T&T completes double against visiting Azerbaijan
Gregory Trujillo (Trinidad Guardian).
Brazilian-born JOSE LUIS SEABRA (centre) sticks out a left foot to deny RASHAD ABDULLAYEV of Azerbaijan from getting to the ball during action in the friendly match yesterday at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. At left is AVERY JOHN. Seabra was appearing in only his second match for T&T since being granted permanent residence. T&T completed the double over Azerbaijan in the friendly two-match football series, winning the final match yesterday 2-0, at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
After edging the visitors 1-0 on Friday on a Scott Sealy goal, the Soca Warriors got a goal in each half from Nigel Pierre (21st) and substitute Conrad Smith (67th) before 1,000 fans.
Brazilian-born Jose Luis Seabra was a favourite with the crowd, playing only his second match for T&T after being granted permanent residence two weeks ago.
Until he was substituted in the 81st minute, most of the home side attacks were built around Seabra, who turns 31 tomorrow.
Although he did not have a say in the either of the goals, the little Brazilian played an improved match to Friday’s debut, when he appeared to be nervous.
While his collecting and distribution were a pleasure, fellow midfielder Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick found difficulty finding his teammates, his passes being either overweighted or away from reach.
A mistake by goalkeeper Rauf Mehdiyev gave T&T the lead.
In attempting to play the ball up the middle of the field after receiving a back-pass, Mehdiyev did not connect cleanly and only managed to find Pierre about 25 metres out.
Pierre collected first time and slotted the ball straight between the upright,with Mehdiyev out of position.
Azerbaijan was let off the hook five minutes into the second-half, when a poor clearance by stopper Aslan Karimov was intercepted by Seabra, who laid on for Sealy.
The Kansus City Wizards new recruit played the ball further wide for a running Cyd Gray, who shot overbar with only substitute goalie Mikayil Yusifov to beat.
Azerbaijan’s best chance came in the 65th minute, but Aftandil Hajiyev shot overbar from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later, T&T increased the lead with Angus Eve, who replaced Anthony Rougier at half-time, being the architect.
Eve split the visitors defence to find Cornell Glen, who came on for Sealy in the 54th minute.
Although in a striking position, Glen played the ball square to Smith,and the Arima/Morvant Fire player shot first time, his chest-high right-footer being parried into the goal by Yusifov.
After a rest day today, the T&T players will be back on the ball from tomorrow, with a session at Queen’s Park Oval — venue for the first World Cup match against the United States on Ash Wednesday (February 9).
T&T: Daurance Williams, Avery John (Marlon Rojas 68th), Derek King, Anton Pierre, Atiba Charles, Anthony Rougier (Angus Eve 46th), Leslie Fitzpatrick (Cornell Glen 54th), Cyd Gray, Jose Luis Seabra (Michael Celestine 81st), Scott Sealey, Nigel Pierre (Densil Theobald 88th)
Azerbaijan: Rauf Mehdiyev (Mikayil Yusifov 46th), Rafael Amirbeyov, Samir Abbasov, Aftandil Hajiyev, Rashad Abdullayev, Rashad Abdullayev, Daniel Akhtyamov, Aslan Karimov, Ismayil Mammadov (Iugar Nadirov 25th), Agil Mammadov, Iugar Nadirov (Vasif Hagverdiyev 45th), Nadir Nabiyev, Kanan Karimov.
Referee: Ted Grodon(T&T)
