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Trinidad and Tobago captain Jan-Michael Williams made a brilliant late save from Dominican Republic striker Jonathan Fana to keep the country’s 2012 Caribbean Cup campaign alive by a thread as the “Soca Warriors” edged the Dominican Republic 2-1 at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John’s, Antigua.
Trinidad and Tobago can only advance to the knockout round if Haiti defeats Antigua and Barbuda or the host nation whips Haiti by at least three clear goals.
Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rules dictate that, if teams are tied on points, then head to head results are used as the first tiebreaker. Antigua and Barbuda beat the Warriors 2-0 on Sunday.
If Antigua and Barbuda defeats Haiti 2-0, a coin toss would be used to separate Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago while a high scoring Antiguan win by a two goal margin would favour Haiti.
The Warriors made three changes to its starting line-up with the Defence Force trio of Curtis Gonzales, Devorn Jorsling and Kevon Carter coming into the team. And Carter made the early breakthrough as he scrambled in the opener after an incisive low cross from Ataullah Guerra in the 14th minute.
Dominican Republic custodian Miguel Lloyd would not have been proud of his attempted save as he got both hands on the ball but fumbled it over his goalline.
The Dominican Republic was never out of the running and got a deserved equaliser in the 52nd minute as Fana eluded Trinidad and Tobago defender Seon Power and squared for Kerbi Rodriguez to blast home off the underside of the crossbar.
But substitute Kevin Molino got the decider in the 70th minute, just five minutes after he replaced Carter, as he buried from close range after another spill from Lloyd.
Fana, a former Trinidad and Tobago Pro League player with W Connection, was irrepressible though and it took a fine stop from Williams to keep him out as the diminutive striker gave Power a torrid time.
Trinidad and Tobago would spend the next two hours praying that Haiti does the business against Antigua and Barbuda to help the Warriors qualify for their first 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup spot since 2007.
(Team)
T&T (4-4-1-1): 1.Jan-Michael Williams (capt); 4.Curtis Gonzales, 20.Seon Power, 5.Carlyle Mitchell, 2.Aubrey David; 11.Kevon Carter (10.Kevin Molino 65), 18.Densill Theobald, 3.Joevin Jones, 17.Daneil Cyrus; 8.Ataullah Guerra (16.Keyon Edwards 81); 9.Devorn Jorsling (14.Willis Plaza).
Unused substitutes: 21.Marvin Phillip, 6.Kareem Moses, 13.Richard Roy, 15.Jamal Gay.
Unavailable: 7.Hughtun Hector, 12.Lester Peltier.
Coaches: Hutson Charles/Jamaal Shabazz
Caribbean Cup 2012
(Tues December 11)
Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Kevon Carter 14, Kevin Molino 70), Dominican Republic 1 (Kerbi Rodriguez 52)
Haiti v Antigua and Barbuda
[standings league_id=8 template=extend logo=true]
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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.
