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Trinidad and Tobago have retained their spot in the Concacaf Nations League A for a second successive term, after the Soca Warriors downed Cuba 3-1 in their final group match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet tonight.
Attacking midfielders Dantaye Gilbert and Joevin Jones got a goal apiece for the hosts in a whirlwind first half. And although Cuba temporarily halved the deficit after the break through Yasnier Matos, Trinidad and Tobago were comfortably the better team and put the match to bed in the 64th minute through substitute Real Gill.
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Cuba, run ragged for long stretches, finished the match with 10 players after left back Karel Perez picked up a second booking for a cynical foul on Trinidad and Tobago forward Nathaniel James.
The Spanish-speaking islanders started the night chasing a quarterfinal berth in League A. They ended with tickets booked for League B.
On the Trinidad and Tobago bench, interim head coach Derek King’s own future is in the air. A former assistant to five National Senior Team head coaches (Hutson Charles, Jamaal Shabazz, Stephen Hart, Terry Fenwick and Angus Eve), King has applied to keep his current portfolio.
However, it is an open secret that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and much of the football public would prefer to have Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 World Cup captain and ex-Manchester United star Dwight Yorke at the helm.
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It has been hinted that King, who is also an Arima Borough Corporation alderman, could return to his assistant post under a new coach—if he does not get the top job himself.
What to make of King’s own stint at the top, which consisted of two international match windows and four games?
Well, at the worst, he did not break anything.
One defeat, two draws and then a win—in every game, Trinidad and Tobago performed better than the prior 90 minutes. And it culminated in an enjoyable night for patrons in Bacolet.
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King made five changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Cuba last Thursday, as Gilbert, James, Alvin Jones, Ross Russell Jr and Adrian Foncette replaced Isaiah Lee, Kevon Woodley, Sheldon Bateau, Triston Hodge and Denzil Smith respectively.
And two of his new inclusions, 19-year-old Gilbert and 20-year-old James, combined to devastating effect after just 13 minutes.
James dropped deep to collect the ball and split Cuba’s offside trap with his pass for Gilbert, who played as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s two advanced midfielders alongside Joevin Jones.
And Gilbert’s finish—a scoop over Cuba goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena—was as cool and clinical as they come.
Looking on is Cuba defender Carlos Vazquez.
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Joevin might have had a second within seconds but just missed the far corner with his impressive strike on the turn. However, he would not be denied in the 28th minute, as the utility player banged home his 13th international goal from 91 appearances from just inside the opposing penalty area with his right boot.
Gilbert was the provider in that instance.
At 33, Joevin might not quite be old enough to be Gilbert’s father. But he could definitely be regarded as an “uncle”.
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By the interval, Joevin might have had a hattrick while Nathaniel James (twice) and Andre Rampersad were both thwarted by Cuba goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena in one-on-one scenarios.
Cuba, constantly turning the ball over in their own half of the field, were being overrun.
The tide shifted somewhat after the break and Joevin’s exit in the 50th minute, with what looked to be a muscle injury, could not have helped.
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In the 62nd minute, attacker Yasnier Matos pulled a goal back for the visitors after Cuba captain Maykel Reyes won the ball off opposing defender Justin Garcia and relayed the ball to Matos via teammate Dairon Reyes.
That would be as good as it got for Cuba. Two minutes later, speedy trickster Real Gill—the replacement for Joevin—ran on to a threaded pass from James and rounded Arozarena to score.
And when Perez was sent off following a desperate foul on James, he might as well have switched off the lights on Cuba’s lingering Nations League ambitions as he left.
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There was still time for scoring chances for both teams—arguably more the result of sloppy passing from either side than anything else.
King’s men deserved their result in the end. And Trinidad and Tobago remain in the top tier of Concacaf.
God alone knows what the future holds from here, though.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Team
Trinidad and Tobago (3-4-2-1): 21.Adrian Foncette (GK); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia (4.Sheldon Bateau 88); 14.Shannon Gomez, 6.Andre Rampersad, 19.Noah Powder, 5.Ross Russell Jr (18.Triston Hodge 70); 3.Joevin Jones (11.Real Gill 50), 15.Dantaye Gilbert (8.Isaiah Lee 70); 9.Nathaniel James (13.Michel Poon-Angeron 70).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 22.Denzil Smith (GK), 7.Ryan Telfer, 10.Kevin Molino, 12.Adriel George, 20.John-Paul Rochford, 23.Kevon Woodley.
Coach: Derek King.
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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.
