the Gold Cup with one win vs St Kitts and crushing losses to Jamaica (4-1) and USA (6-0).
The French-born Auvray, who switched allegiance from Martinique to T&T, said, "I think the key will be communication, making sure everyone is communicating with each other, letting each other know certain things."
He said the team must show that the public "we really are here for business...every single time that we're out on the field."
Williams, who missed the Gold Cup, added, "The key for us will be togetherness; being together, gelling as one and letting unity prevail.
"We understand the task, we understand everything that's happening, but it's for us who got called upon to get the job done by any means necessary."
Auvray said the players are looking to bounce back from their group stage exit in the Gold Cup and show that they deserve to be in League A. T&T benefited from the expulsion of Nicaragua from League A for fielding an ineligible player, Uruguayan-born Richard Rodriguez, in League B.
Nicaragua had topped their group in League B and earned promotion to League A as well as automatic qualification to the 2023 Gold Cup. However, Concacaf's disciplinary committee eventually penalised Nicaragua and promoted group runners-up, T&T.
Auvray said players have been doing their homework watching tapes and seeing where they can improve individually as well as collectively.
He said three points in the first game vs Curacao is essential for the team to start on the right foot.
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https://www.youtube.com/v/BNOGtkI5o98
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(https://thettfa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TT-squad-sept-819x1024.jpg)
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Men get blacklisted bai. Sam wasn't in the 40 but make final 23, nice for him. Will support but not expecting anything special, good luck to the team same way
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Eve calls 11 local-based players for Nations League
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
IN contrast to his Gold Cup squad, Trinidad and Tobago men's football coach Angus Eve has leaned a lot more on local-based players for the Concacaf Nations League campaign which kicks off at 6pm on Thursday against Curacao.
Eve named just six local-based players for the Gold Cup earlier this year but has included 11 home-based pros in his latest squad.
In-form Defence Force forward Reon Moore, who was surprisingly omitted from the Gold Cup team, gets the nod this time. His club-mate and forward Brent Sam, who was not part of Eve's provisional squad, has also been included.
AC Port of Spain midfielders Duane Muckette and Michel Poon-Angeron have also been selected after missing the Gold Cup.
There is no room for national veterans Alvin Jones and his brother Joevin Jones.
The former, 29, has been a standout player for T&T in defence and a threat on setpieces and overlapping in attack. Alvin broke the deadlock for T&T in their opening Gold Cup game vs St Kitts and Nevis with an exceptional goal. The Jones brothers were both part of the Concacaf Nations League Best XI for League B.
Eve's final squad was named just 48 hours before T&T face Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. The national team was rocked on Friday by the sudden retirement of former captain Kelvin Molino.
The attacking player said his international exit was owing to alleged disrespect by Eve to senior players as well as a lack of clear strategy by the coach.
T&T Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jabari St Hillaire (Defence Force - T&T), Christopher Biggette (Defence Force - T&T), Denzil Smith (W Connection - T&T)
Defenders: Aubrey David (CS Cartaginés - Costa Rica), Ross Russell Jr (La Horqueta Rangers - T&T), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego - USA), Kareem Moses (FF Jaro - Finland), Justin Garcia (Defence Force - T&T), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC - USA), Andre Raymond (Dumiense CJP - Portugal).
Midfielders: Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers - Canada), Duane Muckette (AC Port of Spain - T&T), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots - USA), Michel Poon-Angeron (AC Port of Spain - T&T), Kevon Goddard (Defence Force - T&T), Kristian Lee-Him (IFK Eskilstuna - Sweden), Daniel Phillips (St. Johnstone FC - Scotland).
Forwards: Ryan Telfer (Miami FC - USA), Kaïlé Auvray (Sporting Kansas City Academy - USA), Nathaniel James (Club Sando - T&T), Reon Moore (Defence Force - T&T), Malcolm Shaw (Atlético Ottawa - Canada), Brent Sam (Defence Force - T&T).
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Hadad is the new DJW.
There's about 6 key fellas missing, which will prove costly.
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Eve hails new dawn, queries timing of Molino criticism.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).
NATIONAL men's football coach Angus Eve has called the overhaul of his squad a "new beginning" ahead of Thursday's Concacaf Nations League opener against Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. The match kicks off at 6pm.
T&T face El Salvador in the Central American country on Sunday before tackling Guatemala in the next international window on October 13.
At a media conference on Wednesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Eve said, "We have picked a lot of young players because we have to rebuild the team going into World Cup qualifying in 2026."
Eve's 23-man squad retains just nine players from his Gold Cup team just two months ago with 11 local-based players getting the nod.
Defence Force, winners of the inaugural TT Premier Football League and the knockout tournament, boast six players in the team. The club is also joint top of their group in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup.
The freshening up of Eve's squad came three days after his former captain Kevin Molino, 33, announced his international retirement and claimed Eve had lost the dressing room.
In an interview with Wired868, Molino alleged disrespect towards senior players and a lack of on-field strategy by Eve during the Gold Cup – the former's last appearance in national colours.
The Carenage-born player was part of Eve's provisional 40-man squad for the Nations League. Also missing out are senior players such as Joevin Jones, 32, and his brother Alvin Jones 29.
The Jones brothers – both from Carenage – are good friends of Molino. Last month Molino wished Joevin a happy birthday in an Instagram post calling him his "brother".
Asked whether the inspiration to inject new blood in his squad was an attempt to keep control of his dressing room, Eve said, "We announced the 40-man squad before this conversation started – and then these things came out."
Eve said the sidelining of Alvin was owing to match fitness. The right-back and his brother were part of the Concacaf Best XI in League B of the Nations League. Alvin also opened T&T's account at the 2023 Gold Cup with a goal against St Kitts and has been a reliable performer for the national team for years. In October 2017, Jones scored a memorable long-range strike to eliminate USA from World Cup contention. He was in action 26 days ago in the Concacaf Caribbean Shield semifinals against Martinique's Golden Lion FC.
Eve said, "Alvin team get knocked out a couple months ago. We just believe Shannon (Gomez of San Antonio FC in the USL Championship) is a bit more match fit and ready at this point in time. That is part of the decision why Alvin Jones (was omitted)."
Eve: Why criticise me now?
Eve, who also hails from Carenage, said the decision to put the focus on younger legs was no different from that of his opposition as Curacao changed 12 players from their Gold Cup team.
He added, "It's so sad that all the questions are focused on me.
"If somebody wants to retire, for whatever reason it may be....I was left out of the (2006) World Cup team unceremoniously I probably thought. I never went anywhere and said anything about the coach (Leo) Beenhakker. I accepted the decision he made.
"If there were issues with me before, why wouldn't they say it at the time, since (June) 2021 to 2023. That is as much as I want to say. I respect all the players. I think I have a good relationship with all the players."
The former national captain said Molino's retirement is a massive loss.
"Kevin Molino has been a stalwart for a long time. Like everything else, Russell (Latapy) had to leave, we left, and others have to take over. I want to wish him all the best whatever he does in the future. He is a player (who) lived with me a very long time as a player, and a young man in my community."
Eve said the Columbus Crew player is entitled to express his opinion on any topic.
"Kevin is an individual He has the right to feel however he feels about any situation. He has the right to do so."
Eve said he wants the focus to be on the young men representing TT and not the negative stuff.
"I don't focus on negative stuff. I have to be focused for these guys here. These guys I'm putting my belief in for TT. Young men are dying all over the place with gun violence. These men want to do something positive for their country."
Three points important
Eve said the aim is to pick up maximum points before heading on the road. "It's of paramount importance because the home games is what you try to win. It would do the world of confidence to these young players."
Eve said his squad is younger but the players have been around the national set-up. "The only one who was not in the squad previously was (goalie Christopher) Biggette.
"A lot of the guys have been in and out. Every single window is a competition. We don't have time to give the players much-needed friendly matches. We've been given them games periodically."
New national captain Aubrey David, 32, said, "Our main focus is to start the tournament in the right way – getting three points. We have the home support, we're playing home. It's important to stay focused on that and stay concentrated."
Eve will be matching wits with interim Curacao head coach Dean Gorré, who was appointed just a week ago. However, Eve said there is no advantage to T&T as his opposite number was no stranger to the Curacao programme as he previously served as technical director.
Curacao is being captained by midfielder Leandro Bacuna who played for Watford FC in the English Championship last season. Bacuna is now representing FC Groningen in the Dutch second division.
Gorré and Bacuna both said they looked up to T&T as a respected Concacaf team having previously qualified for the World Cup.
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"If there were issues with me before, why wouldn't they say it at the time, since (June) 2021 to 2023. That is as much as I want to say. I respect all the players. I think I have a good relationship with all the players."
You were given a chance but you got exposed ....
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Eve's post match comments after 3-0 loss at home:
" We were outplayed by Curacao. They call their foreign born players for this match. 85% of them playing top flight football in Europe. While our guys are playing in the USL and Pro league. We are at an disadvantage because of the laws around getting a TT passport. ."
Eve has the potential. BUT he will be better suited working as an assistant AFTER he gets mentorship. THEN he might be ready to coach a small Island team and slowly move towards coaching the national team.
On the other hand, to be fair to Eve, can it be that we don't produce quality players anymore?
Eve is trying his best. But his lack of experience coaching outside of Trinidad and Tobago is why he can't transform a poor performing team into a mediocre team.
I feel we go take licks tonight. It feels like the day of the USA game. I hope I'm wrong. Best luck team
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On the other hand, to be fair to Eve, can it be that we don't produce quality players anymore? That is the crux of the matter right there.
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any links
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Eve does not even have a starting 11 ....every game in the nations league competiton he changed his team
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Links?
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https://www.streamhd.ws/
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https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=search&v=608851894517553
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thanx for the livestream. who is #17? [terrible we so amateur now no names on shirts again]
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17 # justin garcia
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This is some embarrassing stuff T&T putting down dey. EVE please go back to Junior Sec football. Yuh outta yuh depth. Too painful to watch this stuff.
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nice goal by natty
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I thought we were in for at least 3. Good scrappy game. We missing some key guys. But good result. Curacao is probably the toughest test.
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I liked the new players we brought in. Curaçao is ranked 88 and us 102 so this was a good win. (Thanks for the link)
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I thought we were in for at least 3. Good scrappy game. We missing some key guys. But good result. Curacao is probably the toughest test.
This may be the easiest game
l
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I done oui.
A better team would have blasted us with 7-10 goals.
I started rooting for Curacao
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We are one of the lowest ranked teams in our group, ahead of only Guatemala. Were we expecting to destroy higher ranked teams who are also better on paper? I thought winning this game despite the lack of possession was good. The players we have are not all playing in the best leagues in the world so the quality of our play won’t be that of France but I’m proud of these players and they got the result.
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umh. not sure what i learned this match. good for kristian lee him that he got a second chance, which i don't think he seized either...but also didn't play himself out of another look or two. Hackshaw and Muckette just play negative passes all the bloody time man. (almost ready to call it quits on Hackshaw, depending on age). Again I like Telfer and Moore up top, I think they feed off each other well and if they get used to each other Telfer would pass the ball more often, fall into a more creative role. Auvray does try to do too much sometimes -- need a coach to encourage him to make a nice pass after doing all the good work. Andre Rampersad growing on me fast - workhorse. Have to go back on my opinion that our use for Aubrey done, cuz even though the mistakes still there, look like the back need a marshall like him. Good job Natty, still raw but hopefully improve with more minutes...even let him start next game [bring on malcolm shaw?]. I think I good on Andre Raymond: still young so time to improve, but not deserving of NT callups imo. Get fit R Russell Jr! did the ask on overlapping runs as well as decent defending. Dan Phillips remind me of Eve. I hope he keep improving, but i realize I might not be fully appreciating his defensive role, though i do see the scrapp in him. wish we could use this phase of the league to see some more young players.
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Ah, kounty ... but for Raymond's enterprise there would have been no keen delivery of the ball that produced the goalscoring opportunity. That counts for more than a lil bit.
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Eve's post match comments after 3-0 loss at home:
" We were outplayed by Curacao. They call their foreign born players for this match. 85% of them playing top flight football in Europe. While our guys are playing in the USL and Pro league. We are at an disadvantage because of the laws around getting a TT passport. ."
Eve has the potential. BUT he will be better suited working as an assistant AFTER he gets mentorship. THEN he might be ready to coach a small Island team and slowly move towards coaching the national team.
On the other hand, to be fair to Eve, can it be that we don't produce quality players anymore?
Eve is trying his best. But his lack of experience coaching outside of Trinidad and Tobago is why he can't transform a poor performing team into a mediocre team.
I feel we go take licks tonight. It feels like the day of the USA game. I hope I'm wrong. Best luck team
He is coaching a small island team. With small island tactics at that! Doh get tings twisted.
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I done oui.
A better team would have blasted us with 7-10 goals.
I started rooting for Curacao
Wisdom!
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nice goal by natty
I wrote home about it. :applause:
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On the other hand, to be fair to Eve, can it be that we don't produce quality players anymore? That is the crux of the matter right there.
Wanna bet? Eve isn't even being fair to himself.
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This is some embarrassing stuff T&T putting down dey. EVE please go back to Junior Sec football. Yuh outta yuh depth. Too painful to watch this stuff.
Might as well let Anton coach the team?
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Hadad is the new DJW.
There's about 6 key fellas missing, which will prove costly.
Not even close.
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thanx for the livestream. who is #17? [terrible we so amateur now no names on shirts again]
The federation would have to have its own "printing press". Revolutionary idea.
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PTSC national team in full effect........BIG coach football and ah not talking about eve
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Sitting back in the frist half then having players express in the second half.
https://www.youtube.com/v/iSOjYPd-1B4
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We sit back and allow possession too much, Curacao was allowed to complete passes over and over again. That first half was ugly. Several times Daniel Phillip was the only one pressing quickly which does not work unless others join in. Rampersad is good, he solid and physical. Hackshaw still have a belly.
Our wing play through Auvray and Telfer is decent, but since we playing the inverted wingers on each side I would expect more support from the wing backs in overlapping runs and central midfielders to play 1-2s off of. We have no attack through the middle.
In this game like in the gold cup I feel like a lot of players playing to not get tired; fraid to commit to runs because it's a long run back if we lose possession.
Congrats to James on his goal, looks like he had a chance for a second as well.
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Mr.Eve must be doing something right because many on here if they are honest expected us to lose.The statistics showed we had the better of the game so I don't see a big problem.Sometimes football could be made more complicated than it's supposed to be,I heard AE,telling the players,"if every player do what he is supposed to do we should not have problems"that,I must admit is true.We won and some are not satisfied,we beat a good team with players in better leagues than ours.
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@Peong . Good analysis.
Daniel Phillips is a hard worker. I would have loved to seen him up against the Reggae brits.
Telfer should be playing in the MLS. He's willing to take chances and dribble the ball at the right time.
Auvray is crafty. I wish he can grow about 3 to 4 inches. Despite his size, he's fearless against players bigger than him.
James is another player I think should be in USL at least. I hope he get to go overseas. Good attack minded player. Also I seen him come back and defend.
@ Frico. Yes I was one of the guys on here that downplayed Eve. I still don't agree with some of his tactics. But it worked for this game. The majority of Curacao's starters all play top flight in Europe. The quality was well on display. However, Curacao can't play scrappy Caribbean football. St Kitts brought the same type of game to Curacao and knocked them out of the Gold cup qualifiers.
Curacao played the better game up until the 60th minute. After that, we started to grow in the game. This ultimately tipped the scale in our favor.
Whatever happened to Khaleem Hyland? At 34 years of age, I don't think he is done.
Next game is El Salvador. I say we go big, strong and speedy for that game. That's how Jamaica gets the results over them Central Americans.
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gawd on pitch Thank you borse!
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My pleasure Frico
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Congrats and a good three points . We are giving the opposition too much time on the ball in our third. I like the Moore/ Telfer up front. Someone in midfield needs to take the ball and run into the opposition Third. Hackshaw and Auvray did it and created problems for the centre backs.Leandro Bacuna got player of the match and Hackshaw got a 7.5 rating Rampersad 7.4 and David a 7.4. Source FOTMOB.
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I forgot about Moore. He's another talent that should be playing abroad. I hope he can find something in the USL or Canadian Premier League.
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Just peeping een........ah see Trini_2026 changed his handle again.....you eh giving up hope boy..... ;D
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I forgot about Moore. He's another talent that should be playing abroad. I hope he can find something in the USL or Canadian Premier League.
Doh overlook that he had a recent opportunity in Guatemala.
That stated, it is my view that the team, on balance, loses more than it supposedly gains by not including Moore as a starter.
Everything comes out in the wash of coaching preferences, but just looking at defending (in a vacuum) and attacking (also in a vacuum), without exploring transition (through various "interpretations" ... not just "hard" forward running), isn't going to cut it without variation(s).
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Mr.Eve must be doing something right because many on here if they are honest expected us to lose. The statistics showed we had the better of the game so I don't see a big problem. Sometimes football could be made more complicated than it's supposed to be,I heard AE,telling the players,"if every player do what he is supposed to do we should not have problems"that,I must admit is true.We won and some are not satisfied,we beat a good team with players in better leagues than ours.
The statistics or the score? Even the stats in the public domain show more shots and more shots on target by the opponent, more passes by a factor of 2 by the opponent, higher passing accuracy by the opponent, more offside positions and a higher number of defensive interventions by the opposition. Oh and 2/3 of the ball possession! If we get more sophisticated than that, it would be a slam dunk indictment. So, frico, dahis WHY there is a level of dissatisfaction and skepticism revolving around a lone [somewhat] opportunistic goal.
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We sit back and allow possession too much, Curacao was allowed to complete passes over and over again. That first half was ugly. Several times Daniel Phillip was the only one pressing quickly which does not work unless others join in. Rampersad is good, he solid and physical. Hackshaw still have a belly.
Our wing play through Auvray and Telfer is decent, but since we playing the inverted wingers on each side I would expect more support from the wing backs in overlapping runs and central midfielders to play 1-2s off of. We have no attack through the middle.
In this game like in the gold cup I feel like a lot of players playing to not get tired; fraid to commit to runs because it's a long run back if we lose possession.
Congrats to James on his goal, looks like he had a chance for a second as well.
Structural and philosophical problem in the anglo Caribbean. You would cringe when senior coaches in the region explain why. Being dispossessed in central areas figures as a concern. It is what it isn't. Concede a critical area of the pitch at your leisure. ::) ... as if no solution other than flank play exists.
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Congrats and a good three points. We are giving the opposition too much time on the ball in our third. I like the Moore/ Telfer up front. Someone in midfield needs to take the ball and run into the opposition Third. Hackshaw and Auvray did it and created problems for the centre backs. Leandro Bacuna got player of the match and Hackshaw got a 7.5 rating Rampersad 7.4 and David a 7.4. Source FOTMOB.
Clear as day, but inherently a "deliberate tactic" that "arguably" is tied to re/organizing the defense. Let's see how the argument stands up when the ball circulation is faster and really vertical.
It is reactive football rather than proactive football and when up against players whose reaction times and instincts are more enhanced than ours, well ... foregone conclusion?
I tend to think every day is not Christmas Day. I also tend to think everyday is not July 10, 2021 (Mexico 0 - T&T 0).
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Gawd James should keep away from the USL as long as possible. This USL :cursing:
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You're right Trini. I just think it better than where he's at now.
Interesting thing I was reading about the USL to MLS transition for players. Apparently the chances of going to the MLS from the USL, is less than 8%. Once you get in the USL , you either stay or sink down further.
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I was wondering the same thing. Stats further proved we were outplayed. Putting aside the stats, we just looked awful but credit to the team for getting the 3 points. El Salvador will be a very tough game especially on the road.
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David salutes team effort in Warriors win.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors captain, defender Aubrey David, was full of praise for his teammates following their narrow 1-0 win over Curacao in their opening Concacaf Nations League A Group A match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Thursday night.
Substitute Nathaniel James, making his debut, got the decisive strike for the Angus Eve-coached Soca Warriors in the 86th minute to grab all three points in their first match since exiting the Concacaf Gold Cup at the group stage in July with a 6-0 loss to host USA.
The 32-year-old Guyana-born David, who has featured 72 times for the T&T squad speaking after the narrow win before a crowd of 5,181 spectators said, “As I was emphasizing before the match it was very important for us to win our home game and leave here with the three points and start on the right foot knowing that we have a tough game away to El Salvador.
“So, it's now for us to stay focused, get recovered as fast as possible because we know it’s going to be a challenging game."
Reflecting on the match, David who plies his trade with CS Cartagines in the Costa Rica Primer Division Clausura, applauded the team effort saying, "It was a great job by each and everyone that played, and including the substitutes that came on and changed the game for us.
"It was a great effort by the staff and players and I’m so grateful for that and I just want to say wonderful job by the boys."
With regards to the caution and defensive approach from the T&T team at the start of the match, David defended the team tactics saying, "Basically, before the game, we knew the technical team and how they approach the game, and we knew that there were going to be moments in the game that we were not going to have the ball and we set our minds that when we reached to that stage and we don’t have the ball we would work and we stay disciplined and we keep shape, and then after we will catch them on the counterattack.
"Because we have very fast wingers, and we have willing strikers who are willing to run behind the defence, so we knew that there were going to be times that we would be under pressure, and we also knew there was going to be a time that we were going to have possession of the ball, and we saw that in the second half, so it was just about game management and managing the moments and staying discipline.
"So, yes we were under pressure, but I think the lads dealt with it very well and in the second half, we had good spells of possession and thankfully we came out with the victory."
The T&T captain was also in high praise of match-winner Nathaniel James for his impact off the bench.
"I would like to say congrats to Nathaniel on his first goal, he did an excellent job when he came on, and we continue to move on," noted David.
"It shows that we have a lot of willing and new players who are willing to raise their hand up and say that they deserve to be on the national team, and I think that is what we showed tonight (Thursday) with the effort from the new guys, and the guys that made their debut.
"For me, it was a well-rounded performance by the team, and each and everyone performed their shift, whether they started or whether they came on and it was good discipline and good concentration because we know sometimes that concentration lets us down in some important games.
"But, today (Thursday) we stayed concentrated for 90 minutes and everybody just put in their shift and did a good job.”
Commenting on the performance of goalkeeper Denzil Smith, 23, of Tiger Tanks Club Sando who made his debut in the win, David said he had some important saves during the match.
“Denzil has been around the national set-up for a while, he’s just been awaiting on his opportunity. So, he was there before with the senior players like Marvin (Phillip), and Nicklas (Frenderup) who unfortunately are injured, so he learnt a lot from then, and it wasn’t that he would be scared or anything like that because he has been around, and I thought he did a tremendous job.
"He had some important saves for us and he didn’t show any nervousness, he was confident and he was very vocal for us, and he was a key player, and I just think that this is a performance for him to build on because he did a great job.”
James: I was ready to make an impact
Striker Nathaniel James, who scored the winning goal against Curacao on debut in T&T’s 1-0 win, said he was ready to answer coach Eve's call.
Speaking after the match and his match-winning strike on his senior team debut, the 19-year-old La Horquetta-born James said, “I know when coach (Eve) called me it was to make an impact to the game, and I just wanted to be explosive and I wanted to be an asset to the team, and it was a great feeling.”
He added, “The goal, and everything just happened in slow motion and it was a lot of emotions running through my mind, and head and it was a great feeling and I’m really proud and thankful for the opportunity.”
James noted his goal celebration was in tribute to a close friend who passed away recently to gun violence.
He explained, “It was a tribute to my friend who passed away in La Horquetta and I just wanted to dedicate the goal today (Thursday) to him and it was a lot of emotions, and it was just basically a message to everyone that we need to come together as a community and as a country and just be one with each other and live in harmony."
The 2023 T&T Premier Football League top goal scorer, James, formerly of Queen’s Royal College added that he can be a real asset to coach and the national team going forward.
A confident James added, "I can bring a lot of explosiveness to the team and can be used as a winger, attacking midfielder and as a striker, and I think I can also be very dynamic and help the team.
“Getting the nod to go on late in the game with the game as it was, shows a lot of confidence from the coach and showed that in a time like that, he believed in me, and it also shows that I can compete at that level," said the T&T striker.
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Nathaniel James on goal vs Curacao: 'I wanted to be explosive'.
By Jonathan Ramnanansiingh (T&T Newsday).
Nineteen-year-old attacker Nathaniel “Natty” James was Trinidad and Tobago’s impact player against Curacao in their opening Concacaf Nations League contest on Thursday, as he netted the lone goal to give T&T a 1-0 victory to start the tourney.
James was substituted on in the 82nd minute, replacing Kaile Auvray, 19, and found the back of the net five minutes later, to grab three crucial points for T&T. This was his first goal as a senior player.
Despite being outplayed at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo in the first half, T&T upped the ante late in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts courtesy James’s timely strike.
When he was called up on by head coach Angus Eve, with just eight minutes to go before the end of regulation time, James knew what he was being asked to deliver.
“I knew when the coach called me, it was to make an impact on the game. I wanted to be explosive and be an asset to the team. It was a great feeling (to score).
“The ball came (off a downward header from teammate Ryan Telfer).
"Everything just happened in slow motion. (There were) a lot of emotions running through my mind. I’m really proud and thankful for the opportunity,” James said in the post-match interview.
The La Horquetta-born player was pleased that Eve trusted him to help turn things around.
He added, “It was a big confidence boost. The coach showed me in a time like this, although so late in the game, he believed in me, and it showed me that he thinks I can compete at this level. I want to continue doing that and be part of the team and be big in personality.”
Eve did not attend the post-match briefing since he was “unavoidably absent,” according to TTFA media officer Shaun Fuentes.
Assistant coach Derek King was grateful for the team’s efforts as they shook off a listless first half to get the win. TT struggled to string together passes in the first half and enjoyed just 37 per cent possession for the game.
King said, “We went with our game plan as well. It’s a new team, in the sense that we played with just a few experienced players and we played a team with some new players and a new coach.
“So I think we did well today. We were disciplined. The more the game went on, in the second half the players were really outstanding, and we came out with the three points.”
The five substitutions in the second half – James, Andre Raymond, Duane Muckette, Reon Moore and Kristian Lee-Him – were crucial, King said.
He said T&T’s pool of potential players remains bountiful, and sees a brighter future.
“We saw our midfield line, with the likes of Daniel Phillip, he did well. And the likes of Muckette and Moore coming on as more ball players. So I think we started to handle the ball in the second half and get joy going forward.
“It’s very important for us as a young team – step by step. The main thing was to get a good result at home, but we will build. We are still analysing players who will add to the team. We have a few players who are injured at the moment. Once we get the bunch together and gel, you’d see a different T&T team.”
King also praised James’s performance.
“A young player – we saw him at youth level: he’s knocking on the door for an overseas contract. He’s someone that we really had to nurture as a youth. (By) just introducing him today, he did well, and that will build his confidence going forward.”
Additionally, captain and defender Aubrey David was also in good spirits, but stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum heading into Sunday’s away match against El Salvador.
FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification, he said, is the ultimate target.
“We defended well. I think it’s more or less believing in ourselves. It’s a young team and it’s confidence (that matters) at the end of the day. Once we believe in ourselves and maintain ball possession, we will come out with a result.
“We’ll be analysing the game (Curacao), then we’ll be prepared come Sunday.
“Our main focus is 2026. Within the next year FIFA World Cup qualifiers will start so we have to now groom those young players. What we need is to expose them to international football and get proper games (practice) for them as well.
“It’s now for us to stay focused (and) recover as fast as possible, because it’s going to be a challenging game. It’s been a great job by everyone that played, even the substitutes that came on, who changed the game for us.”
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David salutes team effort in Warriors win.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors captain, defender Aubrey David, was full of praise for his teammates following their narrow 1-0 win over Curacao in their opening Concacaf Nations League A Group A match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Thursday night.
Substitute Nathaniel James, making his debut, got the decisive strike for the Angus Eve-coached Soca Warriors in the 86th minute to grab all three points in their first match since exiting the Concacaf Gold Cup at the group stage in July with a 6-0 loss to host USA.
The 32-year-old Guyana-born David, who has featured 72 times for the T&T squad speaking after the narrow win before a crowd of 5,181 spectators said, “As I was emphasizing before the match it was very important for us to win our home game and leave here with the three points and start on the right foot knowing that we have a tough game away to El Salvador.
“So, it's now for us to stay focused, get recovered as fast as possible because we know it’s going to be a challenging game."
Reflecting on the match, David who plies his trade with CS Cartagines in the Costa Rica Primer Division Clausura, applauded the team effort saying, "It was a great job by each and everyone that played, and including the substitutes that came on and changed the game for us.
"It was a great effort by the staff and players and I’m so grateful for that and I just want to say wonderful job by the boys."
With regards to the caution and defensive approach from the T&T team at the start of the match, David defended the team tactics saying, "Basically, before the game, we knew the technical team and how they approach the game, and we knew that there were going to be moments in the game that we were not going to have the ball and we set our minds that when we reached to that stage and we don’t have the ball we would work and we stay disciplined and we keep shape, and then after we will catch them on the counterattack.
"Because we have very fast wingers, and we have willing strikers who are willing to run behind the defence, so we knew that there were going to be times that we would be under pressure, and we also knew there was going to be a time that we were going to have possession of the ball, and we saw that in the second half, so it was just about game management and managing the moments and staying discipline.
"So, yes we were under pressure, but I think the lads dealt with it very well and in the second half, we had good spells of possession and thankfully we came out with the victory."
The T&T captain was also in high praise of match-winner Nathaniel James for his impact off the bench.
"I would like to say congrats to Nathaniel on his first goal, he did an excellent job when he came on, and we continue to move on," noted David.
"It shows that we have a lot of willing and new players who are willing to raise their hand up and say that they deserve to be on the national team, and I think that is what we showed tonight (Thursday) with the effort from the new guys, and the guys that made their debut.
"For me, it was a well-rounded performance by the team, and each and everyone performed their shift, whether they started or whether they came on and it was good discipline and good concentration because we know sometimes that concentration lets us down in some important games.
...
Fair and reasonably accurate assessment by the captain. Perhaps, moreso than what was stated by the assistant coach post-match.
The above having being proposed at home, what would be the proposition on the road?
I don't think any regular observer will be under any illusions as to what to expect.
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You're right Trini. I just think it better than where he's at now.
Interesting thing I was reading about the USL to MLS transition for players. Apparently the chances of going to the MLS from the USL, is less than 8%. Once you get in the USL , you either stay or sink down further.
The US concept being: it's better for the players to sink or surface than for clubs to be relegated.
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Links?
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maybe sportsmax
I'm waiting on the pan vs gua to see
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sportsmax
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Oh what a bullet by Telfer!
https://cdn.buffstreamz.fun/embed77/?event=stack.html&link=1&domain=&force=https%3A%2F%2Fembedstream.me%2Fstreams%2Ftrinidad-and-tobago-stream-1&ask=1694401800&lgt=3
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EL SALVADOR JUST RUNNING AT US
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Denzil Smith looking real shaky in this game. We can't keep possession. El Salvador will have about 25 shots this game. Defenders not picking up attacking players in the final third.
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Somebody need to shackle dem two Salva men who running through the middle, Moreno and Roldan. Plenty positives from us, our physical play is working well in attack. We just have to watch out for dem through balls and runs through the middle. Keeper need to hold dem high balls please. Focus boys
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I baffles me how just garcia was not selected for the gold cup he is good
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nice game
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Oh gord man, is 2 mins we hold de lead for?
And I really didn't expect that elsal would be so effective on set pieces. Our boys working hard
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we score
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:wavetowel: 3 shots 3 goals
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since when elsalvador does have our team looking so shot after shot they just running at us
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Oh gord man, is 2 mins we hold de lead for?
And I really didn't expect that elsal would be so effective on set pieces. Our boys working hard
They know our soft spot, ergo ...
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2 wins 6 points but gosh is ah shooting gallery
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Ey when last we come from behind to win? Congrats
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Much better second half. Denzil settled down in goal. Outshot 27-4. 2 games with 30% possession and 2 wins.
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Good win, especially in a place like that. A few things to work on but also quite a few positives.
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Much better second half. Denzil settled down in goal. Outshot 27-4. 2 games with 30% possession and 2 wins.
Yeah, Denzil definitely had a lil challenge today.
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Why did we end up having to play about 15 added minutes,anyway I was well aware that El Salvador will be a very difficult match,this experience will work very well for us.Well done to the boys.
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@Frico if you look at the score on Google, it would say that we played that. But we only played 5mins of extra time. I watched the match. Mistake on Google scoreboard
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Trinidad and Tobago make statement with win over El Salvador.
CONCACAF.COM
MIAMI, Florida – Group A of League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League completed its September window on Sunday, with Trinidad and Tobago moving to the top of the group with their second win in two matches.
The day wrapped up with Trinidad and Tobago rallying for a 3-2 victory over El Salvador at the Estadio Jorge Gonzalez in San Salvador.
El Salvador were aggressive from the start and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 17’ when Dustin Corea played in a free kick that Eriq Zavaleta met with a perfectly placed header into net.
Trinidad and Tobago’s response was almost immediate, as Reon Moore played in a cross to Ryan Telfer from the left wing, and the first touch gave Telfer the time and space to fire into the net the 1-1 equalizer in the 22’.
Things were wide open to begin the second stanza and Trinidad and Tobago made the most of it, taking a 2-1 lead in the 51’ through Malcolm Shaw, who converted a penalty after being fouled in the box by Zavaleta.
Right back came El Salvador to pull even 2-2 in the 53’ courtesy of Brayan Gil, whose nodded header off a corner kick deflected right back to him, allowing him to guide a shot into net.
Back and forth the teams went with each looking for a winning score. That precious third goal would fall for the visiting Soca Warriors, as a falling away Justin Garcia managed to pop a header over El Salvador GK Tomas Romero in the 72’ to make it 3-2.
El Salvador pushed hard for a third to get a point, but Trinidad and Tobago GK Denzil Smith was excellent in net and made the saves to lock down the three points.
WATCH Highlights | El Salvador vs Trinidad & Tobago | 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZtWnGpUwmA)
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 14.Shannon Gomez, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 3.Ross Russell Jr; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 23.Kristian Lee-Him (10.Duane Muckette 46); 7.Ryan Telfer (16.Michel-Poon Angeron 80), 18.Andre Rampersad, 13.Reon Moore (12.Kareem Moses 75); 19.Malcolm Shaw (6.Andre Raymond 90+3).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Kevon Goddard, 8.Daniel Phillips, 11.Nathaniel James, 20.Kaïlé Auvray.
Coach: Angus Eve
El Salvador (4-1-4-1): 18.Tomas Romero (GK); 21.Bryan Tamacas (captain), 4.Eriq Zavaleta, 2.Erick Cabalceta, 16.Alejandro Henriquez (8.Elvin Alvarado 86); 6.Narciso Orellana (14.Christian Martinez 80); 7.Dustin Corea (10.Mayer Gil 65), 15.Alexander Roldan, 12.Amando Moreno (11.Joaquin Rivas 86), 13.Leonardo Menjivar (19.Emerson Mauricio 80); 9.Brayan Gil.
Unused substitutes: 1.Mario Gonzales (GK), 3.Roberto Dominguez, 5.Rudy Clavel, 17.Eric Calvillo, 20.German Fuentes, 23.Melvin Cartagena.
Coach: Hugo Perez
Referee: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)
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gawd on pitch,thanks again mate,I didn't see the match if you saw it what's your take on the win.I know that El Sal have been playing very good football over the last 2 years.
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El salvador vs trinidad since when el salvador does play all over trinidad like that ? Angus lucky thing just going his way .... .
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Good competitive game Frico. ES 20 shots = 2 goals. TT 4 shots = 3 goals. Set pieces costed us 2 goals.
Overall, I am impressed by the two wins. I believe this is the hardest game to qualify for the next stage. Next up is Guatemala at home. Then Curacao on the road. Considering that Curacao does not have any points, and qualification to the next round is slim, I don't think their Dutch boys will be showing up for their final game against us. Watch and see.
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Good win we actually look like we know how to counter attack lil bit now, we still can't progressively defend, giving up too much yards to attackers while already defending in a low block......trigger press dey runners after yuh identify dem double up and let ah man take d attacker from he blindside...something...anything.....we just inviting too much pressure......if we going and opt to play without d ball, lehwe at least force ah turnover now and then nah instead ah waiting for one to just happen
We to stop giving so much time and space in we defensive third
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“Possession doesn’t win matches!” Eve explains philosophy as T&T lead Group A
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve doubled down on his self-described pragmatic style of play, as the Soca Warriors celebrated a vital 3-2 win away to El Salvador.
The result meant the Soca Warriors close their September match window with a maximum of six points from their opening two Concacaf Nations League A outings, despite managing 37% possess in both games and being outshot and out-passed by Curaçao and El Salvador.
http://wired868.com/2023/09/11/possession-doesnt-win-matches-eve-explains-philosophy-as-tt-lead-group-a/
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https://www.youtube.com/v/q85RmCrz2Xg
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I agree with Eve on possession but where we diverge is d notion that his plan was this resounding success....the dude benefited heavily from bad finishin and luck from d opposition...........we parking bus but all d window and door wide open, EL Sal second goal was a travesty of poor defending and piss poor effort......nobody moved on d first or loose ball.....nobody......and everybody was pointing at each other after.....ah mean even at d risk of bumping into to each other yuh hadda try
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Soca Warriors 2 matches away from Nations League quarters.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
National coach Angus Eve and his Soca Warriors are now two matches away from qualifying for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Nations League 'A' division.
This after their come-from-behind 3-2 victory over El Salvador on Sunday night at the Nacional Jorge Magico Gonzalez in San Salvador.
The victory, coming amidst a barrage of criticism against him following a less-than-impressive performance at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States, has now put the Warriors in first position on the standings on six points, with Panama in second on four and Guatemala in third position on four points as well, but with an inferior goal difference.
Martinique is fourth on the chart with three points while Curacao and El Salvador fill the other two positions, respectively, without a win.
The Warriors now have matches against Guatemala on October 13 and then Curacao for a second time on October 17 for the chance to be among the top two teams in the group that will qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament. Should the Soca Warriors progress past the quarterfinals, they will earn a spot in the Copa America Competition.
Eve expects that their next two matches will be extremely difficult, but his charges have been showing the type of progress they need to show.
"Every team we've played so far is ranked way higher than us, but you know rankings don't mean anything. It is the work that you do on the field. Rankings mean a lot for people in some other places, but when we go into these games, we want to have a clean heart.
"When you listen to the boys, when they do interviews they talk about the crime situation in our country, and to give our country a positive lift, because of the amount of negativity taking place. Credit to these guys who came out and put their hearts for their country today," Eve said.
The victory came following a display of true grit by the T&T players after the home team took the advantage in the 17th minute. Eve said he was truly proud of the performance of the players.
"I am really happy for the guys inside the dressing room to be honest, they gave everything I asked them to give. They played to the plan that we had and we knew we were going to suffer a bit.
"I have seen big coaches like Jose Mourinho, David Moise and these guys, and Claudio Ranieri when he won the English Premier League with Leicester, they had like about 35 percent of the possession. You know possession doesn't win matches.
"We have a plan, we have a way that we want to play and we try to execute to the 'T'. The guys are extremely disciplined, there is a oneness in that dressing room there, and that is what, besides the talent and the discipline that the team has, is what takes us through."
GROUP A - LEAGUE A STANDINGS
Pl*Team*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*PTS
1*T&T*2*2*0*0*4*2*2*6
2*Panama*2*1*1*0*4*1*3*4
3*Guatemala*2*1*1*0*3*1*2*4
4*Martinique*2*1*0*1*1*3*-2*3
5*Curacao*2*0*0*2*0*2*-2*0
6*El Salvador*2*0*0*2*2*5*-3*0
RELATED NEWS
Soca Warriors edge El Salvador 3-2 for second Nations League win.
T&T Guardian Reports.
T&T's Soca Warriors came from behind to rally to a 3-2 victory over El Salvador in their second match of the CONCACAF Nations League at the Estadio Jorge Gonzalez in San Salvador on Sunday night.
The El Salvadorians were aggressive from the start and grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the 17th minute when Dustin Corea played in a free kick that Eriq Zavaleta met with a perfectly placed header into the net.
The Warriors, fresh from their opening 1-0 victory over Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain on Thursday (September 7), responded almost immediately as Reon Moore played in a cross to Ryan Telfer from the left wing, and the first touch gave Telfer the time and space to fire into the net for the 1-1 equaliser in the 22nd minute.
Things were wide open to begin the second stanza and T&T made the most of it, taking a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute through Malcolm Shaw, who converted a penalty after being fouled in the box by Zavaleta.
However, the El Salvadorians came right back to draw level at two apiece in the 53rd minute. Brayan Gil's nodded header off a corner kick deflected back to him and he guided the ball into the T&T net past the custodian for a goal that brought them back into the match.
The fluctuating affair continued thereafter, as the team looked for the winning goal in the moments that followed. That precious third goal would fall for the visiting Soca Warriors, as a falling away Justin Garcia managed to pop a header over El Salvadorian custodian Tomas Romero in the 72nd minute to make it 3-2.
El Salvador pushed hard for a third to get a point from the contest, but T&T goalkeeper Denzil Smith was excellent between the posts and made the saves to lock down the three points.
The Soca Warriors will next face Guatemala on October 13 at a venue to be decided.
Sunday's Nations League Scores
League A
(Group A)
At Stade Pierre-Aliker, FORT-DE-FRANCE:
Martinique beat Curacao 1-0
At the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, GUATEMALA CITY:
Guatemala drew with Panama 1-1
At the Estadio Jorge “El Mágico” González, SAN SALVADOR:
Trinidad and Tobago beat El Salvador 3-2
League B
(Group A)
At the Stade Municipal de Sainte-Anne, SAINTE-ANNE:
Guadeloupe beat Sint Maarten 4-0
At the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, GROS ISLET:
St Lucia beat St Kitts and Nevis 2-0
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Lefty tell angus If the oppositon has the ball they have a greater chance to score !! the comparison this man makes leicester city ::) ::)
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Angus - T&T must have the Defenders To Play Like Leicester City. Too much Pressure with that Style of Play and too much work for the Gold keeper. The Final Twenty Minutes of the game against Curacao is the style of play To win matches.
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Exactly. You think we can give up that amount of possession to USA, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica? We will easily collect at least 5 - 6 goals. Eve got lucky for 2 games and trying to pass it off as he being strategic like Mourinho.
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Fernando Diniz in an interview this week...."I have a lot of defensive concerns but I like the team to play forward and have the ball," he said. "The only chance of not conceding a goal while playing football is when you have the ball.
Read more at:
https://www.latestly.com/sports/football/manager-fernando-diniz-warns-brazil-players-to-keep-feet-on-ground-following-5-1-win-over-bolivia-in-conmebol-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-5405885.html
Diniz needs to learn from Eve :)
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Jamaica 0 - 2 Haiti
Only 15mins in the first. Shocked. I thought Jamaica would have walked over Haiti.
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Trini_2026 there is in theory a case for we playing something like dat.....but defenders have to be working d midfield have to be working....yuh supposed to have press triggers to disturb d opponents in designated zones to force turnovers, we getting d ball off d other team feels more like a function of luck rather than planning......at least we seem able do something useful when we get d ball.......against d u.s however who does be on yuh like ah wet draws when dey loss d ball, we will be torn apart like last time
Add: I think we also need to stop considering ourselves as "ball playing" the environment that created that notion is long gone and was not replaced by organized academy and the crop of players dat put us marginally on the map as "ball players" now graying and retired or on their out in d case of molino
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Angus Eve proud: We had to suffer to win.
By Ronel Walcott (T&T Newsday).
The T&T men's football team surged to the top of their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A group last night, as they got a hard-fought 3-2 win against El Salvador at the Nacional Jorge Magico Gonzalez Stadium in El Salvador.
T&T fell behind as early as the 17th minute, as El Salvador defender Eriq Zavaleta headed past goalkeeper Denzil "Peng" Smith from a Dustin Corea set piece. Trinidad and Tobago were soon on level terms, as flanker Ryan Telfer sent a powerful left-footed blast into the net in the 22nd minute after receiving a precise pass from the left by Reon Moore.
The teams went to the break tied at 1-1. However, the visitors took the lead in the 51st minute through a clinical penalty by Canada-based Malcolm Shaw. The T&T attacker was bundled over in the area after receiving a clever square pass from halftime substitute Duane Muckette, and his spot kick gave El Salvador goalkeeper Thomas Romero no chance.
Smith was in great form between the uprights, making a string of remarkable saves. Smith's defenders fell asleep after Shaw's goal, though, and the hosts were back on level terms just two minutes later as Brayan Gil beat the T&T goalkeeper from point-blank range after being left unmarked from a Corea corner.
Despite conceding 63 per cent possession to their hosts, who had a whopping 26 shots at T&T goal, coach Angus Eve's Soca Warriors team stayed resolute and disciplined.
"We knew we were going to suffer for a bit. Possession doesn't win matches," Eve said after the match. "We have a plan. We have a way we want to play and the guys executed to a T.
"The guys are extremely disciplined, and there's a oneness in that dressing room there. Besides the talent and the discipline the team has, that's what is taking us through."
In the 71st minute, the togetherness and jubilation were there for all to see, as towering Defence Force defender Justin "Shiggy" Garcia beat Romero with a looping header to the far post after meeting a deep free kick by Telfer. Garcia scored ten goals from his centre-back position as Defence Force won the inaugural TT Premier League and its knockout cup. He was one of several local-based players overlooked for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
In San Salvador, El Salvador, Garcia's value in national colours was evident.
"Justin Garcia has been scoring those headers for fun with Defence Force, so I took something from (Defence Force) coach Hutson Charles and they, and I had him spin around at the back post," Eve said. "He's very effective."
As T&T edged to their first-ever win in El Salvador at senior level, Eve decided to protect the three points at all costs as he inserted defenders Kareem Moses and Andre Raymond, as well as central midfielder Michel Poon-Angeron in the latter stages of the game. The front three of Moore, Telfer and Shaw were withdrawn, with T&T switching from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a more compact 4-5-1 shape.
Despite T&T's defensive approach towards the end of the game, the hosts fashioned two great opportunities and would have equalised if not for Smith's brilliance.
In the 76th minute, the 23-year-old Smith, who injured a finger during the first half, sprawled to his right to stop an effort by Gil. In stoppage time, the former Shiva Boys' Hindu College standout came up huge for T&T once more, as he made a flying save to his left to keep out a precise header by Zavaleta.
"I could call 15 man-of-the-match winners, but I'll give Denzil because he was spectacular," Eve said. "People may not know that he did his finger in during the first half. For him to save the whole game (was excellent). We tried to take him off and he said he didn't want to come off.
"That's the kind of fight and grit we will need to have to build back T&T football."
As the five minutes of stoppage time elapsed, the T&T players and staff members were in an ecstatic mood as they wildly celebrated their historic victory on El Salvador soil.
Eve, whose tenure as head coach was extended to March 2024, defended his team's style of play.
"I've seen big coaches like (Jose) Mourinho, David Moyes and Claudio Ranieri – when he won the English Premier League with Leicester City – have like 35 per cent possession (when their teams played)," Eve said.
"We think we have good wingers. We have good, fast forwards, so we think that we can soak up pressure, because defensively we are very solid.
"We think we can play on the break and play this counter-attacking game we have been playing. It's working for us."
Eve said his players lose their focus and discipline when they try to play a more open game, and this group has now bought into this style.
After two group A matches, T&T sit atop the six-team table with a maximum six points. Panama and Guatemala (both four points) are in second and third spot respectively with two group matches left. With the top two teams in the group progressing to the Nations League quarterfinals, T&T are in an advantageous position at present.
These quarterfinal matches will see the top two teams from groups A and B facing off against the top-seeded Concacaf nations in Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and the US, in a home-and-away format in Fifa's November 2023 match window. The four winners of these quarterfinal ties will advance directly to the Nations League finals, as well as coveted places in the 2024 Copa America – South America's premier continental competition.
There will be two other Copa spots up for grabs, and this will be determined via a single-match playoff between the four losing quarterfinalists in March 2024.
T&T's remaining Nations League group matches are home versus Guatemala (October 13) and away to Curacao (October 17). Eve could be forgiven for starting to dream of a Copa 2024 spot against the likes of Argentina and Brazil.
RELATED NEWS
Soca Warriors captain: We have unfinished business.
By Ronel Walcott (T&T Newsday).
New Trinidad and Tobago men's football team captain Aubrey David says the Soca Warriors have unfinished business in the Concacaf Nations League as they seek to qualify for the quarter-finals.
T&T top the six-team group in League A with a maximum six points from two games, with two more games still to be played in the October window. With the top two teams from the group advancing to the quarter-finals, David told the team they did a great job beating El Salvador 3-2 on Sunday, but there's still more work to be done.
"This is just one part of the hurdle that we crossed over. It's a good accomplishment but we still have a lot to do," said David, who was named captain following the sudden retirement of playmaker Kevin Molino on September 1. "We have to go back to our clubs and be professional and keep up the good work. When we come back in October we have a job to finish."
David said the team used "bad mind" and "determination" to get them over the line in their first-ever win in El Salvador.
Trailing after just 17 minutes, T&T took their first lead in the 51st minute through a Malcolm Shaw penalty, before defender Justin "Shiggy" Garcia guaranteed the three points with his looping header in the 71st minute.
T&T will host Guatemala (four points) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on October 13, before closing off the Nations League group phase with a trip away to Curacao (zero points) on October 17. T&T defeated Curacao by a 1-0 margin in their first match last Thursday.
The 32-year-old David, who has over 70 international caps, is calling for the Warriors to be supported in full numbers.
"It's not going to be an easy (job) of course, but I think we need the support of the stakeholders and the fans to come and give that love," he said. "(On Sunday) we played against (15,000) people and we felt the atmosphere. We need that support also."
David said the T&T team dug deep and stayed positive despite going behind at the Nacional Jorge Magico Gonzalez Stadium.
"We believed in ourselves. I think the victory we got from home was really good for us and we knew that we could build on it. When we went into this game we came with confidence knowing that unity, discipline and teamwork would get the job done.
"Even though we went a goal down, we never dropped our heads and we stayed positive and united. I think the bad mind and determination from each and everybody was the (determining) factor for us."
The Costa Rican-based David has formed a new partnership at the heart of the T&T defence with Garcia, and he hopes he and his teammates can continue the momentum gained in El Salvador.
"I just want to say I am proud of the guys and this is something we can build on. I'd just like to say to the fans and stakeholders, come and throw your support behind the team."
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Reggaeboyz nearly come unstuck against Haiti,and that is with their foreign brigade. ;D ;D ;D
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Haiti is so unpredictable. That's where they are deadly. The scorer of their 2 goals is a real talent.
They look deadly on the counter too.
Jamaica can turn up the pressure from 2 to 10 in no time. When they make that decision to press, it's trouble. They're also good at holding the ball.
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Angus Eve calls for belief in Soca Warriors
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)
Trinidad and Tobago's men’s football coach Angus Eve has made an open call to citizens of T&T to come out and support the Soca Warriors at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Friday, as they face their biggest Concacaf Nations League A group test against Guatemala, from 9pm.
Eve made these remarks at the start of the team’s training camp at Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on Monday.
Eve also announced his 23-man squad, which saw three changes from the previous international window.
Right-back Alvin Jones replaces Shannon Gomez, striker Real Gill is in for Malcolm Shaw and left winger/forward Tyrone Charles dislodged Brent Sam from the team list. Both Gomez and Shaw are nursing minor injuries.
Six foreign-based players – Noah Powder, Aubrey David, Kareem Moses, Andre Raymond, Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad – are expected to arrive in Trinidad on Tuesday, to join Eve's camp.
T&T won their two opening group A matches against Curacao and El Salvador, and are now chasing three wins on the trot, to book a spot in the Concacaf Nations League A quarterfinals.
“I think these guys deserve your support – by what they did, the effort they’re giving. Nobody expected us to win the games. Winning, however, has boosted their confidence.
“But what people have seen with this group is their willingness to fight for the country, the jersey, and more importantly, the messages these guys are sending out.”
Eve said players and staff sometime look at comments on social media, and are taken aback by the public’s negativity. While he acknowledged they’re not a perfect team, he said patriotism and positivity go a long way.
“They (team) don’t believe the people are supporting them....We’re in a rebuilding stage. It’s young players; we have 18 and 19 year olds here.
“They’re going out there and putting their best foot forward...They look at social media – I don’t – and they see: 'We’re going to get five (goals),' and 'We’re going to get eight,' – that’s not people supporting the team.
“It’s sad for us to be thinking like that as a community, especially with these guys who really trying to do something for the country,” he added.
Among the squad are forwards Reon Moore, Nathaniel James and Tyrone Charles; midfielders Kaile Auvray, Duane Muckette, Kevon Goddard, Neveal Hackshaw, Kristian Lee-Him and Michel Poon Angeron.
The other defenders are Justin Garcia, Jesse Williams, Kareem Moses and Ross Russell Jr while goalkeepers Christopher Biggette, Jabari St Hillaire and Denzil Smith were also called up.
“This is the first day that we have the group. We still have six players to come in because they played over the weekend. Thank God they didn’t pick up any injuries so they’re good to go.
“We’re in transition. When this group of players come in, there was a little cloud over them. And I think it hampered us in the first half of the first match (Curacao), second half we were better. And we were even better in the second match (El Salvador) at home.
“They got a little more confidence and believe they should be here. Without some of the senior players who have given this country so much, this is their time to shine,” he said.
On their opponents, Eve is well aware of their threats and weaknesses and is hoping he can exploit them with a home advantage.
On Tuesday, they travel to Curacao to play the host nation, in their final group match at Ergilio Hato Stadium.
“We want to win the game and it’s not going to be an easy game. Guatemala made the Gold Cup quarter-finals, very decent unit, unbeaten in the zone so far. They have a lot of competent players, well-coached, so we’re taking nothing for the granted.
“Our first remit in this rebuilding stage was to stay in the A (League). Now that we have the opportunity to do something bigger, we’re going to try to grasp it with both hands.”
Two more wins affirm them a spot in the quarter-finals, where lies regional powerhouses Mexico, USA, Costa Rica and Canada. T&T must finish with the top two nations of group A to seal a spot in the quarters.
Trinidad and Tobago 23-man Roster
Goalkeepers:
Denzil Smith (W Connection), Christopher Biggette (Defence Force), Jabari St Hillaire (Defence Force)
Defenders:
Aubrey David (Club Sport Cartagines—Costa Rica), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Alvin Jones (Club Sando), Kareem Moses (FF Jaro—Finland), Andre Raymond (GD Vilar De Perdizes—Portugal), Ross Russell Jr (La Horquetta Rangers), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego—USA)
Midfielders:
Kaïlé Auvray (Mount Pleasant FA-Jamaica), Michel Poon-Angeron (AC Port of Spain), Kevon Goddard (Defence Force), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots), Kristian Lee Him (IFK Eskilstuna—Sweden), Duane Muckette (AC Port of Spain), Noah Powder (Northern Colorado Hailstorm—USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers—Canada)
Forwards:
Ryan Telfer (Miami FC—USA), Reon Moore (Defence Force), Real Gill (Club Sando), Tyrone Charles (AC Port of Spain)
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Reon Moore get listed twide dey bai! like he go feature prominently.
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Hackshaw urges Warriors: Stick to Eve's plan vs Guatemala
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)
Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Neveal Hackshaw is urging his team-mates to stick to coach Angus Eve's game plan when they face Guatemala in a crucial Concacaf Nations League A game, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Friday. Kick off is 9pm.
T&T are top of Group A with two wins from as many matches, and only need three more points to book a spot in the quarter-finals. T&T face Curacao away from home in their final group match on October 17.
Two teams from Group A will qualify for the quarterfinals, where seeded teams such as Mexico, USA, Canada and Costa Rica await. From there, six of the eight teams will qualify for the 2024 Copa America.
In a TTFA video on Tuesday, Hackshaw, known for his combative but purposeful play, urged his team-mates to stay focused on the task at hand.
"They (Guatemala) are are not coming to sit back. They want to get back on top. We are the leaders so it's very important to go out there and get the three points and stay on top."
He said it was important for the players not to deviate from Eve's tactics.
"Once coach give us the game plan, everybody must stay focused and stay on board with the game plan. No one try to switch up and do their own thing, and I think everything will be fine."
Hackshaw noted T&T's slow starts in their first two matches: a listless first-half performance against Curacao followed by conceding the opening goal in El Salvador. However, he said, "Sometimes it's how you finish, not how you start. We need to start stronger now because it's only gonna get harder from here."
He called for unwavering support from the public on Friday. "We want the fans to come out and support us. We've been doing good. The support of the 12th man out there with us will be important."
Recalled defender Alvin Jones is glad to be back in the national set-up, after being absent from the squad during the last international window.
Jones, 29, was a surprise omission having been a staple in Eve's squad previously and on the heels of a strong season with Club Sando in the inaugural TT Premier Football League.
Jones was among a number of senior players dropped by Eve, including his brother Joevin Jones. Former captain Kevin Molino had also announced his retirement one week before T&T's opening game of the new Nations League season. A more youthful T&T did admirably in their absence, picking up a 1-0 win against Curacao on September 7 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, before a shock 3-2 victory against El Salvador in San Salvador three days later.
Jones, who boasts over 40 caps for T&T, said he was happy to see the national team triumphant, but it was difficult not even being on the sideline.
"Well, representing the country is always an honour for me. I'm very grateful to be back here once more. I'm just excited to be out there Friday and to do my best...I didn't like looking on. I always like to be representing my country."
Jones said the unbeaten start to the Nations League has given the players a pep in their step.
"I think the six points did us good – you can see it in the training. A lot of guys – the confidence is there. I'm excited to be out there with the guys once more.
"For us, every game is a final. It's a very young squad. The energy will be there. I just want us to go out there and express ourselves and come out with the three points."
Concacaf Nations League Group A
Teams*W*D*L*GP*Pts
Trinidad and Tobago*2*0*0*+2*6
Panama*2*1*1*0*+3*4
Guatemala*2*1*1*0*+2*4
Martinique*2*1*0*1*-2*3
Curacao*2*0*0*2*-2*0
El Salvador*2*0*0*2*-3*0
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Eve: Soca Warriors treating Guatemala clash as a final
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)
Trinidad and Tobago men's football team coach Angus Eve says the Soca Warriors will be treating their 2023/4 Concacaf Nations League A game against Guatemala like a final when the two teams meet from 9 pm on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
T&T currently sit atop the six-team Nations League group with a maximum six points from two matches and will be looking to secure a top-two spot which guarantees a quarter-final place. Panama and Guatemala (both four points) are second and third respectively.
"We haven't done anything as yet," Eve said, as he addressed the media in a pre-match press briefing at the match venue on Thursday.
"We see this game as a final. We see it as a game that we need to win – and not lose – so that we can first maintain our position in (Nations League A). And then, the possibility of us going on to the quarter-finals with a win is great. The guys understand the expectations."
Eve has "mixed feelings" about the absence of the injured striking pair of Malcolm Shaw and the Greek-based Levi Garcia, as both players give T&T a "strong, physical presence up front."
However, he said: "Winning those first two matches has now given us the freedom to express ourselves a bit more. We are going to take the game very seriously and be in a positive frame of mind. The boys want to do well for their country and we'll be going into the game with no fear.
"The most important thing for us is to qualify for the quarter-finals and stay in Nations League A and maintain our rankings. We're close to doing that and everything else will be a bonus at this stage."
T&T were knocked out of the group stage at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Guatemala advanced to the Gold Cup quarter-finals before falling 1-0 to a Jamaican team that defeated TT by a 4-1 margin in the tournament's group stage. T&T and Guatemala had their own tussle before the Gold Cup, as the Soca Warriors got a 1-0 friendly win on June 11 courtesy of an Alvin Jones penalty.
Eve said a lot has changed since then, and he credited the 103rd-ranked Guatemalan team for their 1-1 draw with Panama in their Nations League encounter on September 10. T&T are ranked 98th.
"I think they are well-coached. The Fifa rankings are a bit deceiving because (Guatemala) were having some issues for a little while. Ranking means nothing. They drew with a Panama team that got to the Gold Cup final. They themselves got to the quarter-finals and we were booted out at the group stage."
Like Eve, Guatemala coach Luis Fernando Tena paid respect to his opponents. He said Guatemala were the underdogs heading into Friday's encounter.
"I know it's going to be a difficult game. T&T has had a good tournament, inclusive of the game against El Salvador. It's going to be a bit harder," Tena said via a translator.
"They are presently on a good course. We understand that T&T will be the favourites. In football, there is also time for surprises."
Tena expects the hosts to set up defensively.
"It's a key game for us. We know that T&T wants to win to qualify for the quarter-finals. Even a draw wouldn't serve us well. A draw may benefit T&T better than us because they already have six points.
"I think it will be a similar match like T&T versus Curacao. I think T&T has a defensive style of football which we will be playing against. They are very solid in defence and they also know how to play very well with their quick players up front."
In their first game of this Nations League A campaign, T&T eked out a 1-0 victory over Curacao at the Hasely Crawford Stadium thanks to a late goal from 19-year-old striker Nathaniel James. The 2023 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) top-scorer has moved to Jamaican champions Mount Pleasant Football Academy alongside his T&T teammate Kaile Auvray. Eve sees great potential in the teenage attackers.
"You are seeing the potential of the young men Nathaniel and Kaile," Eve said. "These young guys are the future of the team and they are getting the opportunities now."
Eve also spoke about the qualities of 34-year-old AC Port of Spain winger Tyrone Charles, a surprise inclusion in the 23-man squad.
"We looked at Tyrone in the final of the TTPFL Cup against Defence Force and he has been very consistent in the league," he said. "We saw him transfer to AC Port of Spain without scoring many goals in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. I think he has enough to add something to the group."
Eve says his team will go after three points, but they will do it their way.
"We're going to play the game to what we seek. There are different styles and thoughts on how football should be played.
"We are not producing top-class players – meaning our players haven't been playing at the highest level for a very long time. We have to use the resources we have and we have to use the players we have. We believe that we have to play a particular style to get the results. Hence the reason we have six points today."
From 9 pm on Friday, Guatemala and T&T will stake their claim for a Nations League quarter-final spot.
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natty get injured or something? how he go score and then get drop?
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Any links for the game tonight? Thanks in advance.
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Yes angus we not producing top class but are you seeking out player also? Your job is to win?
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Anbrat check facebook i think there maybe links there
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Stadium empty
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We down
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links?
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Horrible non call by the lines, man was clearly offside. Striker Charles is hurt and subbed off.
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2 nil down
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We eh even force save
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Ref gave us a make-up call, that foul was outside the box. Reon just needed to keep that shot down
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So what was d order of d day..d same janky ass park d bus football?
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So 2-2 now why we didn't jus play before
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Ok why are we being outnumbered in our box
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Why d f**k telfer didn't release dat cross
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Russell just block we own attack wow
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3-2 well look at dat
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Look what happens when they just play
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D defense jus get collective brain freeze...lucky
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Impressive! Plenty fight in dem boys. 3 unanswered goals, load it up and rack it on dem
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Congrats boys, way to comeback. On to the next one!
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The best game out of all the other games in League A.
James is a special player.
Good win.
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fellas! :beermug: Our legends would of been proud of that performance tonite as am i. lewwe not talk about how that ref try to thief we dry dry in we own yard.. amazing game, one of the classics for sure.
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Gawd on Pitch stop with the special player thing please . Nice goal though
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There was some pressure on James for that free kick, I was happy with his composure in execution.
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Natty James is a special player!!
That COMPOSED, wise placement of the free kick was special indeed.
It had meh bawling down the house
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Yes Cocorite
Telfer, Powder, Moore, Smith goalie, Jones -redeemed himself, all had good games.
About 7 other quality players missing. Eve might be on to something.
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Boy these stats
https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats/_/gameId/680552
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good comeback still annoyingly and frighteningly porous for ah side trying to play low block defensive football buy I like d fight ah see......we actually fighting gives me hope.......forget "big names" be brave and fight
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Boy these stats
https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats/_/gameId/680552
in d end we achieve d stat dat matters......look where Moyes have West Ham............look at Chelsea one set ah possession and nutten to show for it early on "deprioritize" possession 3 wins on d bounce, it really doh matter if yuh clinical and we were thankfully clinical.....my issues is we still not defending well, tracking runs, pressing zones we should be pressing, cutting passes that there to be cut.......and quite annoyingly we wasn't releasing forward pass and cross quick enough Telfer was guilty ah dat about 3 or 4 time in d second half alone didn't see d first half
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James rescues T&T in Concacaf Nations League again.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
Nathaniel "Natty" James for a second time was the saviour for T&T.
The young striker, coming in as a second-half substitute for Ryan Telfer, stepped up from a free kick atop the Guatemalan box and curled the ball over the Guatemalan wall and past goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen for the 3-2 victory in the Concacaf Nations League 'A' match at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo in Port-of-Spain on Friday night.
The win pushed T&T to nine points in Group A and literally gave them a foot into the quarterfinals.
Guatemala drew first blood in the 12th minute from one of their many attacks down the left flank.
A well-floated pass found an unmarked Nathaniel Mendez on the right side of the T&T area, and despite being confronted by Ross Russell Jr, the lanky Mendez cut inside and hit a shot inside that was stabbed in the goal by a lurking Rubio Mendez for a 1-0 advantage.
The goal lifted the visitors who later sought to increase their attacks. However, the Warriors were hit harder when lone striker Tyrone Charles had to be stretched off the field when he got a knock in the centre of the field.
Mendez almost scored another to increase the Guatemala lead from a defensive blunder that handed him the ball on top of the T&T area, however, his rasping shot was pushed wide by a flying Denzil Smith in the 27th minute.
But he could do nothing in the 31st minute as the visitors pushed their tally to two. This time Alejandro Galindo was given room on the right side, and then lifted the ball inside to Oscar Santis whose one-time shot came off the body of Alvin Jones. However, Santis was given another shot at goal, and scored that time, as the ball crashed against the upright before going into the goal.
In the fluctuating affair, T&T came close when Noah Power, fed on the left by Michel Poon Angeron, would cut inside on his right foot, but his shot took a deflection before going wide.
T&T then sought redemption from a build-up down the left that was shifted to Powder on the right side.
Powder confronted by his marker was hacked down inside the box, forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot in the 34th minute.
Alvin Jones then smashed the ball into the roof of the net for T&T's opening goal.
Substitute Reon Moore was guilty of an easily missed chance in the six-yard box before the Guatemalans escaped at the halfway stage with a 2-1 advantage.
However, when the teams returned to the pitch, the Warriors, spurred on by the crowd, would get the equaliser.
This time the Guatemalan defence failed to clear the ball from Ryan Telfer's left-side corner, and Moore swooped in to turn in the loose ball in the 53rd minute.
Both teams traded punches in the moments that followed but it was the Warriors that escaped with the victory.
With this result, Trinidad and Tobago secures its ticket to the Copa América USA 2024 and the quarterfinals of the Nations League.
CRÓNICA | Guatemala vuelve a vivir una pesadilla en Trinidad y Tobago - Los chapines ganaban por dos goles, pero por desconcentraciones dejaron ir el resultado para terminar perdiendo por 3-2. La selección de Trinidad & Tobago recibió a Guatemala en Puerto España, por la Tercera Fecha del grupo A de la Nations League, en un juego que era crucial para los chapines de seguir con aspiraciones de … Sigue leyendo.
Results
T&T 3 (Alvin Jones 34th penalty, Reon Moore 54th, Nathaniel James 89th) vs Guatemala 2 (Rubio Mendez 12th, Oscar Santis 31st
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 22.Denzil Smith (GK) (1.Christopher Biggette (GK) 77); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 3.Ross Russell Jr; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 14.Michel-Poon-Angeron (10.Duane Muckette 79), 18.Andre Rampersad; 7.Ryan Telfer (9.Nathaniel James 79), 19.Tyrone Charles (13.Reon Moore 19), 8.Noah Powder (20.Kaïlé Auvray 60).
Cards
Justin Garcia (Yellow Card)
Aubrey David (Yellow Card)
Noah Powder (Yellow Card)
Ryan Telfer (Yellow Card)
Nathaniel James (Yellow Card)
Unused substitutes: 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Kevon Goddard, 6.Andre Raymond, 11.Real Gill, 12.Kareem Moses, 23.Kristian Lee Him.
Coach: Angus Eve
Guatemala: (4-2-1-3): 1.Nicholas Hagen (GK); 22.Stheven Robles, 4.Jose Pinto (captain), 3.Nicolas Samayoa, 2.Jose Ardon; 17.Oscar Castellanos (14.Darwin Lom 89), 23.Jorge Aparicio; 13.Alejandro Galindo; 11.Nathaniel Mendez (19.Robin Betancourth 85), 9.Rubio Mendez, 18.Oscar Santis (10.Esteban Garcia 65).
Unused substitutes: 12.Ricardo Jerez (GK), 21.Fredy Perez (GK), 5.Pedro Altan, 6.Kevin Ruiz, 7.Cristian Jimenez, 8.Rodrigo Saravia, 15.Jose Rosales, 16.Jose Morales, 20.Gerardo Gordillo.
Coach: Luis Tena
Referee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)
Cards
Stheven Robles
Esteban García
WATCH Highlights | Trinidad & Tobago vs Guatemala | 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvEBPwXOTdQ)
Concacaf Nations League Standings
TEAM GP W D L GD P
Trinidad and Tobago 3 3 0 0 +3 9
Panama 3 2 1 0 +4 7
Martinique 3 2 0 1 -1 6
Guatemala 3 1 1 1 +1 4
Curacao 3 0 0 3 -3 0
El Salvador 3 0 0 3 -4 0
Stats
TRI vs GUA
45.2% Possession 54.8
5 Shots on Goal 11
10 Shot Attempts 24
5 Corner Kicks 14
10 Saves 2
RELATED NEWS
Eve salutes Soca Warriors heroes.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve was full of praise for his players whom he described as heroes following a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind 3-2 win over Guatemala in League A Group A of the 2023 Concacaf Nations League at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday night.
With the win in front of a crowd estimated around 7,000 spectators, T&T stayed in first place in the five-team round-robin group with a 3-0 record and a maximum of nine points, two ahead of Panama who edged Curacao 2-1 also on Friday, while Guatemala remain in fourth-place with four points, two points behind Martinique who had a 1-0 win over El Salvador.
It was a dream start for Guatemala, as Rubio Rubin who looked clearly off struck for the opener in the 12th minute by touching home a shot right in front of a goal off a pass from Nathaniel Mendez for a 1-0 Guatemala lead.
Guatemala doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 32nd when an initial attempt from Oscar Santis was blocked by Alvin Jones, but Santis’ follow-up attempt was smashed off the post and in for the goal.
But T&T responded to narrow the gap to 2-1 in the 35th when Alvin Jones converted a penalty after Noah Powder had been fouled in the area two minutes prior.
Nine minutes into the second half, T&T drew level when a Neveal Hackshaw header was saved by Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, but Reon Moore was on the spot to stab home the rebound.
The visitors came close to retaking the lead on three occasions with the closest being in the 70th via Jose Pinto’s header that hit the crossbar and dropped onto the goal-line before being cleared, followed by another chance from Jose Ardon, which substitute goalkeeper Christopher Biggette who replaced an injured Denzil Smith managed to tip around the top right-hand corner of the goal.
However, for the second match on home soil, substitute Nathaniel James, who had come off the bench to replace Ryan Telfer in the 79th followed up his heroics from scoring the winner late against Curacao, with a gem of a left-footed free-kick that left Hagen stranded on his line to deliver the 3-2 victory.
Speaking after the win, the 51-year-old Eve said, “I think we had a lot of heroes in the park today (Friday). Denzil (Smith) went into the game with a bad feeling.
Eve, a former Defence Force standout explained that, “Today (Friday) is actually his birthday, and I thought he did tremendous for us, up to the time he couldn’t go anymore, and we saw Christopher Biggette come on and it didn’t look like we were missing Denzil at all, cause he (Biggette) came on and played great as well as Denzil. And everybody who came on, Nathaniel James, and everybody who started the game, so credit to the players, because some time ago we would not have been able to come back from two-nil in the 17th minute, but credit to the players, and to the rest of the staff, who has been working very hard so that we can go and have these kind of days in our football again.”
Reflecting on what he told his players at the half-time whistle at 0-2 down, Eve said, “When we went back in, we thought we were giving them a bit too much respect, with the two wingbacks and two center-backs and we also thought the two strikers were not quick enough to harass our center-backs. So we went man-for-man throughout the park, and that’s when we changed and put high pressure.”
Looking back at the opening half, Eve said, “As a team, we were composed, but we thought one of the goals was offside from where the guys were. But then again, I don’t know as yet, so we’ll take a look at the tapes when we do. But we gave away two soft goals, I thought. But we were not brave enough. In the second half, when we came out more brave, you saw us really dominate for the most part. And then it’s normal when you score a goal and go on top. They peg us back a bit and they were hitting long balls, nothing really to threaten, and we were playing counteract at that point in time. But the guys played about 100 mins tonight, kept their concentration, and came out with a game. I tell you if we had played this game a couple of months ago, we wouldn’t have come back in this game, so credit to the players.”
With regards to his players on the night a satisfied Eve stated, “Everybody did their jobs. Nathaniel, this is not his first game. We put him on and he had that sort of impact. Muckette (Duane) was steady again. Reon Moore was excellent up front, Kaile Auvray, he added. We thought we would start with the more solid players, the more physical players, wear them down and then unleash these players for the last 30 minutes. It worked as a treat. The plan was never to be down two nil, but you saw the fight of this team and the character, and that is what we’ve been portraying this tournament thus far.”
The T&T coach and former FIFA Under-20 World Cup player added, “We are getting chances. If you are not getting chances, then you want to panic. We had no panic because we had these opportunities, and we always created opportunities throughout the match.
“So you know, you panic when you’re not creating opportunities, but we were creating, and I thought that the game plan worked.
“We wanted to pass more, we wanted to play more, and we did that. We knew that we wanted to put on Kaile and we knew we had to put on Nathaniel.
However, the T&T coach did admit to some incident that’s kind of thrown off the game plans with Tyron Charles’ substitution throwing off the team a bit, as well as goalkeeper Smith being injured.
In terms of the general play of the team and its fighting spirit to come from behind for the second straight match, Eve, a former T&T captain and most-capped player Eve added, “As I said previously, we needed to build the character of the team first and then you could start to institute play. I think we played really good football today (Friday), we moved the ball well.
Commenting on the support Eve said, “I think, once you do it well in Trinidad, people come out. Once you win, they come out. We thank them for that. The boys appreciated the support. They saw what the fans did for them. When we scored the goal, you saw Noah Powder cheering up the fans and the crowd came on board with him and they started the wave. Things that we remember used to happen. Yes, the crowd support was instrumental and giving the guys the 12th man”
Looking ahead to his team’s final match on Tuesday away to Curacao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium, in Willemstad from 9 pm where T&T only needs a point to be certain of a top-two finish and a spot in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal and the chance to qualify for the 16-team 2024 Copa America Eve said a few changes are expected.
“We going to give some players a run-out. We’re sure Denzil can’t play because his finger seems a little more deteriorated but we have some time, so we’ll definitely rest him. We’ll change up the squad a bit and allow the other players to get an opportunity to because, as you know, every window is a competition match, so we’ll take this opportunity to play some of the other players.”
The teams already qualified for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals are the top four seeded teams: USA, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica.
The winners of the four quarterfinal match-ups not only will advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals in March but will also qualify for the 2024 Copa America, while the defeated teams from the quarterfinals will meet in a pair of play-in matches to determine the final two spots in the 2024 Copa America.
Friday’s Group A Result
T&T 3 (Alvin Jones 36th pen, Reon Moore 54th, Nathaniel James 89th) vs Guatemala 2 (Rubio Mendez 12th, Oscar Santis 31st)
Group A
Teams*P*W*D*L*F*A*Pts
T&T*3*3*0*0*7*4*9
Panama*3*2*1*0*6*2*7
Martinique*3*2*0*1*2*3*6
Guatemala*3*1*1*1*5*4*4
Curacao*3*0*0*3*1*4*0
El Salvador*3*0*0*3*2*6*0
Group B
Teams*P*W*D*L*F*A*Pts
Jamaic*3*2*1*0*7*3*7
Cuba*3*1*2*0*1*0*5
Honduras*3*1*1*1*4*1*4
Haiti*3*0*3*0*3*3*3
Suriname*3*0*2*1*2*3*2
Grenada*3*0*1*2*2*9*1
Upcoming matches
Today
Group B
Haiti vs Jamaica @ Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, 8 pm
Honduras vs Cuba @ Estadio Chelato Ucles, Honduras, 8 pm
Suriname vs Haiti, Dr Ir, Franklin Essed Stadium, Suriname, 8 pm
On Tuesday
Panama vs Guatemala @ Estadio Rommel Fernandez, 9 pm
El Salvador vs Martinique @ Nacional Jorge Magico Gonzalez, 9 pm
Curacao vs T&T @ Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curacao, 9 pm
ESPN Match Commentary
-
Match ends, Trinidad and Tobago 3, Guatemala 2.
90'+12'
Second Half ends, Trinidad and Tobago 3, Guatemala 2.
90'+11'
Nathaniel James (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+11'
José Ardón (Guatemala) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+11'
Foul by Nathaniel James (Trinidad and Tobago).
90'+9'
Attempt saved. José Pinto (Guatemala) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by José Ardón with a cross.
90'+7'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Alvin Jones.
90'+6'
Neveal Hackshaw (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+6'
Foul by José Ardón (Guatemala).
90'+5'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Alvin Jones.
90'+5'
Attempt missed. Darwin Lom (Guatemala) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Pedro Altán with a cross.
90'+5'
Attempt blocked. Esteban García (Guatemala) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
90'+3'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Justin García.
90'+3'
Attempt blocked. Rodrigo Saravia (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Robin Betancourth.
90'+3'
Attempt saved. Darwin Lom (Guatemala) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90'+2'
Substitution, Guatemala. Darwin Lom replaces Óscar Castellanos.
90'+1'
Substitution, Guatemala. Rodrigo Saravia replaces Jorge Aparicio.
89'
Goal! Trinidad and Tobago 3, Guatemala 2. Nathaniel James (Trinidad and Tobago) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the top right corner.
88'
Esteban García (Guatemala) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88'
Neveal Hackshaw (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
88'
Foul by Esteban García (Guatemala).
87'
Attempt saved. Óscar Castellanos (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by José Ardón.
86'
Substitution, Guatemala. Robin Betancourth replaces Nathaniel Méndez-Laing.
86'
Attempt blocked. Óscar Castellanos (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
85'
Nicolás Samayoa (Guatemala) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85'
Foul by Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago).
84'
Pedro Altán (Guatemala) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Foul by Ross Russell Jr. (Trinidad and Tobago).
83'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Christopher Biggette.
83'
Attempt saved. José Ardón (Guatemala) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Pedro Altán with a cross.
82'
Foul by Alvin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago).
82'
Esteban García (Guatemala) wins a free kick on the left wing.
81'
Hand ball by Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago).
81'
Attempt missed. Alvin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
80'
Stheven Robles (Guatemala) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
80'
Hand ball by Stheven Robles (Guatemala).
79'
Substitution, Trinidad and Tobago. Duane Muckette replaces Michel Poon-Angeron.
79'
Substitution, Trinidad and Tobago. Nathaniel James replaces Ryan Telfer.
79'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
79'
Substitution, Trinidad and Tobago. Christopher Biggette replaces Denzil Smith because of an injury.
75'
Delay in match because of an injury Denzil Smith (Trinidad and Tobago).
75'
Attempt missed. Pedro Altán (Guatemala) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right. Assisted by Óscar Castellanos.
74'
Foul by Pedro Altán (Guatemala).
74'
Aubrey David (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
71'
Attempt missed. Nicolás Samayoa (Guatemala) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Pedro Altán with a cross.
70'
José Pinto (Guatemala) hits the bar with a header from the left side of the six yard box. Assisted by Esteban García with a cross.
70'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Aubrey David.
69'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
67'
Substitution, Guatemala. Esteban García replaces Óscar Santis.
67'
Substitution, Guatemala. Pedro Altán replaces Alejandro Galindo.
65'
Delay in match because of an injury Denzil Smith (Trinidad and Tobago).
65'
Aubrey David (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card.
65'
Attempt saved. Óscar Santis (Guatemala) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nathaniel Méndez-Laing.
62'
Offside, Trinidad and Tobago. Kaïlé Auvray tries a through ball, but Ross Russell Jr. is caught offside.
61'
Substitution, Trinidad and Tobago. Kaïlé Auvray replaces Noah Powder.
60'
Attempt missed. Stheven Robles (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Óscar Santis following a corner.
59'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Ross Russell Jr..
59'
Attempt saved. Stheven Robles (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
58'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Ross Russell Jr..
57'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
57'
Delay in match because of an injury Justin García (Trinidad and Tobago).
54'
Goal! Trinidad and Tobago 2, Guatemala 2. Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner following a corner.
54'
Attempt saved. Neveal Hackshaw (Trinidad and Tobago) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Telfer with a cross.
54'
Corner, Trinidad and Tobago. Conceded by Óscar Castellanos.
53'
Attempt blocked. Noah Powder (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Michel Poon-Angeron.
52'
Attempt missed. Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Andre Rampersad.
51'
Attempt saved. Rubio Rubín (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alejandro Galindo.
48'
Offside, Guatemala. Nathaniel Méndez-Laing tries a through ball, but Alejandro Galindo is caught offside.
47'
Attempt blocked. Stheven Robles (Guatemala) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.
47'
Attempt blocked. José Ardón (Guatemala) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Óscar Santis with a cross.
46'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Andre Rampersad.
46'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Aubrey David.
45'
Second Half begins Trinidad and Tobago 1, Guatemala 2.
45'+6'
First Half ends, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Guatemala 2.
45'+5'
Attempt missed. Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Telfer with a cross following a corner.
45'+5'
Corner, Trinidad and Tobago. Conceded by José Ardón.
45'+4'
Corner, Trinidad and Tobago. Conceded by José Ardón.
45'+2'
Justin García (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45'+2'
Foul by Justin García (Trinidad and Tobago).
45'+2'
Alejandro Galindo (Guatemala) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45'+2'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
45'
Delay in match because of an injury Nicholas Hagen (Guatemala).
45'
Ryan Telfer (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45'
Nicholas Hagen (Guatemala) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45'
Foul by Ryan Telfer (Trinidad and Tobago).
41'
Offside, Guatemala. Stheven Robles tries a through ball, but Óscar Santis is caught offside.
40'
Noah Powder (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40'
Foul by José Ardón (Guatemala).
39'
Hand ball by Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago).
37'
Attempt missed. Reon Moore (Trinidad and Tobago) left footed shot from very close range is too high. Assisted by Alvin Jones with a cross.
36'
Goal! Trinidad and Tobago 1, Guatemala 2. Alvin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
35'
Noah Powder (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card.
34'
Penalty conceded by Jorge Aparicio (Guatemala) after a foul in the penalty area.
34'
Penalty Trinidad and Tobago. Noah Powder draws a foul in the penalty area.
33'
Corner, Trinidad and Tobago. Conceded by José Ardón.
33'
Foul by Alejandro Galindo (Guatemala).
33'
Andre Rampersad (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31'
Goal! Trinidad and Tobago 0, Guatemala 2. Óscar Santis (Guatemala) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
31'
Attempt blocked. Óscar Santis (Guatemala) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Stheven Robles with a cross.
30'
Attempt saved. Óscar Santis (Guatemala) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jorge Aparicio.
28'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Alvin Jones.
27'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Denzil Smith.
27'
Attempt saved. Rubio Rubín (Guatemala) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
25'
Corner, Trinidad and Tobago. Conceded by José Pinto.
21'
Attempt blocked. Stheven Robles (Guatemala) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Assisted by José Ardón.
21'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Ross Russell Jr..
20'
Substitution, Trinidad and Tobago. Reon Moore replaces Tyrone Charles because of an injury.
20'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
18'
Delay in match because of an injury Tyrone Charles (Trinidad and Tobago).
16'
Ryan Telfer (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
16'
Foul by Nicolás Samayoa (Guatemala).
14'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Aubrey David.
12'
Goal! Trinidad and Tobago 0, Guatemala 1. Rubio Rubín (Guatemala) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nathaniel Méndez-Laing.
12'
Attempt blocked. Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Guatemala) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Óscar Santis with a cross.
10'
Corner, Guatemala. Conceded by Ryan Telfer.
4'
Attempt saved. Ryan Telfer (Trinidad and Tobago) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alvin Jones.
3'
Hand ball by Óscar Santis (Guatemala).
-
First Half begins.
-
Lineups are announced and players are warming up
-
Good win. Guatemala played good ball as well and we can’t ignore the opposition who are ranked higher than us. Proud of these players and the coach has to be given credit for getting results. Only stat that matters is the final score!
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I think Denzil Smith is a top keeper, I've watched for for a few games, still some mistakes, but I like him.
Against El Salvador and Guatemala, we were very lucky, these teams played all over us, we were lucky to get wins against them. No discredit to our players or team but thanks to some good players, James, Powder, Jones, David, Moore etc we won.
Congrats to Eve, but don't sleep....Curacao is no joke.
We need some defenders and Eve should be scouting for more players to add depth.
Nathaniel James is a really nice player bright future, hopefully him and Auvray don't stay in Jamaica to long and try and secure foreign contracts but thanks to Mount Pleasant for showing much love for the next Latapy and Yorke.
They just need highler competition.
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good job players! Fairly even match that could have gone either way. Guatemala ranked lower than us (more Kudos for the Curacao & El Salvador victories) and we haven't lost to them in 5+ games dating back before 2015. Having said that, happy for the games against really fitting opposition. Happy for the show of improvement as the game wore on. Hopefully keep going from strength to strength. :beermug:
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Anyone feel that Reon Moore was going to score when he came on? That man hungry. He really wanted a goal.
-
That he is, he's a starter for me...
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Allyuh saw the game with English commentary?
Couldn't find English only Spanish
Would like to view it again
-
Games with English on Paramount+
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Well done to the fellas. Still not too convinced that defending deep, soaking up pressure, then counterattack to tire the opponent and bring on fresh attacking players to score with a limited player pool is the way forward.
There's Antoine Hackford at Sheffield United, Ty Barnett at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Darius Lewis at Botafogo who need to be brought into the fold.
And I must congratulate Neveal on a game well played. I pong him for being overweight and useless in previous comments but he make mih eat mih words in dat game. Fella put in a shift and ah half.
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It was a very shaky win by the Soca warrior. #7 needs to think about how to play on a counterattack and lose :banginghead: the ball on the opponent's third :cursing:. I am proud of the team's effect and success. they need a lot of work. football luck but a good win.
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A win against curacao would set us up for a home and away vs coata rica.Teams are having to many chances a good number 9 would punish us this is desperate defending we come to accept.An our coach saying we controlled the game . I gaving him a bligh becuase we are missing a few key players.
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Trini_2026 nobody accepting the defending I think everybody agree dat we riding luck hard in dat department.......but what we saw in attack is workable not hundred but workable...........doh get no feeling because people doh agree dat possession important, if d team can get good at what they do now and get results why be negative about it.....I imagine you fine with this 20yrs ago in Germany why is ah issue now especially when starting to work.........is there a reckoning coming hell yes, we see signs of it in every single game but it eh come yet.....lehwe jus hope Eve figure it out and dumb luck becomes a competent, though be it unattractive, system of play
ah mean it ugly and heart attack inducing, but yuh vex about d 9pts so far ??? dumb luck aside :beermug:
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"Dribble dong day"!
This was a headline on the TT guardian about 34 years ago. :)
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We didn’t panic: Eve credits Warriors' fight in 3-2 comeback win
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)
DESPITE trailing 2-0 after 31 minutes against Guatemala on Friday night, Trinidad and Tobago men's team football coach Angus Eve said his team never panicked as they got a stunning 3-2 comeback win to stay atop their Concacaf Nations League A group with a maximum nine points from three games.
For the second straight fixture at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, 19-year-old forward Nathaniel "Natty" James completed a rescue act for T&T as he came off the bench to seal the three points with a sublime free kick in the 89th minute. James was on the field for all of ten minutes before his left-footed set piece stunned the visiting Guatemala and put T&T back on top in the six-team group.
With one more game to go in the group stage, T&T need the solitary point away to Curacao on Tuesday night to book a quarter-final spot. Panama (seven points) and Martinique (six points) are still in the hunt for a quarter-final spot and will continue their own quest with their respective matches against Guatemala and El Salvador on Tuesday night.
On Friday, T&T were at risk of relinquishing their advantageous position in the group after "giving away two soft goals," but Eve said things went according to plan in the end.
"We were getting chances throughout the game so we didn't panic. If we weren't getting chances then panic would have crept in," Eve said during the post-match briefing on Friday night. "We were always creating opportunities throughout the match. You panic when you're not creating opportunities but I thought the game plan worked."
Not for the first time, T&T gave territorial advantage to the opposition as Guatemala had 55 per cent possession compared to T&T's 45 per cent. The visitors also had 11 shots on target. T&T had five shots on target – three of which crucially beat Nicholas Hagen in the opposing goal.
T&T pulled a goal back before the break through a ruthless penalty conversion by the returning Alvin Jones, who also converted a penalty in a friendly win over Guatemala in June. Still, Eve felt his team's intensity needed lifting.
"When we went back in (at halftime), we felt as though we were giving them a little too much respect. We also thought that their two strikers weren't quick enough to harass our two centre backs so we went (with) man-for-man (marking) throughout the park and that's where we changed and put high pressure on them.
"We were not brave enough (in the first half). Second half we came out a lot braver and I thought we dominated the game for the most part."
Each of Eve's five subs had a positive impact on the game, starting with Defence Force attacker Reon Moore who came on for the injured Tyrone Charles in only the 20th minute. The speedy Moore was a livewire in the "number nine" role and his direct approach caused the Guatemalan defence several problems. In the 54th minute, Moore put T&T back on level terms with a close-range effort after Hagen saved a goal-bound header by Neveal Hackshaw.
"We thought we'd start with more solid players and more physical players and wear them down, and then unleash these (more attack-minded) players for the last 30 minutes and it worked to a T.
"The plan wasn't to be down 2-nil but you saw the fight and character of this team and that's what we've been seeing from this team throughout this tournament."
There were several strong defensive performances from Eve's group, with birthday boy Denzil Smith making a number of saves in the T&T goal before being replaced by debutant Christoper Biggette in the 79th minute. The trio of Hackshaw, Jones and Justin Garcia were also resolute at the back for T&T, making countless key clearances as they put their bodies on the line. T&T left-back Ross Russell Jr arguably had the most telling clearance on the night, as he crucially hacked clear when a header from Guatemala captain Jose Pinto dropped agonisingly close to the T&T goal line.
Eve praised the heroic effort of his team.
"I think we had a lot of heroes on the park. Some time ago, we would not have come back from going 2-0 down. Credit to the players and staff so that we could have these kinds of days in our football again. Everybody did their jobs."
T&T's resolve on the defensive end paved the way for some magic on the other end, which came from the talented Natty.
"This is not the first game we have put on Nathaniel and he has had that sort of impact."
With the game nearing the end of regulation time, the teenager asked his former Tiger Tanks Club Sando teammate, Jones, to take the 89th-minute free kick. Hagen was unmoved in the Guatemala goal as Natty's winner sent the 7,000-plus Hasely Crawford crowd into a frenzy.
Eve thanked T&T's 12th man.
"Once you're doing well in Trinidad, people come out. We thank them for that. The boys are appreciating that and you saw what it did for them. I can't remember the last time those things happened. The fans were instrumental and gave those players the 12th man."
At the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao on Tuesday, T&T will try to quiet Curacao's 12th man as they go after a spot in the quarter-finals of Nations League A.
-
Soca Warriors aim to top Nations League group.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).
High-flying Trinidad and Tobago will tackle table proppers Curacao on Tuesday night aiming for their fourth straight victory in the Concacaf Nations League A competition, at the Ergilio Hato Stadium, Curacao.
TT are top of Group A with a maximum nine points from three matches and need just one point to ensure a first-ever appearance in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals. The top two teams in the group will advance to the "quarters" and possibly book a place in the 2024 Copa America. Panama (seven points), Martinique (six points) and Guatemala (four points) are still in contention going into the final round.
However, Curacao and El Salvador are yet to register a point in the competition and have already been relegated to League B of next year's Nations League.
TT, fresh off a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Guatemala on Friday, arrived in Curacao on Monday looking to end the group stage on a high.
In an interview with TTFA media, midfielder Neveal Hackshaw said the mindset of TT has not changed and they will be going for victory.
"They (Curacao) will come with everything, but they don't know what we coming with. They say we need a point but we not coming for a point – we coming for three points.
"That's what we want, that's what we been working for. No one believed we would be in this position, but we came into the group and showed them wrong. We showed we are a fighting team and everything is possible."
He called on his team-mates to stay grounded and "trust coach (Angus Eve) decisions and whatever tactics he brings."
The Oakland Roots SC player said the Guatemala game was tough, but TT stayed in contention by being united. "We never argued with each other – we fought (for TT) with each other. If somebody make a mistake, we bring them up and not push them down. That's leadership from everyone. It wasn't just a senior thing."
HFX Wanderers midfielder Andre Rampersad wants TT to make a statement against Curacao. He said, "We want to maintain the unbeaten run, for sure. Four wins in a row, top the group, full points and make a statement,"
Rampersad says players are confident and praised the character shown in the last game.He expects them to continue to work hard as that is what has brought them success.
Recalling their last meeting with Curacao – a 1-0 win in their opening match of the Nations League – Rampersad said, "They were excellent keeping the ball in the first half. But coming out in the second half we sorted it out., applied pressure and we were able to get the breakthrough goal in the end. It's gonna be a physical battle but I think we are going to come away with the victory."
-
How the Concacaf Nations League QF pairings are determined.
CONCACAF.COM.
MIAMI, Florida – The October window of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League will bring an end to play in League A, with the top-two teams from Group A and Group B advancing to the quarterfinal round.
The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals are scheduled for November in which the winners of each two-legged home-and-away series will qualify for the Concacaf Nations League Finals scheduled for March 2024 and the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 to be held in the United States.
The four teams defeated in the quarterfinals will still have another opportunity to qualify for the Copa America via a Play-In in March 2024.
Here is a detailed explanation of how the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal match-ups are determined:
After the completion of Group A and Group B, the first and second-place finishers from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the top two teams from Group A and Group B will join the four top-ranked League A national teams based on the Concacaf Rankings as of March 2023: Mexico, United States, Canada, and Costa Rica.
League A’s quarterfinal round will be played in a home-and-away format, with the aggregate score winners in each quarterfinal match-up advancing to both the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024.
The quarterfinal pairings will pit the four top-ranked League A teams against the winners and runners-up of Group A and Group B. The winners and runners-up in Group A and Group B will be ranked by the number of points accumulated during the group stage.
Jamaica and Honduras have already qualified for the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals, but it is yet to be determined which of the four top-ranked opponents they will face.
The top-ranked League A team (based on the Concacaf Rankings as of October 2023), will play against the lowest-ranked group runner-up, while the second-ranked League A team, will play the highest-ranked group runner-up.
The third-ranked team will face the lowest-ranked group winner and the lowest ranked team will take on the highest-ranked group winner.
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It is interesting to note while we are playing a defense to counter setup, we have conceded more than Panama on the other hand we have scored more, we should be trying to force more turnovers, right now we are simply hoping to get the ball
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This team defending hopeless without dat bus boy
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Trini_2026 yuh seeing this
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we down 2 nil now
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trying to find a good link
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Dis team definitely can't defend without dey bus .......steups offside save we
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Any links?
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seems like the bussing shots base on them stats
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https://firstrowsports.be/soccer/curacao-trinidad-tobago-krk9b64c1?l=3049021735
try dat it stop go for me and and they will complain about yuh ad block d first time jus try again.......mightn be able to full screen it though jus press f11 and ctrl and + to resize and use d sliders on yuh browser to center it doh recommend whitelisting dat site though
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We have no shame boy, real slackness in de back.
Their left winger eating we up he keep cutting in successfully
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@Peong dais why I wasn't fighting down d low block...because we wasn't even doing dat good
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Thanks Lefty
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is I said in an earlier post a reckoning will come with d dat passive and melt away defending lehwe hope they can pull back some goals we can still be eliminated
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1st goal was the keeper ball, long time since I see a keeper back all the way up like dat. We can score.
Look we make 3 subs at the half.
Ross Russell, Auvray and poon angeron off, moses, Lee-Him and Raymond on
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penalty
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well even if they qualify second to Panama, they'll face the lower ranked of Mexico or USA in the quarters. Who wanna take bets on that matchup?
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angus look clueless on the side lines
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telfer limping
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i like the Telfer - Moore combination. Telfer falls back and creates really nicely.
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3-2 game on
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Wtf kinda pen was dat saved though poor pen
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What really goin on here
How was that a penalty?
Smith dive and the player jump over him and they get a penalty?
Must be said, Smith did well on the 2nd penalty
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Clown show
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they coming down on alvin jones side alot
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5-2
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Our midfield is weak
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if Angus start this post match interview with talk about Ref I go blow a gasket.
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D reckoning have arrived
Better now than later but I have real doubts going forward jus too porous and passive in defense
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Kounty is that angus self he doing. And panama btw looks good
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The team ain't perfect but the Ref shouldn't cheat.
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we are meeting the USA OR MEXICO
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I know we are missing key players but this team need some more additions especially in the middle ...
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as a matter of fact we need to strenghten all over
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How is Hackshaw so unfit and on the team? I'm not dissing him, I don't understand it.
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We're missing about 6 key players. Most of the other got their A squad players. We can't afford to go into the qualifiers without Garciax2, Phillips, Fortunex2, and possibly Bateau.
We need a quality CB that can also play wide. David is a good player, but he got stretched a lot.
Curacao was deadly on the wings. Thus is where we missed the pace of Shannon Gomez.
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Noah Powder should have played. He can play wide on defense or offense. Eve should've considered that.
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Hackshaw had a good Nations League, Preacher. Lots of fingers to point otherwise so after Eve, it hard to begin. Russel Jr and Alvin Jones, I like their attacking flair, but those dudes can't defend...particularly crosses. [Imagine I missing Shannon Gomez now]. Aubrey is our best..and that is a sad thing.
Anyway, I happy for the games, and am not looking fwd to what a full strength US squad will do, given we got 6 from their B team.
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Warriors lose to Curaçao 5-3 to finish in second place.
CONCACAF.COM.
MIAMI, Florida – The group stage of League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League came to a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday night, with Panama and Trinidad and Tobago emerging as the top two sides in Group A to qualify for next month’s quarterfinals.
Panama win the group with 10 points, followed shortly behind in second place by Trinidad and Tobago with nine points.
Curacao earned their first win of the group stage in impressive fashion with a 5-3 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao.
It was an ideal start for Curacao, who took a 1-0 lead in the 7’ when a long ball was played up to Rangelo Janga and the experienced striker finished with aplomb past Trinidad and Tobago GK Denzil Smith.
Curacao were hungry for more and they doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 12’ when Kenji Gorre found Godfried Roemeratoe, who fired into net past Smith.
The Curacao attack was unyielding and a hard run from Gorre in the 54’ ended in a foul in the Trinidad and Tobago area and a penalty kick. Gorre stepped up and easily converted from the spot, extending the Curacao advantage to 3-0.
Trinidad and Tobago were finally able to pull back a goal in the 68’ as Ryan Telfer found Reon Moore with a cross from the right wing and Moore finished to make it 3-1.
It was Trinidad and Tobago with the momentum now and suddenly it was 3-2 in the 74’ when a rebound fell for Kristian Lee-Him to latch onto and fire into goal.
Curacao had a golden opportunity to restore a two-goal advantage from the penalty spot in the 75’ after a Trinidad and Tobago handball, only to see Smith save Brandley Kuwas’ penalty. But three minutes later it was 4-2 via the penalty spot after a foul in the area. This time Juninho Bacuna stroked it into net for Curacao.
Curacao’s three-goal lead was then restored in the 81’ when Roshon Van Eijma’s header hit the crossbar, but Janga was there to head in the rebound to make it 5-2.
Their chances at winning the group were fading away, but Trinidad and Tobago wanted to make sure they held onto the second spot, and they made it a 5-3 final scoreline in the 86’ when a free kick was played in front of the Curacao goal and Kareem Moses poked home the loose ball.
Teams
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 3.Ross Russell Jr (12.Kareem Moses 46); 15.Neveal Hackshaw (8.Noah Powder 87), 14.Michel-Poon-Angeron (23.Kristian Lee Him 46); 7.Ryan Telfer (11.Real Gill 71), 18.Andre Rampersad, 20.Kaïlé Auvray (6.Andre Raymond 46); 13.Reon Moore.
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Kevon Goddard, 9.Nathaniel James, 10.Duane Muckette, 19.Tyrone Charles.
Coach: Angus Eve
Yellow Cards
André Raymond
Kristian Lee-Him
Curaçao (4-1-4-1): 23.Trevor Doornbusch, 4.Roshon van Eijma, 3.Juriën Gaari, 6.Vurnon Anita, 12.Justin Ogenia, 15.Nathangelo Markelo, 7.Juninho Bacuna (20.Kevin Felida 83), 8.Godfried Roemeratoe, 14.Kenji Gorré (13.Joshua Zimmerman 68), 17.Brandley Kuwas (18.Elson Hooi 83), 9.Rangelo Janga).
Yellow Cards
Vurnon Anita
Concacaf Nations League Result
(Tue 17 October)
Curaçao 5 (Rangelo Janga 7, 81, Godfried Roemeratoe 12, Kenji Gorre 56 pen, Juninho Bacuna 78 pen), Trinidad and Tobago 3 (Reon Moore 68, Kristian Lee-Him 74, Kareem Moses 86) at Willemstad.
STATS
CUR - TRI
51.4% Possession 48.6%
5 Shots on Goal 4
24 Shot Attempts 17
19 Fouls 12
5 Corner Kicks 6
1 Saves 5
Concacaf Nations League Final Standings
TEAM GP W D L GD P
Panama 4 3 1 0 +7 10
Trinidad and Tobago 4 3 0 1 +1 9
Martinique 4 2 1 1 -1 7
Guatemala 4 1 1 2 -2 4
Curacao 4 1 0 3 -1 3
El Salvador 4 0 1 3 -4 1
WATCH Highlights | Curaçao vs Trinidad & Tobago | 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXTkfkdd4pc)
WATCH Eve's Comments as T&T secure Nations League Quarter Final qualification - T&T 3 x Curacao 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTNGnvuDHoM)
T&T to face USA in Nation League Quarter Finals.
TTFA Media
Trinidad and Tobago will face the United States in the quarter finals of the Concacaf Nations League in November. T&T will face the US in the opening leg of the home and away tie in Austin, Texas on November 16th before playing at home at a venue to be announced in Trinidad on November 20th.
The winner advances to the semi finals of the Nations League as well as the 2024 Copa America while the losers of the tie will have a second opportunity at Copa America qualification in the playoff against another quarter-final loser in March, 2024.
The schedule for the Quarterfinals is as follows, with the home team for each match listed first (per the competition regulations, the four pre-seeded federations, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States, themselves had the opportunity to decide whether they would play first at home or away.):
Thursday, November 16, 2023
United States vs Trinidad and Tobago
Costa Rica vs Panama
Friday, November 17, 2023
Jamaica vs Canada
Honduras vs Mexico
Monday, November 20, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago vs United States
Panama vs Costa Rica
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Canada vs Jamaica
Mexico vs Honduras
After home-and-away play, the aggregate score winner in each pairing will advance to both the 23/24 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024. The four losing Quarterfinalists will still have an opportunity to qualify for next summer’s Copa America via a single-match direct elimination Play-In, where they will play for the two remaining slots for Concacaf nations. This Play-In will also take place in March 2024.
23/24 Concacaf Nations League Finals
The Concacaf Nations League Finals’ third edition is scheduled to take place in March 2024. The final four, between League A’s Quarterfinal winners, includes semifinals, to be played on Thursday, March 21, 2024, followed by a Third Place Match and Final on Sunday, March 24.
To determine the semifinal pairings, the four participating nations will be ranked 1-4, according to their performance in the Quarterfinals (points, and if required, goal difference), with the highest-ranked team facing the lowest-ranked team (1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3).
More details on the 23/24 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the Concacaf Copa America Play-In will be announced in due course.
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Minute 3:12
https://www.youtube.com/v/rTNGnvuDHoM
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From the get-go: Minute 2:21 -- i had to stop. i go need some days to listen to the rest of he.
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Eve: We usually defend properly; T&T coach explains Curaçao defeat, praises CNL campaign
Wired868.com
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve blamed a combination of tired legs, astroturf, TTPFL inactivity and refereeing decisions for their first defeat of the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League A competition, as they fell 5-3 to Curaçao yesterday in Willemstad.
https://wired868.com/2023/10/18/eve-we-usually-defend-properly-tt-coach-explains-curacao-defeat-praises-cnl-campaign/
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From the get-go: Minute 2:21 -- i had to stop. i go need some days to listen to the rest of he
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I grind meh teeth. Cover meh ears. And suffered through it steupsing . . .
Ah musbe like torture oui
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That doe or die attitude is easily demolished by another team's fitness and tactical superiority.
We're up against a USA team whose players are in mid season in the top 5 leagues across Europe, whilst our players are predominantly in the TTPFL off season.
We need to adopt the approach of Jamaica, Nigeria and Ghana who trawl the world for the best players that can potentially represent them and crucially make the first approach.
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Thomo, apparently a law in TT is preventing this from happening. Suriname had a similar law that prevented the Dutch born Surinamese from getting citizenship/passport. The law was changed in 2020 or 2021. Since then Suriname has been featuring a predominantly Dutch born team.
Eve has mentioned this issue before. I don't know about much about the law. However, it has to do with initiating the process to get the citizenship. For TT a parent must initiate it, and they have to provide proof that they are a citizen, and the player is their child. For other countries, the player can initiate it as long as they can prove 1 parent is already a citizen.
Now when it comes to getting citizenship through a grandparent, it's even trickier. I heard that the parent would have to get their citizenship first, then initiate the citizenship process to get their child a passport.
I believe the issue is something like what I mentioned, if anyone can correct me, please do so. I only know pieces of the issue.
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It was a successful campaign—Eve.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
National coach Angus Eve has credited his players for qualifying for the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Nations League ‘A’ Division, despite a 5-3 loss to Curacao on Tuesday night in Willemstad, Curacao.
“I think the campaign was a huge success,” Eve told the media in a post-match press conference after the loss, however, he pointed to blatant dubious calls by referee Said Martinez, who led an all-Honduran officiating team for the match.
Martinez awarded the hometeam three penalties in the encounter, two of which were converted and the other saved by T&T goalkeeper Denzil Smith.
“This is a rebuilding process that we’re going through and there will be days that you will have your ups and downs, but I thought there were a lot of questionable calls by the referee today. I mean I haven’t seen the tape and I am not one of them to talk about the referees much, but today I thought that out of the three penalties, maybe one, and the other two, and then Denzil made a save. He (the referee) said it crossed the line but it didn’t look like it, Denzil doesn’t feel that it crossed the line, but all-in-all, we had a very good campaign. We’re still alive when other people have gone home,” Eve explained.
Eve’s charges won their first three matches against Curacao 1-0 and El Salvador and Guatemala by a 3-2 margin, before stumbling to their first defeat of the campaign. The loss exposed some areas of weakness in his team which prompted the former national midfielder turned coach, to call adjustments in the local league to help their cause.
“It was difficult for some of the guys to play back-to-back. I thought we struggled, we looked a little bit ‘leggy’ playing on the turf. It seems to be a little bit too much for the guys’ legs and the turf didn’t help at all, but we still made a lot of simple mistakes in defence and that’s basically what we’re known for, defending properly,” Eve, a former national standout explained.
He noted further “ This Curacao team has players in the Dutch League and in the Championships in England, so again, it was always going to be a struggle. Our League back home is not actually going on right now and we played guys like Ross Russell Jr and Alvin Jones, and credit to them because they’re not in season. Michel Poon Angeron is not in season, Denzil is not in season, Duane Muckette and a number of the other guys are not in season, so we really need to ratify the times that we play our Leagues back home because we really need support so that the guys can continue on an upward trajectory and help the national team to go forward.”
The Warriors are now on a collision course with the USA, whom they were pounded by at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States 6-0 and 7-1 in an international friendly match in 2021. T&T’s comfort against their challengers came from a 2-1 FIFA World Cup Qualifying win at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
The Warriors will first the US on November 16 in Austin, Texas before facing them in the second leg at home four days later on November 20.
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Thomo angus brought in Kristian Lee Him ;D ..
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Antwoine Hackford is looking good for Sheffield Utd u21. We hadda bring him in.
Daniel Phillip eh get a good run out with us yet but he seems a competent midfielder. Was he injured or something? Didn't notice him in the squad news
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Still doh get how Eve keep saying we defend properly in all dem game we looked good for 2-3 luck was just on our side with loose balls....we were largely passive and waiting for d other team to make a big enough mistake on d ball...we never try to force or pressure mistakes dey jus fall in we lap.....what I will say is dat this is d most clinical I have seen us in a while...we chance conversion promising....but dat way we defending.........
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Daniel Phillips is getting good playing time in Scotland.
Having our full complement of players has always been the norm. 2006 Germany, no Andrew's or Spann. . 2015 Gold cup same thing. . We always missing key players. While other teams always had a full complement when they needed it.
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just watch highlights from USA v Ghana.......we are very much dead in the water with dat defending based on what i just saw
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gawd on pitch phillps getting playing time in Scotland but in angus team 45 mins
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gawd on pitch
I believe what you're referring to the is TnT's laws and rules granting of citizenship by heritage/parents. Our constitution states that children of nationals born abroad are allowed citizenship (ie a passport) as direct descendants ie parents. So if yuh parents born in TnT you can be granted citizenship, it stops after that. Countries like Jamaica they have the grandparents rule, so you can be granted citizenship via yuh grandparents even if yuh mum or dad born abroad.
However a nice lil caveat in our constitution that can be exploited is if the child who's parent and grandfather was born abroad applies for citizenship before the age of 18.
Yes the direct citizenship via grandparents gives others a leg up over us but be can be smart and look up, approach and see how we can pursue these players before the turn 18 and plan for the future. If Eve and the powers that be at the ttfa ent doing that, dey more stupid than I think.
Hope that makes sense and I ent mix it up too much.
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Antwoine Hackford is looking good for Sheffield Utd u21. We hadda bring him in.
Daniel Phillip eh get a good run out with us yet but he seems a competent midfielder. Was he injured or something? Didn't notice him in the squad news
Actually criminal that Eve and co ent call up this guy. He's even played for the first team a couple times.
We simply cannot produce the types of players to complete in concacaf in a timely fashion. We have to make use of the opportunity of recruiting foreign born players. How some can't see that is beyond me. 🤦🏾♂️
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why some men can't see the reason they are not picking foreign born players that have talent because TT isn't in control of their football or decisions...
its sabotage right through and Eve turns a blind eye to obvious talent that can help, and it's on purpose... You honestly think they can't identify and recruit talent? why are people so naive to believe that...
not all these players are falling under the citizenship rule...
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Hopefully the guys are putting in extra personal training and getting their fitness levels in peak form especially after what happened this past July. That should be motivation to avoid a repeat of that disaster.
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I am aware that many of us have some doubts about AE,maybe because of some results over his tenure,we cannot say 100% that he is doing badly,in fact he is outdoing many of the past coaches,although I think,some of his selections puzzle me and others.Today I looked at AE doing a training stint,and I can't help but say,I do like the advise he gives the players,they are simple and effective if follow2ed,things he tells the players reminds me of British football managers of some years ago.Football could be simple but players could make it difficult if tactical awareness is missing.I just feel we would put up a good fight against the USA,I hope.
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Soca Warriors' Nations League squad to be named Sunday.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).
With the Trinidad and Tobago men's football team set to play the US in a 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League A home-and-away quarter-final tie on November 16 and 20, coach Angus Eve is hoping striker Levi Garcia will be fully fit for both games.
The Greece-based Garcia returned to action for AEK Athens on Saturday when they played AE Kifisia in the Greece top flight. The 25-year-old Garcia missed six weeks with a quad injury and came off the bench versus Kifisia as the third-placed AEK were held to a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to the TT Football Association (TTFA) media on Tuesday during a national team session at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Eve said it would be a plus to have Garcia back in the Soca Warriors set-up.
"I always keep my fingers crossed when Levi starts back to play, especially coming close to an international window. We haven't had the services of Levi at all for this tournament and the guys who are here are doing tremendously well in his absence," Eve said.
"If Levi is fully fit and back, that will be a bonus for us because he brings a lot of belief into the team. When he comes here, he is that type of character."
T&T will be on the road for the first leg when they play the US at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on November 16, before hosting the Americans four days later at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. With AEK playing two more games before the Fifa international window, Eve says Garcia is eager to find his footing.
"Levi wants to play. He wants to come back but we won't risk him if he can't. He is hoping he gets serious minutes in the next game and then we'll get to make a final and formal decision."
The US thumped T&T 6-0 in a 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage match in July. Eve acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead, but he says his team has changed.
"It's a very difficult task ahead. (USA) will play more of their European-based players to play the match. Also, we're different. They will have to look at us differently also because we are a different unit. Both sets of teams are going to change up dramatically I think."
Eve's current training squad comprises a heavy local presence, along with foreign-based players such as Neveal Hackshaw, Noah Powder and Malcolm Shaw. Eve says it's important to get his players up to speed before the quarter-final tie.
"(Our players) are fit but they are not football fit, so we're trying to replicate those kinds of things in training. They are out of the season for the most part – the guys who play in the States and the guys who are based here."
Eve will name his final squad on Sunday.
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Soca Warriors coach on Nations League matches...Eve: All teams are dangerous
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)
HEAD coach of the Soca Warriors Angus Eve knows that any team the US put on the field will a formidable one, despite missing marquee players for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches. T&T and US will meet on Thursday and November 20.
Eve spoke to the media about the matches before a Soca Warriors training session at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima on Friday. The final T&T squad will be named on Sunday.
The first leg between US and T&T will be played in Austin, Texas on Thursday followed by the second leg on November 20 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. The winner over the two legs will advance to the Nations League semi-finals and seal a spot at the 2024 Copa America.
Many of the familiar faces were seen training with the Soca Warriors on Friday with the likes of Duane Muckette, Michel Poon-Angeron, Alvin Jones, Brent Sam, John-Paul Rochford, Real Gill, Malcolm Shaw and goalkeeper Denzil Smith going through their paces.
American midfielders Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah have hamstring injuries and will be unavailable.
Pulisic and Weah are among the most talented US players, but Eve said the Americans have depth and it will be a challenge to overcome them.
Asked if Pulisic and Weah will hamper the US performance in the matches, Eve said, "Nope, because they have adequate cover all around the team. They picked 23 players and only one of them playing in the MLS (Major League Soccer). That tells you the type of depth that they have right now and they have a lot of players who are playing in top European clubs if you look throughout the squad that they pick, so no, I don't think that will hurt them in any way."
Eve said his players are raring to play.
"We are always up for a challenge. Every game that we played so far has been a tremendous challenge for the group," Eve said.
Eve and his technical staff are trying to keep the Soca Warriors match fit as most of the T&T players have not been playing often in the last few months as the TT Premier League is in the off season.
"It is well documented that the majority of our players are not in season right now...it makes the task a little harder, but we are going out there to fight and represent our country in the best way that we can."
The US have been a powerhouse in Concacaf over the past 20 years, along with Mexico and Costa Rica.
Eve still has confidence in his players, saying, "Sport is on the day. We believe in ourselves, you hear (the enthusiasm in) the boys back there. We have been on a good run, so we want to continue that run. It is going to take a lot of hard work and it is going to take tactical awareness and tactical fitness to get through the game because most of our players are not match fit as their players are. We have to be very smart in the way we play the game and give ourselves a fighting chance when we come back home and hopefully the crowd will be behind us."
Asked about the players Soca Warriors fans can expect in the squad, Eve said, "We have to try to pick most of the players who would have just finished playing, so they will have a semblance of match fitness and some of the players who are actually still playing. The team will probably be comprised of those type of players."
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Squad named
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Underwhelming. I was holding out for a GG III call-up. ::)
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Sandy gets first senior team call...Garcia among 5 recalled
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Goalkeeper Rushon Sandy, a former member of this country’s Under-20 men’s football teams, is the lone newcomer named in a 23-man squad by T&T Soca Warrior coach Angus Eve for the Concacaf Nations League first-leg quarterfinal away to two-time champions USA on Thursday (November 16) at Q2 Stadium, Texas from 10 (TT time).
T&T who qualified to the quarterfinals as the runner-up from their six-nation League A Group A round-robin qualifiers with three wins from four matches for nine points, one behind table-topper Panama, will then host the Americans at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on November 20 from 8 pm.
USA currently holds a 21-3-4 all-time advantage against T&T. The teams last faced off in this year’s Concacaf Gold Cup with FC Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira registering a first-half hat trick in a 6-0 Gold Cup group stage victory for the US, while San Jose forward Cade Cowell, Venezia midfielder Gianluca Busio and FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez also found the back of the net.
The 20-year-old uncapped Sandy, who attends Yavapai College in the USA was a part of the national U-20 team led by coach Eve at last year’s Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship in San Pedro Sula, Honduras but was third choice behind Tristan Edwards and Canada-based Jaheim Wickham and is yet to feature for T&T at any level.
Last month, the San Fernando-born Sandy was one of three Yavapai College men’s football team student-athletes, who garnered postseason honours in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC), earning Second-Team All-Conference honours.
For the season, Sandy played in ten games for the Roughriders, starting in goal in nine of them, and picked up four victories in those matches and tallied one shutout.
His marquee victory of the season came on October 7 against Eastern Arizona when he made six saves and helped clinch a playoff spot for the Roughriders.
Apart from Sandy, coach Eve has also recalled the fit-again 25-year-old Greece-based striker Levi Garcia of AEK Athens after he missed all four Concacaf Nations League group matches through injury in September and October.
Garcia led AEK to the Greek League and Cup double last season, scoring 18 goals across all competitions, but has had a start-stop campaign so far only appearing in five out of 16 matches for his club, and is expected to feature today against Lamia before joining up with the Soca Warriors squad.
He was first injured on August 22 in a European Champions League Third Round first-leg away to Belgium’s Royal Antwerp, and only made his return almost a month later on September 21 in a clash with England’s Brighton & Hove in the opening round of the Europa League followed by a league clash with Panathinaikos four days later, in which he was replaced after 75 minutes due to injury.
However, the T&T captain at the Concacaf Gold Cup has since recovered and featured for his club in a 2-0 loss to France’s Marseille in the Europa League on Thursday, and along with Jamaica-based Nathaniel James, Canada-based Malcolm Shaw, USA-based Shannon Gomez, and Scotland-based Daniel Phillips will be welcomed back into the squad after they all missed the final group match in the Concacaf Nations League, a 5-3 away loss to Curacao on October 17.
Making way for Sandy and the returning players are Defence Force back-up goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire, AC Port-of-Spain midfielders Tyrone Charles, and Duane Muckette, Defence Force midfielder Kevon Goddard, and Finland-based defender Kareem Moses.
The rest of the team selected by Eve includes goalkeepers and Defence Force duo Denzil Smith and Christopher Biggette, captain Aubrey David, Jesse Williams, Justin Garcia, Ross Russell Jr, Alvin Jones, Andre Raymond, Michael Poon-Angeron, Neveal Hackshaw, Noah Powder, Andre Rampersad, Kristian Lee-Him, Kaile Auvray, Reon Moore, Real Gill and Ryan Telfer.
In other Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, Canada faces Jamaica, Mexico battles Honduras and Panama meets Costa Rica and at the end of the four home-and-away series, the four winners will not only advance to the Nations League final four in March next year but also will clinch their spots in next summer’s Copa America, the eminent South American competition, which will be held at venues in the USA.
The Angus Eve-coached T&T reached the quarterfinals having finished second in the six-team Group A qualifiers with nine points, with a 5-3 loss to Curacao in their final match on October 17, their only blemish.
The four losing quarterfinalists will still have an opportunity to qualify for Copa America 2024 via a single-match direct elimination play-in, where they will play for the two remaining slots awarded to Concacaf nations for the Copa America which will feature 10 CONMEBOL nations and six Concacaf nations.
T&T Concacaf Nations League squad for quarterfinals:
Goalkeepers:
Denzil Smith (Defence Force), Christopher Biggette (Denzil Smith), Rushon Sandy (Yavapai College/USA),
Defenders:
Aubrey David (CS Cartagines/Costa Rica), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego/USA), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC/USA), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Ross Russell Jr (La Horquetta Rangers), Alvin Jones (Tiger Tanks Club Sando), Andre Raymond (Vilar de Perdizes/Portugal)
Midfielders:
Michael Poon-Angeron (AC Port-of-Spain), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone FC/Scotland), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots/USA), Noah Powder (North Colorado Hailstorm/USA), Andre Rampersad (HFC Wanderers/Canada), Kristiam Lee-Him (IFK Eskilstuna/Sweden), Kaile Auvray (Mount Pleasant/Jamaica)
Forwards:
Reon Moore (Defence Force), Malcolm Shaw (Atletico Ottawa/Canada), Real Gill (Tiger Tanks Club Sando), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens/Greece), Natahniel James (Mount Pleasant/Jamaica), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA).
Coach:
Angus Eve.
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US not sending B-Squad (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/usmnt-squad-for-november-concacaf-nations-league-roster-for-usa-vs-trinidad-and-tobago-in-2023-quarterfinals/ar-AA1jEN4p)
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Hackshaw, Moore express confidence in Soca Warriors
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
Soca Warriors duo, midfielder Neveal Hackshaw of Oakland Roots and Defence Force striker Reon Moore are confident of getting a positive result against the USA in their first-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday (November 16).
The Americans, who along with Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica were handed byes into the quarterfinals based on their FIFA rankings, will then visit Port-of-Spain on November 20 for the second-leg match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The Angus Eve-coached T&T reached the quarterfinals having finished second in the six-team Group A qualifiers with nine points, with a 5-3 loss to Curacao in their final match on October 17, their only blemish and will go into the meeting with the Americans as heavy underdogs having gone under in their last two meetings 6-0 at the Concacaf Gold Cup last July, and 7-0 in January.
The USA currently holds a 21-3-4 all-time advantage against T&T, but speaking after their final training session at home at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar before heading to the United States as part of the 23-man squad, both Hackshaw and Moore expressed their confidence in the team's chances.
Hackshaw, who has featured 39 times for the senior team and has netted twice first expressed satisfaction with the preparation ahead of the team's departure which included a few practice matches against some of the local T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) clubs, who are readying themselves for the start of the second season on November 24.
The robust midfielder said, "These sessions have been very important as we try to get match fit with these games we have been playing here and I think the guys are playing and doing pretty good.
"Now we're just waiting to meet up with the rest of the guys and I think it's going to be fun."
Looking ahead to the first-leg encounter against the Americans, Hackshaw said he was feeling good and positive.
He added, "I think with the bunch of guys we have now I think we're going to give them a good fight. It's not going to be easy both ways for us and for them, and I think we are going to do good.
"This team we have here is a fighting team. It's a younger group, but I think everyone is always up for the fight, and with the addition of Levi (Garcia), I think we are going to do great."
With regards to the Texas venue, Hackshaw said, "It's going to be cold and with their fans, it's going to be a great atmosphere because the field is really nice, which is going to be nice for us as well."
With the second leg to be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the following Monday, Hackshaw was also mindful that the Soca Warriors will need a positive result to give themselves a chance at home to advance.
He said, "It's not going to be easy for us, but we are going there to give them a show, and we are not going to step short and we are going to go full hundred."
The 27-year-old Moore who has scored seven goals in 24 appearances, including two in his last two matches, added: "I think we will do well in Texas.
"The training session with the boys have been high intensity so far, we are fully enthusiastic about the task at hand and we are going to go there and show that we have what it takes to beat the USA."
With regards to the Americans, Moore said he believes they have selected a good squad despite the absence of the injured Italian-based duo of Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) and Timothy Weah (Juventus).
However, the in-form T&T striker noted that at the end of the day, football is played on the day.
He boasted, "So I don't feel threatened in any way about the squad that the USA plays with."
Commenting on the return of captain Levi Garcia who missed all four matches for the Soca Warriors in the six-team League A qualifiers, Moore said: "It will be a big plus for all the guys and the technical staff to have Levi back in the team because what he brings to the table for us is great."
In the other quarterfinal match-ups, Canada faces Jamaica, Mexico battles Honduras and Panama meets Costa Rica.
At the end of the four home-and-away series, the four winners will not only advance to the Nations League final four in March next year but also will clinch their spots in next summer’s Copa America, the eminent South American competition, which will be held at venues in the USA.
The four losing quarterfinalists will still have an opportunity to qualify for Copa America 2024 via a single-match direct elimination play-in, where they will play for the two remaining slots awarded to Concacaf nations for the Copa America which will feature 10 CONMEBOL nations and six Concacaf nations.
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Soca Warrior Nathaniel James eager to combine with Levi Garcia.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
STRIKER Nathaniel "Natty" James wants to combine with Levi Garcia for the Soca Warriors, as the teenager believes he can form a solid attacking pair alongside the Greek-based player against the US in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League on Thursday and Monday.
The first leg of the quarter-finals will be played in Austin, Texas on Thursday at 10 pm, TT time. The second leg will kick off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, on Monday at 8 pm. The winner over the two legs will not only advance to the semi-finals of the Nations League but will earn a spot at the 2024 Copa America.
James, who has settled down quickly in T&T colours, wants the Soca Warriors to be confident.
"We are here for a purpose. I think the team needs to be brave in attack and we need to be disciplined in defence," James told TT Football Association media. "I think we could do really well here. Everyone is in high spirits, it is a good bunch...I am happy to be here."
On the possibility of playing with Garcia, James said, "I am really happy to be here with Levi. I really want to play with him and I think we can combine well in the attack. I think it will be a good experience for me. The amount of knowledge (he has) and the amount of things he can teach me, I think it will be good."
James and Garcia have similar traits, using speed and skill to evade defenders. The Soca Warriors have welcomed the return of Garcia after recovering from a leg injury.
Despite just having a few caps under his belt, James has already scored two match-winning goals for T&T in the Nations League group phase. Against Curacao he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for the Soca Warriors and in a match against Guatemala, his late free kick led to a 3-2 win.
"I just take one game at a time. I try not to have any pressure on myself. The coach (Angus Eve) knows what I can do, he believes in me so I just go out and I do what I can do. It is natural to me, the brain is on autopilot."
James said he is enjoying the experience of playing with Mt Pleasant after joining the team for the 2023/2024 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season which began in October. James said the JPL is a physically demanding league.
For the first time in the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be introduced during the match between the US and T&T when the teams play each other in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Jamaican Oshane Nation has been appointed as the referee for the first leg of the clash between the Soca Warriors and T&T. The assistant referee one is Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing, assistant referee two is Ojay Duhaney and the fourth official is Christopher Mason, all from Jamaica.
Canadian Drew Fischer will be the VAR and his assistant in the booth will be Costa Rican Benjamin Pineda.
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Ahead of USMNT showdown, Trinidad and Tobago Head Coach Angus Eve is doing things his way
By Jon Arnold (getconcacafed.substack.com)
Angus Eve will be in the technical area Thursday, leading Trinidad and Tobago against the United States in a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal. This comes to the surprise of many people. One of those people is Angus Eve.
The Soca Warriors definitely weren’t supposed to make it here. They finished the previous Nations League in League B and, even after they were awarded a League A place thanks to a penalty handed down to another nation, they weren’t favored to advance.
As for Eve’s presence? He quit this very job this very summer.
“I felt that the team hit a rock wall and that they would’ve needed massive change at the time,” he told me in a phone call last week.
“Coming out of the Gold Cup, I was so disappointed with a number of things that happened in that tournament that I wouldn’t disclose here now, but going through that process I felt deeply that - my contract was up - and probably I should move on and do something else.”
The head of the normalization committee currently running the Trinidad and Tobago FA approached Eve and convinced him he shouldn’t leave because of two poor results in the Gold Cup. They worked out an extension, with the committee backing the former defender, and the 51-year-old returned to work.
It turned out to be a good choice for everyone.
Trinidad and Tobago won three of its next four matches, beating Curacao in Port of Spain, securing a road win in El Salvador and rallying from 2-0 down to beat Guatemala 3-2 in October.
The team showed fight in a 5-3 loss to Curacao on the final day as well, though Curacao had more to play for that day and it showed. Those results mean Trinidad and Tobago is here, playing the U.S. in a two-game series for the right to play in the Concacaf Nations League Final Four and in the 2024 Copa América.
Eve’s teams aren’t pinging the ball around or even looking to build from the back, with the Soca Warriors adopting a style of play even its mother would label ugly.
But, for Eve, muddying things up and finding a goal on a counter-attack or a set piece provides the best chance for Trinidad and Tobago to win. Why would he do anything else?
While Jamaica can naturalize English-born players like Michail Antonio and Demarai Gray, then turn them loose, Eve said, “We have to develop our players. We do not produce the Russell Latapys, the Arnold Dwarikas, any more, the flair players we had before.”
“That’s why we adopted that style, that way of play, and it has worked for us,” Eve continued, pointing to Leicester City’s historic run in the Premier League and the recent cup upset in Germany when Saarbrücken beat Bayern Munich with just 25 percent possession. “It’s not about how much of the ball you have, I believe. It’s what you actually do with the ball. The players you have dictate what type of football you can play.
“I like the expansive style of football, but do we have the players to do that? I don’t think so.”
Few will argue with the results, and no one doubts Eve’s passion, however, he is not a universally popular figure.
In September, Columbus Crew winger Kevin Molino made clear he wouldn’t represent the national team if Eve is still leading it, telling Wired868 “I don’t want to be a part of this mess … For me, he lost the locker room. One hundred percent, he lost the locker room.”
These November matches will mark the return of Levi Garcia, the AEK Athens forward who is unquestionably Trinidad and Tobago’s star player at the moment. While he was yet to make a public statement, there were some concerns about his disposition toward the national team still led by Eve. He’s in the roster, and, Eve says, a key component of the squad.
“Once Levi’s fit, a player of his caliber must be a part of the team. We see Levi as the poster-boy, the catalyst for the team,” Eve said. “He’s well-respected not just by the players and his peers but also the country because he does a lot of work in his community and beyond.
“I think he just needed a proper rest.”
No one expected Eve to be coaching these matches, and fewer still expect Trinidad and Tobago to secure direct qualification to the 2024 Copa América with an aggregate win over the United States.
“We know it’s a mountain to climb against the U.S.” Eve said. “But I think we’re a different team with a different mentality. When we come out there, we basically have nothing to lose.
“We believe we’ve done what we had to do: Nobody expected us to be here and nobody expected us to win any of the games, so we want to keep making magic.”
While nervous U.S. fans may recall the historical anecdote of 2017, Eve said one of his first memories of the U.S. when it comes to soccer is an even deeper cut: Paul Caligiuri’s 1989 goal in Port of Spain to put the Americans into Italy 1990 over Trinidad and Tobago.
“That lives in the back of our minds forever and ever,” he said.
Eve was still a few years away from beginning a playing career that would end with him as the most-capped player all-time for Trinidad and Tobago, but one that saw him beat the U.S. only once, a 1994 friendly match.
Since then, much of Eve’s career as a player and a manager has been shaped by federation chaos. He says that he read about Morocco’s run at the 2022 World Cup, with stakeholders saying, ‘Let’s put politics aside,’ ahead of the tournament.
As the normalization committee continues to call the shots and the country’s sporting infrastructure re-emerges after a long Covid-19 shutdown, Eve wishes something similar could happen with soccer in Trinidad and Tobago.
“It always happened like this, since I was playing. We had great teams but never pushed on because they had issues behind,” Eve said. “I think it’s a lack of professionalism a lot of times. People have feelings about personal things instead of getting on with the job.”
After leaving the job, Eve now is working to get on with it himself, trying to win his players over, have them buy into his idea and keep surprising everyone - himself included.
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Goodluck tonight boys. I'm hoping everyone's fit and we can remain organized without becoming discombobulated as we seldom do against the US.Watching the scores of the last 3 games vs the US 6-0, 7-0 & 6-0 loses. If we can grind out a draw I would be over the moon.
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Aubrey David – Trinidad and Tobago need to 'tough it out' against U.S.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).
Soca Warriors captain Aubrey David says T&T need to "tough it out" against the US if they are to get a favourable result in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League A quarter-final tie in Texas on Thursday night.
T&T meet the defending champions from 10 pm TT time, with the return leg scheduled for 8 pm on Monday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. With the winner of the home-and-away tie booking an automatic spot in the 2024 Copa America tournament, David says his team needs to seize the moment and "stay united."
"We are two games away from entering a Copa America tournament which is one of the biggest things for us," David told TT Football Association (TTFA) media. "We are focused and the guys are responding well. The guys are ready for the encounter.
"It is no secret (the US) have top-class players. That does not deter us from going and getting a result also. We need to go and stick to the game plan and tough it out and see if we can get the win."
The US got a thumping 6-0 win over T&T in the group stages of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. David, 33, says T&T will need to have tactical discipline to keep the US at bay.
"I think we achieved the mission which was to get back to playing these caliber of games. If we can get a (draw), that will leave us playing for everything for 90 minutes in T&T. With good support from the crowd, I think we can finish the job there."
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Soca Warrior coach Angus Eve: 'We want to be in Copa 2024'
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).
Trinidad and Tobago men’s football team coach Angus Eve says qualifying for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America tournament has the potential to change the football landscape in the country.
On Thursday and Monday, T&T will lock horns with the US in a home-and-away quarter-final tie in the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A cycle. The US, defending champions in the Nations League, will host the first leg from 10 pm TT time at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. T&T will host the return leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Monday night.
At stake for the two teams in the CNL quarter-final is a spot in the CNL semi-final and also an automatic spot in next year’s expanded Copa tournament, which will feature six Concacaf teams. Even with a loss in the quarter-final, either T&T or the US can still advance to Copa 2024 via a single-match, direct elimination play-off against one of the other losing quarter-finalists in March next year.
“We are in (Concacaf Nations League) A and we have maintained our position in the (tournament) so anything we get now – we are going to play with our hearts – will be a bonus for us,” Eve told TT Football Association (TTFA) media during his team’s first session in Austin on Tuesday.
“The opportunity to play in the Copa America is a massive bonus for us so we are not going to take these games lightly at all. We want to go and put our best foot forward.”
Eve says T&T’s upcoming CNL matches present the perfect opportunity for the country’s football growth and development.
“I don’t think a lot of people back home understand the importance of these games fully and what they mean for us. If we can get by these games and qualify for the Copa America, it will bring so much to football for our country.
“It is a step forward towards where we want to be and where the country wants to be competing at the highest level all the time in Concacaf and world football.”
In the most recent meeting between the teams, the US stormed to a thumping 6-0 triumph in a group stage match at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup in July.
Eve says the Soca Warriors are on a mission to right the wrongs from the Gold Cup.
“We are still feeling the pain from the 6-0 drubbing we got from the US in the Gold Cup. We want to correct that also. The boys are really motivated for that not to happen to us again. I was reading something today and the stats were overwhelmingly against us in the series against America. As I said before, we are motivated and we are going to go out there and work very hard.”
With T&T playing in the CNL knockout stages for the first time, Eve acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead.
“These are uncharted waters for us. Also, I think we are playing the tenth ranked team in the world and we are way down the pecking order. We are in a rebuilding stage as I have said before and the rebuilding is going a lot faster than expected.”
The US are Concacaf’s highest-ranked team on the Fifa rankings at 11th.The 12th-ranked Mexico are the next best Concacaf team. TT are the 11th best team in Concacaf and are ranked 99th by Fifa.
“We have pride and we will represent our country in the right way. We know it is a mammoth task but we really want to go out and compete with the US in this series.”
Eve’s full complement of 23 players were involved in Tuesday’s session, with the manager saying everyone is in good spirits. Eve said the conditions in Austin were “nippy,” but he said they would not be unbearable to play in.
On Thursday night, the Warriors, who finished second in their CNL group behind Panama, will test their mettle and progress against Concacaf’s best team and the reigning CNL champions.
The Italian Serie A duo of Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah have both been ruled out of the quarter-final tie for the US with hamstring injuries.
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Hope you guys don't come down on the lads tonight when the USA rain down goals on them. You already seen Angus submitting his excuse in advance, saying how the lads are out of season.
Coming to think of it, I've never heard this coach talking optimistic before any match he's over saw, and I doubt it's coaching strategy.
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Pull. It can be done. QRC just beat Fatima 2-1. The same QRC that got 6 or 8 from Fatima about 4 weeks ago.
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Any links to the the game tonight.
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Ahead of USMNT showdown, Trinidad and Tobago Head Coach Angus Eve is doing things his way
By Jon Arnold (getconcacafed.substack.com)
“I felt that the team hit a rock wall and that they would’ve needed massive change at the time,” he told me in a phone call last week.
“Coming out of the Gold Cup, I was so disappointed with a number of things that happened in that tournament that I wouldn’t disclose here now, but going through that process I felt deeply that - my contract was up - and probably I should move on and do something else.”
The head of the normalization committee currently running the Trinidad and Tobago FA approached Eve and convinced him he shouldn’t leave because of two poor results in the Gold Cup. They worked out an extension, with the committee backing the former defender, and the 51-year-old returned to work.
Time for hadad to ride out
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Starting 11
Denzil Smith
Defenders:
Aubrey David, 'Shannon Gomez , Justin Garcia ,Alvin Jones , Andre Raymond
Midfielders:
Daniel Phillips Noah Powder , Andre Rampersad,
Forwards:
Malcolm Shaw Ryan Telfer
Coach:
Angus Eve.
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Levi on the bench. Wonder why?
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Aubrey David – Trinidad and Tobago need to 'tough it out' against US
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)
Soca Warriors captain Aubrey David says T&T need to "tough it out" against the US if they are to get a favourable result in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League A quarter-final tie in Texas on Thursday night.
T&T meet the defending champions from 10 pm T&T time, with the return leg scheduled for 8 pm on Monday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. With the winner of the home-and-away tie booking an automatic spot in the 2024 Copa America tournament, David says his team needs to seize the moment and "stay united."
"We are two games away from entering a Copa America tournament which is one of the biggest things for us," David told T&T Football Association (TTFA) media. "We are focused and the guys are responding well. The guys are ready for the encounter.
"It is no secret (the US) have top-class players. That does not deter us from going and getting a result also. We need to go and stick to the game plan and tough it out and see if we can get the win."
The US got a thumping 6-0 win over T&T in the group stages of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. David, 33, says T&T will need to have tactical discipline to keep the US at bay.
"I think we achieved the mission which was to get back to playing these caliber of games. If we can get a (draw), that will leave us playing for everything for 90 minutes in T&T. With good support from the crowd, I think we can finish the job there."
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Soca Warrior coach Angus Eve: 'We want to be in Copa 2024'
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)
Trinidad and Tobago men’s football team coach Angus Eve says qualifying for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America tournament has the potential to change the football landscape in the country.
On Thursday and Monday, TT will lock horns with the US in a home-and-away quarter-final tie in the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A cycle. The US, defending champions in the Nations League, will host the first leg from 10 pm TT timeat the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. TT will host the return leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Monday night.
At stake for the two teams in the CNL quarter-final is a spot in the CNL semi-final and also an automatic spot in next year’s expanded Copa tournament, which will feature six Concacaf teams. Even with a loss in the quarter-final, either TT or the US can still advance to Copa 2024 via a single-match, direct elimination play-off against one of the other losing quarter-finalists in March next year.
“We are in (Concacaf Nations League) A and we have maintained our position in the (tournament) so anything we get now – we are going to play with our hearts – will be a bonus for us,” Eve told TT Football Association (TTFA) media during his team’s first session in Austin on Tuesday.
“The opportunity to play in the Copa America is a massive bonus for us so we are not going to take these games lightly at all. We want to go and put our best foot forward.”
Eve says TT’s upcoming CNL matches present the perfect opportunity for the country’s football growth and development.
“I don’t think a lot of people back home understand the importance of these games fully and what they mean for us. If we can get by these games and qualify for the Copa America, it will bring so much to football for our country.
“It is a step forward towards where we want to be and where the country wants to be competing at the highest level all the time in Concacaf and world football.”
In the most recent meeting between the teams, the US stormed to a thumping 6-0 triumph in a group stage match at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup in July.
Eve says the Soca Warriors are on a mission to right the wrongs from the Gold Cup.
“We are still feeling the pain from the 6-0 drubbing we got from the US in the Gold Cup. We want to correct that also. The boys are really motivated for that not to happen to us again. I was reading something today and the stats were overwhelmingly against us in the series against America. As I said before, we are motivated and we are going to go out there and work very hard.”
With TT playing in the CNL knockout stages for the first time, Eve acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead.
“These are uncharted waters for us. Also, I think we are playing the tenth ranked team in the world and we are way down the pecking order. We are in a rebuilding stage as I have said before and the rebuilding is going a lot faster than expected.”
The US are Concacaf’s highest-ranked team on the Fifa rankings at 11th.The 12th-ranked Mexico are the next best Concacaf team. TT are the 11th best team in Concacaf and are ranked 99th by Fifa.
“We have pride and we will represent our country in the right way. We know it is a mammoth task but we really want to go out and compete with the US in this series.”
Eve’s full complement of 23 players were involved in Tuesday’s session, with the manager saying everyone is in good spirits. Eve said the conditions in Austin were “nippy,” but he said they would not be unbearable to play in.
On Thursday night, the Warriors, who finished second in their CNL group behind Panama, will test their mettle and progress against Concacaf’s best team and the reigning CNL champions.
The Italian Serie A duo of Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah have both been ruled out of the quarter-final tie for the US with hamstring injuries.
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I never seen us look this bad
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All this team have is ah structure there is no attempt to win d ball, even directly on top d box we just waiting for something to release d ball.......dangerous and when we get it d reaction is so slow that d US just easily get back into dey pressing shape
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Is like these guys ball watching
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Looks like 541
Smith
Gomez A Jones. Aubrey. Justin Garcia Raymond
Telfer. Rampersad D Phillip powder
Shaw
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Trini, you wrong. We have looked bad. This isn’t bad. The boys are working hardagainst a very good US team and strategy. The question is, how long can they keep it up.
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We down to 10 men now
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Now that was foolish from Powder. Dammit.
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What allyuh think about the 2nd yellow, did he make contact with the ball?
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Eve giving some antics they man
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Trini, you wrong. We have looked bad. This isn’t bad. The boys are working hardagainst a very good US team and strategy. The question is, how long can they keep it up.
Working hard but unstructured ... as such, they're actually working harder than they should be
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What allyuh think about the 2nd yellow, did he make contact with the ball?
At a glance, player seems to have tripped himself. Can't comment as to upper body contact. Both yellows under the microscope. Although that 2nd challenge was ill-advised given the circumstances
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All this team have is ah structure there is no attempt to win d ball, even directly on top d box we just waiting for something to release d ball.......dangerous and when we get it d reaction is so slow that d US just easily get back into dey pressing shape
Shape, not structure
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I never seen us look this bad
Amnesia?
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Peong, to me it looked like he made contact with the ball but I knew the ref was going to give that 2nd yellow after how he gave the first one on a soft call. The first one reminded me of the red Rashford got in CL last week.
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Levi on the bench. Wonder why?
You've seen this movie before. Hold them to 0-0, then release de guns. AE has explained this approach time and time again. Perhaps, he also factored in how it would work having conceded a red card. :)
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All that matters is the score, so they are doing well
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All that matters is the score, so they are doing well
Highly disputable. Particularly since we are playing -1 having been suffering in situations in which there was always +1 and then +2 situations for the opponent. So the challenge in the 2H is not to maintain the status quo.
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It was a shit tackle, contact with ball or not. You on yellow, the attacker no where near your goal, shim he not even an attacker, he only in possession. Everyone of your players between he and the goal, you pelt blade ? Cheups, doh come back.
Quote: Trini, you wrong. We have looked bad. This isn’t bad. The boys are working hardagainst a very good US team and strategy. The question is, how long can they keep it up.
Working hard but unstructured ... as such, they're actually working harder than they should be
Totally agree seeker. The structure is a obvious reason why, every time our forward receive the ball, there is 3 players on him, and all passing lanes covered. They do that so well.
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any links all mine stop working
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It was a shit tackle, contact with ball or not. You on yellow, the attacker no where near your goal, shim he not even an attacker, he only in possession. Everyone of your players between he and the goal, you pelt blade ? Cheups, doh come back.
Quote: Trini, you wrong. We have looked bad. This isn’t bad. The boys are working hardagainst a very good US team and strategy. The question is, how long can they keep it up.
Working hard but unstructured ... as such, they're actually working harder than they should be
Totally agree seeker. The structure is a obvious reason why, every time our forward receive the ball, there is 3 players on him, and all passing lanes covered. They do that so well.
Especially knowing yuh on a possible red. And everything else you stated.
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Two spot on subs by the US. He really took off Ramps? Well, well, well.
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any links all mine stop working
rivofutboltv.xyz/79/5.php
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Hackshaw on transition is an exercise in futility. So ah not sure how that adding up. With Garcia in the game, presumably transition shot up in importance! SMH
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I guess was just a matter of time, as was quite evident.
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I guess was just a matter of time, as was quite evident.
Well, if your tactics play into US hands and feet, YEAH!
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wow is not so much d score as is d time intervals was away hence d shock
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Quote from: maxg on Today at 10:00:03 PM
I guess was just a matter of time, as was quite evident.
Well, if your tactics play into US hands and feet, YEAH!
trowing 'round dat word lil too loosely in relation to Eve eh........jus saying
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You think he learn ‘Keep away football drill’ is not a game Tactic.
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Neveal Hackshaw might be a decent player but to slow for the today's game. He is shit, Eve is a dunce.
Team played good even though they lost. They just unfit.
The TTFA need to give these guys more prep games, they unfit.
To many high balls, Eve have them playing like de 80s, defence to attack and ignoring de midfield.
You have two strikers on de field and playing one (Telfer) deep, why?
These pussies lost to the worst US team ever.
Eve waste Alvin Jones in this game and keep him to deepth for de entire game.
Powder is a fighter but a clown knowning he was on a yellow.
Gomez, Raymond and Justin Garcia was impressive but over worked.
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We needed that nil nil draw badly but with 10 men it was not going to happen,so close but a 50% improvement to the last 6 we got from them.Hope we do better in Trinidad.
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Waaays...the faithful still here boy. Good to see that...
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That effort draws Canada. Just saying
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So tired losing against the US, especially when I know we can do way better
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So tired losing against the US, especially when I know we can do way better
you’re telling me! and you would think that those idiots in port of Spain would have come up with a solution after 30 or more years of losing to these people, who play football/ soccer as a fifth place sport behind baseball, basket ball, football and ice hockey.
The reality is that you can’t have a “professional league” only running for 4 months out of the calendar year, with limited spectators, poor pitches, menial sponsorship, no developmental programs on a club level, just piss poor strategy all around,
and the real furkun knife twister is the dum dum football fraternity, the abject piss poor thinkers who have the power and the votes to make a difference, but instead fail football at every end with their petty childish idiotic hang ups.
If trinis had any love for that country, any pride in themselves and their nation and wanted better for their home land, then they would have got up off their asses two decades ago, put their silly differences aside and busted their buns….and not just for sports, but for every aspect of life, including safety and security.
the professional class has been failing that country since 1962 when the British walked away and left these thirsty hungry greedy corrupt people in charge of a beautiful country, a lush green wonderland surrounded by blue warm waters which they turned into a den of thieves. that’s why we would never beat the usa in anything.
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Giving up three goals after 80 minutes of struggle is ridiculous. I Could understand one or maybe two, but three? i often wonder why these people so weak? Jamaica would have never done that. We trinis have no heart, absolutely zero bad mind in sports.
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We often express concerns about the quality of football players in Trinidad as we lack the necessary support. The coach and staff try to have a complete team of players but fall short in recruiting. Players like Hashaw are not fit to play World Cup games. He is overweight and not quick on his feet. :(
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I was proud of the effort considering it was mostly with 10 men. The US has millions more in population and billions more to spend on football and believe me they spend every cent towards development.
I met two men from North Carolina who started a non profit club and with donations and sponsorship built a training facility and stadium that beats every facility I’ve seen in Trinidad. Two random guys with an idea generated more funding than our government and local sponsors could. That’s the difference in how football is funded abroad vs home and you see it on the pitch.
Our players fought hard last night and the coach played with a plan that is commonly used around the world. It was 10 minutes short of being highly successful. Give the boys and coaches some credit.
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We are now at the point where we cannot even compete with the usa 11 v 11.This is very worrisome.
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With 10 men it will always be a struggle. lilDamo got it right. They Fought hard- What a Pity they could not Have held on for a Draw' Congrats on the Fight.
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I was proud of the effort considering it was mostly with 10 men. The US has millions more in population and billions more to spend on football and believe me they spend every cent towards development.
I met two men from North Carolina who started a non profit club and with donations and sponsorship built a training facility and stadium that beats every facility I’ve seen in Trinidad. Two random guys with an idea generated more funding than our government and local sponsors could. That’s the difference in how football is funded abroad vs home and you see it on the pitch.
Our players fought hard last night and the coach played with a plan that is commonly used around the world. It was 10 minutes short of being highly successful. Give the boys and coaches some credit.
What's used around the world is one thing. What should be used on the international stage against an elite opponent is another thing. Moreover, iz not "that plan" but variations of it. Chasing the player in possession is a plan?
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We are now at the point where we cannot even compete with the usa 11 v 11.This is very worrisome.
Like yuh missed a few episodes. ;D
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Yes we ceded possession everywhere on the pitch, that is Eve's preferred tactic this rounds. I accustomed by now.
Sad to see but the entire game was played in our half.
I thought we did well after we settled. The US were stacking up players on the flanks, wing backs and mids interchanging. I guess that's why Telfer was pinned back, to help Shannon G.
Plenty high crosses from wide which I prefer, we dealt with those well. Is them low square balls into the box and tricky play through the middle that we struggle with.
Shannon and Raymond did very well I thought, they worked hard and got in their share of blocks and tackles. Dest try to spanner Raymond and he wasn't having it.
Rampy and Phillips were able to cut out quite a few midfield passes and look to spring the play forward.
That was where we could have used more quality last night, our counterrattacks fizzled, Shaw was outnumbered every time he got it. Is only at the end we managed to put something together with Levi.
He and all wasted a couple precious passes to the front line.
Denzil Smith is good, amazing save to his left in the first half and good hands throughout. The second and third goals took slight deflections, although I was disappointed he didn't save from Reyna at the near post.
Lucky ting Hackshaw wasn't on at the start becuz he woulda been roasted early on.
Noah Powder was working hard but oh god boy, a rush of blood to the head and we down to 10 men.
Allyuh see Levi drift right through Dest like he wasn't there? Man is a boss, he can play in any league.
I eh really like the reffing. In my book Powder did not deserve the first yellow. There was no intent whatsoever, he never saw McKennie as he spun trying to shield and get out of a tight space. Also McKennie shoulda gotten a yellow for pulling back one of our players when we tried to attack. I thought that was a textbook yellow.
When Aubrey and the american went down hurt, I thought Aubrey missed the ball and fouled the guy, no call.
Early on Shaw was taken down a few times and got no call, there were no replays but they looked like fouls to me.
I thankful for VAR intervention on the penalty call.
Will there be VAR in the Hasely?
Honestly the us played shitty. Sorry we couldn't make something of it.
24 shots to 1
76 % possession to 24%
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Eve and Hadad need to go... unacceptable...
Eve style of play is straight from the early 90s :D
I won't even comment on his tatical changes and selection..
We will never make the WC under this man..
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In all fairness, something Eve doing is working to a certain degree. His style is unorthodox. I don't agree with it. But we played with less men and got 3. It could have been worse.
Copa 2024 is being held where? You think the organizers would take the chance of the US missing out on Copa in their own backyard?
The first yellow on Powder, was not a yellow. Second was a yellow for sure.
I think we might get Costa Rica in the playoff. If Jamaica wins, we might get Canada.
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gawd on pitch he did nothing new the game .. This how we always play
https://www.youtube.com/v/VAyQD8gYjBM
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asylumseeker A usa vs trinidad match is now looking like trinidad vs st martin . :-[
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We are now at the point where we cannot even compete with the usa 11 v 11.This is very worrisome.
HELLOO! so where were you in the last twenty years?
Can T&T compete with Guyana? Grenada? Jamaica? 11 vs 11 ??
But yet you surprised about not competing against the US
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gawd on pitch...
that means all matches in concacaf as i have said years gone by are fixed...
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I remeber the US belting T&T by 10 goals not too long ago but yet some man in here talking about "worrisome" T&T cant compete with US 11 vs 11 "anymore"
Is this still the old man mentality that T&T is better than the US because they say "soccer" :D :D
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can't really complain too much. Eve was always going to park the bus [once we not playing Caribbean opposition] and do the same with 11 -- worse yet with 10. Plays with 10 defenders. Nominally, if the lone 'striker' can bring a deep Telfer (or sub Williams) into the play that is where we tend to catch a couple teams... or a couple of other variations of that.
A real small island brand we playing against the big guns.
I get it to start a game for the most part..but what I don't get is how there is never any on the fly variation -- no overload...no, this stanza of the game we will switch it up a little, make some observations, then fall back into this. I guess if Leo could do similar at a whole WC and we forever hail him, then why not Eve right?
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_2026, I think the part you missing is that the US is now 11 in the World. Did you notice how defensively England played against them in the last WC?
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We need to stop giving the US props over our own team. They don't respect us at all. In their entire history of football they have never produced a player worth watching. Their thing is fitness and tactics that's it. For 80 mins. it was TT vs TT they had nothing special to offer.
If you are ever in a situation like this 80 minutes in and you pulling off an upset you don't sit back and try to survive. Anything outside of 35 yards is foul and fight. Let the game digress into chaos. Determine who can get yellows. Every call we running up on the ref. Intimidate the ref, but not descent, intimidate their players. These yanks are entitled and soft, they will break.
We need to stop this narrative of TT not being good enough. Here's the new narrative: For every goal you score on us you loose an arm.
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There will be VAR at the HCS.
Oshane Nation muddied the waters with the first yellow. Powder decided he want to get his feet wet with the second. Might have had to do with having something to prove.
The cast of players assembled was competent. Some question marks about Telfer defending away from the flanks persist. Hackshaw is a case study understood by those gifted with sight. Jesse Williams seems to have had his most compelling game on debut.
Precisely, Preacher at 80' the good money is "forcing" the action elsewhere.
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3 - 0 is unacceptable. But it's not 6. Plus 70mins playing with 10 men without a goal for the US, is a step in the right direction. The red card got us 3 goals. 1-0 or a draw would have been about right without the red card.
By the way, US don't look that powerful without Pulisic. They not that mighty anymore.
Let's pray that we get Costa Rica. I watched their game with Panama. They took 3 while playing at home. I think we can beat them in the US if we get them in the playoffs. Our guys look way more stronger than them.
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Preacher..
Is the ony one that brought up valid points in the mental approach to the US games...
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I been watching trinidad vs usa for the last 20 years even when we are beaten its was still competitive fixture . Time for him to ride out
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Preacher..
Is the ony one that brought up valid points in the mental approach to the US games...
Likely because we recognize the coach's mental approach.
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Expect MORE Licks from the same "soft" USA on Monday.
Talk is talk. Results is what matter.
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Warriors keeper Denzil Smith transfers to Point Fortin Civic in TTPFL
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)
Ten-man Trinidad and Tobago did well to stave off defending Concacaf Nations League champions USA for 80 minutes in their opening quarter-final in Texas on Friday night, but the visitors ran out of gas in the final moments and conceded three late goals, to lose 3-0 at the Q2 Stadium in Austin.
Noah Powder’s two first-half yellow cards piled more pressure on T&T from early on and despite holding the hosts scoreless for the majority, the Americans finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd through substitute Ricardo Pepi.
Antonee Robinson (86’) and Giovanni Reyna (89’) affirmed victory for the US and also sank T&T’s hopes of a possible debut at the prestigious Copa America 2024.
T&T will need a miracle to counter the result on Monday, when they host USA in the second quarter-final at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, from 8pm.
From the get-go, the Tim Ream-captained US squad dominated the contest as T&T coach Angus Eve opted for an all-out defensive approach.
The American frontline of Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman and Reyna threatened early on as wingers Kevin Paredes and Sergino Dest played main providers. Dest had an early attempt pushed overbar by an alert Smith as T&T still tried to find their footing.
Eighteen minutes in, Powder received his first yellow card for a foul on Weston Mckennie, and was then given marching orders for another reckless challenge on the same player, 20 minutes later.
T&T would have to troop it out with ten men against the reigning champions.
With their numerical advantage, the US pressed further for the opener and were forced to adopt quick, tight passing to penetrate T&T in the final third. The visitors, however, crowded out the hosts despite Ream’s men still generating ample chances to go up.
Smith looked good in goal for the first period and was instrumental in keeping the tie scoreless at the break. Defenders Aubrey David (captain), Alvin Jones and Shannon Gomez had a tough time at the back line but did well to hold out waves of attacks at the half.
Although winger Ryan Telfer had an active first period, he was replaced by Neveal Hackshaw for the final 45 minutes. There was little change for T&T, though, as USA upped the ante in search of the first goal.
Yunus Musah had a strong shot from outside the box pushed away by Smith and Ream headed just wide off the eventual corner, seconds later.
In the 65th minute, T&T’s Daniel Phillips tackled Mckennie in the penalty box and USA was initially awarded a spot kick. However, a VAR check by Jamaican referee Oshane Nation overturned his original decision.
Soon after, T&T brought on Greece-based striker Levi Garcia for Malcolm Shaw and Jesse Williams for Andre Rampersad while the US also bolstered their front line with Brenden Aaronson on for Paredes and Pepi replacing Tillman.
The US pestered the T&T defence and swarmed for a goal. Dest regularly searched for a receiver from multiple right-side crosses. David and Raymond looked better at the back for T&T as the game went on.
But with ten minutes of regulation time to go, Robinson put a cross in from the left which Pepi used the speed of the ball to lightly nudge it goalwards, and into the net, off Smith’s searching hands.
The Q2 Stadium erupted in celebration while the T&T team, who battled valiantly to hold out 80 minutes, were broken.
Five minutes later, Robinson sent them 2-0 up with a lovely left-footed strike which also grazed Jones’ head past Smith.
Reyna then ended all hopes by outwitting the defence with a “dummy” to Balogun, who played it back to him to score at the near post.
The seven minutes added on were mere protocol as the US grabbed a significant three-goal advantage heading into Monday’s tie.
Robinson was adjudged man of the match.
LINEUPS
USA: 1-Matt Turner; 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 5-Antonee Robinson; 8-Weston McKennie, 6-Yunus Musah, 7-Gio Reyna; 17-Malik Tillman (9-Ricardo Pepi, 66) 20-Folarin Balogun, 16-Kevin Paredes (11-Brenden Aaronson, 66)
Substitutes not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 21-Gaga Slonina, 4-Chris Richards, 10-Alex Zendejas, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Paxten Aaronson, 19-Joe Scally, 22-Lennard Maloney, 23-Kristoffer Lund
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
TRI: 22-Denzil Smith; 14-Shannon Gomez, 16-Alvin Jones, 2-Aubrey David (Capt.), 17-Justin Garcia, 6-Andre Raymond; 7-Ryan Telfer (15-Neveal Hackshaw, 46), 12-Daniel Phillips (23-Kristian Lee-Him, 66) 18-Andre Rampersad (4-Jesse Williams, 66) 8-Noah Powder; 19-Malcolm Shaw (11-Levi Garcia, 66)
Substitutes not used: 1-Christopher Biggette, 21-Rushon Sandy, 3-Ross Russell, 5-Michel Poon-Angeron, 9-Nathaniel James, 10-Real Gill, 13-Reon Moore, 20-Kaile Auvray
Head coach: Angus Eve
Officials:
Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing (JAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Ojay Duhaney (JAM)
4th Official: Christopher Mason (JAM)
VAR: Drew Fischer (CAN)
AVAR: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)
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Tough loss: 10-man Soca Warriors beaten by 3 USA goals in final 10 minutes
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)
The chance of Trinidad and Tobago senior men's football team advancing out of the two-match 2023 Concacaf Nations League A quarter-final series against the defending champions United States, took a dent following a fighting, but devastating 3-0 loss last night in Austin Texas.
Despite applying pressure for much of the match, the Americans did not look like they would score and it was goalless for 81 minutes, with Trinidad and Tobago battling for life , a man short since midfielder Noah Powder was sent off in the 37th minute.
T&T gave a disciplined, and at times almost heroic defensive display, but tired and leg-weary, they gave up three goals in an eight-minute spell near the end. Ricardo Pepe (82'), Antonee Robinson (86') and Giovanni Reyna (89') got the goals for the Americans.
The Soca Warriors did not get a shot on the American goal, but defended solidly, and wing backs Shannon Gomez and Andre Raymond were particularly impressive. Everyone worked hard, Powder made a bad decision, and on coming Neveal Hackshaw became a traffic warden, his continued lack of fitness and pace, forcing him to direct team-mates to do the covering he should be doing. Goalkeeper Denzil Smith was again impressive.
American coach Greg Behalter had expressed some concern after a goalless first half.
"The chances weren't really there," Behalter stated. "They (T&T) are still very compact. We gotta get the first goal."
The Americans finally did, and their manager would have been hugely relieved when the Soca Warriors finally broke in the 82nd minute, Pepe squeezing a cross in at the near post despite a touch from goalkeeper Smith. Robinson was given too much space above the penalty area and unleashed a bullet four minutes later for 2-0. Tired and beaten, the Soca Warriors conceded a third, goal from Reyna's boot.
Earlier, T&T’s work was made tougher by Power's dismissal. He allowed the USA outside-back loads of space, and putting the left-back Raymond under pressure. Wanting to be up front, rather than helping Raymond at the back, Powder was already looking the weak link, when he was sent off early, after picking up two silly yellow cards..
His dismissal gave his team-mates more work, but they were still able to get to half time goalless, with goalkeeper Smith having very few saves to make at that point. It wasn't until ten minutes into the second half that the Americans got their first shot on goal, but by then the pressure was mounting, and it took every inch of Smith's frame to touch away a long-range effort from AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah, and a header from Fulham defender and USA captain Tim Ream also went wide.
The Americans were relieved to have won a 60th minute penalty when Jamaican referee Oshane Nation pointed to the spot, as Daniel Phillips went to ground when tackling Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie. But advised to have a look by the VAR official, the Jamaican rescinded his earlier decision, after realising that T&T's Scotland-based St Johnstone FC midfielder Phillips had gotten a touch on the ball.
Meanwhile, Smith again came up big with a flying save from PSV Eindhoven's Sergiño Dest with just about 18 minutes of regular time to go. But by the end, his defenders had run their legs into the ground and Smith found himself the target as if on a shooting range. Three of many shots eventually got past him.
The two teams meet again in the second-leg, where the Soca Warriors will hope home support will prove decisive in Port of Spain on Monday, from 8 p.m.
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Frenderup injured?? ???
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@Cowen I don't know if he is. But I do know that Smith is a talented goal keeper. I'm surprised that he hasn't been scouted to play outside of TT.
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What alyuh think about the left back? Andre Raymond? I didn't see him during the group stage. Good addition I think
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Mckennie ruled out with knee injury
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38926546/mckennie-leaves-usmnt-camp-aggravating-knee-injury
Andre Raymond looks good, that's the youth who had a good game vs porto recently.
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The US got many replacements for him.
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So Andre Raymond is pretty much undroppable now, right?
I mean until Keston comes back.
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Raymond was an absolute standout. Where does he play and if not in a top league he needs to get on his agent to make a move. Easily one of the best players on the pitch for both teams.
I haven’t heard anything about Keston Julien since he left his last club. Is he injured? With or without a club?
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Andre Raymond plays 4th division in Portugal.
I think we have about 4 guys that can play MLS. Or have that potential:
Andre Raymond
Denzil Smith
Andre Rampersad
Ryan Telfer
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Eve credits team effort despite result
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
T&T Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve saluted the effort of his players despite a 3-0 loss to USA in their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first-leg at at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday night.
Following a red card to midfielder Noah Powder in the 37th minute by Jamaican referee Oshane Nation, T&T managed to hold the USA at bay until the 82nd minute when Ricardo Pepi opened the scoring followed by strikes from Antonee Robinson in the 86th, and Giovanni Reyna in the 89th to give their team a solid cushion ahead of Monday’s second-leg match in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking after the loss, Eve, credited his team for the whole-hearted effort displayed but also noted that Powder’s first-half red card affected his game plan.
He said, “To get a red card in the 37th minute and until about the 81st minute before we get any of the goals I thought it was a tremendous effort by the guys.
Reflecting on the match Eve said, “I thought we were in the game until we got the red card, and even when we got the red card we still acquitted ourselves very well.
Having left his more potent players in Levi Garcia, Kaile Auvray, Nathaniel James, and Reon Moore on the bench as he focused on a more defensive approach to the match, Eve said it was all part of the team’s tactics with changes expected to be made in the second half, but those had to be shelved after Powder’s expulsion.
He stated, “It (red card) forced us to change a lot of things that we wanted to do in the second half but at the end of the day I think it’s no disrespect for what we did here.”
Expanding on what his plans for the match were, the former T&T captain and Under-20 World Cup winger, Eve explained, “The red card totally changed our approach, In the second half we wanted to put on more expressive players and more attacking type players.
“That was our idea to keep the game close first-half and then allow the Nathaniel James, Real Gill, and these types of guys to come on and express themselves with Levi Garcia, and unfortunately the red card totally changed what we wanted and had to to do, and it was an exercise in damage management at the end of the day and credit to the guys. You know 85 or maybe a little bit more percent of our guys are not in season. They are not playing any football so I thought the effort was tremendous.”
Speaking on his plans for AEK Athens dangerman Garcia who missed T&T’s four CONCACAF Nations League Group A matches due to injury was missed almost a month of competition for club and country, Eve said, “Levi had had a very tough time of it recently.”
The T&T coach added, “If you remember he was out for a couple of months, and he only played like three games in this past week going up to Sunday. So, we and the people at his club decided to play him for 30 months and that was the idea, and maybe going two up front was the idea to do in the second half, but unfortunately the red card, you know it totally changed the plans but we still had him on the pitch and you saw glimpses of what he can bring if he had a little more help going forward.”
Looking ahead to the return-leg match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo where the team will need to win by four clear goals to advance to the semifinals, Eve said he will be playing to win.
“We want to win, we want to go out on a positive if we have to, and we want to go and try to win the game, and give ourselves a chance because as I said this is first-half, and the other part of it (in Trinidad) will be second-half, and once we can give ourselves a fighting chance and go out there and try and play a little bit more expansive football because we will be home.”
He said, “Hopefully, the crowd will come out and hopefully they would see what the boys did, and I don’t think there’s any shame in what happened against the type of opposition we played and having to deal with some, you know questionable calls.”
He pointed out, “There was a penalty call that wasn’t a penalty, and there was a red card that I think was highly disputed by me because I thought that Powder actually won the ball instead of a foul, but you know, that’s how it goes sometimes in the game, and we have to roll with the punches.”
Eve, T&T’s most-capped player with 117 appearances at senior level said, “It was always going to be a difficult task, and losing a player in the 37th minute and have to play that long period of time down a man, against opposition like this. So for me, I think it was a great performance by the players and I think unfortunately it’s two deflected goals that we get. Denzil (Smith) was excellent and you saw young Raymond (Andre), so there are so many positives for me to take out of this game because we are seeing a lot of players who could stand up to players who are playing at that high level in the US, and as I said again our players are not actually in season, so I thought it was tremendous.”
Meanwhile, Noah Powder is not in the Squad for Monday’s match due to the red card and Neveal Hackshaw is also out on two yellow cards.
Coming into the 23-man Squad are Duane Muckette and Kevon Goddard while goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire comes in for Rushon Sandy.
T&T reached the quarterfinals having finished second in the six-team Group A qualifiers with nine points, with a 5-3 loss to Curacao in their final match on October 17, their only blemish.
Panama also won its CNL match for the second straight time in Costa Rica with a 3-0 victory in their quarterfinal first leg at the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica, and will host the second-leg match on Monday, November 22 from 10 pm at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City
In the two other CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, Canada faced Jamaica, and Mexico battled Honduras on Friday night with their second-leg matches carded for Tuesday, November 21.
At the end of the four home-and-away series, the four winners will not only advance to the Nations League final four in March next year but also will clinch their spots in next summer’s Copa America, the eminent South American competition, which will be held at venues in the USA.
The four losing quarterfinalists will still have an opportunity to qualify for Copa America 2024 via a single-match direct elimination play-in, where they will play for the two remaining slots awarded to CONCACAF nations for the Copa America which will feature 10 CONMEBOL nations and six CONCACAF nations.
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Stern, Theobald applaud T&T effort in first leg
TTFA Media
Former Trinidad and Tobago forward Stern John, this country’s leading goalscorer in international football says the current Senior Men’s team deserves credit for their resolute display against the United States on Thursday in Austin.
John, currently head coach of St Lucia, took charge in his team’s 0-0 draw with St Kitts/Nevis in Concacaf Nations League League B action on Thursday. But he later watched the T&T match on television.
“The team deserves a lot of credit for the way they held themselves together for such a long period in the match. To go that distance with ten men for 50-plus minutes away to a US team decorated with quality players as they possess now is no easy thing to do. That takes a lot more than luck”John told TTFA Media. John made seven appearances against the US in his 150 matches at senior international level during which he scored 70 goals for T&T.
“Angus as the head coach has to be credited for the way he set up the team to play this game. It’s not easy. If you open up against a team like the US, they will batter you. They been giving teams like Mexico and Canada problems and their rise and the quality they have on the park has to be respected.
“No disrespect to our players. We are growing but when you compare the two squads and assess the caliber of clubs the US players are playing with and the level of the leagues, and then you watch our Roster, you have to admit that it’s going to be a challenge.
“People will say all sorts of things but they need to understand the game better and the nature of things as they are right now. Maybe in the past we would approach these type of games differently because of the players and even then it was always tough going up against the US because they are always so organized. Now they have the organization as well as quality in their team.
“But I thought we acquitted ourselves well and had it not been for one bad decision by a player that forces you to go a man down then we might have been able to grind out a result. And then even with 10 men on the park, we didn’t concede until the 81st.
“Now we have to keep that same energy and belief when we play them at home. We cannot lose our discipline because they will punish you,” John said.
Former National team midfielder Densill Theobald who had the assist on Angus Eve’s goal in the 2-1 defeat to the US in a World Cup qualifier at the Queen’s Park Oval in 2005, said he was far from upset on Thursday night.
“Honestly I slept comfortably after the game and why? Because I felt the boys gave such a gritty performance. They played with conviction. That’s what we want.. to see them fight and show that 100 percent commitment on the pitch and we saw that from them. It was unfortunate to concede two goals on deflections but that’s the game sometimes.
“Usually after a 3-0 loss one would tend to be very disappointed and upset with the manner of the performance but this time it was different. There was nothing to feel ugly or shamed about.
“We almost completed a remarkable fight with a result but it was surely going to be hard to hold them off with ten men for that long. Denzil was excellent, Andre Raymond and Shannon Gomez were so solid and Andre Rampersad was a light for us in the middle with his composure and fight. Malcolm Shaw did a hell of a job for us as well. The effort was something we must commend,”Theobald said.
“Remember also almost 90 percent of our players finished their season almost a month ago while America’s squad comprise of players still in season. These things cannot go unnoticed.
“I would even go as far as to say that had we pulled off a draw, this would have ranked right up there with the World Cup draw against Sweden. And this is considering different factors now in terms of the nature of this match and the way the US team is set up as a top ten nation in world football. And we are still going through a difficult period in our football in general terms along with fact that we played with ten men,”Theobald added.
T&T will train at 5pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday while the US team which arrives on Saturday evening will train at midday.
There are three changes in the T&T squad with midfielders Duane Muckette and Kevon Goddard coming in for the suspended Noah Powder and Neveal Hackshaw who is also out on two yellow cards. Goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire comes back into the squad in place of Rushon Sandy.
Early Bird Tickets for Monday’s match are sold out. Tickets now cost $150 (Covered) and $80 (Uncovered). Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at all Haagen-dazs outlets, Fan Club Trincity Mall, Fan Zone (Movietowne Pos and Price Plaza), Online at Eboxtickets.com and at the Stadium on Monday.
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Raymond is in the 4th devision in Portugal? Nah. Who is his agent? He can play in a Norway /Sweden/ Switzerland /Denmark/Finland first division no problem. More of our players need to pass through these leagues as they have a good standard of football and are visible for the teams in bigger leagues.
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Raymond was really solid indeed. The agent "issue" you raised is an interesting one, not sure our players are "coached" on getting doors opened vs "settling"...
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Eve focuses on new defensive tactics for USA clash.
T&T Guardian Reports.
...Stern, Theobald applaud T&T’s effort vs USA
T&T’s senior men’s head coach Angus Eve will have only today’s practice session to work on a game plan for a clash with the United States in the return leg of Division A of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo tomorrow at 8 pm.
Following Thursday’s 3-0 loss in Austin, Texas, the Soca Warriors will train at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, at 4.30 pm
Eve, who hailed the team’s performance after defender Noah Powder was red-carded in 37th-minute and kept the USA at bay for 81 minutes before the first goal was scored, has made three changes to the T&T squad with midfielders Duane Muckette and Kevon Goddard coming in for the suspended Powder and defender Neveal Hackshaw who is also out on two yellow cards. Also, goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire comes back into the squad in place of Rushon Sandy.
Eve will focus on strengthening his defence since he no longer has the valuable and experienced services of Powder and Hackshaw which paves the way for the likes of Ross Russell Jr of La Horquetta Rangers and Jesse Williams, who plays for USL League 1 club Central Valley Fuego.
Meanwhile, former T&T forward Stern John, this country’s leading goalscorer in international football said the country’s Men’s team deserves credit for their resolute display against the United States despite the 3-0 result.
John, coach of St Lucia, saw his team draw 0-0 with St Kitts/Nevis in Concacaf Nations League B action Thursday and later watched the T&T match on television.
John said, “The team deserves a lot of credit for the way they held themselves together for such a long period in the match. To go that distance with ten men for 50-plus minutes away to a US team decorated with quality players as they possess now was no easy thing to do. That takes a lot more than luck” John told the media.
John made seven appearances against the US in his 150 matches at senior international level during which he scored 70 goals for T&T.
“No disrespect to our players. We are growing but when you compare the two squads and assess the calibre of clubs the US players are playing with and the level of the leagues, and then you watch our roster, you have to admit that it’s going to be a challenge.”
“But I thought we acquitted ourselves well and had it not been for one bad decision by a player that forces you to go a man down then we might have been able to grind out a result. And then even with ten men on the park, we didn’t concede until the 81st.”
“Now we have to keep that same energy and belief when we play them at home. We cannot lose our discipline because they will punish you,” John said.
Former National team midfielder Densill Theobald, who had the assist on Angus Eve’s goal in the 2-1 defeat to the US in a World Cup qualifier at the Queen’s Park Oval in 2005, said he was far from upset on Thursday night.
“Honestly, I slept comfortably after the game, and why? Because I felt the boys gave such a gritty performance. They played with conviction. That’s what we want ... to see them fight and show that 100 per cent commitment on the pitch and we saw that from them. It was unfortunate to concede two goals on deflections but that’s the game sometimes.”
“Usually after a 3-0 loss, one would tend to be very disappointed and upset with the manner of the performance but this time it was different. There was nothing to feel ugly or shamed about.”
“We almost completed a remarkable fight with a result but it was surely going to be hard to hold them off with ten men for that long. Denzil was excellent, Andre Raymond and Shannon Gomez were so solid and Andre Rampersad was a light for us in the middle with his composure and fight. Malcolm Shaw did a hell of a job for us as well. The effort was something we must commend,” Theobald said.
“I would even go as far to say that had we pulled off a draw, this would have ranked right up there with the World Cup draw against Sweden. This is considering different factors now in terms of the nature of this match and the way the US team is set up as a top-ten nation in world football. And we are still going through a difficult period in our football in general terms along with the fact that we played with ten men,” Theobald added.
Early Bird Tickets for Monday’s match are sold out. Tickets now cost $150 (Covered) and $80 (Uncovered). Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at all Haagen-Dazs outlets, Fan Club Trincity Mall, Fan Zone (MovieTowne PoS and Price Plaza), Online at Eboxtickets.com, and the Stadium on Monday.
RELATED NEWS
Eve promises 'positive' football vs USA in 2nd leg.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday),.
SOCA Warriors head coach Angus Eve said it will be a different approach in the second leg of the 2023 Concacaf Nations League quarter-final match against the US as they try to overcome a 3-0 deficit.
The second leg of the quarter-final will be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo at 8 pm on Monday. The winner will advance to the semifinals and also earn a coveted spot in the 2024 Copa America which will be held from June 20 to July 14 in the USA. The loser will still have a chance of qualifying for Copa America via a play-in versus the losers of the other quarterfinals.
T&T went down in the first leg in Austin, Texas on Thursday and are expected to play a more attacking style if they are to pull off a remarkable comeback. Eve started off with an ultra defensive mindset in the first leg with a plan to bring on attacking players like Levi Garcia, Nathaniel James and Real Gill in the second half.
The approach seemed to be working as T&T, despite not threatening the US goal and hardly venturing into ther half, were frustrating the hosts who struggled to breakdown T&T's resolute defence.
However, Eve's second-half plan had to be shelved as T&T were reduced to ten men in the 37th minute, after Noah Powder received a second yellow card for a rash tackle in the opposing half.
T&T opted to maintain a defensive formation in an effort to hold on for a draw. Amid tiring legs, USA finally broke their resistence in the 82nd minute and fired in three late goals.
In an interview with the media ahead of Monday's match, Eve said the hosts will express themselves a bit more. He said, "Usually, away from home any team in any country plays in a different manner and when you are home you tend to play in a different manner, so when you come to the game tomorrow you will see...We will be a little more positive, most definitely, because we want to win the game."
Eve said nobody thought they would advance so far in the tournament. "We are so excited to be here. We just want to go out and represent our country well. We want to project a lot of pride and determination when we go into these games.
"These are the games we want to play in the rebuilding stage where we are at and exposing young players...to gain contracts on the outside, that is our primary goal and to continue to develop T&T football."
Eve said the spirit the Soca Warriors showed in the first leg proved his players have the ability to compete with the US, the number-one ranked Concacaf team and 11th ranked in the world.
"The game that they just played they would have felt a little bit more comfortable on the park, a little bit more comfortable in the environment playing the number-one team in Concacaf and the number-ten or 11-ranked team in the world. They know now they could play and compete, so I think we are going to see a different game tomorrow."
T&T player Andre Raymond liked the determination his teammates on Thursday. "For me it was a pleasure to hold the (US) team (for so long). Unfortunately, we did not get the result we wanted, but coming home we have the advantage now and I think we can press forward for the result we want."
T&T will be wihout the services of Powder, who is serving a suspension for his red card, as well as midfielder Neveal Hackshaw, also suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.
Included in the squad in their absence are midfielders Duane Muckette and Kevon Goddard.,
Sunday marked the 34th anniversary of the US 1-0 defeat over T&T at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, which earned the Americans a spot at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Eve was asked about November 19, 1989.
"I have been talking to (former national defender) Brian Williams and the boys. Yesterday they had an event that unfortunately I could not go to. We know how the people in T&T remember the Strike Squad. I myself was coming into the team. It was a very traumatic time for us because we had so many dreams and aspirations at that time that we would have been in Italia 1990. Unfortunately, it did not happen."
US coach relishes Soca Warriors test.
US MEN'S football coach Gregg Berhalter said he expects a "good test" from Trinidad and Tobago who need a miracle to turn around an 0-3 deficit in Monday's second leg of the 2023 Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. The match kicks off at 8pm.
The US left it late against ten-man T&T in the first leg in Austin, Texas, but still prevailed 3-0 to put one foot into the semis.
The winner over the two legs will not only qualify for the Nations League semi-finals, but will earn a spot at the 2024 Copa America.
US won the first leg on Thursday courtesy three goals in the final ten minutes. T&T's Noah Powder was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 37th minute, but the Soca Warriors defence held firm until the deadlock was broken in the 82nd minute by Ricardo Pepi. Antonee Robinson added a second goal in the 86th minute, before Giovanni Reyna rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute.
Speaking to the media at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday, Berhalter said, "We talked at the end of the (first) game, (saying) we are only halfway there so now we have another half of this 180-minute game...It is going to need intensity, it is going to need determination and teamwork and we will be ready then because it is an opportunity for us to go to the semi-finals of the Nations League, to go to Copa America."
Asked if fans could expect any experimentation in the second leg with a 3-0 cushion, Berhalter said, "It is not time to experiment. We are focusing on the result, we are focusing on the opportunities we have in this match and I think it will be getting ahead of ourselves (to experiment)."
Berhalter said the Soca Warriors made them work in the first leg. "I also credited TT for their amazing effort and I stand by that. They did a great job. Their coach (Angus Eve) was animated on the sideline, getting them going and they really had a fighting spirit."
T&T and the US have a long history of matches, but the rivalry really took off during the 1990 World Cup campaign. US silenced a capacity crowd at Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 19, 1989 with a 1-0 win to seal a spot at the 1990 Italy World Cup. The result prevented T&T from qualifying.
Berhalter, who got over 40 caps in his international playing career, said matches between the two countries are always entertaining.
"They are always good matches. I remember the 1989 match, obviously 2017," Berhalter said. In 2017, a long-distance strike from T&T defender Alvin Jones ended USA's chance of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Jones's goal helped T&T win 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Berhalter believes T&T are starting to produce talented players again. "They had a really strong generation, they are replenishing that now. You could see some real quality young players...T&T has been around for a while, has been competing at the highest level for a while, so we see this as a good test for our group."
Levi Garcia, who plays for Greek club AEK Athens, is one of T&T's best players. Berhalter said limiting his threat will be pivotal. "He is a quality player, no question about it. We have enjoyed watching him play at AEK Athens. I spoke to him after the (first) game, saying how much I admire him as a player because of his quality...
"We know he is a dangerous player. We are going to have to be aware of him. (He is) very strong, good dribbler, good left foot...he is going to be a factor in this match for sure."
US will be without starting midfielder Weston McKennie because of a knee injury. Berhalter said in the days prior to the first leg, McKennie was battling to be fit for the match. "There were some training sessions where he was hobbling around and it really took a lot for him to play in this match (first leg)...sometimes you push it to the limit and something bad could happen.
"This was a case where he was getting treatment all week. We saw him hindered in training and after speaking to him, it is (now) about recovery, getting this thing right and trying to nip it in the bud, so it does not linger for months and months."
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So Eve focus on defensive tactics? I hope he understand T&T need to score goals to advance. ???
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Humm
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Scoring at least 3 unanswered goals against the US is a tall order, especially since our identity has been defensive in all our games since GC. Should Eve stick to his guns and aim for a moral victory (0-0 or 1-0 win) and keep playing his style to build the chemistry with the focus on the single elimination game? Or go all out in attack to try for the 3+ goals to give ourselves a chance of qualifying now?
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Scoring at least 3 unanswered goals against the US is a tall order, especially since our identity has been defensive in all our games since GC. Should Eve stick to his guns and aim for a moral victory (0-0 or 1-0 win) and keep playing his style to build the chemistry with the focus on the single elimination game? Or go all out in attack to try for the 3+ goals to give ourselves a chance of qualifying now?
If we can't play expressive football at home, where can we play it? Anguilla? This is 2023; if there's only one trick by a pony and you see a fella standing on the sidelines dressed as a ringmaster ... what questions do you ask yourself? Is this the main event or is the pony self-taught? Or, where is the circus?
The coach's toolkit needs to be a bit more diverse here. All this patting on the back is for nought without production.
I think the answer is both. Wasn't long ago that the US was properly engaged at the HCS.
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So no Levi then, put Reon Moore and Telfer
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I like the starting XI. Wukkable.
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We playing 3-4-3 apparently
Gill Nathaniel James reon Moore
Andre Raymond Rampersad Phillips Gomez
Garcia David Alvin jones
Bacchanaal now start. What a beauty from Reon Moore
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Any chance of a link? Seems like we are about to do something. Them yanks shaking in their boots.
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Two pieces of shit decision making in two minutes
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Should have been 3-1 twice now
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Why we playing like we have all d time in d world
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Rain fall in POS why d pitch lookin eat up
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I told you these Yanks fade once you fight them.
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Preacher I usually use
https://reddit2.sportshub.stream/
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Thank Peong. Will hang on to it.
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Glorious defeat!
Arsenal fans know all about this.
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Not for nothing…I never witness a Trinidad Team had a USA team on the back foot like that!!!
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I told you these Yanks fade once you fight them.
So that means we should beat them right? No excuses now
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It was like Backs and Forwards in the second Half. We had them on the Back foot. Congrats for the Fight and victory. USA cant deal with a Physical Team.
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Reon Moore hit they strong man defender a Marshawn Lynch kinda shove off, super goal from him
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Is finger pon lips now it's Eve time now. :D
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Proud of that effort. They scored 3 against us with 10 men and we scored 2 against them with 10 men. Not bad. I’d like to see more Auvray tho, he has one of the highest upsides on the team and plays a style we don’t have enough of on the pitch. I’m hoping Auvray can get into a decent league and reach his potential; but not even a short run for him is concerning.
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Great team effort, well deserved win and should serve as a confidence booster going forward :applause:
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should have been more though James really fluffed a golden opportunity on the break.....snatched when he had time for at least one touch to make some room, he had time even though d defender was on him
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Yeah we had some opportunities where we should've been more clinical and some passes/crosses in and around the penalty were woeful but we're building. We'll need to clean those up for the playoff game.
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lil damo...
The reason our players are not in bigger leagues is mainly because of our ranking, the spite for JW and also the agents are just not good enough
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So true Asylum: "If we can't play expressive football at home, where can we play it?"
What we also saw is as soon as the calls stop going their way, they cracked. Knocking them out was in reach. These US "Pundits" wrote us off again. Has there ever been a US player to score those long range goals like Alvin? I'll wait for those receipts.
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T&T beat USA 2-1 but fail in semi-final bid.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
A thunderous right-footed shot from Alvin Jones, coupled with a blistering shot from an acute angle, handed T&T's Soca Warriors to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the 10-man USA in the Concacaf Nations League 'A' quarterfinal encounter at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Monday night.
However, it was not enough to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament after the USA won the first encounter 3-0 in Austin, Texas last week that saw them progress 4-2 on aggregate.
The Warriors needed to win by three clear goals in front of their home crowd, and coach Eve presented an almost entirely different team that comprised mostly of attacking players.
Still, the Americans, who themselves fielded a team loaded with players from the European Leagues, took early possession and forced the acrobatic Denzil Smith into two early saves in the first four minutes from Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun.
Despite their early dominance, however, the attacking combination of Nathaniel James, Real Gill, Shannon Gomez and Reon Moore kept them on their toes.
The foursome combined about three times in the first half but could not get past the US defensive backline.
The USA expectedly drew first blood from a patient build-up that saw defender Sergio Dest deliver a pinpoint cross for Robinson to meet with a diving header past Smith in the T&T goal in the 26th minute.
Ten minutes later, the US could have had another, courtesy of another Dest cross from the right, but Giovanni Reyna could not beat Smith in goal.
Despite the US advantage, they were reduced to 10 men when Dest was given marching orders in the form of back-to-back yellow cards and a red for arguing with the referee in the 38th minute.
It was almost a form of justice for the Warriors, who lost Noah Powder at about the same time in the first game.
And with the US still shocked by the sending-off, the Warriors snatched the equaliser in the 42nd minute. The speedy Moore was put through on the right, and from almost an acute angle, he unleashed a thunderous shot that flew past Turner in the US goal for a 1-1 scoreline at the halfway stage.
Early T&T pressure on the resumption kept the crowd alive as the Warriors roared loudly. In fact, Daniel Phillips' thumping shot that came out of nothing just whisked past the USA upright.
Then, Jones, who lined up behind the ball for a freekick from some 20 yards out, caught Turner napping with a trademark shot that the US custodian could only push further into the roof of his own net in the 56th minute for a 2-1 advantage.
His goal was reminiscent of his freekick that put the Americans out of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2017 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
With the lead, the Warriors needed three more goals for a chance at a semi-final berth, and they could have gotten it in the 59th minute.
The usually prolific Nathaniel James sent galloping to goal and in a one-and-one collision with Turner from an earlier Gomez ball, but he somehow dragged his left footer attempt agonisingly wide of the post.
Both teams continued to trade punches in the moments that followed, but in the end, the Warriors claimed the win and would move to the Concacaf Nations League Play-In, which starts in March next year.
The USA, in the meanwhile, has assured themselves qualification to the Copa America next year.
RELATED NEWS
Comeback falls short: Trinidad and Tobago beat USA 2-1, lose 4-2 on aggregate.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).
T&T lost 4-2 on aggregate to the US in their Concacaf Nations League A 2023/24 quarterfinal tie, but coach Angus Eve's Soca Warriors won over thousands of fans at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday night after getting an enthralling 2-1 win against the defending champions.
Trailing 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg in Austin, Texas on Thursday night, Eve and his team needed a herculean effort to overturn the visitors. Playing before roughly 10,000 supporters at the Mucurapo venue, the T&T team had an almighty go at the challenging task. The Soca Warriors gave a gutsy performance against the US team, and tremendous goals by Reon Moore and defender Alvin Jones saw T&T defeat the ten-man US team.
The US now advance to the Nations League semifinals and have also booked a spot in the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 tournament. T&T still have hopes of qualifying for Copa 2024, but their route will now be a lengthier one.
With ace striker Levi Garcia being ruled out on his birthday through injury, Eve turned some heads with his starting lineup which saw the trio of Real Gill, Nathaniel James and the bustling Moore all starting in attack. Moore had the Hasely Crawford venue jumping in the 43rd minute with a right-footed thunderbolt that flew past custodian Matthew Turner from a ridiculously tight angle to tie the scores at 1-1. The Defence Force attacker latched onto a sweet through pass from Jones and his finish was even sweeter.
Before that, the home spectators were yelling and shouting for other reasons, as US full-back Sergino Dest was sent off by referee Walter Lopez for a display of dissent in the 39th minute. The former Barcelona player got a pair of yellow cards within the space of roughly 30 seconds as he was firstly booked for hacking a ball into the covered stands after a call went against the US, while he got his second yellow after vigorously disagreeing with Lopez's original booking.
Dest was berated by Turner and his teammates for his petulance, but the talented flanker did have another meaningful contribution to the contest. In the 26th minute, he served up a delightful delivery from the right which was expertly headed in by Antonee Robinson to give the US a 1-0 lead.
The US had the better of the exchanges in the early stages of the high-octane match, as both Brenden Aaronson and Folarin Balogun forced fine saves from T&T goalkeeper Denzil "Peng" Smith in the opening five minutes. Aaronson drew another good save from Smith in the 15th minute, after a turnover by T&T left-back Andre Raymond, who had an otherwise stellar showing in defence for the Soca Warriors.
Raymond was arguably one of T&T's most solid players on the night, with Daniel Phillips, Andre Rampersad and Shannon Gomez also having good showings.
The scores were level at 1-1 after Moore's wicked blast, and the home supporters genuinely believed their team was still in the quarter-final tie at halftime.
With the numerical advantage, the T&T team came out full of vigour and intent in the second half, with James firing a warning shot over Turner's bar in the 47th minute. The industrious Phillips sent the next shot in anger seven minutes later, as he sent a long-range effort wide of the mark.
The next effort on goal was something special though, as Jones uncorked a brute of a right-footed free kick from 30-plus yards in the 57th minute. The rocket from Jones brought back memories for both sets of teams and supporters, as the right-back scored a similar jaw-dropping goal in a World Cup qualifier in 2017 to knock the US out of contention for Russia 2018. On Monday night, Jones's blast did not knock out the US, but it definitely reminded all and sundry of his prowess and accuracy from long range.
Owing to Robinson's away goal, T&T needed to win by an improbable four goals to clinch the tie. Try as they might, the Warriors could not quite find the back of the net again. It was not for a lack of trying, and the hosts should have taken a 3-1 lead on the hour mark.
After a US corner, Gomez showed great strength to hold off a US player as he played James through on goal. The Jamaican-based forward won his foot race with US captain Tim Ream but he dragged his left-footed shot agonisingly wide of Turner's goal. The T&T fans groaned in anguish as James' effort trickled wide of the post, as T&T's slender hopes of a spot in the Nations League semis slowly faded away.
T&T had a couple more chances in the encounter, as Gomez fired high and wide from a tight angle in the 62nd minute, while Andre Rampersad drew a fine save out of Turner just three minutes later.
T&T rarely troubled the US in the latter stages of the game, as players such as Robinson and Yunus Musah retained possession well under pressure and kept T&T at bay.
Even brought on the trio of Kristian Lee-Him, Duane Muckette and Malcolm Shaw in the latter stages of the game but T&T did not pose a great attacking threat thereafter.
At the final blow of Lopez's whistle, the US advanced to the Nations League semis but T&T won 2-1 on the night and gained the respect of thousands of supporters — local and abroad.
T&T can still advance to Copa 2024 with a win in a March 2024 playoff against one of the other losing quarter-finalists in the Nations League. On the evidence of the performance in the second leg against the US, coach Eve and T&T will fancy their chances against any potential opposition.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-4-2): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 6.Andre Raymond (3.Ross Russell Jr 90); 14.Shannon Gomez, 12.Daniel Phillips (23.Kristian Lee Him 77), 18.Andre Rampersad, 10.Real Gill (7.Ryan Telfer 60); 13.Reon Moore (8.Duane Muckette 77), 9.Nathaniel James (19.Malcolm Shaw 77).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Michel-Poon Angeron, 15.Kevon Goddard, 20.Kaïlé Auvray.
Coach: Angus Eve
United States (4-3-3): 1.Matthew Turner (GK); 2.Sergino Dest [Red card 38], 3.Cameron Carter-Vickers, 13.Tim Ream (captain), 5.Antonee Robinson; 6.Yunus Musah, 14.Luca De La Torre (22.Lenny Maloney 89), 7.Giovanni Reyna (19.Joseph Scally 41); 9.Ricardo Pepi (17.Malik Tillman 64), 20.Folarin Balogun, 11.Brenden Aaronson.
Unused substitutes: 18.Ethan Horvath (GK), 21.Gabriel Slonina (GK), 4.Christopher Richards, 10.Alejandro Zendejas, 12.Miles Robinson, 15.Paxten Aaronson, 16.Kevin Paredes. 23.Kris Lund.
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
Referee: Walter Lopez (Guatemala)
WATCH USA vs Trinidad & Tobago - All Goals & Highlights - Quarter Final | Nations League (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRaCWWWDDos)
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I must admit that l only saw the highlights...but these guys first touch really suck...after Reon scored....l had a thought...if it were KJ...would he have fallen...while fighting off the defender..🤔🤔
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Humm
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Controversial - The ranking is a good point, we need to start climbing and hopefully that win helps. The agents and their connections is another more difficult issue for our players. Can the football association create relationships with these leagues to get our players in? Not the top tier leagues like England, Germany, Italy and Spain but the next tier like Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland etc.
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As an aside Dest is real asshole hot head......what an absolute liability..........would meet him to say thanks but he might want to fight........lol
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Lil damo that is a good point.
Canadian Premier League has benefited us a lot. Teller, Rampersad, Shaw, Singh and A. Garcia, have raked in a lot of minutes there.
Reon Moore, now that is what I call overlooked or ignored talent. He'll tear up the Canadian Premier League and the USL easily. He's strong and fast. Can't recall seeing a player like that for the NT in a long time.
I feel some players go get a look after yesterday's performance. Denzil Smith and Reon Moore can be a good find for a team needing a good keeper and an attacking mid who can play striker.
No Levi Garcia. . I think that scoreline would have been 3 or 4 to 1.
Anyone see Panama and Costa Rica yesterday? If Mexico win, we might get Costa Rica. I like our chances of that is the case.
I don't think concacaf wants to chance it with Mexico. If alyuh know wat I mean.
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Lil damo that is a good point.
Canadian Premier League has benefited us a lot. Teller, Rampersad, Shaw, Singh and A. Garcia, have raked in a lot of minutes there.
Reon Moore, now that is what I call overlooked or ignored talent. He'll tear up the Canadian Premier League and the USL easily. He's strong and fast. Can't recall seeing a player like that for the NT in a long time.
I feel some players go get a look after yesterday's performance. Denzil Smith and Reon Moore can be a good find for a team needing a good keeper and an attacking mid who can play striker.
No Levi Garcia. . I think that scoreline would have been 3 or 4 to 1.
Anyone see Panama and Costa Rica yesterday? If Mexico win, we might get Costa Rica. I like our chances of that is the case.
I don't think concacaf wants to chance it with Mexico. If alyuh know wat I mean.
you meant when mexico wins, honduras got lucky on Saturday and will suffer a crushing defeat tonight in Mexico.
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Congrats to the lads, they really played their hearts out. I only hope this will continue and not abate after this victory, as we saw so many times before.
they need to play with this intensity in every game against every opponent, and not only show up when we pay a top notch team. btw andre Raymond though, what a find!
i think I also mentioned before that your chances of winning relies on the efforts of your goal keeper 50% of the time, and I’m really loving this young smart capable goal keeper, he’s a real welcome change.
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Our right and left backs are important. We seen how Curacao exploited the corners when we were short of Gomez and Raymond.
Experiment with Andre Raymond as the clean up defensive midfield man. I'm sure he can hold that position down too.
Mexico can put past 3 to Honduras. When Mexico dont score early against teams they supposed to beat, they get frustrated. Once they get a goal in the first half, they will beat Honduras.
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So they have a play-in game in March so that they can go in the Copa American. So what is the Haddad and company going to do for the national team in the meantime. They have enough time to bring this team up to par so that they can win against whichever team we get. The last time an occasion like this presented itself to was was a couple years ago, when we lost to Haiti in Panama for that very position. Hart and Williams were at loggerheads. So I say to the committee don't f**kup this time around.
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Good win JA.
This means we might get Canada.
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Or Mexico
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Looks like it's Honduras.
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Canada we playing according to Wikipedia
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Canada is the toughest test out of Honduras and Costa Rica…I was hoping we get Costa Rica, and would have probably preferred Mexíco over Honduras.
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Yup Canada on March 23rd in Dallas
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This thing confusing. One source say it is Canada. This is based on Concacaf rankings. Then I was just reading that they rank them based on their performance in the quarter finals. This is how they ranked the semi finalist for the finals. If that's true, then we playing Honduras.
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I dont matter who we play because if we want to play against the best we have to win against who ever you put us to play from this region. It can be done.
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Is there a chance that we can get Molino back on Eve's side and apologise for Trinidad & Tob's sake.
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Who should apologize? Molino or Eve? (Ah couldn't resist!!!! ;D
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@Frico, I say forget Molino. If anyone is to come back, it's Bateau.
Canada is beatable. With a fit Garcia, we can do it.
Btw, Rampersad and Phillips are starting to take more ownership of the mid field. They're chemistry will be important. Phillips needs to watch his tackles though.
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I enjoyed watching Molino over the years but he looked finished in the last few games he played for us. He served the shirt well and worked hard for us but I don’t think he can contribute at this level. We have young and upcoming players that need those minutes.
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Let the youths run the ball...it's their time to get seasoned...end of an era...for Molino and company
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Gawd On Pitch
Reon Moore, now that is what I call overlooked or ignored talent. He'll tear up the Canadian Premier League and the USL easily. He's strong and fast. Can't recall seeing a player like that for the NT in a long time.
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Why is reon moore still in the local league then ? lets put the defender garcia also ....
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gawd on pitch,thanks for the feedback it gives me a better understanding of our players and where they are,thank mate.
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Trini_2026, it has to do with scouting and having a good agent. There are other players who aren't as talented as Reon, that are playing outside TT in better leagues.
@frico dat cool patna
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Eve on Copa playoff vs Canada: 'Yuh cyah play mas and fraid powder'
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)
Trinidad and Tobago men's football team coach Angus Eve has embraced the Soca Warriors' March 2024 Copa America playoff match-up with Canada, saying "Yuh cyah play mas and fraid powder."
After T&T lost their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A 2023/24 quarter-final tie to the defending champions US on Monday, Eve watched on with anticipation as his team's Copa 2024 playoff opponents were determined after two frantic quarter-finals on Tuesday night. Mexico overturned a two-goal first leg deficit against Honduras as they got a 4-2 penalty shootout victory at the famed Azteca Stadium following a last-minute 2-0 win in the second leg. Meanwhile, Jamaica created history away to Canada as they got a 3-2 second-leg win to clinch their Copa 2024 spot via the away goal ruling. Jamaica will be making their third appearance in the Copa competition, while this will be their first-ever appearance in the CNL semis.
Tuesday night's results have paved the way for the Warriors' meeting in Frisco, Texas with the highest-ranked CNL losing quarter-finalist – Canada. The Canadians are ranked 45th by Fifa. T&T are ranked 99th.
Eve told Newsday, at this stage of the competition, his team has to be prepared to come up against any opposition.
"All the teams are ranked higher than us so whoever we play we have to go there and be confident and do what we have been doing," Eve said. "T&T being here and in the final eight of Concacaf and having the opportunity to play – it has come a bit faster than we expected – but the Lord gives you what you deserve."
Eve said T&T are back in their rightful place in Concacaf's football landscape.
"We said we wanted to be in Concacaf Nations League A and we knew there was a great possibility of us playing the US, Mexico, Canada or Jamaica again. This is where we want to be so why cry about it. We have to play these games. As we say in T&T, 'you cyah play mas and fraid powder.'
"We have to play these teams and this is a stepping-stone to something we have never done before. We are going to grab the opportunity with both hands."
Eve said Canada has a very strong outfit and he pinpointed their key players such as Ligue One forward Jonathan David, La Liga's Cyle Larin and Bayern Munich's star flanker Alphonso Davies.
"Canada are a more cohesive unit and they try to play structural football with a lot of gold dust sprinkled in the middle of it. The US game would have given us a lot of confidence playing against guys who are at the highest level. The guys will be better for it and they will feel more comfortable in that type of environment.
"In international football, you need to be more proactive than reactive – and that is transition football. We have to be more proactive than reactive and I think we should be okay."
Eve says the process of integrating younger players is ongoing. but he is pleased with the strides the Warriors have made since their group stage exit at the 2023 Gold Cup. He still feels as though his inexperienced players need greater exposure outside of the Fifa international windows though.
"For the 2023 Gold Cup, we decided to take the more experienced players and that was on the back of a win against Guatemala in a pre-Gold Cup friendly with more of a locally based team. The tournament did not go too well.
"Although we were blooding young players throughout and playing them in bits and pieces, we felt the (Concacaf) Nations League was the right time to revamp and go with these players. We thought it was the right time to change the team and to revamp the team and start to look more futuristic with the team."
Eve's current contract ends in March 2024. The TT coach is grateful to the TT Football Association (TTFA) for a second chance.
"A lot of people may have probably fired me after the Gold Cup. The normalisation committee showed trust in us and they gave us the opportunity. Nobody in (T&T) expected us to win any of the games. We have won four out of the six (Concacaf) Nations League games so far. I think the crowd is coming back and the confidence is coming back into the team."
On March 23, 2024, Eve and the Warriors will get another chance to measure their progress in the region when they meet Canada in a winner-take-all Copa 2024 playoff.
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Ex-Strike Squad defender Brian Williams lauds Eve's attacking style
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)
Former Strike Squad defender Brian Williams believes Trinidad and Tobago’s senior football team must use their recent 2-1 victory over the USA as motivation ahead of their March 23 clash against Canada, for a final chance to qualify for the 2024 Copa America.
The veteran Williams applauded head coach Angus Eve’s more attacking style in Monday’s Concacaf Nations League second-leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The tactical change, a total turnaround compared to the all-out defensive first leg in Texas last Thursday, generated a welcome win for the Soca Warriors.
The positive result nevertheless saw T&T miss out on advancing to the Nations League semi-final round and automatic Copa qualification, since the Aubrey David-captained squad lost on aggregate, after going down 3-0 in the first quarter-final.
Looking back at victory, Williams said it was a good result.
“A win against the US is always a good one for us. Looking at the performances over both legs, I think the second leg was an improved performance. What I like is that we took a little more risk in terms of offence.
“I still thought that after the red card (Sergino Dest, 39 minutes), we should have a little more thrust offensively, in terms of trying to get the result that would have made us automatically qualify for Copa America.”
In the first leg, T&T midfielder Noah Powder was ejected after picking up two yellow cards in the space of 20 minutes in the first half. Eve then had to take a defensive approach for the rest of the match, as the US pressed further for the opener.
Ten-man T&T held out for 80 minutes but USA broke the deadlock, and slotted three past standout goalkeeper Denzil Smith,
Williams wants the never-say-die attitude of the second leg repeated, or even amplified, when T&T face Canada in a one-match playoff.
“I know there’s a process, we’re building.
"I want to compliment Angus and his staff. I know most people, and myself sometimes, we were a bit critical about the length of time we defended. But the coach knows best on how we could get results.
“And we on the outside would like to see a little more creativity and expression of our players. But I think it’s something for us to build on. We’re one win away from qualifying for the Copa and I hope we can approach that properly. At the end of the day, the objective is to go forward and improve our football.”
On Sunday, the day before T&T’s 2-1 triumph, Williams and fellow Strike Squad teammates marked 34 years since their 1-0 defeat against the US that sent the Americans and not TT to the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Needing one point to secure an historic first-ever World Cup appearance, the side, coached by former national star Everald “Gally” Cummings, could not find an equaliser for Paul Caligiuri’s 30th-minute goal.
Speaking on behalf of the 1989 team, Williams said every member of that squad remains ready and willing to assist the senior team in any way possible, to improve T&T’s football at all levels.
“This is what we’re (Strike Squad members) here for, the continued support of T&T football, continued development. That’s why most of us are involved in some way or the other in coaching somewhere, or could carry some type of advice or mentorship to our youngsters.
“We celebrated 34 years as a team, and that is very unique and peculiar. Because I cannot recall any national team that stays friends and work together, after 34 years. This is our role in T&T football presently. We will continue to do that once Jah provide life.”
All four losing Concacaf Nations League quarterfinalists play one match on March 23, 2024, to decide which two final teams advances to the Copa America. T&T will play Canada while Honduras go up against Costa Rica on the same day. Venues are yet to be announced.
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“Yuh cyah play mas an fraid powder.”
I will be using this phrase daily with my gringo co workers…love it!!!
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Waiting for the win
By Marlon Miller (T&T Express)
SOME of us had been waiting on what happened last Monday night for 34 years and a day.
Not many who were at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, then the National Stadium, on Sunday, November 19, 1989, would have made it to the Ato Boldon Stadium on a rainy midweek night in October 2017, when Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors registered a rare victory and put the hurt on the United States, thus ending their well-laid plans of qualifying for the 2018 Russia World Cup.
In an ironic twist, T&T proved that revenge really is a dish best served cold and denied Uncle Sam’s men getting to the Copa Mundial 28 years after the Americans had done the same thing to us on the Road to Italy 1990, when coach Gally Cummings and the Strike Squad needed a solitary point to confirm this country’s first-ever appearance at football’s greatest show, but lost 1-0.
We got no reward for derailing them six years ago, then languishing in the lower half of the six-team qualifying group with no chance of getting to Russia, so it was a sort of bittersweet feeling, more sweet than bitter, but we weren’t getting ahead of them in the standings and going anywhere with their demise.
To beat the mighty USA, though, was special and those fortunate local souls who made the trip to Couva back then could tell their grandchildren about that night’s supreme upset, which will haunt the Red, White and Blue for years to come.
They’ve asserted their superiority since then, with fistfuls of goals in CONCACAF Gold Cup encounters and now in the Nations League quarter-finals they came here with a three-goal advantage that would be hard to overturn. But we live in hope. Well, maybe not everyone.
Just on the way to the game Monday, twice I heard the question: “How much you think we go get tonight?”
The first time I started to answer “maybe two” but stopped, preferring to think positive for once, then didn’t respond on the second occasion and headed into the venue with blind optimism that the ghosts of 1989 would be laid to rest.
Of course, there wasn’t a packed, or rather oversold, house like it was way back when but, with more than 9,000 fans in attendance, there was the usual boisterous atmosphere in the stadium on an international football night in Port of Spain.
The eastern side of the ground was awash with red, and flags both big and small, and this time the rhythm section from Fyzabad, One Love One Song, had moved down in front there from their usual spot on the north-western corner. And they didn’t miss a beat.
It didn’t take long for all that enthusiasm to be tempered, though, when Antonee Robinson popped up in the area and put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute.
And someone said the stadium was quiet like it was in Ahmedabad last Sunday when hosts India lost their only game of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
But it’s never still for long in Trinidad and the band was soon back up and running and soon after, on the other side, there was Sergino Dest kicking the ball far away in disgust over a call by the referee and drawing a yellow card... then there was another card and he was off, taking a long walk behind his goal and down the side to the dressing room, accompanied by a chorus of boos.
“Now they dead!” a voice shouted a few rows back and, sure enough, just four minutes later, Reon Moore went sprinting up the right side and banged the ball past a rather ineffectual Matt Turner in the US goal for the equaliser.
That was delightful. And there were smiles and high fives all around and the previous disjointed attempts at a Mexican wave soon came together as we awaited more goals.
There was only one more to come—from a free kick just outside the area by Alvin Jones, which Turner could also have done better with—but it was all we needed to earn the victory that now middle-aged people like me had not seen often enough over the years, at least not live and alive in the HC Stadium, the scene of all those tears that fateful Sunday afternoon in ’89, when overconfidence might have been our main downfall.
There’s a whole new generation of players now, including the likes of goalkeeper Denzil Smith and striker Nathaniel James, coached by the effervescent Angus Eve, and they can only get better with games like these, showing their mettle in the previous Nations League home match against Guatemala to fight back from two goals down to earn a 3-2 win.
So while the USA marches onto the 2024 Copa America, all is not lost for T&T with a one-off qualifier against Canada to look forward to in Texas next March to try to join the big guns in that illustrious tournament.
Hopefully, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association can find a few useful opponents to warm up against in preparation for that crucial clash with the Canadians.
In the meantime, we can all savour this latest triumph against T&T’s arch-rival, as some of us did after the game not far from the stadium, with the beers flowing long into the night on Ariapita Avenue.
Cheers to the Red, White and Black!
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People hyped about this result eh
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I have been extremely critical of Angus Eve as I don't see him as a good choice for national coach for the senior team. However, he continues to get good results despite the various challenges of working in Trinidad football. His "strategic" approach to the game and the team style of play do not appear to be feasible at the international level but he continues to get good results so I have to hush my mouth and quietly support the team :).
We need to strengthen our player pool so hopefully there is a strong effort in that area to help us be competitive in the Copa America if we qualify and be ready to for WCQs.
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I am on the fence with being hyped about this win. I think fans realize that the US has the potential to beat us with 10 men. But we pulled it off. Not only did we win, but we started to take over the game from the US. It wasn't a fluke win.
Real madness I agree with you. We looked bad during the first Curacao game. But we win that. I thought that was luck. The El Salvador game, we was down early, we come back and win. That's when I realize that Eve doing something right. Next game with Guatemala, same thing. Based on the results over this campaign, Eve has won my support. However, he needs to really take inventory of his approach. The starting line up of the last game, was a step in the right direction.
I think the US and TT should play eachother as preparation for their games in March. It makes sense.
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Gawd what about the second Curacao game?
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Eve had the tactics off. We all seen that at the beginning of the match.
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can anyone here honestly say Eve is the coach to take this team to the WC?
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Is there a chance that we can get Molino back on Eve's side and apologise for Trinidad & Tob's sake.
I tort we done with the recycling football program---------------- to tven tink bout dat kida miove smacks like desperation- man on limp knees outa pace and we thninkso so. Is part are we tinking- to flal back onm teh 'star boi; ting. how many time we recycle Cornel Glen on wounded knes? fuh starters Theobalt? and teh list could go on.
Win or lose leh we run with the yute dem and develop the program . It does take awhile fuh mango tuh ripe.
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If we qualify, we facing Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Don't be surprised if Venezuela is removed from the Copa. If Maduro invades Guyana, I guarantee Concacaf, Conmenbol and FIFA will have Venezuela removed. This might make way for another Concacaf spot.
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Trinidad and Tobago motivated to beat Canada after Copa draw: Dreaming of Argentina.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).
A glamour clash with World Cup champions Argentina in the opening game of the 2024 Copa America awaits, if Trinidad and Tobago's men’s footballers can defeat Canada in a qualifier at the Toyota Stadium in Texas on March 23.
This was confirmed on Thursday night at the Copa America draw at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, which saw representatives from the TT Football Association (TTFA) and other federations present.
The tournament kicks off from June 20 to July 14 with reigning Copa America winners and No 1 ranked Argentina looking to defend their title.
If T&T, ranked 96th, can pull off an upset victory against the 48th-ranked Canadians, they will be placed in Group A alongside the Lionel Messi-captained Argentina, Chile and Peru.
T&T football coach Angus Eve, who attended the draw alongside four other TTFA officials, said it was an “honour” to attend the draw, and a great opportunity to have a chance to face the globe’s best-ranked team.
“This is tremendous for T&T football to have an opportunity to play in a tournament as illustrious as this. This is the oldest country tournament and we’re privileged to be here and to face the type of opposition that we may have the opportunity to face. It’s a blessing,” Eve told TTFA media.
He said the possibility of facing Argentina serves as “motivation” for his troops to go all-out against Canada in their final qualifier.
T&T missed out on automatic Copa qualification when they were eliminated in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final by USA, over two legs, in November. Canada faced a similar fate against Jamaica.
The other two losing quarter-finalists – Costa Rica and Honduras – also play a one-match playoff on March 23, at the same venue, for a spot in Group D with Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay.
Eve said the draw serves as great motivation.
“Just for the guys to know they have the opportunity to play the world and Copa America champions, and the best player in the world (Messi), it’s motivation enough for the boys to come out.
“It’s motivation enough for the country to get behind the team, and every corporate (body) and government to get behind and support the team to prepare for such a massive opportunity.”
Although salivating at the prospects that await, Eve said T&T should not get ahead of themselves, since Canada will be no walk in the park. He, however, welcomed the challenge.
“We were looking at the draw and were hoping that we got Mexico or Argentina to be honest. These are the type of games you want to play. You want to put these players through the rigours and have the opportunity to play some of the best teams in the world.
“But I just want to be mindful that we still have a job to do. We still have to play Canada which a very tough team, and we need to get over that hurdle first. And hopefully we have the excitement of playing in the Copa America.”
For the new year, Eve said he will continue working assiduously with his local crop of players, and will use January/February 2024 to improve their overall competitiveness. He made it clear that Carnival 2024 is not an option for his players.
“We’re trying to expose the locally-based players as much as possible within January and February, with training camps over the Carnival period. (We’ll) take the boys away from the Carnival a little bit.
“Hopefully, come March, we’ll have all the other foreign-based players that would join the group for a two-week camp to prepare for the Canada game.”
Soca Warriors captain Aubrey David also saw the draw as a “blessing” and believes the possibility of facing Argentina will bring out the best in the team.
A chance to play in such a prestigious tournament as Copa, he said, is a great confidence booster.
“Reaching to a Copa is a big plus for us as it will do a lot for us and the country. After seeing the draw, being able to face the World Cup champions and having other chance to play against them, I think it’s a lot of motivation.
“It’s no secret that everyone would like to play against Lionel Messi. Not only playing against them, but playing in that type of tournament – it’s a big boost. They guys are already motivated thinking about the Canada game.”
David rued their missed chances for automatic qualification but said, knowing they’re 90 minutes away from a historic Copa debut, the team is pumped. As captain, David believes the next three months are crucial, and wants to lead by example.
“I need to make sure I take care of myself, continue to play and get rhythm so I can lead from that standpoint. After every international camp, I tell the guys we need to continue to grow so when they go back to their clubs, to continue to put that extra work in because we already know we’re fighting for a bigger goal,” he added.
David admonished his teammates that now is not the time for complacency.
“Continue to take care of yourself and push. Because the more they do that they will continue to progress, grow in confidence and quality. If everyone keeps pushing themselves and we regroup to face Canada, we’ll be in a much better shape and form.
“We already have togetherness so once we continue to grow from there, the message to me is to continue to push themselves so we can achieve the collective goal, which is Copa qualification."
In 2014, T&T faced Argentina, their second-ever meeting, in a friendly in Buenos Aires and lost 3-0. Messi played in that match but did not score.
Copa America Groups:
Group A: Argentina, Peru, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago/Canada.
Group B: México, Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica.
Group C: USA, Uruguay, Panamá, Bolivia.
Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica/Honduras.
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Just curious, for anyone who actually attended the game vs the USA at the HCS, what was the attendance like and how did Real Gill look?
I get the impression Real can't really make an impact against the bigger better teams due to a lack of size. Curious to hear form someone who actually attended the game.
VB
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no international calendar dates before this fixture for a warm up self.. and TTPFL run all the way thru May, so...lemme wast muh time and go Dallas ;D
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anybody understand why the play-in matches listed at minimum $290 a ticket (and only seem to include the closest seats to the field)? https://www.vividseats.com/concacaf-nations-league-tickets-toyota-stadium---frisco-3-23-2024--sports-soccer/production/4788317 (https://www.vividseats.com/concacaf-nations-league-tickets-toyota-stadium---frisco-3-23-2024--sports-soccer/production/4788317), but the other Concacaf Nations League Semifinal and Final Matches start at $40 and seem to include the entire stadium? https://seatgeek.com/search?f=1&search=Concacaf%20Nations%20League%20Finals%20Presented%20by%20Qatar%20Airways%20Semifinal&ui_origin=home_search (https://seatgeek.com/search?f=1&search=Concacaf%20Nations%20League%20Finals%20Presented%20by%20Qatar%20Airways%20Semifinal&ui_origin=home_search)
Anybody have a TTFA ticket link?
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USA 0 - 1 Jam scored at the 35 second mark
Jamaica is playing without 4 starters including Leon Bailey.
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@gawd
JA still under the crown, so they get a Bligh as opposed to Trinidad and Haiti
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@contro, which crown? Yuh mean the monarchy?
I don't think the FIFA execs sat down and purposely agreed to give Jamaica a bligh. Things ain't that planned out.
As much as I agree with you on some things, your opinion about Jamaica getting a bligh because they are still being a constitutional monarchy, is very very far fetched.
But, I will tell you that Jamaica is a country that has been 'opened up' to the world. Mainly because of their accomplishments. But also because of their proximity to English culture.
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@gawd
There is privileges with this tbh and we have seen it in the music. T&T had calypso fall off not too long after independence and becoming a republic.
This extends to football also, T&T has been on the blacklist for a while. To some it seems far fetched but it is reality with certain disciplines. It is deeper than you think brother. It isn't a wild conspiracy theory as you think it to be...
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This might not be the best place for this but here it is.
Quick history session Contro. By the way, I shared the same sentiment. .
From 1900s to 1930s Carnival was co opted by the colonial government. The calypsonians use to sing songs that poked and discredited the British government. They were concerned that calypso would open the eyes of the people in Trinidad and reject colonial/British government. To prevent that, the colonial government began to offer monetery gifts and awards to calypsonians, who did not sing about the colonial british government. They encouraged the calypsonians to sing about island life, rum and other things that would not raise the consciousness of the people. They also switched carnival from August to February to coincide with the Christian lent. This is where we get some of these house negros, who don't know their history, saying things like Carnival is French influenced. . Or the belief that Carnival somehow came from Europe and not the Caribbean/Africa.
Fast forward to mid 1960s. Calypso was still the music of the Caribbean. Jamaica as a society had embraced calypso so much that calypsonians were going to Jamaica to perform, make records and so forth. One famous Trinidadian named Lynn Tait showed up in Jamaica for a concert and eventually decided to stay. His stay in Jamaica would reshape music in the Caribbean. This is a very touchy subject for Jamaican who don't know. Lynn Tait laid the foundation for what we have as reggae in the mid late 1960s. Many documentaries about reggae music credit Lynn Tait as the guy who got the wheel moving to create Reggae. In fact in 2010 Portia Simpson commemorated Lynn Tait at a ceremony at the national stadium in Jamaica for being the pioneer to Reggae.
Now to speak to your point about calypso losing popularity because Trinidad became a republic is not that simple and a bit far fetched. Calypso lost its popularity or lost its position from being the music of the Caribbean for 3 main reasons. First it was the rise of Reggae music. Second was the popularity of Bob Marley. Third was the context and political climate in the 70s.
Calypso tried to put a face of on the music like Bob Marley and Reggae. It was a failure. Sparrow is not, and I say this again NOT anywhere near the level of Bob Marley. He will never be. The guy who probably could have been the Bob Marley of Calypso would have been Maestro who died in a car crash. He was young, vibrant and rebellious.
In the late 60s and going into the 70s, many countries in Africa and the Caribbean were ridding themselves of colonialism. The rebellious nature of Reggae music and the message of love is what resonated with people outside of the Caribbean much more than the messages of Calypso. Also Calypso was mainly being written for Caribbean society, way of life and for carnival. This did not fit in with the global audience like Reggae music was.
England and English culture is what gave Reggae music the platform to go global. Reggae music fit in well with the civil unrest that was happening in England in the 70s and 80s.
So brother, Calypso was not penalized because Trinidad became a republic. It's the rise of Reggae, popularity of Bob Marley and the global context that propelled Reggae past Calypso.
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I actually have a minor from University of Toronto in Caribbean and African history & politics. I did almost a year long project on the history of Caribbean music, with a focus on calypso, pan, lavway and soca...
Nerlain Taitt was brought to Jamaica by Byron Lee, he kept him there and prevented him from leaving by constantly working him in the studio, where Taitt was the session arranger and musical director of Studio One. Where The Wailers, Bob and Tosh etc came out of. He created rocksteady by implementing the bassline and guitar strumming from Calypso, with adding the pan bass to the ska. He also slowed it down, the ska was too fast. In a famous interview with Bob, they asked, where does this all come from, Bob responded "Calypso". Sir Chris Blackwell at the time started Island Records in 1958 during the "Golden Era of Calypso" with Harry Belafonte as the poster boy for RCA with the album "Calypso" which was released in 1956.
Harry was chosen because he was a redman and the preferred image to the darker skin Trinbago calypsonians who wrote most of his music. After independence of T&T, the crown chose Sir Blackwell and the newly formed Reggae music, which was created in part by Nerlain Taitt as their new commercial music, as Jamaica was still beholden to the crown and controlled by a loyalist, Sir Blackwell, a Sephardic Jew.
The anti-colonial sentiment and elimination of the "Head of State" created the blacklisting of calypso going forward from the 70s until now. Hence, the stealing of our music and it being rebranded as reggae, reggaetone, now afro beat and later Rap. Calypso was also never added to the RIAA as a category at the Grammys and Harry Belafonte was never honored for being the first artist to sell 1 million albums in any musical genre in the world, with "Calypso".
Brother Resistance and I had a long chat before his death many years ago in Trinidad. I was supposed to do a documentary on him and "Extempo" and "Rapso". He spoke about the shutting down of Trinidad's claim on Rap music and also the closing of doors of our music on US radio, which was deliberate and due to our revolutionaries and independence.
Further to this, calypso has been stricken from mainstream success at the highest levels of music. This was also evident with Arrow's "hot, hot, hot" and many others that were reproduced and rebranded pop, as opposed to soca and calypso.
I would go into further detail here but it is long and will take some time to write tbh...
In short, I can attest that T&T's lack of musical success with soca and calypso is attributed to our revolutionary spirit and independence, in comparison, Jamaican music flourised under the crown and continues to as opposed to us from Trinidad and Tobago, this is facts and not conspiracy...
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Nice to see a Jamaica team missing 4 Premier League starters defeat Panama to take bronze. That last minute own goal defeat to a stacked USA team playing in their home turf hurts.
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@Contro
That was a good write up. It enlightened me. I did study Caribbean society in University. However, I did not pursue a minor or anything with it. My degree program only allowed 4 Caribbean courses toward my degree. So I couldn't go in depth like you.
I agree with your points. But calypso decline is connected to the rise of Reggae. Calypso was the #1 music in the Caribbean. But it's decline in popularity correlates with the rise of Reggae. I do think that Jamaica was opened up more to the world than other islands. Also, with Jamaicans going abroad with more numbers than Trinbagonians, they exported their culture. I think factors like Jamaican immigration also contributed to popularizing Reggae and quieting Calypso.
I wouldn't put it past the Monarchy to blacklist Calypso, but I don't think they had to. The rise of Reggae was enough to capture English and society ears.
One thing that I learned from my Caribbean studies professor, is that after independence in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica as a nation was keen on separating themselves from what was a "West Indian" identity, and creating a Jamaican identity. Trinidad was not so adamant to do so, as about 50% of the Afro Trinidadians have lineage that comes from Grenada, St Vincent, Barbados, etc.
My question to you Contro is if the Monarchy was so interested in stifling calypso and Trinidad, why did they allow Nottingham Carnival to take place right in their own backyard ? Is your answer to this the revenue that the Carnival brings in into England?
It's a good discussion we having here Contro. I know with some fellas on here these things does sometimes turn ugly. Why I say this is because 20 years ago I didn't know the things you and I outlined here. I'm sure many on here reading this as new information. So much love brotha
@Reggaefan, big up for the win. They look good for 2026.
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I think the soca warriors need a rebranding. Drop that name soca warriors. Soca does not fit in line with a warrior mentality. If anything soca is there as a pacifier.
Rebrand the name as TNT dynamite. Let's not follow Jamaica and name the team after music.
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gawd on pitchIf I ever meet you I'll give youa Gold Medal for that post.As you say we should not have followed Jamaica,and as you say Soca does not go with Warriors they must think over that name properly.We need a name that moves our emotions.
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@Frico much respect for that. I'm sure others on here would agree too.
I like TNT dynamite. It's loaded with double meaning. Connotes explosion, danger and everything to create a brand to fear. It will also help identify Trinidad and Tobago by TNT. The fact that we came back after conceding a goal to win 3 of our Nation League's games, it fits well.
Drop Soca Warriors. It was good then. Just like how Strike squad was good back then. But maybe the way forward to improving our results, starts with taking on a new persona.
Thank you Frico. We'll see who is willing to argue that Soca Warriors strikes fear. Most of them teams outside of the Caribbean don't know what soca is. Drop it please.. Drop it please
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Allyuh real desperate. Blaming the the nickname. Soca Warriors is the name that took US to the WC. The name is not the issue. It is the lack of talent and poor quality of our game. Soca Warriors is or was about an underdog rising to the occasion. The smallest country in the world(in population and physically size) taking on the giants of football. If allyuh so desperate, why not TT Bullets. It is quite appropriate for the current times in TT. Real kill.
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@deeks
lack of talent? no brother, lack of coaching and self control and governance over our football...
How can we lack talent, when we are not even selecting our best talent because Eve is controlled?
please brother, we have too much talent to choose from and we are not even doing that bc of who is in charge, FIFA..
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@gawd
Great convo brother, I'm enjoying talking about our history. We need more of these conversations for everyone to know our contributions to world history.
Not a lot of Universities have an in depth program like University of Toronto and York University, sadly. Our professors were great, PHDs/Doctorates etc with a vast knowledge of Africa and the Caribbean. It wasn't bird courses, the courses were hard and required serious work and research. You had to actually love being there and learning about our history.
I beg to differ brother, Calypso's decline was deliberate and due to Rocksteady's rise with Taitt. Had Taitt not re invented ska and added those calypso elements, Reggae would not have flourished. The rise of "black power" and independence movement in TT and push to become a republic created the right environment for a blacklist. A music doesn't just fade away like that, there is a reason for it, because artists in TT were constantly creating. Lancelot Layne and many others continued to re cerate but guess what?
We didn't have a record label in Trinidad and Tobago. Why is that? Calypso sells one million and continues to bloom in Hollywood movies etc but no label? Calypso also disappeared from the stations in the US as well after independence. The rise of reggae was orchestrated and Calypso had to fall on it's sword to enable the rise of reggae, which was basically an offshoot of calypso and it's root. If you are disloyal to the crown, you can take a back seat... Calypso took that backseat and continues to take that backseat with soca.
They had to blacklist calypso for reggae to rise and TT was persona non grata so it was inevitable.
JA separating their identity was largely due to their tie to the crown, their head of state being the Queen. TT was always about unity, which was another reason we became public enemy #1. A united West Indies means the eventual elimination of neo colonialism and TT spearheading that was a threat...
Our cultural Carnivals bring in billions to the city, they have no obligations to us. They allow us to celebrate our culture and in return they make money and profess they support diversity and inclusiveness. They know they control the radio and media, they control what you hear on Iheart radio and what charts on Billboard magazine. They control who performs at the Grammys and the TT population is smaller than most in a viral world. So our Carnival is not a threat to the hegemony they hold on world music and what is a Top 40 or Billboard hit.
So you can have your Carnival because we benefit more than you and your culture, with no strings attached. You get your jump up, we get our money and we still don't need to play your music on the radio, we can just steal your music and repackage it and have no consequences.
You ever notice that even though our Carnivals bring in billions annually to these cities, the music never gets played on mainstream radio? You would think that a festival and music that brings in more money than reggae or EDM etc and also was the first to sell one million, programmers for radio stations would push to play the music. Even if it was pay for play, they still would resist, despite them now playing afro beat and reggaetone, carbon copies of our music.
Much love brother, blessings for the easter....
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@Deeks. We ain't blaming the name. Soca Warriors as a brand is like a paper tiger. Time to change it. It does not sound powerful at all. It's a weak brand. The majority of the teams that we play outside of the Caribbean think that Soca is a corruption of the word Soccer.
A change in identity might be what we need. I know yuh love your Soca Deeks, but think about Soca and think about if it really reinforces a warrior mentality that is needed on the field. Soca is a pacifier. Sure it puts you in good spirits. But it doesn't give you a killer instinct side like what you get with hip hop, reggae, rock music. Look at the UFC and listen to the music the fighters walk out to when going to the octagon. It's always music that is hard-core. Music that encourages you to KICK ASS. Soca does not have the same impact on the athletes psyche. I think is once on UFC or Bellator a fighter walk out to Bunji "We ready". You see my point Deeks. Soca is not warriors music. It's pacifier music. It does not encourage the listener to revolt.
Next time you go to the gym, listen to some hard-core hip hop then try Soca. You'll see which one pushes you more.
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@Contro, I see some of your points. But if Calypso was so catchy, it would have survived the push from the Monarchy. It would have been more resilient. Remember the US media did that to hip hop in the 80s. but they realized hip hop is a force that cannot be stopped.
Indeed good conversation
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@Frico I was thinking last night. Fellas does say how our football lacks impetus, or lacks conviction. Soca always gives you that feeling that everything go be ok. I feel there's a connection there. What yuh think?
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We hadda listen to more trinibad den
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@peong
Ent boy…level TriniBad for our new TnT Bullets (like another member facetiously suggested😀)
If only Levi had scored that confounded sitter😉
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Breds, what can I say. What's in a name.
Next time you go to the gym, listen to some hard-core hip hop then try Soca. You'll see which one pushes you more.
I beg to differ. Pumped up Soca in a gym or in the water aerobics can take on any genre of music.
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@Deeks I'll give you that one. But which one will give you that "killer instinct "? The drive to put the nail in the coffin? Not Soca.
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::)
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@maxg... :D :D :D
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The most successful team in the world has long been associated with samba, a music genre that is generally less aggressive that soca.
A rebranding may be necessary. But it should be on the tail of a complete overhaul of the approach to football.
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@Zandolie yuh kind of missing the point. Brazil nickname is not the "Samba boys, or Samba warriors".
You're 100% right on the rebranding and complete overhaul. We need a brand that is exciting, causes fear and something that is known. It's 18 years since Germany, and still many of them commentators calling we "Socca Warriors", thinking that "Soca" is a corruption of the word Soccer. That's embarrassing.
Soca has not achieved the international recognition like Reggae. Still decades away. Time for a new name, new brand. . New mentality.
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Oh gorm
https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm
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Thanks for the list Maxg. Does Stars and Stripes make you fear the US. Friggin NO!!!!! We fear them because they better than we. The outjump we. The stronger and they run faster. But when we prepare properly, we does buss they arse. Like the game in Couva, and the game at HC stadium a month ago. I say we name we team Jack Spanyah. Allyuh ever play around a jep nest full Jack Spanyah
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gawd on pitchis the first person to have posted his feelings about the nam "Soca Warriors",I feel if our supporters take a closer look they will eventually think of rebranding.Following Jamaica was wrong we are smarter than that,the nation should be involved in choosing a name,a name that stirs our emotions.I can recall when we qualified for 2006 everyone at work thought Soca Warriors was meant to mean Soccer Warriors,I explained what it meant but they never heard Soca music.If in England people didn't know I imagine nowhere in Europe would know,maybe in Venezuela would know.Credit to g o p for starting post for a name change,
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@Frico, these guys don't get it.
Soca Warriors as a brand is dead. Its a lame and corny. Whoever chose that name might not have realized that Soca is only popular in the Caribbean.
Real talk, time to change the name. Soca Warriors sounds like a "try harder". It's a weak brand. They shouldve talked to a branding expert to come up with something stronger. Not choose something that follows Jamaica. @ Frico, they will rebrand if Jamaica does. And I don't see Jamaica doing that because Brand Jamaica is doing a damn good job impacting the psyche of the next generation of athletes.
These responses to keep the name is no surprise. TT society revolves around 2days of party. Everything in TT is somehow connected to Carnival. I think that needs to change to if we want to see the results in football and Track. Right now I think TT will only win medals in Carnival and Soca. I know some of alyuh go be vex. But think about what I saying. Sometimes we need to question the things we value and make the changes we need for progression.
So we can keep going with the Socca Warriors. Almost 20 years and we still being called Socca Warriors. Embarrassing 😳
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What is the latest with the NC and the new TTFA, if anyone knows?
And seeing that this is the Nations League thread, can anyone more knowledgeable than myself explain to me what a perennially-overweight Neveal Hackshaw adds to the team, that a normal-weighted player doesn’t?
Living abroad, there may be info!insights that I’m not privy to?
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He is captain at his club, and he plays regularly. What more yuh want? Sprinting? Nah man
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@Zandolie yuh kind of missing the point. Brazil nickname is not the "Samba boys, or Samba warriors".
You're 100% right on the rebranding and complete overhaul. We need a brand that is exciting, causes fear and something that is known. It's 18 years since Germany, and still many of them commentators calling we "Socca Warriors", thinking that "Soca" is a corruption of the word Soccer. That's embarrassing.
Soca has not achieved the international recognition like Reggae. Still decades away. Time for a new name, new brand. . New mentality.
Pitch, not really missing the point. I said they were associated with samba. If they called the samba boys or anything else it would have made no difference to their game whatsoever. Brazil at its best created a joy that filled stadiums and made other teams want to play them. They were not aggressive, but they were extremely competent. And other teams loved to play them.
Maybe I'm just talking 'old man' talk. But the rebranding is the sexy part...but it follows on the heels of grueling, thankless toil by people you will never hear about.
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I say we name we team Jack Spanyah. Allyuh ever play around a jep nest full Jack Spanyah
Lol
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@peong, :D
I hear yuh bredda...we are the only "footballing" country in the world where a player like him can sneak onto the field in such a crucial match, and after we LOSE, some fans focus is on changing the nick name of the team?
Kalvin Phillips and Pep probably said WTF when they see him run on the field...I know when I saw him in the tunnel, I said, "well dais it right dey, we lorse.".
But yeah leh we get ah new name for the team...I won't even bother to post a link of the nick names for all CONCACAF teams.
So yeah we were beaten by the Canucks/The Reds who move on to play The White and Sky Blue...both nicknames -- on their own -- causes teams to quake in their boots :)