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The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team set themselves up for a pivotal end to their Concacaf U-20 Championship campaign today, as they cruised to a 4-0 win over minnows Sint Maarten at the Costa Rica Football Federation training field two in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Attacking midfielder Dominic Joseph scored in his third straight outing for the young Soca Warriors, while Chaz Williams, Josiah Kallicharan and Giovanni Hospedales chipped in an item apiece, in a dominant showing from coach Marvin Gordon’s troops.
(via TTFA Media.)
But the fact that Gordon opted to rest his captain and marquee attacker, Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia for the entire 90 minutes suggested where Trinidad and Tobago’s real priorities were.
Today’s affair was a formality. On Wednesday afternoon, there will be much more at stake when Trinidad and Tobago face hosts Costa Rica.
Costa Rica can advance with a draw, due to Trinidad and Tobago’s opening day tie with Bermuda. The young Warriors must win to progress as Group E leaders.
(via TTFA Media.)
Presumably mindful of the fact that goal differential will not come into the equation on Wednesday, Gordon rested Garcia, left back Jaydon Caprietta and forward Phillip Nelson today.
United States-based left back Jaden Chan Tack got his first competitive international start as a result, with Inter Miami CF full back Chaz Williams now used almost exclusively as an attacker.
Kallicharan, a Swansea City Academy forward, also got his first start under Gordon while San Juan Jabloteh flanker Malachi Webb returned to the first XI.
Webb offered the first scoring threat of the match, with an angled effort in the 21st minute that was fended away by Sint Maarten goalkeeper James Plas Deher—off a through pass from stand-in captain Josiah Ochoa.
Two minutes later, Williams broke the deadlock with a finish that showed why Gordon is happy to use him in a more offensive role.
(via TTFA Media.)
Picked out by a long diagonal ball from Adam Pierre, Williams’ first touch took opposing right back Jahzeel Niles completely out of the picture. His second touch was a pull of the ball under the sole of his right boot, which totally flummoxed Plas Deher.
From there, Williams could afford to walk the ball into the back of the net.
The fine item, nonchalantly executed, drove home the gulf in class between the two teams.
In the 28th minute, Joseph doubled Trinidad and Tobago’s lead with a fine low drive from outside the area that arrowed into the far corner.
(via TTFA Media.)
After failing to score in all four competitive outings for his country at Concacaf U-17 level last year, the Vancouver-based teenager has a goal in every game now at the U-20 stage.
Gordon withdrew Joseph, Ochoa and Pierre at the interval with Colin Joseph, Caden Trestrail and Sheridan McNish taking their places, while Hospedales replaced Williams and Talan McMillan came on for Kallicharan in the 65th and 70th minutes respectively.
Hospedales made his presence felt, as he forced a fine reflex save from Plas Deher in the 69th minute, created a simple tap-in for Kallicharan—seconds later—and then rounded off the score summary with a firm half-volley on the turn in the 87th minute.
Photo: TTFA Media.
A decisive meeting with Costa Rica awaits.
Last February, Trinidad and Tobago trounced Sint Maarten 9-0 at the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers before falling 2-0 to Costa Rica in the final group affair.
Can Gordon succeed where his predecessor, Shawn Cooper, failed?
The story of this campaign will be written in two days’ time.
(via TTFA Media.)
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-1-3): 1.Bryan Gafiuk (GK); 13.Lyshaun Morris, 4.Adam Pierre (3.Sheridan McNish 46), 2.Jeremy Meloney, 16.Jaden Chan Tack; 15.Jadon McShine, 8.Josiah Ochoa (captain) (6.Caden Trestrail 46); 17.Dominic Joseph (12.Colin Joseph 46); 7.Malachi Webb, 19.Josiah Kallicharan (14.Talan McMillan 70), 11.Chaz Williams (20.Giovanni Hospedales 65).
Unused substitutes: 18.Jadon Paul-Alexander (GK), 21.Sylvon Theophilus (GK), 5.Jaydon Caprietta, 9.Phillip Nelson, 10.Derrel Garcia.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Sint Maarten (4-2-3-1): 1.James Plas Deher (GK); 19.Jahzeel Niles, 4.Kars Kerssies, 12.Tim Van Ottele, 15.Gijs Van Ottele; 6.Neil Henderson (captain), 16.Omari Gumbs; 13.Xabel Dias, 7.Ronil Garcia (14.Thomas Plas Deher 70 [17.Joshua Mardenborough 84]), 9.Jeffterick Martina (20.Gregory Lawrence 93); 11.Jhayden York.
Unused substitutes: 18.Jurre Van De Pas (GK), 2.Reginaldo Bosse, 3.Mike Richardson, 5.Jayden Blomont, 8.Zacciah President, 10.Jefferson Lijcklama.
Coach: Harry Kerssies.
Referee: Jaime Herrera (El Salvador).
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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.
