Brazilian double defeats new-look T&T.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
A new-look Trinidad and Tobago senior team was not disgraced as it went down 2-0, conceding both goals in the first half to Japan before 50,000 odd fans at the Tokyo National Stadium on Wednesday evening.
With T&T having debutants Clyde Leon and Stephan David in its starting line up along with several other fresh faces, they fell behind to two early goals to Brazilian-born striker Alessandro “Alex.
A free kick was perfectly directed into the right corner past an outstretched Jan Michael Williams from atop the box and then the same player met a pass from Yuichi Komano and neatly lobbed an advancing Williams for goal number two.
With the likes of striker Anthony Wolfe, midfielder Evans Wise and defenders Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray and Avery John carrying the World Cup experience, the “Soca Warriors” had to work hard to match the quick running Japanese but they picked their game up and came away with an improved second half performance which could have easily seen them nick a couple goals.
The home fans were voiceferous throughout the encounter with only a small group of 60 odd Japanese fans choosing to wear the T&T colours and beat some steel pan. The evening’s proceedings was always going to be a worthwhile experience to the T&T players.
Williams had some early work to do as the home side came at the T&T defense and it was not until the 29th minute that Gray had T&T’s first real attempt at goal –a one time volley which ended on the upper end of the net.
Glasgow then began to find his footing with some decent runs and Wolfe had a feeble effort on goal as both teams went into the half with T&T enjoying the better of the closing five minutes.
Two minutes into the second half, Wolfe tried to meet a left side cross but handled through the goalie Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
The small T&T contingent’s chants of “Warriors...Warriors” could be heard behind the southern goal and they thought there was something to cheer when Gray’s inswinging free kick was claimed by the goalie before Keyeno Thomas could connect. A minute later, following a good stop by Williams, T&T broke but Wolfe’s effort was deflected through to Kawaguchi. At that stage, it was evident that the game was being played at a quicker pace and T&T didn’t disappoint as they stuck in there with their tackles and tracking and began enjoying better possession than the first half. A drizzle also dampened the surface a bit and eased some of the easier humidity and with that, the T&T outfit began to enjoy the better run.
Kerry Baptiste replaced David in the 71st minute and played one inside the Glasgow who in turn found Wise out on the left top of the box but his left footed effort flew inches over the cross bar as the closing 20 minutes approached.
Glasgow also managed some trickery on the edge of the box, beating two defenders but his service couldn’t be bettered by substitute Kendall Jagdeosingh nor Wise. Later on Thomas had to be replaced by Ian Gray, going off with a dislocated elbow.
The final whistle came, bringing an end to Rijsbergen’s first game in charge and certainly leaving him with some food for thought ahead of his future outings. Jagdeosingh (20 years), Pacheco (21), David (27), Williams (21), and Leon (22) were among the new faces taking the pitch on the evening.
Line-Up.
Trinidad & Tobago[/b]
Jan Michael Williams, Atiba Charles, Keyeno Thomas (Ian Gray 79th), Avery John, Clyde Leon, Cyd Gray (capt), Stephan David (Kerry Baptiste 71st), Evans Wise, Trent Noel, Anthony Wolfe (Kendall Jagdeosingh 76th), Gary Glasgow (Andre Pacheco 90th).
Japan
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Keisuke Tsuboi (Kurihara 60th), Tulio Tanaka, Alessandro "Alex" Santos, Yuichi Komano, Tatsuya Tanaka, Keita Suzuki, Koji Yamase (Daigo Kobayashi 55th), Hayuma Tanaka, Makoto Hasebe (Naoshi Nakamura 73rd), (Daisuke Sakata 85th), Kazuki Ganaha (Hisato Sato).
