Gordon: ‘Too many players weren’t at their best!’ T&T U20s look to rebound from Bermuda draw

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team head coach Marvin Gordon blamed misfiring players on his team’s opening 2-2 draw with Bermuda yesterday, in a Concacaf U-20 Qualifiers group stage match in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Gordon, who is also head coach of TTPFL Tier One team San Juan Jabloteh, said he took “full responsibility” for his team’s result, which left them level with Bermuda, Barbados and Sint Maarten after the first round of matches.

Ultimately, though, Gordon pointed to execution rather than tactical approach or match day preparation, as the reason for their two dropped points.

“I take full responsibility for the performance,” Gordon told TTFA Media. “We had too many players who weren’t at their best on the day, and we created chances that we didn’t take.”

The young Soca Warriors missed four good scoring chances in the first half yesterday. But they allowed three gilt-edged opportunities to Bermuda, who took one of them.

Gordon withdrew midfielder Caden Trestrail, winger Malachi Webb and playmaker Colin Joseph at the interval, with Jadon McShine, Chaz Williams and Dominic Joseph taking their places.

And forwards Giovanni Hospedales and Josiah Kallicharan followed soon after, for midfielder Josiah Ochoa and right back Talan McMillan respectively.

Kallicharan played a role in both goals while Joseph (D) got the go-ahead item, but the two-island republic could not hold on.

“When we made the changes, the fight to come back and go 2-1 up showed character,” said Gordon, who credited his players. “I thought we shouldn’t have conceded late, but that’s football.”

Trinidad and Tobago need a win over Barbados from 1pm tomorrow to remain mathematically in contention to advance from the group by the final match day.

Gordon’s troops face Sint Maarten from 1pm on Monday 2 March before they close their Group E campaign against Costa Rica from 4pm on Wednesday 4 March.

The rookie international head coach is confident that his players will respond appropriately tomorrow.

“We’re still in this—we believe we can achieve something good here,” said Gordon. “It’s about staying positive going into the next game.

“[…] We had a good session today preparing for Barbados, and we’re looking forward to getting three points with a strong performance. We still believe we can do this, and we’re going to give it everything we have.”

(Trinidad and Tobago U-20 Team)

Goalkeepers: 1.Bryan Gafiuk (MacEwan University—Canada), 18.Jadon Paul-Alexander (Caledonia AIA/ Arima North Secondary), 21.Sylvon Theophilus (St Anthony’s College);

Defenders: 2.Jeremy Meloney (TSF Academy—USA), 3.Sheridan McNish (New England Revolution Academy—USA), 4.Adam Pierre (Central FC/ St Benedict’s College), 5.Jaydon Caprietta (Club Sando/ Naparima College), 11.Chaz Williams (Inter Miami CF Academy—USA), 13.Lyshaun Morris (Kalonji SA—USA), 14.Talan McMillan (Talent Projekt—Germany), 16.Jaden Chan Tack (Colorado Rapids Academy—USA);

Midfielders: 6.Caden Trestrail (San Juan Jabloteh), 8.Josiah Ochoa (Pt Fortin Academy/ St Benedict’s College), 12.Colin Joseph (Montverde Academy—USA), 15.Jadon McShine (San Juan Jabloteh), 17.Dominic Joseph (Vancouver FC—Canada);

Attackers: 7.Malachi Webb (San Juan Jabloteh), 9.Phillip Nelson (Defence Force/ Fatima College), 10.Derrel Garcia (captain) (San Juan Jabloteh), 19.Josiah Kallicharan (Swansea City Academy—England), 20.Giovanni Hospedales (QPCC FC/ St Augustine Secondary).

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