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18
Thu, Apr
Match Report
Honduras Trinidad & Tobago
Honduras T&T flag
 Stern John (72')
Gary Glasgow (89')

International Friendly
DateVenueLocationAttendance
1999-11-17Estadío Francisco MorazánSan Pedro Sula, Honduras23000


T&T footballers fall to Honduras


THE prolific goalscoring form of Stern John could not prevent Trinidad and Tobago from going down 3-2 to Honduras in a friendly soccer international at the Morazan Stadium in San Pedro Sula on Wednesday night.

John, who agreed to join English First Division side Nottingham Forest earlier this week, arrived in Honduras on Wednesday morning and was hardly a threat before finding the net in the 61st and 90th minutes. But that was not enough to save T&T from their first defeat in ten internationals for the year.

It was not the result T&T fans would be enjoying today which marks the tenth anniversary since T&T's hopes of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy were dashed in a 1-0 loss to the United Stutes on November 19, 1989.

T&T moved a step up to 40th in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Wednesday.

T&T were never allowed to settle by the quick running Hondurans. A shot by Joe Public midfielder Arnold Dwarika which went straight to the Honduran goalkeeper was the closest they would get to scoring.

The homeside, backed by a 23,000 strong crowd, took a 42nd minute lead when a lapse by defender Shurland David allowed striker Wilmer Velasquez to turn defender Derek King before rifling home a right-footer past Hislop.

That would have appeared to be the wake up call, but T&T never woke up as John was policed throughout proceedings. Rougier was the most composed or the T&T players up to that point.

The pattern of the "Soca Warriors" play continued in the second half. Hislop was called into action at least five times before John spurned an equalising opportunity in the 63rd minute.

Marcelle, who took Angus Eve's place in midfield, threaded a ball wide to Nixon, whose cross fell for John, but luckily for the Hondurans, the striker's finishing skills deserted him as he shot over bar from inside the 18-yard box.

After John's effort forced the 'keeper to push out, Nixon swung a pass from the left for John to head home the equaliser from close range in the 71st.

Mickey Trotman and Gary Glasgow entered T&T's attack but the Hondurans would go for the kill and T&T were left hanging.

A foul by Shurland David on Ronald Clavesquin resulted in the same player banging a 81st minute penalty past substitute 'keeper Kelvin Jack.

Two minutes later, T&T lost possession in the opposition half andqa quick break by the home side led to Hesler Philips clinically hitting a low right-footer home from the edge of the box.

John lived up to his reputation and notched his second two minutes into injury time when Trotman's shot came off the 'keeper for him to stab home.

LINEUP
 Subbed outNeil Hislop
 Subbed in Kelvin Jack
 Marvin Andrews
 Shurland David
 Ansil Elcock
 Derek King
 Lyndon Andrews
 Subbed outArnold Dwarika
 Subbed in Avery John
 Subbed outAnthony Rougier (capt.)
 Subbed in Travis Mulraine
 Stern John
 Subbed outClint Marcelle
 Subbed in Gary Glasgow
 Subbed outJerren Nixon
 Subbed in Mickey Trotman
SUBSTITUTES
 Kelvin Jack
 Avery John
 Travis Mulraine
 Gary Glasgow
 Mickey Trotman
COACH
 Bertille St. Clair
SUBSTITUTIONS
0'Subbed outSubbed inTravis Mulraine for Anthony Rougier
0'Subbed outSubbed inGary Glasgow for Clint Marcelle
0'Subbed outSubbed inAvery John for Arnold Dwarika
0'Subbed outSubbed inMickey Trotman for Jerren Nixon
0'Subbed outSubbed inKelvin Jack for Neil Hislop