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There were about 10 minutes remaining in Trinidad and Tobago’s 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture against Guatemala, on Friday 2 September, when coach Stephen Hart sent substitute Trevin Caesar to the fourth official so he could be added to the action.
At the time, Trinidad and Tobago led 2-1 courtesy of a Joevin Jones double. But it was another five minutes before Caesar was introduced to the action. And, during that period, Soca Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones motioned to the bench that they should delay the change.
The Soca Warriors and Guatemala played to a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868
Hart obliged Kenwyne, although he was clearly not in his best form. And, perhaps predictably, the social media was abuzz with the exchange between coach and captain.
Was Hart giving the Warriors skipper too much leeway? Was it poor judgment on the coach’s part? Or a sign of weakness?
The truth may have been much more simple. Hart said his initial decision to delay the change, which was Trinidad and Tobago’s third and final substitution, had nothing to do with Kenwyne at all.
“Trevin Caesar was to go on much earlier [than Kenwyne’s gesture to the bench] actually. But [defender] Carlyle Mitchell went down awkwardly, so we waited to make sure he was okay.
“And then [Cordell] Cato also had a problem…”
The next opportunity to make the change came in the 83rd minute when Joevin was hauled to the ground outside the penalty area by Guatemala right back Christian Jimenez. Panamanian referee John Patti flashed the red card and sent the Central American team down to 10 players.
Guatemala defender Christian Jimenez (left) tugs back Jones during Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on 2 September 2016.
Jimenez was sent off for the foul while Jones scored twice as the two nations played to a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
During the temporary disarray, the Trinidad and Tobago bench prepared to send on Caesar. But Kenwyne felt he deserved one more minute so he could take the free kick.
“It was on a free kick,” Hart told Wired868. “[Kenwyne] scored two free kicks from that distance in practice. He was assigned to free kick duty with Joevin Jones, so he asked to take it.
“But then when the time came for him to take it, JJ begged to get it as he was on a hattrick. And [Kenwyne] obliged.”
There was an infamous moment in the 2009/10 England Premier League season when Frank Lampard won a penalty against Wigan on the final day of the season. Chelsea were already leading 1-0 and needed a result to win the title. But striker Didier Drogba was tied with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney for the most goals honour with 26 items.
Drogba begged Lampard for the penalty and was livid when the latter player, who was the regular penalty taker, refused to give it to him. Lampard scored and Drogba went on to fire in a hattrick anyway—including one from the sport, courtesy of ‘Lamps’—as Chelsea and Drogba ended the match as winners.
Kenwyne did empathise with his namesake, Joevin, though. But Joevin drilled his kick wide and, after the hastily taken goal kick, Guatemala went up the field and grabbed an equaliser from captain Carlos Ruiz before Kenwyne could be replaced.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
Almost every other football conversation that night began with: “Did you see what happened when Hart tried to take off Kenwyne?!”
In truth, the Trinidad and Tobago coach simply believed—albeit after being prompted—that his team captain was their best chance at a decisive third goal against Guatemala off a set piece.
The Warriors, who remain unbeaten after five 2018 World Cup qualifying contests, close their CONCACAF semifinal round schedule on Tuesday 6 September when they face the United States in Jacksonville, Florida.
If Trinidad and Tobago manage a draw or win, they will advance to the hex unbeaten for the first time. It will also be only the second occasion that the Warriors topped their semifinal group, which was a feat they also managed in 2002 under then coach Ian Porterfield—now deceased—and at the expense of runners-up, Mexico.
Both teams played to a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868
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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.
honestly kenwyne shudda take the free kick and not take on j jones
We got the kob done that’s important. Now to just focus in the next round. i would add on more experienced player in C. Glen so to add that effect. With this current crop We will go the distance. We are now a feared team in Concacaf by the so called big guns of the zone.
I like Jones and he has a role to play. But on that night the fella had my voice in mezzo soprano mode. It’s not the misses that bother me because strikers miss. I know people have this belief that the world’s best rarely miss simple chances but they do… and often. So if they can miss, I eh too stressed by Jones’ miss.
What bothered me is the lack of press. I don’t expect the man to effect a one man press like Vardy or Kane but with your team needing a point to qualify and at home with the US to play next I expect a striker to give his last jules to the cause.
Jones was casual in a way that even when he was closing space and setting defensive traps for the midfield it was just annoying. Women around me who I know for a fact just came for the lime were cussin’ like Pacino in Scarface. It just didn’t seem like he was giving enough.
Other than that, what was up with T&t’s tactics? We were laying off with a lead against 10 men. Half of the stadium predicted that equaliser.
One more thing… Levi Garcia boyyyyyyyyyyy. Jeezan. Dat fella is something serious. Watching that fella in the flesh yuh literally seeing de fright on defenders’ faces. Finally we have a player like that.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Kenwyn although not scoring at the moment serves a purpose. His presence alone will draw defenders to him allowing space for Joevin, Levi and other midfeilders the freedom to penetrate on the wings or from up top… I have faith in KJ. He’ll get it right. He came up big in Guatemala, just need to be more hungry and increase his work ethic… Have a feelin he gonna come up massive in Jacksonville tomorrow night
Well Said
?? uk d game
Agree.
Everything is about tactics. .well said bro .
Kenwyn’s performance against Guatemala was beyond mediocre.
I think this is akin to the chanderpaul issue… while I don’t want to digress, in trying to simplify the worth of a senior player’s inclusion in the ranks of the team one must draw comparisons. We can’t overlook what KJ’s role in the team is, on and off the field. Whether he fulfils this each game is left to be seen and it is up to coachman to buck up on him. But lewwe doh get caught up… even if it was not evident in the last game, KJ commands attention from central defenders… daz 2 men in a 4-4-2 and 3 men in a 5-4-1 leaving space for wingers and attacking mids. His individual talents may be questionable at times but d man on a team and on this team he has a role…
Hopefully we can get a reminder of his usefulness tonight.
Maybe Coach Hart needs to put him back in the midfield eh, the same like what Benhacker did with Dwight Yorke who felt that he was a midfield general but his role will be also to defend the corner kicks and also push in the attacks whenever necessary and of course all the free kicks will belong to him to eh, Mr bound not score might eventually score some goals eh.Lol
Nah Nah Nah. Midfield yuh say?
hahahaha Coach Hart needs to use two forwards with Mr. Bound not to score just behind them doing his thing eh because he is slow and lazy instead of this one forward that they are using and even with the 5 midfielders they are still being out played by the opponents 4 4 2 system eh and imagine that they were both over 35 yrs old and their forward who is 40 yrs old scored the both gioals for Guatemala. Them really good yes steeuuppss
I still think kenwyn has a tremendous contribution to make…o just believe it depends on the game situation and what we hope to achieve. For instance if we are going for a win at home…we start with Garcia and joevin and or Cato I think he should be on the bench in that scenario with a more mobile faster forward.
But let’s say we looking for an away draw on a defensive formation. ..then he’ll yeah he should start as that strategy may require a good hold up player. To say “discard him” is just ignorant really
Well yeah I agree, get rid of the current best international player and leading goal scorer. I mean it’s not like we really need him. Look at the long list of great strikers sitting on the bench while he takes up valuable playing time..
Lol
Sorry to say but Kenwyne has been way past his shelf life for some time now. This is one definite criticism of Hart that I have of not letting him go already!
It is just me or are people being overly critical of this current squad? When actually advancing to the semifinal round with a game to spare is a fantastic feat!
Since when playing a game is a “crime”?
Worry and pray about Tuesday versus the Americans, instead of the past.
All of a sudden Stephen Hart’s command of the team is being questioned.
All kinds of prognosticators emerging. Meanwhile, as coaches their charges are not nearly match fit, cannot concentrate for more than in 3 minute intervals, and cannot get their players to even adapt to the modern game.
I have listened to the players and all, to a man, want to play for, and respect the coach.
Fickle
If It Wasn’t For Kenwyne Jone Trinidad Would Not Have Scored The 2 Because He Hold Up The Ball For The Play And Support Too Arrive So They Can Score Well Done By The Skipper.
Some Of You Don’t Go Watch The Game Properly Y’all Just Go Too Jump Up .
You does be watching his intercol games awa? When this does happen?
Ahahahahahahaha Isiah Henry
Abi i want to make sure because i doubt is the same games with everyone else he does be watching
Don’t See The Joke You Nobody
You Don’t Know Nothing About Football
Fighting Down The Skipper
Why You Even Replying Too My Comment Say What You Too Say But Not On My Comment Okay
And Again Well Done By The Skipper ✌
our defence went to sleep twice and conceded the same goal twice . The only possibility on the first goal was that a cross would come in . Keeper stayed on the line , defensive players in the box didnt become urgent and no one checked to see who the dangerous attacker may be .
Like people eh realize Kenwyn has 2 goals so far in the group stages, especially a crucial away goal against Guatemala that gave us 3 beautiful points on the road…
They Don’t Know Adam Lake But They Quick Too Talk About Football Our Skipper Has A Role Too Play But They Don’t Realize None Of These Things
D second goal by joevin was because of Kenwyn?
I hear all arguments but let us not be dishonest and deny that jones’ goal average for the warriors is poor and his first touch even worse
Why is he giving out his tatical moves ? He do not has to answer to the public
In my view Kenwyne should have been taken off at the half.
More than half the team could have been taken off at the half. But we only had three subs and you had to study who you’re replacing them with too.
Quite true, the team was awful but Kenwyne had an opportunity to change the game and maybe, by extension, the team performance had he converted on one of the 3 clear cut chances that he had. I am also not impressed with his defensive play, in my view there is no urgency.
He should work harder in the press. I agree. But I don’t think he was bad as some think.
Cordell Cato missed the easiest chance of the game by some distance. Nobody really mentioned that.
Men might have stormed the field if Kenwyne had missed that. Lol.
We in large part do not finish well, I was however impressed by Joevin Jones, he is so smooth, I just hope we can reproduce the form that we had when we drew with Mexico, if we reproduce that form we can beat the US.
I’ve been banging out about Joevin for years. And he still isn’t playing anywhere near to the level I think he can operate at.
For me, Joevin can play in any top league in Europe. But he has got to be mature in terms of his decision making.
Joevin is better than even he realises I think.
Not so Stefano Monti?
That’s not what I saw Jones refused to come I watched the game yesterday and today who’s really the coach HART Jones or Williams ???
Alyuh see the same damn thing eh, I just read Mr Live Wire story eh, and Mr. Bound not to score didn’t take the free kick because JJ wanted to score his hat trick eh. yuh know Mr. Bound not to score might have scored the free kick eh, why these players does always go against the Coaches instructions eh. that is the same thing Stern John did to Dwight Yorke eh asked him to take a penalty eh and alyuh know he threw away the penalty eh. steeuppss Them really good yes.
That El Salvador game… Our whole World Cup unraveled quickly after that yes. Just remembered…
Stern is a TT legend but he had some funny moments. Threw away a penalty vs Mexico 1st half but recovered to lash in a left-foot screamer/winner 2nd half to silence his critics.
Yeah I agree eh he was really a prolific goalscorer eh.
Sounds reasonable to me…Men calling for the Capt to be removed but then saying they dont know much about the player they suggesting replacing him with…FYI Trini Don I have seen KJ score vs Mexico Panama El Salvador & last year vs this SAME Guatemalan team…so that rubbishes the Caribbean opponents argument…the man has played ONE Competitive game this season over 2 weeks ago so he is NOT match fit…he can & WILL get better!
Kj is shit Brian Springer….
Why because YOU say so? People giving you reasonable arguments as to the leadership and mentoring role he playing the fact that his mere presence forces defenders to mark him even double-team him freeing up space for others and thats all you could with…you are entitled to your opinion bro but you have to back it up or its just empty words
Brian Springer just today keston and everyone else was explaining to you, befire we started to sweat….but u cant see the light
And I gave my arguments and supporting reasons…ONE more thing KJ played 90 mins in almost EVERY game in this Qualifying round and T&T remain UNBEATEN…if he SO bad as you say this team REAL good to be playing with in YOUR WORDS a shit Capt but doing so well and could even TOP the group which includes the USA a POWERHOUSE in the Confederation.
Brian Springer a team could play well and certain players are failing….eg lara was brilliant even as WI was losing test matches and series
I will remind you of this convo when KJ is either injured or suspended and we play withOUT him and all you KJ-haterz get your wish…he’s not irreplaceable by any means but I maintain he gives the team an added dimension that it LACKS without him in it.
I agree with you fully Brian Springer
Brian Springer a strikers primary role is to score !!!!everything else is secondary
And a team’s primary job is to win, no matter who got the goal.
Kenwyne Jones …. full 94 minutes… no way … 45 minutes and 10 for the most in the 2nd half… we have goal scorers on the bench… fresh legs…
I agree with that idea. KJs role is as a destroyer. Once he’s given 60-65 minutes of battering we can introduce a game changer. Also, KJ takes plenty licks in a game!
Esmond Forde House of Dread was known for giving the youths an opportunity, the young and up coming
He Shouldn’t Even Be On the Field.
Good piece. You’re normally direct, so don’t understand why you’d demur about Kenwyne being “not in his best form.” How about he played badly and should have been yanked earlier? Having asked to stay on and take a fk and been indulged, he should have. Seems to me that the uncertainties around the changes/non changes may have led to a tactical switch-off and the equaliser. When the coach puts your number up, you come off. Simple. Failure to follow may have cost T&T the late goal.
Well, I might have said that Kenwyne said after he was dissatisfied with his own performance. I suppose that would be better from a news standpoint.
It was one of those pieces that kinda didn’t feel like a straight news piece to begin with. But fair point.
I don’t mean to fixate on that point. Apologies. It was a small detail.
If I sound a tad frustrated I really wanted the Warriors to win. Been a fan since following them behind God’s back to Kaiserslautern in 2006. Still, they’re in the hat.
Once he is on the field his tactical importance and role can be downplayed. he draws much attention. Trini are a real fickle bunch. EDIT: West Indians are a real fickle bunch
Lol. No problem Orin. It was a very valid point. But that Kaiserslautern trip must have been the most magical atmosphere I’ve ever experienced.
I went to the World Cup final that year too and it wasn’t nearly as electric.
We were poor on Friday. But plenty to appreciate about this campaign so far just like Chandani said.
Kenwyne in his entire career has not been anything close to fantastic….22 goals in 85 games
How many goals does Trevin Caesar have?
Honestly I dont know nothing of trevin….but u must start somewhere, give the young man an opp….
Well that sounding good after the fact. The real football world doesn’t operate that way though. Still not seeing how he would have affected the outcome.
The great Kenny Dalglish scored 30 in 102 games.
well I was about to say that 22 in 85 games is nothing to scoff at either..
What is kj club record ????
Trini Don at Central FC it’s 1 for 1. 100% lol
You all are promotors of mediocrity
Kevin Harrison im refering to his entire club career ??? Dont be silly
Ah the mediocrity argument. Took long enough. As always the living room experts always knows best..
Trini Don approx 116 goals from approx 280 games, around 100 of which he was used as a sub.
Yeah Mr. bound not to score was signalling to Coach Hart not to take him off eh, hence the reason why Trevin only got ten minutes steeuuppss. Them really good yes.
The reason he was used as a sub for 100 of those games….is bc he is not good
Incidentally he scored 26 goals in 82 matches (12 as a sub) for Sunderland which is practically the same as his record for T&T. That earned him an £8 million transfer! So perhaps mediocrity has its value?
Stats must be taken in context Kevin Harrison….come better
Well I am no Jones fan and I think he certainly can do better, but I not walking around pretending that he is a complete waste/failure. And I not doing that while he scored 100+ Club goals in 280+ in about 10 years.
Trini Don but you is the one who started quoting stats! Ok so you don’t like the guy. But you cannot discount what he has achieved in his career. And will continue to do so for another 3 or 4 years.
Kj : 1. He slow
2. Cant dribble
3. Poor first touch
4. Poor finisher
5. Not a great passer
Lol Trini Don you like the fellas who constantly moving the goal post to make sure their side win. You started with International goals, then you asked about club, now you saying the stats should be taken with context. Man stop playing eh!
22 goals in 85 games is great for tnt ?????? Kevin Harrison
Kirk A Inniss you really feel Mr. Bound not to score can do better eh, maybe when corbeaux grows teeth eh. hahahaha
Nobody said it was great though. Where that come from?
Earl Mango Pierre these 2 here are diciples of kj….they apparently never see real strikers
#6 he complains too much….@31….we aint goin kno where with him
I think he can. Jones just big and lazy. He just doesn’t apply himself. But to scoff at his 22 goals like it was useless is an exercise in pettiness..
Disciples of Jones. Lol you will have to start getting serious at some point.
Who are the opponents he scire against ??? Caribbean nations ? Cocncacaf ??
Trini Don Yeah we understand why Coach Hart is using him eh, but the man is is a defender that some doh doh head that saw it fit in England to turn him into a forward because of his height and strength eh, and eventually he would be exposed eh, Them really good yes.
Oh now the issue is the opponents? Why you don’t just carry home the goal post though. That way easier than this song and dance.
Trini Don Dwight Yorke scored 188 in 483 club games. (114 as a sub – so I guess he wasn’t good either? )
Orrrr Kevin Harrison is brent sancho padna….lolz the famous former Minister ???
Trini Don and your point is?
Kevin Harrison google doin u fine eh
Trini Don of course. That’s what it’s for ent? To provide factual information to those who are uniformed!
Yorke scored 19 in 74 for the national team. Pretty average too..
I read about you Mr Kevin Harrison, very interesting i must say….njoy promoting shithounds
Kevin Harrison, KJ was poor in his first game for Central.
Trini Don so you leaving KJ alone now and going after me? Lol
Savitri Maharaj I was happy with his performance. Great goal too. He’s surprised me by how good his attitude and professionalism has been. Will definitely impact on the rest of the squad.
Im not after u Kevin Harrison….i just read alot about u and the former sports minister thats all im saying….i know good strikers wen i see one Earl Mango Pierre
Yorke was partnered with damn good players at Man U
I still expect more from Jones. But again just using facts and no rum talk as a forward he should and could do more. Latapy 29 in 81, Yorke 19 in 74, Jones 23 in 84. Those numbers suggest that the idea that he is absolutely horrible is exaggerated.
Yorke was a starter with one of d best teams in The world….u cant compare kj wit DY….yorke could control, dribble, pass, hold up a ball…he was complete
Jones is a striker/poacher without sufficient skill and killer instinct to become prolific or to be feared by defenders. But he can and does score.
Trini Don I agree completely. But with KJ playing with less talented teams, is record is more remarkable. We all know KJ ain’t Messi or Ronaldo. His football ain’t pretty. But I think he’s asked to do a job and he gets on with it. He is a good leader and has the respect of his team mates. That should say it all. We have to go with what we have.
Kirk A Inniss actually he is feared by defenders. Not because of his silky skills, but because he is a very physically tough player to play against. Ask John Terry!
And Kevin that physical part is why I expect more and why I think he is too lazy. He doesn’t utilize that strength enough to me.
I know I’m defending KJ here but I’m also admitting his weaknesses. I’ve known him for 10 years, but I too used to be more critical of him. But once I studied him closely before we signed him, and since I’ve seen his attitude and performance in training, my estimation of him has greatly improved.
He plays for central fc, so obviously u wont come on fb to ill speak him…and u are part of the mgmt team at central
Hahaha. Trini Don rest down the goal posts so we can aim nah! ???
I tell you you want a helux to drive like a race car. The man was sub par on Friday. It happens. But generally his worth is easily spotted in the air and in being the foil for his teammates. Something like Heskey. What’s wrong with that?
And on top of that he is the leading scorer under Hart by a long way. I think he is almost twice the second highest scorer which is Molino.
Consider the pressure the man plays under too. Molino was absolutely invisible. But nobody said a word about that because Kenwyne is the easiest target.
So his teammates have an easier time with the public too because of Kenwyne.
Like Kirk, I’m not even a Kenwyne fan. But look at how well the team is doing. Surely the captain and leading scorer must have something to do with that.
Lasana Liburd lets give hart credit for the team display….not KJ….bc we had latapy…who was a failure
Study Cordell Cato missed an absolute sitter which was set up by the same Kenwyne Jones. Everybody forgot that.
If Kenwyne missed that, security might have had to stop Trini Don from storming the field! ???
Np cato…could miss….kj is a defender
As Bill Shankley once said. It’s not a crime to shoot and miss. The crime is not to shoot at all. Whoever missed chances, the good thing from a coaches point of view is that we are creating opportunities. At a national level A coach can work on finishing far easier than working on creating.
KJ went to Eng as a striker. He was always great in the air. He was very poor on Fri. But people seem to have very short memories. TnT without KJ does not keep posession that well. These other guys ppl are clamouring for have average returns in worse leagues. 1st hex in 8 years. The entire team played flat. To single out 1 player is ignorant imo.
We down to level hair splitting though. Like I am amazed that people acting like this was some fantastic super sub and the entire result could have been different if he made it on the field on time..
I didn’t see it to be honest Esmond. But a lot seemed to have been happening at that time with the possible injuries and the red card and so on.
From what I can see, it seemed understandable. I don’t know that Trevin did anything to show he should have been on earlier or vice versa either.
We.took 4 minutes to make the last Sub…. the guy was standing at the sideline… Jones keep motioning to the Bench or Coach many times prior…. A real anti climax !!…
I think if they practiced set pieces and Kenwyne Jones was the best at it, it is reasonable if they left him on for another minute to have a crack…
Gracious and unselfish captain. Leading by supporting.
That’s one way to look at it. 🙂
Lol yea we kno
Steups !!!! Pull him off, waste of time
It appeared to me as if they havent practised any set pieces at all
Usually we are very good at set pieces. But I can’t really remember us threatening from them on Friday. Maybe Guatemala deserve some credit on that though. Or a combination of the two.
Well, Brian Lewis also thought that he should give Dr Hypolite a chance to do the job that he ended up doing, John Public seems to think, badly.
The voice of John Public, KPB will tell you, is not ALWAYS the voice of God.