TREVIN CAESAR expressed his delight after scoring a pair of goals for Trinidad and Tobago, as a second-half substitute, in their 6-0 demolition of St Vincent/ Grenadines on Tuesday night, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
Action was in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONCACAF Zone Fourth Round Group C.
Caesar, who replaced midfielder Kevin Molino in the 71st minute (with the hosts leading 4-0), scored his first item in the 85th when he received a pass from another substitute, Sean De Silva, from the right and slotted the ball home, via the right post of goalkeeper Lemus Christopher.
And, four minutes later, the diminutive midfielder/forward, who was used up front when captain Kenwyne Jones was taken off by coach Stephen Hart, got a through ball from midfielder Khaleem Hyland, got around the advancing Christopher and placed his left-footed shot into the open net.
Concerning his 20-minute performance, Caesar said, “it feels great, coming off (the bench) and scoring two goals. We wanted goals to (boost) our tally for the game, so it was good coming off and scoring two goals.” The 26-year-old has a total of three goals in nine international matches, and it was his first game for the “Soca Warriors” since the November 17, 2015 qualifier at home to the United States.
As far as expectations are concerned, Caesar stated, “it’s all about working hard and playing for the team. Eventually my chance will come again. I’ve just got to keep on working hard and keep on scoring.” In January, Caesar joined Orange County Blues in the United Soccer League (USL), in the US, after stints locally with Ma Pau SC, Caledonia AIA (now Morvant Caledonia United), North East Stars, as well as American clubs San Antonio Scorpions and Austin Aztex.
“My season (has) just started,” noted Caesar. “It’s a new team.
I’ve already bonded with all my teammates. We lost our first game of the season last Saturday but we’re going to bounce back from that Saturday coming. So it’s (to get) three points and keep going.”
He sustained an injury to his lower right leg in Tuesday’s match but he admitted, “it was just a tackle I got but nothing to worry about. It’s just to take care of it and move on.” Caesar has played as a striker and a winger, for country and club. Asked what he thinks is his preferred position, he replied, “to me it don’t really matter, once I’m working hard for the team, it don’t really matter what position I play.”
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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.”