WARRIORS HELD
Now T&T must beat them in Bahrain
Sunday, November 13th 2005 TNT EXPRESS
Hundreds of football fans outside the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, for yesterday's World Cup play-off between Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain. Photo: KENROY AMBRIS
It was not the result they wanted. But midfielder Chris Birchall's equaliser against Bahrain still kept Trinidad and Tobago's Germany World Cup 2006 hopes alive yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
It earned the national team a one-all draw to take across to the Persian Gulf.
Although coach Leo Beenhakker had talked about taking a victory to the second-leg match against Bahrain on November 16, the away-goal, scored by striker Salman Isa Ghulum Ali in the 72nd minute, means that the Bahrainis would be the more satisfied side before the crucial return leg in their capital city, Manama.
In the first half, the two teams started off tentatively, with slow build-ups, seeming to feel each other out during the opening minutes.
Bahrain, coached by Croatian-born Luka Peruzovic and known for their defensive strength, attempted to crowd the midfield and put as many men behind the ball, playing the ball as much time as possible in front of them.
The visitors effectively shadowed, pressured and cramped veteran T&T playmakers Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke for space, reducing their effectiveness significantly.
That took Stern John completely out of the game, the striker getting one touch on the ball for the entire half.
On the other hand, Bahrain's attacking options were limited to launching quick counter-attacks as far back as from their goalkeeper, Ali Hussan Ali, while the Warriors, unlike in their previous game against Mexico, were uncertain moving the ball forward and unsure in defence
But despite cautious approaches by both teams during that period, midfielder Chris Birchall managed to trouble Hassan Ali after seven minutes, a breakdown in possession leading to Birchall driving from 20 metres only for Hussan Ali to deflect the shot for a corner.
It was a good save from a good goalkeeper who would pull off more heroics later.
Meanwhile, Bahrain picked up their offensive game with some heavy on-rushing midfield play that led to Husain Ali Ahmed, open, striking agonisingly just shy on the wrong side of Kelvin Jack's left upright in the 24th minute.
But T&T gradually moved their game forward to good effect, forcing Hasan Ali into another good save.
The first was in the 41st minute from Dennis Lawrence who saw the Bahrain "goalie" dive down low to save his well-directed header from a Birchall right-side cross.
Then, two minutes later, Yorke's shot on the turn from a John head-down was desperately deflected by a protruded foot from a Bahrain defender
Second half, a more purposeful start saw T&T putting more players forward, which led to Yorke shooting wide after Aurtis Whitley fed him at the top of the box.
But Bahrain counter-attacked effectively. From one such counter, Ghulum Ali took a perfect header from a left side corner, driving past Jack to make it 1-0.
Birchall, however, sent the sell-out crowd into hysteria when he scorched a 20- metre blast that rocketed into the net in the 76th minute.
The draw was not what either coach Beenhakker or the capacity crowd desperately desired.
But at least it kept hopes alive.
Teams:
T&T - Marvin Andrews, Chris Birchall, Dennis Lawrence, Avery John, Silvio Spann, Aurtis Whitley, Dwight Yorke (capt) , Russell Latapy (64 Jason Scotland), Kelvin Jack, Stern John (80th Kenwyne Jones), Carlos Edwards.
Bahrain-Ali Hassan Ali (GK), 14-Salman Isa Ghulum Ali (87 Saouzi Mubarak Aaish), 16-Sayed Mohamed Adnan, 17-Husain Ali Hasan, 29-Mohamed Ahmed Hubail, 7-Sayed Mahmood Jalal, 8-Rashed Abdul Rahman, 10-Mohamed Ahmed Salmon (capt), 3-Abdulla Aa Rahman, 13-Talal Yusuf Mohamed, 9-Husain Ali Ahmed (45 Alaa Ahmed Hubail).
