Soca Warriors take huge step towards Germany
FIFAworldcup.com
As the final whistle sounded at the end of the most important game in Trinidad and Tobago's history, the Hasley Crawford Stadium erupted in celebration. And no wonder. The Soca Warriors had just pulled off a deserved and famous 2-1 victory over Mexico. A play-off with Bahrain is all that now stands between T&T and a first ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
The agony and the ecstasy
This was no formality for the Caribbean side, however, and although they dominated proceedings, Leo Beenhakker's side did things the hard way on a night of high tension in Port of Spain. After a patient, probing start, T&T launched a full-frontal assault on Jesus Corona's goal. Dwight Yorke and Stern John powered in two fizzing drives from distance to set the rhythm as the hosts pushed forward in search of a historic victory.
The pressure looked to be paying dividends when, on the half-hour mark, young Mexico defender Joel Huiqui pulled Yorke back on the six-yard line and the referee pointed to the spot. John strode up to take the kick, but his tame, telegraphed effort was easily held by Corona.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side when Mexico converted their only chance of the half seven minutes later. Francisco Fonseca and Luis Perez combined well to set up Jaime Lozano, who deftly lifted the ball over Kelvin Jack and into the corner of the net from a tight angle.
Although fortune was hardly favouring the brave, the fanatical home fans continued to urge their heroes on and were rewarded with an equaliser just before the break. Yorke struck the post and John latched onto the rebound to level the scores. It was one-way traffic after that. The occasion seemed to be too much for an inexperienced Mexico side missing many of their big names and it came as no surprise when John pounced on a mistake by Israel Lopez on the hour mark and powered home an angled drive to make it 2-1.
A hollow triumph
One man's joy is another man's pain, as they say. Guatemala produced their finest performance in the six-team final qualifying group as they defeated arch-rivals Costa Rica 3-1, but it was too little too late. The Guatemalans turned in a superb first-half performance as an early header from Elmer Ponciano (2'), a superb strike from distance by Freddy Garcia (15') and a spectacular overhead kick by Carlos Ruiz (31') sealed the points for the home side before the break.
Guatemala were content to run down the clock after the restart although Roy Myre did manage to pull one back for Costa Rica while Jafet Soto spurned the opportunity to add a fourth from the penalty spot ten minutes from time.
Confident USA claim top spot
In the section's other game, Bruce Arena decided to give a second chance to the talented youngsters brushed aside 3-0 by Costa Rica at the weekend and the gamble paid off. The second string repaid his faith with a solid 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Panama, who also rested several first-choice players. Goals early in the second half from Kyle Martino and Taylor Twellman proved enough for the Stars and Stripes to claim top spot in the qualification group for the first time in their history.
