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Author Topic: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico  (Read 1135 times)

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Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« on: September 08, 2005, 09:33:46 PM »
BY NIGEL SIMON

Standout player Russell Latapy is not giving up on T&T despite the team’s 2-0 loss to Costa Rica in the World Cup qualifier at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, San Jose, on Wednesday night.
Following the game, Latapy said he will make himself available for T&T’s last two games, against Panama on October 8, and Mexico, four days later.
Costa Rica scored in the 14th minute through Alvaro Saborio and in 50th minute through Walter Centeno, to maintain their position in third spot in the race for qualification for next year’s finals in Germany.
The defeat left the Warriors in fifth spot on seven points, one behind Guatemala who earned a point at home to the United States in a 0-0 draw. In the other game in the zone, Mexico hammered Panama 5-0.
With two matches left, coach Leo Beenhakker’s team must now beat Panama and Mexico to at least finish fourth and take the play-off spot against the fifth placed Asian team — Uzbekistan or Bahrain.
At the same time, they must also hope that Mexico overcomes Guatemala at home on October 8.
Two wins for T&T will carry its points tally to 13 points.
Beenhakker said he will be happy to have the services of Latapy for the two matches.
The “Little Magician” was contracted for the matches against Guatemala and Costa Rica, but with the team needing to be at its best to have a chance of qualifying, Latapy has agreed to continue.
After the match, Beenhakker said the onus was now on T&T to win its next two games. “It is still in our hands and that is the most important thing for us right now,” Beenhakker said.
The Dutchman again lamented his team’s shortcoming of giving away an early goal. “Once again, we conceded an early goal but we didn’t give up. We created our chances but we did not put them away. When you do that and the other team scores, you pay the price.”
The T&T dressing room had disappointment written all over it, but the contingent, including Latapy, was still upbeat over the chances in the next two games.
Latapy described T&T’s performance as good. “It was a good game. We wanted to see if we could win because that was the only way we could qualify directly. But Costa Rica got an early goal and that made it difficult. Then we came out in the second half thinking that we had to go for it and they scored again. That made it difficult from there on.”
Skipper Dwight Yorke said it was a difficult game. “We always knew it would be like that. Costa Rica got off to a perfect start. They got the result they wanted and a win or draw in their next game will take them to the World Cup.
“Now it’s T&T and Guatemala left fighting for the fourth spot and we are definitely in with a chance of realising the dream,” Yorke said.
T&T could consider themselves a bit unfortunate at not coming away with at least a point. They dominated the closing stages of the first half and should have grabbed an equaliser with midfielder Christopher Birchall and Marvin Andrews getting chances.
The opening goal came when Ronald Gomez wrong-footed defender Ian Cox on the right side of the 18-yard box before squaring the ball, which Andrews could only hit to Alvaro Saborio. He deflected it over the line for the opening goal.
Carlos Edwards then set up Birchall for a crack at goal, but his effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Jose Parros.
Andrews then got his right boot onto an over-head attempt by team-mate Stern John, but again the keeper was there to keep out the shot.
Five minutes into the second-half, Paulo Wanchope was adjudged to have been fouled just out-side the 18-yard box by Dennis Lawrence. From the resulting free-kick, Walter Centeno curled a right footer past Kelvin Jack for a 2-0 lead.
In the latter stages of the match, Beenhakker introduced strikers Jason Scotland and Scott Sealy at the expense of Aurtis Whitley and Silvio Spann.
Sealy failed to keep down a volleyed attempt from a Russell Latapy feed while Scotland blasted just wide of the first post from a right sided cross from Edwards.
The Warriors defensive ploy was dented when defender Brent Sancho pulled up with a hamstring injury following training on the eve of the game and was omitted.
Close to 130 T&T fans and the Laventille Rhythm Section gave support, along with President Maxwell Richards.
The T&T contingent returned home via Miami yesterday while the over-seas based players returned to their respective clubs.

T&T: Kelvin Jack, Marvin Andrews, Dennis Lawrence, Ian Cox, Aurtis Whitley (Jason Scotland 59th), Silvio Spann (Scott Sealy 70th), Carlos Edwards, Christopher Birchall, Russell Latapy, Dwight Yorke, Stern John.
Subs not used: Shaka Hislop, Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray, Glenton Wolfe, Densil Theobald.

Costa Rica: Jose Parros, Luis Marin, Gilberto Martinez Vidal, Jervin Drummond, Walter Centeno, Mauricio Solis, Ronald Gomez, Paulo Wanchope, Alvaro Saborio (Douglas Sequeira 63rd), Alonso Solis (Cristian Bolanos 55th), Roy Miller (Michael Umana 71st).
Subs not used: Alvaro Mesen, Winston Parks, Jafet Soto, Mainor Diaz.

Offline Peong

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Re: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2005, 11:09:02 PM »
 :thumbsup:

I was wondering about his availability.

Offline Kingk

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Re: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2005, 11:14:36 PM »
i knew he wouldnt bail out like dat

Offline vb

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Re: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2005, 06:42:09 AM »
Well that's a pleasant surprise.

Thank u very much Latas.

Peace,
VB
VITAMIN V...KEEPS THE LADIES HEALTHY...:-)

Offline AB.Trini

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Re: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2005, 06:45:49 AM »
First the good news: Great to  see the renewed commitment from a leader such as Latapy.

Secondly, it's a fact that we continue to concede early goals, but the game is 90+ minutes!!!!! so somebody has to score first wether it's in the first 10 or first 25 minutes, the fact is that we are SHOWING an INABILITY to respond to the  challenge.

The winner is simply the team that scores the most goals.  after the duration of 90+ minutes!!!!! PERIOD.

Offline Trini _2026

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Re: Latapy stays for Panama, Mexico
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2005, 06:46:58 AM »
king k what you know he bail out like that last time.Well at least he dedicated this time well may be becuase its his last chance
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/sh8SeGmzai4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/sh8SeGmzai4</a>

 

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