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Author Topic: It’s not over!  (Read 973 times)

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Offline Tallman

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It’s not over!
« on: September 14, 2005, 08:15:29 AM »
It’s not over!
By Anil Roberts (Trinidad Guardian)


CLICO and TSTT must be applauded for providing the opportunity for 146 loyal ‘Soca’ Warrior fans to fly into Costa Rica, view the World Cup encounter between the hosts and T&T and return home safely on such short notice.

The effects were clearly visible on the faces of our players before, during and after the game. It was a tremendous experience.

There is less than one month to go before our penulatimate game in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Fourth place is still up for grabs. It is simply going to come down to a dogfight between T&T and Guatemala to grab a play-off spot against either Uzbekistan or Bahrain for the honour of participating in Germany in the 2006 World Cup finals. Many people are stopping me to ask, “Is it over?!”

“No, not by a long shot!” is the short answer.

Automatic qualification was always going to be an extremely difficult proposition because of the quality of Mexico, USA and Costa Rica.

However, a fourth place finish was and still is on the cards. Obviously I would have liked to have gone into Costa Rica and stolen a point. This would have kept the possibility of a third place finish open.

Unfortunately the footballing Gods saw it fit to enable Costa Rica to play their best game of football thus far. The Costa Rican team was simply incredible. The speed, pace technical ability and individual understanding of the team concept was very evident in San Jose. Our Warriors did themselves proud but were beaten by a better team on the night.

The equation for T&T is now very simple.

We must win against Panama, in Panama on October 8! When we achieve this, we should be two points clear of Guatemala, as T&T will move to 10 points, while, all things being equal, Guatemala should remain on 8 points, as their next game is against Mexico in Mexico. Mexico unlike the USA, simply hates to drop points regardless of the situation.

Furthermore, following their 2-0 defeat at the hands of the USA, Coach Lavolpe’s head was immediately placed on the chopping block. This despite achieving almost certain qualification for Germany 2006. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Mexican star players such as Rafael Marquez, Lavolpe may have been reduced to a mere spectator against Panama. The Mexicans went on to hand Panama their worst defeat of the present campaign by thrashing them 5-0.

Conversely, T&T will have to remain very sharp, as the worst time to play a team is immediately following a humiliating defeat. True professionals, regardless of the standings play for love and pride. Panama’s pride has been badly bruised and they will be seeking redemption come October 8.

The final fixtures show that T&T will host the might of the Mexicans while Guatemala will host the Costa Ricans on October 12!

Assuming that the positions on the points table would have T&T in fourth place with 10 points and Guatemala in fifth with 8 points, the final round is going to be a pressure cooker right up until the final whistle. Guatemala and T&T fans alike will be carefully monitoring each other’s games on the radio, computers or televisions minute by minute.

On paper Guatemala has the easier final match-up, as they will face a Costa Rican team already guaranteed of a place in Germany while T&T will face Mexico.

Mexico is Mexico, anyway you slice it.

If Guatemala is able to win their final encounter with Costa Rica, they would be on 11 points. This would mean that T&T will most likely have to gain full points from the Mexico game. A T&T victory would certainly ensure the final play-off berth. However a draw will only be sufficient depending on how badly we are able to beat Panama, coupled with how badly Mexico are able to beat Guatemala on October 8.

The combination of these two results would have to produce a seven-goal turnaround, as currently Guatemala has a negative one-goal difference while T&T have a negative seven-goal difference. A six-goal turnaround would not cut it as Guatemala holds the head to head advantage over T&T by a score of 7-4. Clearly, one can see that if Guatemala is able to overcome Costa Rica in their final match, T&T would be in the unenviable position of having to grab full points against Mexico at home.

The equation is simple, full points against Panama on October 8 or it is all over! Not mathematically, but realistically, as anything less in Panama than outright victory would mean that T&T would have to gain more points from Mexico than Guatemala would have to attain from Costa Rica in the final round. Though not an absolute impossibility, the planets, Gods and deities would all have to be in a line to produce this outcome.

So there you have it. The race is still wide open for 4th place. The key is victory in Panama. We must continue to do our utmost to ensure this favourable result.

Corporate T&T must now follow the lead of CLICO and TSTT. We must have five planeloads of supporters heading to Panama City on October 8.


The Laventille Rhythm Section is an absolute necessity. These men silenced 22,000 Costa Rican fans for the entire 94 minutes! A simply incredible performance.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Andre

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Re: It’s not over!
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2005, 08:37:47 AM »
we know.

big up to the Laventille Rhythm Section. when i watch part of the game at CR on tv this weekend, they was all you here.

the iron, spoon, bottle, grater, etc. must go to panama and be there vs. mex.

Offline morvant

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Re: It’s not over!
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2005, 08:43:54 AM »
I BELIEVE I BELIEVE, WE GOIN GERMANY. TICKET DONE BOOK, HOTEL PAID FOR, FRONT ROW TRINIDAD VS ?.
GERMANY WE COMMING AND AH GO BE DEY
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

Offline dcs

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Re: It’s not over!
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2005, 07:39:13 AM »
If Guatemala is able to win their final encounter with Costa Rica, they would be on 11 points. This would mean that T&T will most likely have to gain full points from the Mexico game. A T&T victory would certainly ensure the final play-off berth. However a draw will only be sufficient depending on how badly we are able to beat Panama, coupled with how badly Mexico are able to beat Guatemala on October 8.

The combination of these two results would have to produce a seven-goal turnaround, as currently Guatemala has a negative one-goal difference while T&T have a negative seven-goal difference. A six-goal turnaround would not cut it as Guatemala holds the head to head advantage over T&T by a score of 7-4.

Allyuh eh notice Anil get the goal difference part wrong.
He putting overall goal difference before head to head score on the tie breaker.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2005, 07:41:46 AM by Tallman »

Offline KND

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Re: It’s not over!
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2005, 09:20:56 AM »
yeah he get that wrong if we tie on pts with guat they they go through.

first thing first

beat panama

 

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