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« on: October 12, 2005, 09:42:45 PM »
T&T rally to reach play-off
13 October 2005
by FIFAworldcup.com
Trinidad’s 2-1 come-from-behind win over Mexico on the final day of qualifying in Port of Spain saw them edge chasers Guatemala, who also won at home, to grab a spot in the decisive play-off with Bahrain.
Despite some decidedly turbulent ups and downs in the final round of North, Central American and Caribbean qualifying, the Soca Warriors’ wildly impressive performance against an admittedly under-strength Mexico brought them to 13 points and fourth-place in the final six-team group.
In the same Hasely Crawford Stadium where they lost out on a trip to Italy 1990 on the final day of qualifying back in 1989, the home side were determined not to let this chance – their best since that fateful day – slip away.
An outrageous left-footed chip by Jaime Lozano over the head of goalkeeper Kelvin Jack in minute 38 looked to have put paid to the islanders’ best hopes. But three minutes before the interval, an equaliser from Stern John, who was doing his very best to atone for an earlier penalty miss, brought the dismayed all-red crowd back to life.
Knowing a win would nullify anything Guatemala could do against Costa Rica, John sealed the night, and his hero status, with a vicious blast to the top corner just after the hour mark. As he made no mistake from a genius bit of play from inspirational 37-year-old veteran Russell Lattapy, the ecstatic crowd forgave John’s earlier transgression as they danced and sang to the final whistle.
The Caribbean side will now play-off with fifth-place Asian finisher Bahrain, who earlier in the day, pulled off a 0-0 draw at home against Uzbekistan to see them through. The first leg will be played in Port of Spain on 12 November and the second four days later in Bahrain.
Led by wily old Dutch tactician Leo Beenhakker, T&T will be hoping to become only the second Caribbean nation in history to reach a FIFA World Cup finals, after Jamaica made their debut at France 1998.
Guatemalan tears for souvenirs
After a brilliant chip from Elmer Ponciano opened the scoring in only the second minute against Costa Rica, it seemed it was to be the Guatemalans who would be celebrating through the night. But two more from Freddy Garcia and Carlos Ruiz and an emphatic 3-1 win at home were not enough to edge out the Trinidadians as the Chapines finished the campaign with only tears for souvenirs and 13 points - three shy of the islanders.
In the region’s other match – a completely meaningless game between eliminated Panama and already qualified USA in Boston – the new-look hosts put paid to the upstart Canaleros. First-ever international goals from Kyle Martino and Taylor Twellman saw the Americans finish their qualifying campaign with 25 points and just one goal conceded.
The CONCACAF ‘Hexagonal’ finishes with USA and Mexico tangled on top with 22 points apiece (though the USA’s slight statistical advantage has them officially in first place). Costa Rica – who also are heading for Germany next year – end on 16 points while T&T’s 13 see them still alive and kicking. Both fifth-place Guatemala and last-spot Panama will need to wait until qualification to South Africa 2010 before they can begin to dream again of a first-ever finals appearance.