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The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team suffered their largest defeat under current coach Stephen Hart last night as an understrength team was swatted aside 4-0 by Peru in an international friendly fixture in Lima.
Peru won 4-0.
(Copyright Ernesto Benavides/AFP 2016)
It was the most lopsided loss for the “Soca Warriors” in three years, after a 4-0 defeat away to Romania on 4 June 2013.
Trinidad and Tobago, who were without team captain Kenwyne Jones and started with just five players from their last 2018 World Cup qualifying win over St Vincent and the Grenadines, were outclassed throughout by the slick host team, who are preparing for next month’s Copa America Centenario competition in the United States.
Hart lost winger Nathan Lewis and central defender Yohance Marshall to injuries in the build-up to the encounter. And right back Daneil Cyrus came off with a groin strain, midfielder Hughtun Hector had a heel contusion and stopper Radanfah Abu Bakr was sent off in stoppage time.
“We were losing the first and second balls and physically we looked outmatched,” Hart told the TTFA Media. “But at the end of the day these games are an evaluation of individuals. In the first half, far too many individuals were not performing up to the standard but the second half saw a better performance.
“Unfortunately we could (be missing) five players out of the next game with injury and suspension. But we will regroup and prepare for the next one.”
Peru won 4-0.
(Copyright Ernesto Benavides/AFP 2016)
Nine of Trinidad and Tobago’s players had less than 10 senior international caps while El Salvador-based central defender Weslie John made his debut at this level.
Peru, who also started a second string team, went ahead in the 36th minute after a period of sustained pressure, as attacker Christian Cueva beat Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Phillip with a downward header off a right side Oscar Vilchez cross.
Four minutes later, “Los Incas” doubled their advantage as 19 year old Luiz Da Silva danced around Abu Bakr to stroke past Phillip.
Da Silva, who plays for PSV in the Netherlands Eredivisie, was making his first senior international appearance while Peru used three other debutantes plus another seven players with less than 10 international caps.
It goes without saying, though, that the Peruvian domestic league is a better incubator for international footballers than the TT Pro League.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“I think in the first half we were naive defensively,” said Hart, “and even when we did win the ball, we were giving it away cheaply and putting ourselves in a situation where we were constantly defending which was tiring.
“Overall we struggled to deal with their passing and their movement. All of their goals with the exception of the penalty were preventable and we need to be better in all aspects of the game to improve as we move on.”
Edison Flores stretched Peru’s lead in the 49th minute, as he drove between Phillip’s legs after a clever pass from Vilchez. And Cristian Benavente got the fourth from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a challenge from behind by Abu Bakr, who was ejected for the infringement.
The Warriors did threaten sporadically, as 18 year old winger Levi Garcia missed a chipped effort on a counter attack in the 18th minute while full back Aubrey David struck the post after Peru failed to clear a Sean De Silva free kick in the 46th minute.
Stand-in captain Khaleem Hyland gave a typically combative showing in central midfield while David bustled, De Silva threatened from set pieces, Andre Boucaud was tidy off the bench and Shahdon Winchester gave a lively cameo upfront.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
But it was not enough to put any real sustained pressure on the hosts.
“In the second half with the substitutions, we put the ball on the ground and we played a more possession game with shorter passing,” said Hart. “With a bit of luck we could have had a goal. But we were still out of the game physically and consequently mentally and technically.
“We really struggled at times to contain Peru and we will need to focus better in our other matches to improve this aspect.”
The Warriors, ranked 53rd in the world by FIFA, face an even tougher challenge on Friday away to Uruguay, who are ranked ninth while Peru is 46th.
Uruguay will not field star striker Luis Suarez, who is trying to shake off a hamstring injury, after helping Barcelona to the Copa Del Rey crown on the weekend. It will not mean they are short of the necessary firepower against a makeshift Trinidad and Tobago team.
(Copyright AFP 2014: Khalil Mazraawi)
Hector and Lewis are expected to be ready for that outing. But Abu Bakr is out through suspension and Marshall and Cyrus are injury doubts.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 5.Daneil Cyrus (3.Triston Hodge 48), 17.Weslie John, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr [Red card 90], 2.Aubrey David; 13.Leston Paul (23.Jomal Williams 74), 8.Khaleem Hyland; 12.Sean De Silva (14.Andre Boucaud 56), 7.Hughtun Hector (9.Marcus Joseph 67), 16.Levi Garcia (19.Curtis Gonzales 86); 11.Willis Plaza (10.Shahdon Winchester 48).
Unused substitutes: 22.Adrian Foncette, 4.Andre Ettienne, 20.Makesi Lewis, 25.Alvin Jones.
Coach: Stephen Hart
Peru (4-2-3-1): 1.Pedro Gallese (GK); 4.Renzo Revoredo, 15.Christian Ramos (captain), 2.Alberto Rodriguez (17.Luis Abram 69), 6.Miguel Trauco (22.Jair Cespedes 82); 16.Oscar Vilchez (19.Yoshimar Yorun 56), 5.Adan Balbin (13.Renato Tapia 55); 10.Christian Cueva, 7.Luiz Da Silva, 20.Edison Flores (18.Cristian Benavente 57); 21.Alejandro Hohberg (14.Armando Alfageme 70).
Coach: Ricard Gareco
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
International friendly result
(Monday May 23)
Peru 4 (Christian Cueva 36, Luiz Da Silva 40, Edison Flores 49, Cristian Benavente 90 pen), Trinidad and Tobago 0 in Lima.
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The new guys live in the Trinidad bubble. They usually have no idea what ” putting down real work” entails. Hopefully now they have at least a whiff.
They should see these next two games as gifts, “bois hardening” experiences. Otherwise, start singing ” Ah want mih marmie”.
The keeper dive the correct direction for the penalty but that attempted save lacked passion…
Watch this game last night and I could swear I was watching the soca worries under the Bert st Clair Era. … come on fellas that was embarrassing…. friendly or not… you represent nonetheless…
That’s insulting! The team that was coached by Bertille made it to the Gold Cup Semis and it was a darn good team. We had other shitty sides under different coaches. That yr was the BEST we’ve ever done in the Gold Cup.
And he was sacked after that… Crazy decision.. We have this bad habit.. When we start seeing progress, some just don’t like it.. History might be repeating itself..
Garvin Walters I remembered that gold cup a little… if my memory is correct I think we were knocked out by Panama or canada… one of them…. I was pissed… St Clair Was a boss back in the day yes(up a certain point)… but his style of coaching was not world class. Imagine Antigua beating T&T at that time… lol…. TTFF removing him was the best thing for the T&T football Industry… Stephen hart is more of that technical tactical and strategic manager that can take us to the next world cup… Not sure what happened last night though… hmm..
We were some how beaten by canada which more amazingly turned out to win the tournament .
For the record, only four coaches ever got Trinidad and Tobago to a World Cup. Bertille St Clair was the first.
And of those four, only one got Trinidad and Tobago through in third place. The others finished fourth.
St Clair was the only one to get us to third place.
And he remains the only coach to get us to a Gold Cup semifinal.
It was painful to watch
This wasn’t well thought out as you do not play games vs quality oppositions with your best players left out for whatever reason there was. We are already limited with our talent pool smh
But at what point do we expose our second string players to that level to see if they can compete? The theory of only exposing tour best players to quality opposition is flawed ..this is why your squad is 22 and not 11.
Can’t agree with you there Brian goven the dilemma we trying to come out of with T&T football.
Need to be happy we’re getting getting friendlies
I’m happy that these kind of games. Something I’ve asking for a very long time. However if ur playing these teams u need ur best starting eleven. If or when possible blood the others in due time
The others simply not available. If they were, well that’s a different thing. Just hope they can produce a better performance somehow
This actually showed us up as their replacements didn’t do themselves justice. I still believe this game wud help as those players now understand what is needed at this level
On to the next this Friday. Uruguay without Suarez is still a big team. Cavani, Godin, Maxi Pereira, Diego Rolan, Jonathan Rodriguez. So they need to really step up.
Yes Brian. You said what I meant, lol.
Friday is damage control. Both personally and as a team
Brian, I agree to be honest. It’s like asking a baby to parallel park. Lol. I have to hope that the players take it as a learning experience and it doesn’t just drain their confidence.
But it is good that there are three matches so they can hopefully grow over the tour.
But Uruguay? Nah. I’m glad that the TTFA was able to get these type of opponents. But it would have been better with our full squad.
Uruguay can easily become an embarrassment.
Any highlights of the game Lassana?
I wasn’t expecting much of a better performance. Not expecting anything Friday either. Our weaknesses were exposed, but it’s an experience the guys will have to learn from.
..I do not know what match some of us saw but the one I saw Trini was horrible until Boucaud and Lobo entered the pitch. I do not need to analyse the attacking and defending. It was just horrible. I agree with Lasana. This trip is commercial exercise akin to the women’s USA trip. It only hurts our renascent brand and satisfies some egos. W may have a chance against China but none against the South Americans. Not with that team..
There was a spell early in the second half when Peru brought on some first team players and I got giddy just watching.
But I guess credit that we largely kept shape and didn’t give them too many scoring opportunities, even though we were struggling to get the ball off them at that point.
..Let’s be analytical and forget patriotism for a moment..
So W Connection got 4 from Peru is ah good thing that the team didn’t make it to the Copa tournament in my second sweetest country eh and as usual they didn’t even score one goal eh. Them really good yes.
Trinidad and Tobago 0 VS Uruguay 6 but that is alright because for years Venezuela always use to be getting beat up from all their opponents really bad, bad back in the days eh, until someone said that was enough and put a stop to it so our sweet country is just going through the same thing eh and I will keep on saying that unless we have a real professional league in order to compete against the real professional leagues be it in Central America or my second sweetest country eh we will just continue spinning top in the mud eh, and of course the football needs to return to the communities but my monies is still on my president eh, although he is doing his thing his way hence the reason why his professional team W Connection has been so very successful, it would have been interesting if more players from the current winning team Central F. C. can also play another friendly just to see the difference in the players from the two top teams in our sweet country. Them really good yes.
Uruguay next…
More lix up next?
Yes. But Uruguay would whip a lot of teams who are even better than us.
All we can do is make it difficult for them.
How?
And yes..I know Uruguay could whip a lot of teams
that’s why I like them 🙂
Lol. We need an outlet play for one. We can’t soak up pressure for that long and not expect to pay for it.
Otherwise, those boys are going to have to take a lot of pride in chasing opponents and defending as if their lives depend on it.
Because it could be embarrassing if they don’t.
No Suarez though lol
^^^*Sad*
Why wasn’t Kevin, Kenwyne, Jones or Bostock amongst others not part of this team again? We are playing away from home with a decent team but not our best team against proven squads can anyone tell me why. I know that the first choice keeper is injured.
It isn’t a FIFA date and the other players were not released from their leagues or had end of season tours or whatever.
Bostock is still waiting for paperwork.
Oh I thought that John cud’ve played in friendlies.
I explained the Bostock situation here http://wired868.com/2016/05/13/hart-selects-14-pro-league-players-to-face-uruguay-and-peru-more-bostock-delays/
Thanks Lasana great job bro. Missed this one ?
No probs 🙂
Lasana – I agree that Uruguay is a big ask, especially with a second string team. But Peru a perfect friendly. They’re ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings, just a few points better than TnT. Bolivia would be another comparable opponent. But who wants to take their team to the high altitudes of Bolivia to play a friendly. Lol. Like you trying to kill our players. Lol lol. Another good South America opponent would be our neighbor, Venezuela. We should take advantage of our proximity to them. We also need more games against our top Concacaf rivals, especially those we expect to face in the next rounds and those not in our group – Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, etc.
Yeah. Bolivia would have to agree to play us near sea level! Lol. Perfect friendly if we were full strength. It was a couple steps above that team though.
I can only hope it acts as an eye opener. Hopefully we really show our improvement by the team we meet China. I will be happy with that.
Lasana Liburd I’m available for the China game ??
???
You shoulda have a word by now and already be in the squad! Steups.
Just saw the highlights.. sigh
Where
It was a pasting. After Peru made their subs, I thought we were in for real trouble. Thankfully our team held shape at least. Could have been worse.
Just saw it on FB but can’t find it now… the 3rd goal was embarrassing for Abu Bakr but in fairness I think he kicked the turf
You mean the second goal Brent. The third one went through Marvin’s legs from an angle. But agreed.
Correct, my bad. That was embarrassing too…
When you consider Uruguay is next. What is the purpose of this trip? This would have been a great game with our full squad.
But this understrength team isn’t ready for that type of opposition at all. Uruguay would be asking a lot of even our best squad.
I can understand not wanting to turn down big opponents. But remember what happened to our women against Brazil? I’m not sure that does us much good.
Pressure boi Lasana Liburd #OnlytheStrongwillSurvive
Good experience for our players, even if not our best 11 on show. We need more friendlies like this against reputable opponents. This will only help to raise our game and level of play. Time to move away from comparing ourselves against Caribbean teams.
But you don’t think they could do with a more realistic opponent though Carlos?
Sending Pro League players with little international experience to play Uruguay away… That’s a big ask.
I’d say Canada or Bolivia might be a bit more gentle.
At least it should be a wake up call for them. No doubt about that one.
Great Test for the Young Local base players Great Experience Lasana Liburd
The biggest mistake was done by experienced players….by the way the gap on pace and personality was to big to fill when you arrive last on the ball all the time you cannot expect to much,positive vibe from Sheldon Shahdon Winchester and jomal Williams doh and Levi Garcia is definitely the future top player in Trinidad and Tobago
Nah the understrength theory doesn’t hold water …. that wasn’t a weak T&T team …good experience now let’s see if they learned from it.
You wouldn’t say we were understrength without Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones and Sheldon Bateau?
With the exception of Jones all the other guys who were starting are good enough to hold their own. Jones strength and hold up play is something we don’t have (despite the stick he gets for not being clinical enough) ….. we gotta adjust to the speed of the game and movement ….4 goals said we didn’t. Plus you yourself said they played some second stringers too …. imho
Yeah. Peru wasn’t full strength either. But then they have a larger pool to choose from.
After being spanked like this from Peru. And Uruguay is up next… Damn. Rough trip.
Nah it’s good experience. ….you gotta know where you’re at to know where you gotta be …this aint St Vincent …..can’t get cocky or complacent 🙂
Lol. Well that was a humbling and a half. And Uruguay next. They will have to take their licks and walk it off.
I think we’ll give a better showing vs Uruguay. Costa Rica beat Uruguay before and they’re potential opponents in the final round so we have to step up to that level to have a chance. The time for not realistically expecting to beat these teams are over and accepting a close loss is unacceptable …..mentally our mindset has to be to get after teams …believe!
Malik Johnson I can’t see that. Not without our strongest squad.
That’s my point if they only believe they can beat a team if they have their strongest squad then mentally we’re not there. But if they apply the discipline and stick with their markers and concentrate for 90 mins why shouldn’t we be able to pull off a result? It’s the same when we drew 4-4 with Mexico in the gold cup … just because we don’t believe it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Gotta expect to compete! You can’t lie down …. players have to get a mindset that they can compete and win individual battles to take the team to another level. …..we’re not expecting a copa title or anything but 4-0 is not competitive at all. Mentally we have to remove that by taking the challenge to compete. I remember watching Carlos Edwards absolutely own his wing in the world cup and his club was Wrexham. Cornell Glenn …Latas ….Yorkie clearly our more talented players but they weren’t afraid to compete Cyd Gray was battling left and right. Tactics can be negated and countered but belief and discipline has to be self imposed.
Cannot expect to beat these SA teams. They are wayyyyy better than US, the level of play is much higher. It’s all about the experience.
Yes compete yes and learn from the exposure and experience. Forget the end results for now. It eh make sense playing Grenada and St. Luica and expect to compete at the high level in competitions. Friendlies should be against tops teams. Uruagy n China are good opposition to play agaianst. Keep it up. F0r now, TnT wouldn’t beat these teams. These teams are wayyyy advanced in level.
And what have we learnt here today, apart from the fact that the pro league ent shit…..the coaches developing players are substandard thus provide substandard player personnel to d national program, idiot president, outdated coaches and poorly developed players, and dat asshat DJW will probably try to hang this on hart.