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Wired868 reports from Jamaica:
It was easy like Sunday morning. Of course, it was a 3 pm (Jamaican time) kick off today—if you want to nitpick—but the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 team found Aruba to be every bit as straightforward as US bard Lionel Richie’s classic tune.
At the final whistle in the CONCACAF Under-20 Group A fixture, the young “Soca Warriors” were four goals clear of their Dutch neighbours and the 5-1 win meant their Road to New Zealand had some momentum again.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
On Friday night, the Warriors looked to have made two steps forward and then two steps back as they squandered a two-goal lead to end 2-2 with hosts Jamaica.
But Aruba possessed no such powers of recovery and it did not help that the inexperienced outfit was reduced to 10 players after just 26 minutes following a clumsy challenge by defender Joel Geerman on Aikim Andrews. Aruba was already two goals behind by then and Kadeem Corbin’s penalty made it 3-0 for T&T.
“After 15 minutes, the game was over due to big mistakes by my defenders,” said Aruba coach and Netherlands native, Arent Bekhof.
Truth be told, the red card was, arguably, a tad harsh from Bahamian referee Randolph Harris. And, bizarrely, Harris followed it up by booking Corbin for celebrating his penalty by gesturing to Aruba custodian Jeanmarc Antersijn with a finger on his lips.
He was booked for it by the Bahamian official.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Harris was not shy about taking the names of Trinidad and Tobago players in his little black, book as left back Maurice Ford and substitutes Akeem Humphrey and Matthew Woo Ling were also cautioned.
In a tournament with five group matches, those yellow cards could eventually haunt the Warriors, who already saw Jesus Perez booked in Friday’s Group A opener. But at least Trinidad and Tobago got the important business done.
“I will give them a six (out of 10) today,” said Trinidad and Tobago head coach Derek King, “because I thought they could do much better.”
It did not speak well of Aruba’s chances in Jamaica. Today was their second successive spanking after a 4-0 loss to Panama on Friday. But it is not inconceivable that the Dutch-speaking islanders might be a tougher opponent later in the competition.
Eight members of the Aruban squad were flown in from the Netherlands along with new coach, Bekhof, just two weeks before their opening CONCACAF fixture. They are essentially learning on the job.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Today’s lesson was a humbling one, though.
Just three minutes after kick off, the Warriors were already celebrating as Andrews crossed from the right flank for Jabari Mitchell to open the score summary. Some more alert wing play saw Trinidad and Tobago double its lead in the 15th minute as Mitchell released Levi Garcia with a quick free kick down the left and his cross was prodded over the goalline by Andrews.
Mitchell and Garcia were among three changes to the T&T starting line-up today along with Ford as King shuffled his pack to manage his team’s energy levels. It did not help the Warriors that today’s game was played with the sun high overhead. In fact, three of Trinidad and Tobago’s five group matches will be contested in bright sunlight while Jamaica and the United States play all of their fixtures under lights in the cool of the evening.
But the Warriors, who have struggled to get everything from practice games to visas, are probably accustomed to doing things the hard way by now.
They took out their frustrations on Aruba.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Duane Muckette, who played deeper in a holding midfield role today, got Trinidad and Tobago’s fourth with a stunning strike into the top corner from distance after Aruba cleared a Woo Ling corner in the 58th minute but was too slow to apply pressure on the US-based midfielder.
And Mitchell got his second of the match from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after Garcia was chopped down in the area. By then, King had already withdrawn Andrews, Corbin and Muckette with Wednesday’s showdown against Guatemala in mind.
Aruba did get a clever consolation goal on a counter attack in stoppage time as lively striker Duncan Homoet twisted Gomez inside and out before surprising Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Johan Welch at his near post.
There is cause for concern too as Andrews hobbled to the dressing room with his right ankle heavily strapped while four Warriors are now booked. But there was plenty to smile about at today’s Dutch party.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Hopefully, Trinidad and Tobago has held something in reserve for Guatemala on Wednesday.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Johan Welch (GK); 2.Shannon Gomez (captain), 3.Martieon Watson, 13.Brendon Creed, 19.Maurice Ford; 6.Duane Muckette (17.Akeem Humphrey 66), 8.Neveal Hackshaw; 15.Aikim Andrews (7.Akeem Garcia 46), 10.Jabari Mitchell, 11.Levi Garcia; 9.Kadeem Corbin (14.Matthew Woo Ling 55).
Unused substitutes: 21.Javon Sample (GK), 4.Jesus Perez, 5.Leland Archer, 12.Kishun Seecharan, 16.Ricardo John, 18.Kevon Goddard.
Coach: Derek King
Aruba (4-1-4-1): 1.Jeanmarc Antersijn (GK); 2.Niels Ridderstap, 19.David Dubero, 5.Joel Geerman, 3.Jefferson Vegas; 4.Nickenson Paul; 14.Marcel Kock (7.Youri Wernet 71), 8.Gregorio Van Der Biezen (15.Aidan Martha 82), 10.Walter Bennett (16.Franklin Cabaracas 80), 12.Jeanpierre Van Der Linden; 9.Duncan Homoet.
Unused substitutes: 20.Brandon Maimaceda (GK), 6.Johnatan Ruiz, 11.Ricky Hodge, 13.Carl Geerman, 17.Andrew Valois-Smith, 18.Kevin Tromp.
Coach: Arent Bekhof
Referee: Randolph Harris (Bahamas)
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
CONCACAF Under-20 Championship
Group A
(Sunday Jan 11)
Trinidad and Tobago 5 (Jabari Mitchell 3, 78 pen, Aikim Andrews 15, Kadeem Corbin 28 pen, Duane Muckette 58), Aruba 1 (Duncan Homoet 90) at Kingston;
Panama 1 (Carlos Small 78), United States 0 at Kingston;
Jamaica 0, Guatemala 1 (Steven Robles 27) at Kingston;
(Friday January 9)
Jamaica 2 (Donja Smith 67, Junior Flemmings 90+3), Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Aikim Andrews 6, Kadeem Corbin 15)
United States 1 (Cameron Carter-Vickers), Guatemala 1 (Jose Ruiz)
Panama 4 (Ismael Diaz 19, 50, Ervin Zorilla 30, Edson Samms 36), Aruba 0
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Upcoming Group A fixtures
(Wednesday January 14)
(All kickoffs given in TT time)
Guatemala vs Trinidad & Tobago, 4 pm, National Stadium, Kingston;
Aruba vs USA, 6.30 pm, National Stadium, Kingston;
Jamaica vs Panama, 9 pm, National Stadium, Kingston.
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Well done Jabari!!!
I really don’t know why Levi was left out of the first game to begin with but I must say admired the shape and skill the guys showed against Jamaica. Just need to keep the focus for 90 plus
I’m proud of our young Warriors. Continue to believe in God yourselves and your staff. We believe in you. Nothing is Impossible .
Well done Fellers. Keep it up. You have it in you to excel and we know you can do it. Good luck.
And learn to stop giving up goals in time added on. I always remember Leo Beenhaker saying a game is not 90 minutes, it starts at the first and ends at the last whistle.
Guatemala might be an exception to that Bruce Aanensen. They play a 3-4-3, which means their wing backs will follow our flankers where ever they go and their winged attackers will try to get behind Shannon Gomez when he bombs forward.
We will have to be careful to protect the ball against them for sure. They are more limited than USA and Panama but are a good counter-attacking team.
I believe one of the keys to success against Central American teams is to use the flanks. These teams are very quick and skillful and like to play close to each other. That creates openings on the flanks. We need to avoid allowing them to suck us in so that the edges of the penalty box become the flanks. I have seen it happen regularly.
Good luck to the guys. You all can do it.
The hardest position to rotate is upfront. The slightest difference in quality on top can mean a blank sheet.
It will be a big risk to rest Corbin, Hackshaw and Watson especially because they bring something a little different. Welch’ communication is really good though even if he might not be an exceptional goalie.
The only possible replacement for Gomez is Aikim and now he has a knock.
Maybe. It’s worrisome though Lasana if Corbin keeps bagging goals to rest him against tougher opposition. He could have gotten a rest yesterday. Say what…I trust Coach King.
Kirwin Weston, maybe John still has to earn that trust. He didn’t show he was at Corbin’s level with his cameo against Jamaica.
Hopefully he will do better with his next opportunity. King cannot take huge gambles though. One more bad result and the dream is over.
Well done young warriors, you guys are doing well despite not having the training camp. Forget the hiccup against Jamaica and this win time to focus on the next game. All the best to coach King and the rest of the team.
The tournament gets more difficult as we go along. Thought Corbin would have gotten a rest today and John a run out. Lets keep pressing hard.
Keep your poise young men. Keep your poise. Blessed!
Guatemala sits off and looks to play on the break. I think we have a really good chance against them.
Jamaica should not have gotten those two points. Sigh.
I have to wonder what Tappa did with those players. Their tactics and shape seem very odd.
I anticipated that those two teams would top the group what I didn’t plan on was T&T not winning vs Jamaica, Guatemala being strong enough to go to the wire with the US and beating Jamaica. That 3rd place is gonna tough to get too.
USA ha the better first half but Panana dominated the last 30 minutes of the game. Panama started showing their creativity. Their defense is physical and their offense have skillful players.
It was a close game kester. But panama had more creativity in the final third and was very street smart
Brent 2 yrs ago in the U17 tournament Panama made us chase the ball for almost the entire game. I’m kinda surprised they beat the US as they have 5 European based pros.
Panama captain at the back, Hormechea, built like a light heavyweight boxer. He’s fast too and aggressive. That will have to be the best opponent Kadeem Corbin ever faced.
USA lacks creativity in final third. At least they struggled to break down Panama and Guatemala. They have pace on top though.
They played the stronger striker today and sacrificed that pace.
Game over!! Panama 1-0 over USA
Go Team T&T!!!
Lasana Liburd can you explain to me how you are booking a sport in World cup now? I do hope that jamaica game doesnt haunt us
Keeping the group open. Hoping Panama feel safe against us and get the surprise of their lives. I do not know about losing to Panama. 2-0 at home and 1-0 on the road to Germany.
Must admit ah only see highlights of our games but is either Panama real good or the USA having a mediocre game. USA have no pace up front at all
Yeah. But the pace that USA and Panama play at will be a test for sure. We need three points against Guatemala to have some security when we meet those big boys.
Just about deserved too eh? But a nice, competitive match.
We look good. USA Losing 0-1 to Panama 5 minutes left.
Panama gone 1-0 up.
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4OIn0cH-w
It is 0-0 between the USA and Panama at the moment. I don’t think those teams have more talent. But the pace USA and Panama play at will be a big challenge.
Well done guys. The big tests are ahead. Wish you all the Very best. Stay grounded and fear no team. We with you guys.