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The Soca Warriors’ 2018 World Cup qualifying dreams may hinge on a showdown with the United States, after today’s CONCACAF draw at Miami Beach ensured that the two nations will square off in the last game of the Hex, which is the final round of the confederation’s qualifying process.
Trinidad and Tobago has two semifinal qualifying matches left, which are at home to Guatemala on 2 September and away to the United States on 6 September 2017. Should the Warriors win at home and draw or win away, they will qualify as Group C leaders.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
If the standings remain as it is today, they could then open their campaign later this year at home to Mexico on 7 November and away to Costa Rica on 15 November.
If, in September, Trinidad and Tobago draws or defeats Guatemala but loses to the United States, captain Kenwyne Jones’ troops will start the final round of their 2018 World Cup campaign at home to Costa Rica on 7 November and away to Honduras on 15 November.
Regardless of whether they finish first or second, the Warriors will definitely close their campaign against the United States, once they get into the Hex.
As group winners, Trinidad and Tobago’s final two Hex matches will be at home to Panama and away to the United States in September 2017. Should the Warriors finish second in Group C, their closing match will be against the US in Port of Spain while they will travel to Mexico for their penultimate fixture.
At present, only Mexico is confirmed as group winner while Honduras and Canada—both on four points—and El Salvador, with two points, can still qualify with positive results in their final two Group A contests.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
In Group B, Caribbean champions and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup finalist, Jamaica, must defeat Panama in Panama City and Haiti at home to have any chance of getting to the Hex.
Costa Rica has already qualified but still needs a win away to Haiti to confirm their position as group winners.
In Group C, Guatemala must defeat Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain to have any chance of advancing.
If the Central American nation pulls off an upset at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, it could leave the Warriors and the United States with 10 points each when they square off in Jacksonville. And coach Stephen Hart’s men would be in a must-win position to keep their World Cup dreams alive if, as expected, the US enjoy a comfortable victory in St Vincent on 2 September.
At present, though, the Warriors hold the advantage.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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This team has to play out their skin to qualify….best ever in fact
good luck yes. i wish the team all the best. work hard!
Hopefully by that time we would have already qualified. Fingers crossed.
If jack warner was there maybe
Yeah right
Huh
We needed to handle Guatemala emphatically, still haunts me that we missed three shots at Copa…..we have been suffering a “big game” blight of sorts lately , remember the ladies also blew three chances in their big games.
Yes. But we have always had the beating of Guatemala. We just need the guys in good shape. The Pro League wouldn’t have started and quite a few players, including our goalkeepers, won’t be match fit. That’s the biggest concern. I know Kenwyne won’t allow complacency.
True on all points hope we get at least one game in august, if not two
Yeah. Mexico is the only CONCACAF team with a 100 percent record at the moment. And they are the reigning Gold Cup champs too and will be playing in the Confederations Cup next year.
Mexico had one bad game… How are they playing bad? They hadn’t given up a goal in like 7 games.
America and Mexico playing shite these days.
I’m confused….doesn’t the top two teams from each group qualify to a six team round robin where u play each team home and away?
Lasana Liburd
Yes. That’s the hex. We are in the semifinal round at present. But, once we qualify along with the US, we will play each other for the final game of the hex.
Orr I now catch…..I hope we win and knockout USA….I just saw an article stating that the US still feels they gonna win the grp and leave us and Guatemala to fight up for small money
Lol. Hope we beat Guatemala and then shock them in Florida. The downside is Klinsmann might be sacked if that happens. And I want him to stick around.
Lmao good point lasana hahaha I hope we get one of those three automatic spots
That one would be tough. But sure. Mexico are unbeatable in these parts these days and Costa Rica, Panama and USA are strong. Only one from Jamaica or Panama can advance. Then comes Honduras.
We have to get the better of Honduras, Panama and either Costa Rica or the USA to qualify automatically.
Playing the US last is good. They may have qualified by then…
Fair point. Although not the way they are playing these days!
They still rule CONCACAF though
Or could be a repeat of 1989
Could be. Remember Mexico are the reigning champs now. And Costa Rica were the success story of the last World Cup.
I don’t think it will be easy for the US. Jamaica are struggling too. We traditionally do better against Panama than Jamaica. But tough game either way.
I feel Jamaica not making it to the Hex. Do they see them beating Panama in Panama
They’re good enough to do it. But I don’t think they are playing well enough at the moment. My money is on Panama.