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The Trinidad and Tobago national football team gave a decent account of itself this evening at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. But, predictably, it was not enough to earn a result against one of the world’s top teams as the “Soca Warriors” fell 3-0 to Argentina in an international friendly.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, the first man to be named World Player of the Year on four occasions and still just 26 years old, played for the full 90 minutes but, despite one effort against the post, the Barcelona star failed to beat Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams.
(Copyright AFP 2014/ Juan Mabromata)
The Warriors held Argentina scoreless for the first 44 minutes of the match and twice threatened to take the lead themselves through captain Kenwyne Jones. But the host team eventually got the goals that their ball possession merited as striker Rodrigo Palacio scored a powerful header in the closing seconds of the first half and midfield hardman Javier Mascherano and substitute Maxi Rodriguez completed the score summary in the second half.
“I think there was a definite difference in the quality of the two teams,” said Warriors coach Stephen Hart, in the post-match press conference. “But certainly there were some aspects of our game that showed some positive signs and there are some things we can take from this game.
“The speed of which Argentina did everything, not just in how they possess the ball and how they took advantage of our errors but the speed in which the forced us to play. They forced us into making a lot of errors…
“It’s important for us as nation, for our footballers, at very level, from a youth level and not only when you reach senior, to play teams of this quality because they force you to concentrate for the full game and the intensity at which they do things creates a faster playing environment.”
In truth, neither team was near to its best in a match that looked similar to a pre-season fixture at times.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Argentina was wasteful in front of the opposing goal and misplaced several crosses from advanced areas. Although coach Alejandro Sabella, who is set to make his debut in a FIFA World Cup, might have reasonably pleased with his team’s mammoth share of ball possession—ESPN recorded it at 69 percent for the host team—and the timely offensive surges of Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria, who was Argentina’s most dangerous attacking player.
At the other end, Hart was pleased with his team’s tactical discipline and effort although the tourists were erratic passers in the opposing end of the field and failed to take advantage of several set pieces.
“Quite frankly the ball was another opponent tonight as we were unable to possess it as we should,” said Hart. “I told the players that we kept our shape well. We didn’t make it easy for Argentina. That is something I was pleased with.
“But when we won the ball we did not possess it well and mount any serious attacks. We can do better than that.”
Argentina might have gone ahead in the ninth minute when Messi failed to hit the target from inside the area after good approach play from Di Maria and PSG attacker Ezequel Lavezzi. And, 12 minutes later, Lavezzi drove into the side netting following a long ball from central defender Federico Fernandez.
But Trinidad and Tobago tightened up thereafter and created some chances themselves through enterprising wing play from European-based players Lester Peltier and the tireless Sheldon Bateau.
(Copyright AFP 2014/ Juan Mabromata)
At the 22nd minute mark, the Warriors had registered two corners to one. And they could have made a more telling mark on the match as Central FC playmaker Ataullah Guerra, who set Twitter ablaze by bowing to Messi before kick off, twice undressed the Argentine defence with clever passes to Jones.
On both occasions, the Cardiff City striker was undone by well-timed lunges from Argentian defenders Hugo Campagnaro and Martin Dimichelis respectively.
Messi had taken over centre stage by then with his dazzling shimmies, bursts into space and clever passes and Trinidad and Tobago’s combative midfield pair of Andre Boucaud and Khaleem Hyland were both booked for challenges on the maestro. Although in Hyland’s case, the caution seemed a touch harsh.
Argentina was getting closer and Bateau inadvertently hit a cross against his own bar in the 41st minute and then watched Palacio head the rebound wide from six yards. And an outstanding piece of defending from Yohance Marshall, another Central player, in first half stoppage time gave the Warriors renewed hope of getting to the interval without conceding.
Di Maria tore away in the Trinidad and Tobago box and squared the box for Messi to tap home from two yards out. Marshall, an expert reader of the game, recovered to poke the ball away for a corner as the stunned Argentines covered their mouths in amazement.
Cruelly, Palacio scored from the resulting Di Maria corner kick with a powerful header that Williams got a hand to but could not keep out. Arguably, Bateau failed to get close enough to the 32-year-old Inter Milan attacker, who celebrated his third international goal in his 22nd outing for Argentina. All three of Palacio’s goals came at the Estadio Monumental.
(Copyright AFP 2014/ Juan Mabromata)
Five minutes into the second half, Argentina doubled its lead as Messi dusted himself off after being wrestled to the ground by Carlyle Mitchell and spanked a free kick off the upright, which Mascherano prodded home from close range.
Mascherano’s last goal for Argentina came seven years ago and he celebrated with genuine enthusiasm.
Argentina completed its score summary in the 64th minute as Palacio sprinted into space behind Marshall and rounded Williams before teeing up Rodriguez for a straightforward finish.
“We conceded two goals sloppily,” said Hart. “We should have attacked the ball for the first goal. The second one was a well-played free kick and there was not much you can do about that
“I would have liked to see them put under some more pressure with better ball possession and moving the ball shorter and quicker. We were not able to do that and that’s because of the quality of Argentina.
“When they got possession they knew how the slow the game down and then speed the play up and what was really impressive was their counter attack and their transition.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Hart made five second half changes including 23-year-old England born defender Gavin Hoyte who made his debut alongside 29-year-old brother Justin. It is the first time that brothers have played together for the Trinidad and Tobago senior team in this millennium.
But the Warriors could make no further mark on the game as Argentina completed a triumph that was comfortable without being leisurely.
(Teams)
Argentina (4-2-1-3): 1.Sergio Romero (GK); 3.Hugo Campagnaro, 15.Martin Dimichelis (23.Jose Basanta 46), 17.Federico Fernandez, 16.Marcos Rojas; 14.Javier Mascherano (19.Ricardo Alvarez 69), 5.Fernando Gago (6.Lucas Biglia 46); 7.Angel Di Maria (8.Enzo Perez 62); 18.Rodrigo Palacio (13.Augusto Fernandez 76), 10.Lionel Messi (captain), 22.Ezequiel Lavezzi (11.Maxi Rodriguez 55).
Unused substitutes: 21.Mariano Andujar, 12.Agustin Orion, 4.Pablo Zabaleta, 9.Gonzalo Higuain, 20.Sergio Agüero.
Coach: Alejandro Sabella
Trinidad and Tobago (4-4-1-1): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 2.Justin Hoyte, 19.Carlyle Mitchell (17.Gavin Hoyte 71), 12.Yohance Marshall, 4.Sheldon Bateau; 23.Lester Peltier, 8.Khaleem Hyland, 14.Andre Boucaud (5.Kevan George 70), 3.Joevin Jones (13.Rundell Winchester 85); 7.Ataullah Guerra (10.Kevin Molino 59); 9.Kenwyne Jones (captain) (11.Willis Plaza 76).
Unused substitutes: 21.Marvin Phillip, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 15.Curtis Gonzales, 16.Marcus Joseph, 18.Densill Theobald, 20.Trevin Caesar.
Coach: Stephen Hart
International Friendly
(June 4)
Argentina 3 (Rodrigo Palacio 45, Javier Mascherano 50, Maxi Rodriguez 64), Trinidad and Tobago 0 at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
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And what 2018 are you speaking about eh yuh mean ,3018 Them really good yes
Gareth are you for real man that was a fete match team that played against Argentina man We is.so lucky the their other two.real.goalscorers didn’t play ent we wudda find out where barley grows and which Argentina team making what finals eh. Them really good yes.
Unbelievable!!!!!!! We are all entitled to our opinions but wow guys. We played well, we were well organised, we did not fly into tackles, yes we could have kept the ball better, but we lack the quality players. Aregentina are probably going to reach the final of this tournament, and we held our own against them for long periods of time. Well done Stephen Hart and Soca Warriors. 2018 here we come? 🙂
Earl be nice!
Moral of this experience…beg after the game like Kenwyne, not before ! Haha !
The Bien sports commentators was just being nice but really and truly that was the most ta ta game I ever saw our national team played. KJ needs to retire from playing for the national team and give our real goalscorers their chance.
This is so silly. So Guerra gave the Man his respect. What’s wrong with that. As for some of those above crying down the Team’s performance instead of focusing on the positives i say shame on you cause you are the reason why sport will go nowhere in this Country. Those players were there playing their hearts out against the 7th ranked team in the World and you can’t find something good to say? The old adage “if you have nothing good to say keep yuh damn mouth shut”.
Lol, I don’t think Messi needed much impetus to achieve some “power” over us in a football match, lol. The gesture didn’t warrant disciplinary action in any way in my view. If the gesture wasn’t displayed on field he would have played the game with the same emotions wrapped up inside meaning his mindset wasn’t right either. We can’t read minds yet…I think…:)
When we give an Opponent power over you like Guerra did we doomed and did not have the right mind set.. he should have been subbed.. Go sit in your corner and think of what you have done.
So drinking a beer after church makes it better than drinking before ? I think Guerra’s action was cordial, respectful, admirable and could set a good example to some youths growing up. I just think people overreacting on this…Lasana, you sounding like he would have done worse, haha
Lasana Liburd if your defense plays like that y’all in trouble
No I don’t think it’s excessive praise. When you play a team superior than us. A team full of millionaires because of football. And if you look at our payroll we probably have 1. I think your article was fine 3-0 you must praise. 1-0 would have been a win for us. The Bein sports commentators was praising us for our performance.
Christian Hume as an Argentine football fans, I saw Argentina was on a diet and trying to stay lean and hungry for the World Cup.
As a journalist, I say I can’t credit them for goals they could have scored but didn’t.
As a journalist, I say Guerra’s greeting to Messi was probably too much for an international game.
As a football fan, I say every player in the world (probably apart from Ronaldo) should bow when they meet Messi on a field! 🙂
I feel the criticism was overdone. It was unusual; even unadvisable. I assume the coach and captain never anticipated something like that and didn’t lecture players. Dunno.
But I felt Guerra had a good game and just meant to show recognition of a great.
Hahaha
I was subbing him out after that.. ..
I clicked like, so that i can unlike..
Unprofessional; when you’re wearing our national colors its matters not if you think he’s the greatest of all time. But let’s not make it the major talking point of the game…hopefully Guerra will learn from this episode and continue to grow.
I was quarreling for 15 mins after i saw that.. Needless to say.. that was nonesense
Everything you say is true Curtis. But remember the Argentines would have been closing down space and forcing us into errors too. And when you are forced to defend for so long, you lose rhythm on the ball.
Then because all your players are so deep, it is hard to find passing options. We saw Spain and Barcelona make top teams look like that when they are at their best.
So I’m just saying that part of the reason we looked like that could be down to the calibre if Argentina.
“..no one coming for the ball in the midfield and when the midfield get the ball , no off the ball movement. And this have been happening for ages ..”
That right there is the problem with our football. When the midfield plays like that, the defence will always be under pressure, and the strikers won’t get the kind of service they need.
🙂
You have great sense of humour Gilbert….lol!!
If this team was at its peak.. wwe would have won the game.. .. 🙂
Lasana I agree with what you are saying about the gulf between the two. I never expected us to win , have more possession etc but the basics we never pay attention too. Look at the last goal. The central striker was left alone for a long period and when the ball was played through then our stopper decided to react . the school boy marking at international level..no one coming for the ball in the midfield and when the midfield get the ball , no off the ball movement. And this have been happening for ages ..I think we are just happy that we didn’t get 6 or 7. When we could have seen that even the Argentine’s didn’t show urgency, they just kept possession and casually stroke the ball around. And this happens sometimes when there is no real threat from your opponent , you lose that drive.. And that’s the reason why I think we didn’t get 6 or 7.
We did much better than most would have predicted before the game…..to keep one of the greatest players of our time off the score sheet…Lionel Messi….well done Warriors….we put up a valiant effort!
Nice name for the article. “Gutsy Soca Warriors”. (Y)
Brian Manswell, I looked it over and Jan really should have done better on the first goal. I still think it was a defensive error to start with. But you would expect him to save that.
Well we can agree to disagree….I couldn’t care less if it was Pele, Maradona, Cryuff, Garrincha, Beckenbauer or Eusebio – lick ass AFTER the game, not a moment before.
I think the criticism is overdone. Maybe Guerra overdid it. But he went out and played like a giant, Messi was kept scoreless… And it is Messi after all. Not Jordan Henderson or Marcelo. 🙂
I wrote that the team gave a “decent account” and was defiant. Is that really considered excessive praise in this instance?
No man … not so ….
Everyone is talking about this clip. So I’m sure you all will see it sooner or later.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2086495-trinidad-and-tobago-player-bows-to-lionel-messi-before-friendly-versus-argentina?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-UK
so if they sleep walking, why play the match?
If you all want to feel good about that, allyuh go ahead. If we had lost against a hard running Argentine team, I would have been more than happy to credit our players. Losing against 11 sleepwalkers is nothing to gloat about. Allyuh gor’head.
Lasana Liburd bro.. ask some of the football geniuses which team was better prepared? and ask them why the head of state didnt open his mouth when two essential staff were left in piarco? 9 days compared to months of prep.. spare me the bull… if trini was prepping for the same time then we can judge
There is a difference between “fantasy” football and “reality” football…tonight T&T took an approach based on the reality of where we are in terms of the quality of our players (or lack-thereof as some would see it)…it’s a realistic approach, and the reality is that we do not have the overall quality of players at the moment to play a brand of football that forces teams – the calibre of Argentina to be overly concerned about what we do when we are in possession of the ball. Realistically, getting huge numbers of players behind the ball for extremely long periods of time is the only realistic approach that will prevent us from being embarrassed at this level. With the exception of a couple of “soft goals” the team performed as good as can be expected. I’m sure the coach would have been proud of his guys and a little disappointed at the same that his team lost concentration on a few occasions.
Can we agree that Lavezzi and Messi and company were actually trying to score when they got in the box though? And the end result was they didn’t.
That wasn’t a clever ploy to help them win the World Cup. It was a combination of T&T’s defensive work and their failure to take their chances.
So I just give T&T the credit for the bits that they got right.
@christian what held them back? The first half was wide open.. some trinis does post garbage then try to back it up by trying to sound intuitive and insightful.. fact of the matter is.. it would be a lot more convincing to thrash us than not.. who the hell cares about the head of state… you think messi thinking in the back of his mind ” I better ease off on these trinis bc the head of state is watching” lol
Well doing any more than that would have been detrimental to their preparations, so we can fool ourselves if we want.
Look what I started by criticizing the team, it was just my way to get the conversation going, and going it did well we really have along way to go to get back to the big show, lots of ground work to be done! Lasana thanks for the opportunity for letting me be an armchair critic!
Well, I can only credit Argentina for what they did; not what they could have done.
I honestly think they could have if they wanted too, based on my interpretation of what I saw. They had absolutely nothing to gain by “thrashing” Trinidad and Tobago days before the World Cup starts. That would have been a waste of valuable energy.
Lol. Of course Argentina did not go flat out. But Argentina can’t say they could have thrashed T&T if they wanted to. The fact was they didn’t and that is what counts.
I feel the Warriors could get some credit for that.
Match fitness only comes with games though.
The only reason the score was 3-0 was because Argentina was sleepwalking – nobody was going to risk injury in a game like this just before the World Cup, and even in their sleepwalking state, if they wanted to score 6, 7, 8. or 9 they would have done it. They just chose not to embarrass their guests in front of their Head of State – that’s all.
Everyday you train and run u gain 5% fitness. Everyday you miss you lose 15% that’s a rule most coaches go by.
not playing together for an extended period of time and short prep is what kept us on the back foot
That worried look on Messi’s face before the first goal #priceless Proud of our Trini players, this scoreline was secondary to me
yea i guess but that’s why i said argentina’s defence but hopefully we can threaten and score against teams in our own region like the Mexico and USA , to me how we perform against those teams will allow me to properly gauge how much we have improved