Hart lauds 6-0 romp over ‘Vincy Heat’
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
STEPHEN HART, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago football team, described the squad’s 6-0 romp over St Vincent/Grenadines as “the best performance we’ve played for a long time.”
Hart was speaking at the postmatch media conference, after the Soca Warriors hammered their opponents, dubbed the “Vincey Heat”, in their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONCACAF Zone Fourth Round Group C meeting at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Trevin Caesar scored a late double, in the 85th and 89th minutes, after strikes from Sheldon Bateau (35th), Joevin Jones (49th), Kenwyne Jones (59th) and Kevin Molino (66th).
“The first-half performance for me was one of the best I’ve seen this team play,” Hart admitted.
“I don’t think the 1-nil scoreline reflected the performance.
And then we came out in the second half, did things very efficiently and ended up with the goals.
“There are still a few things defensively we can keep working on because (Myron Samuel and Oalex Anderson) are quality players for them, they are a handful. I thought, overall, it was the best performance that we’ve played for a long time.” He went on to elaborate, “we created a lot of chances. We came in here with a game plan and our execution, in terms of passing and movement, was exceptional.
Plenty people will argue that the finishing could have been a lot better but, from a coach’s standpoint, I would like to build on this performance. It looks like we have the bench that can make a difference.” TT lead Group C with 10 points, followed by the United States (seven), Guatemala (six) and St Vincent/Grenadines (none). With two matches remaining, the Warriors will host Guatemala on September 2 and visit the US on September 6. The top two from each group (A, B and C) will feature in the CONCACAF Zone Final Round next year.
“We are going to play to get the results because that’s what is required,” said Hart about the September fixtures. “We have to get points at home and try to get points away from home.” With a number of players unavailable - due to injuries or inactivity club-wise, a few new faces stepped to the fore, including Caesar, Levi Garcia, Aubrey David, Neveal Hackshaw and Sean De Silva.
Asked if the bench strength will create healthy rivalries amongst the players, Hart responded, “I think a lot of the players are going to be worried now, and certainly I have to stock up on some aspirin because it’s a selection headache.
It’s one I welcome.” Hart used Garcia and Joevin Jones on the respective left and right flanks on Tuesday, but Jones came in for high praise from the TT coach. “All credit to Joevin, he don’t know how talented he really is. He plays left-back for (his) club (Seattle Sounders) and then I ask him to come and do a different job. He loves to play and once he keeps himself in the top physical condition and the right mental state, he can go very far in football.”
English-born John Bostock was unable to feature in both matches (the 3-2 away win in St Vincent last Friday and Tuesday’s game) due to an administrative blunder but Hart believes he will be eligible soon.
“He should be fine by the World Cup (qualifiers in September),” said Hart. “He can play in the exhibition games, that will give him some opportunities.
All credit to him, he stuck around. You will like him, he can play, and he’s very smart.” About Sean De Silva, Hart noted, “he can deliver passes. He did it in the Grenada game. He’s not going to give you penetration with his dribbling but he will give you penetration with his passing.”
