Greatest Gold Cup game ever? Wired868 recalls some stirring T&T matches

Trinidad and Tobago’s 4-4 tie with Mexico in the 2015 Gold Cup group stage last night was the talk of CONCACAF.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (third from right) celebrates his second strike against Mexico with teammates (from right) Khaleem Hyland, Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Copyright AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (third from right) celebrates his second strike against Mexico with teammates (from right) Khaleem Hyland, Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
(Copyright AFP 2015)

The match featured seven second half goals with one item from either team in stoppage time, including a last gasp equaliser from “Soca Warriors” defender Yohance Marshall off the final set piece of the match.

“At first I tweeted out it was the best group stage match I had ever seen in the Gold Cup,” said veteran Fox Sports correspondent Michael Lewis. “I would like to think I have a right to say that. I have been covering the competition since 1998.
“In fact, after thinking about that statement for several minutes, I changed my mind. It was the greatest Gold Cup game ever.”

Marshall, who plays professionally in El Salvador with Juventud Independiente, said the remarkable outing still had not fully sunk in.

“It’s a big statement for us,” Marshall told the TTFA Media. “No one other than ourselves expected we could put up such a performance against them (Mexico) and we proved out there that we can match up.

“It’s just another game really but maybe it hasn’t sunk in as yet.. what we have accomplished by this performance and result.”

But where does the eight-goal thriller rank with other exciting Trinidad and Tobago results over the years?

Photo Trinidad and Tobago defender Yohance Marshall (left) wins a header from Mexico defender Yasser Corona in CONCACAF Gold Cup action. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo Trinidad and Tobago defender Yohance Marshall (left) wins a header from Mexico defender Yasser Corona in CONCACAF Gold Cup action.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

1967 Pan American Games: Trinidad and Tobago 1, Argentina 0

There is contrasting information as to who got Trinidad and Tobago’s winner. But goalkeeper Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips kept an historic clean in Winnipeg as the tiny Caribbean nation took its first major scalp, just two years after earning FIFA status. The Argentina team, which had three gold medals and one silver from its last four Pan Am campaigns, left the ground in tears.

 

1973 World Cup qualifying campaign: Trinidad and Tobago 4, Mexico 0

With Everald “Gally” Cummings pulling the strings and attackers Steve David and Warren Archibald in flying form, Trinidad and Tobago tore Mexico apart with a ruthless display of counter-attacking football in Haiti. It took a dodgy referee to deny this team a place at the West Germany 1974 World Cup as they finished second to the host nation.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago icon Warren Archibald (right) wrongfoots NY Cosmos defender Barry Mahy while representing the Washington Darts in the NASL during the 1970s. (Courtesy ttfootballhistory.com)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago icon Warren Archibald (right) wrongfoots NY Cosmos defender Barry Mahy while representing the Washington Darts in the NASL during the 1970s.
(Courtesy ttfootballhistory.com)

1989 World Cup qualifying campaign: Trinidad and Tobago 2, Guatemala 1


With two minutes to go, 21-year-old midfield wizard Russell Latapy drew a few opponents towards him, turned and laid the ball into the path of soldier Kerry Jamerson whose cracking long distance shot sparked an outpouring of calypso, soca and dub tunes as Trinidad and Tobago football fans partied for three months until that fateful day on November 19.

 

2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Trinidad and Tobago 2, Costa Rica 1 (extra time)

After booking their place into the Gold Cup quarterfinals for the first time, Trinidad and Tobago promptly lost star Dwight Yorke who was returned to Manchester United against coach Bertille St Clair’s wishes, while Russell Latapy was substituted with a groin strain.

Still, in extra time, substitute Mickey Trotman became the hero with a crisp finish that took T&T to the semifinals for the first time.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago attacker Arnold Dwarika (top) drives home his country's opening goal in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final against Costa Rica. (Copyright AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago attacker Arnold Dwarika (top) drives home his country’s opening goal in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final against Costa Rica.
(Copyright AFP 2015)

2001 World Cup qualifiers: Trinidad and Tobago 1, Honduras 0

Trinidad and Tobago was already eliminated when the squad travelled to face a Honduran team that was on the cusp of its first World Cup campaign. The “Soca Warriors” had just lost Mickey Trotman to a fatal car accident and decided to dedicate the game to him.

T&T had Aurtis Whitley sent off in the first half hour but Trotman’s best friend, Stern John, scored and the Warriors held off wave after wave of Honduran attacks to clinch an emotional win.

 

2005 World Cup qualifiers: Trinidad and Tobago 3, Guatemala 2

Only a win could save Trinidad and Tobago’s faltering 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign and, desperate for inspiration, TTFF special advisor Jack Warner negotiated the return of the 37-year-old Russell Latapy.

Coach Leo Beenhakker was initially sceptical but Latapy scored a clever goal and helped inspire Stern John who broke a personal drought with two strikes in the 85th and 86th minutes to settle a thrilling affair.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago's all-time record scorer Stern John. (Copyright AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time record scorer Stern John.
(Copyright AFP 2015)

2005 World Cup Play Off: Trinidad and Tobago 1, Bahrain 0

Bahrain only needed a draw to get to the 2006 World Cup and the tiny Arab nation predicted an easy win. Instead, Dennis Lawrence soared to crash home a header from a Dwight Yorke corner kick.

And a stunning extra time save from Kelvin Jack meant Trinidad and Tobago had become the smallest nation to qualifying for a senior FIFA World Cup.

 

2006 Germany World Cup: Trinidad and Tobago 0, Sweden 0

The Warriors received some sobering drubbings in their pre-World Cup friendlies while defender Marvin Andrews failed to recover in time from a knee injury, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack pulled up lame during the pre-game warm-up and left back Avery John was sent off early in the second half.

But veteran goalkeeper Shaka Hislop in goal, defender Brent Sancho, converted right back Carlos Edwards and, of course, captain Dwight Yorke were exceptional as the Warriors defied a Sweden team with two of Europe’s most devastating attackers, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson. It could have been even better too as substitute Cornell Glen struck the post!

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago World Cup players Dwight Yorke (top), Dennis Lawrence (right) and Shaka Hislop celebrate after an opening goalless draw against Sweden in Dortmund, Germany. (Copyright AFP 2014/Aris Messinis)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago World Cup players Dwight Yorke (top), Dennis Lawrence (right) and Shaka Hislop celebrate after an opening goalless draw against Sweden in Dortmund, Germany.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Aris Messinis)

2015 Gold Cup: Trinidad and Tobago 4, Mexico 4

Both teams were already through to the quarterfinal round but Mexico needed a statement to appease their demanding fans. It looked like they would get it too after taking a two goal lead in the opening 50 minutes.

But the “Soca Warriors” came to life spectacularly as captain Kenwyne Jones, aided by a supporting cast of Keron Cummings, Cordell Cato, Joevin Jones and Yohance Marshall went toe to toe with the 2014 World Cup team.

By the final whistle, there were seven second half goals—with one from each team in stoppage time—as the Warriors grabbed an exhilarating 4-4 draw to top the group.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones celebrates his goal against Mexico in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones celebrates his goal against Mexico in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

Editor’s Note: Which was your favourite Trinidad and Tobago senior team football game? Did you remember any we missed? Let us know.

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About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

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73 comments

  1. Ahhhh… Thanks for that Nigel Myers. Looking back there was practically no pressure up until that defender who St Louis dribbled. But still a top goal.

  2. Lasana, this is Jughead’s goal again St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  3. Have to agree with Lasana Sweden was the one for me. It was the opening match and the Swedish fans at our hotel we’re giving us hell but we shut them up. I’d never forget the faces at the end, nor the celebrations in the stadium and the square! Memories ;-)!

  4. You are right Debbie the finals were in 74. I remember Ray, used to kick like a mule.

  5. A lil correction Bruce Aanensen it was 1973.Lol. My Son corrected me yesterday as his Father in Law Ray Roberts was on the side.

  6. Trinidad and Tobago 4. Mexico 0 in Haiti . Gally scores two unstoppable rockets.

  7. Yes Lasana I remember ALL 3 of those games…I STILL consider Leo’s goal vs Crystal Palace the BEST goal I have ever seen scored by a T&T forward…Terry St Louis’s own is unforgettable because it was was literally his 1ST TOUCH of the ball!!!

  8. Cornell Glen so blasted miserable it’s not funny! Hahaha… Yeah, that Bahrain experience was amazing Kelvin Jack. I remember Anil Roberts almost caused a riot too.
    Someone tossed a can into the section of Trinidad and Tobago fans and Anil flung it back and almost struck a child!
    God knows how that situation might have turned out. Steups. That game in Bahrain was nerve wracking down to the last second.

  9. Hi guys, hope this is friendly banter.

  10. Cornell.. You hit d blasted angle!! You couldn’t score dat boy! Hahahanahaha… Yuh know if it was me yuh score!! Setups! Lol

  11. will share this with all right now.. Think I told you lasana.. When we arrived at the stadium and was walking to the dressing I remember seeing the Bahrain players and staff bent over praying! I remember saying to myself damn they are praying hard, God has to make a decision here about who would win because I prayed like a man possessed when on the bus.. To make sure, when I was doing my final mental preparations in the dressing room, I remember commanding God by saying.. Lord you better not let us down here! As you know the rest is history.. I’m not the most religious person but the big man rewards genuine hard work I think

  12. No respect for Kelvin he chickened out of the Sweden game lol.

  13. Kelvin that save should be on the list! Haha

  14. Bruce.. Chris and I couldn’tsleep.. Too damn anxious.. I was d

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