The Trinidad and Tobago Senior National Team’s CONCACAF Hex campaign started with a home defeat tonight as the Soca Warriors failed to make home advantage count with a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
In the Nacion’s match preview, the Central America nation suggested that Trinidad and Tobago was a second home for “Los Ticos.” And although the visitors didn’t exactly traipse around in their bathroom slippers, they certainly knew where all the furniture was in tonight’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.
It was a classic display of game management from the tourists. True, Warriors winger Joevin Jones was a thorn in their sides. But celebrated Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas had just one save to make over 90 minutes, after a low speculative effort from Trinidad and Tobago defender Carlyle Mitchell in the 68th minute.
Jan-Michael Williams was not especially busy in goal for the hosts either. But Costa Rica bided their time well.
After a first half with little to report save for a Kendall Waston header—which was batted away by Williams—Costa Rica waited until the second half to switch gears.
In the 57th minute, Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez sent on enigmatic striker Joel Campbell to replace Marcos Ureña and, within seven minutes, Los Ticos were ahead.
Campbell exchanged passes with right full back Christian Gamboa and midfielder Celso Borges before Borges slid a ball down the right flank. And Gamboa got around the back of Warriors left back Aubrey David before delivering a precise low cross at the far post, which found Christian Bolanos so criminally unmarked by opposing defender Daneil Cyrus that the MLS player was able to take a touch before tapping into an empty net.
“We tried to take advantage of [Trinidad and Tobago] being tired in the second half,” said Ramirez, whose team have scored all six of their 2018 World Cup qualifying away goals after the interval. “And Campbell was introduced to help [our] combination play.”
Warriors coach Stephen Hart’s response was to immediately replace the ineffective Jomal Williams with deep-lying ball handler, Andre Boucaud, and push the spiky Khaleem Hyland further upfield. Jomal stuck close to captain Kenwyne Jones throughout, presumably in anticipation of flick ons that he could chase.
But Kenwyne barely got any competent aerial service—and, in any case, Costa Rica’s six foot five defender Kendall Waston was certainly not intimidated by the height of the Warriors talisman—while Jomal rarely gave his midfielders a passing option on the ground.
Hyland as a ‘number 10’ was hardly the sort of change that would strike fear into the visitors.
There were cheers when Netherlands-based teenaged starlet, Levi Garcia, was finally introduced in place of the industrious Cordell Cato in the 74th minute. And the loudest cheer of the match was reserved for the final change, as Willis Plaza replaced Kenwyne upfront.
Yet, in the end, Boucaud was the only substitute to make an impact. Composed and cocky in possession, his confidence was contagious. And, for the closing 10 minutes, Trinidad and Tobago finally looked capable of passing the ball through the midfield rather than a one-dimensional attacking unit, completely reliant on Joevin’s pace and trickery.
But the game belonged to Costa Rica’s super sub.
A minute and a half into second half stoppage time, Campbell flicked the ball to Bolanos into space and the tricky attacker stepped inside Boucaud and teed up left wing back Ronald Matarrita for a close ranged finish.
Campbell, incidentally, is yet to score after seven games in this World Cup qualifying campaign. But there was no doubting his contribution.
“[The loss is] disappointing [because] I thought we were in control for very long periods,” said Hart. “The second goal I didn’t really care about because we were trying to get back into the game.”
Matarrita’s strike sparked a rush to the exits for the locals while the Costa Rica supporters went into a flag waving frenzy.
“Ole, ole, ole, ole… Ticos! Ticos!”
The Costa Rican fans were on the receiving end of some thumbs up and slaps on the back at the final whistle. And, for the most part, their players again enjoyed the hospitality of the two island republic.
Trinidad and Tobago have never defeated Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying competition while the last time the Warriors managed a draw—some 11 years ago—Patrick Manning was still prime minister.
Tonight, 13,345 spectators turned out to see the action, which was near 7,000 less than the number who watched the Warriors play Guatemala here in the earlier round—two months ago.
It is uncertain whether the price hike, the behaviour and/or suspension of playmaker Kevin Molino or the team’s dip in form was the main factor in the diminished turnout. Or perhaps it was the inhumane treatment meted out to fans as they tried to get into the ground to see the Warriors play Guatemala.
Thankfully, the fans had a more straightforward time in getting to their seats tonight while the supporters who did show up were certainly appreciative of their team’s efforts.
The Warriors leave tomorrow evening for what should be a dogfight in San Pedro Sula against Honduras. Honduras lost at 1-0 at home to Panama tonight and cannot afford a second straight defeat in their own backyard.
Hart might at least feel reassured by his team’s ability to generally keep up with their illustrious guests, who were quarterfinalists at the 2014 World Cup. Hopefully, they have something left in the tank for Tuesday’s away fixture.
Boat parties, one would hope, are out.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-1-3-2): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 5.Daneil Cyrus, 4.Sheldon Bateau, 12.Carlyle Mitchell, 2.Aubrey David; 19.Kevan George; 7.Cordell Cato (16.Levi Garcia 74), 8.Khaleem Hyland, 3.Joevin Jones; 23.Jomal Williams (14.Andre Boucaud 66), 9.Kenwyne Jones (captain) (13.Willis Plaza 78).
Unused substitutes: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 22.Adrian Foncette (GK), 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 10.Marcus Joseph, 11.Ataulla Guerra, 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 17.Jelani Peters, 18.Yohance Marshall, 20.Trevin Caesar.
Coach: Stephen Hart
Costa Rica (3-4-3): 1.Keylor Navas (GK); 19.Kendall Waston, 2.Johnny Acosta, 15.Francisco Calvo (4.Michael Umaña 42); 16.Christian Gamboa, 5.Celso Borges, 14.Randall Azofeifa, 22.Ronald Matarrita; 10.Bryan Ruiz (captain) (11.Johan Venegas 77), 21.Marcos Ureña (12.Joel Campbell 57), 7.Christian Bolanos.
Unused substitutes: 18.Patrick Pemberton (GK), 23.Leonel Moreira (GK), 3.Jose Salvatierra, 6.Pablo Salazar, 8.Bryan Oviedo, 9.Ariel Rodriguez, 13.Rodney Wallace, 17.Yeltsin Tejeda, 20.Davis Guzman.
Coach: Oscar Ramirez
Referee: Oscar Moncada (Honduras)
Man of the Match: Christian Bolanos (Costa Rica)
Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier
Trinidad and Tobago 0, Costa Rica 2 (Christian Bolanos 64, Ronald Matarrita 90) at Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Honduras 0, Panama 1 (Fidel Escobar 22) at Estadio Olimpico, San Pedro Sula;
United States 1 (Bobby Wood 49), Mexico 2 (Miguel Layun 20, Rafael Marquez 89) at Columbus.
2-0
Now 2-0
1-0 Honduras so far
Thanks very much eh lol
Or cricfree
Try firstrowsports or sportlemon tv
And I am still trying to find out myself if the game is streaming on line, where is everybody this is an SOS call Lasana Liburd
Nigel Myers can you give some assistance to one of our members please
Is there a web link?
http://goatd.net/173591/watch-honduras-vs-trinidad-and-tobago
http://hahasport.biz/soccer/honduras-vs-trinidad-and-tobago-iz724413#
What channel is the game on?
I agree with you 1000% eh my Coach and baller for life, they just like being mamaguy over and over eh, Them really good yes hahahaha
only because he is arsenal’s property i would applaud him. But it goes to show how far trinidad is from the leading pack in football
T and T Footballers does not lift their game they play club not international soccer
If we played just a little slower, I think we would of won the game
As for kenwyne his value to the team is not just scoring he does a lot of defensive work as well eg at set plays . What i think can be done is according to how the game is going he can be substituted for a quicker player who will press more and run more off the ball
To me we seem to be contradicting ourselves we are saying we need to push forward but then we are saying when we pushed forward to score we left space at the back. In my humble opinion we need to be more aggressive in our press in all our home games no matter who we play plus against honduras and panama press high both home and away
When would T&T football teams realize that they can’t afford to go behind, between that 65th to 80th minute especially against Central American teams. End result you have to push forward thus leaving room which they thrive on.
I said I was staying out of this but it hard to do when I clearly remembered some men said to me Hart knows his players,I asked why use so many defensive players in the past games,some men reminded me again of the Gold Cup performances,and that he is preparing for the Hex,so don’t only think it’s a fight down against Mr Hart but if we are playing so clueless at home, what is the game plan away, be bold and brave at home and smart and patient away,I and all Trini supporters can live with that warriors spirit! not what I witnessed yesterday
Do the maths, the price of uncovered stands is to high. $00.00from 12000.00empty seats. And guess whatt we are the real vociforous fans the poor people . Let them contonue to count Zeroes.
Kendell Davis Simba La Fortune same thing we said last night that man came on and change the game
Even Stevie Wonder could’ve seen that lol
I have a few thoughts on this game. First the atmosphere was nowhere close to what it should have been for the opening home fixture of the hex. A full rocking stadium certainly could have lifted the Warriors to a positive result, The home advantage was reduced. The blame I think squarely lies on two things…one being the atrocious inhumane and unsafe handling of the stadium entry arrangements for the three previous World Cup qualifying games and second the live broadcasting of the game even though it was not sold out.
The second point is that the performance of the team was a significant improvement over our last two World Cup qualifying games and was much closer to our earlier home Game against USA. It was not quite as good as our gold cup performances and our away game against Guatemala because of our lack of finishing as teams have come to recognize that our main offensive threat is Joevin Jones and not Kenwyn Jones. However the performance was still a step in the right direction and Hart needs to be given credit for this improvement but the team needs to build on it and other players need to step up in the offensive third…Plaza, Garcia, Williams, Cato?
Third there is no doubt that our team would have been at a disadvantage for not having Molino available, The omission was an unfortunate but correct decision but at the end of the day, his presence could have made the difference. I could only hope as Molino watches the game that he is mature enough to appreciate how his unprofessional decisions has impacted the team and that he will take responsibility, learn from it and make amends when he does return from his punishment.
Lionel Messi (after Argentina loss to Brazil): “I hope the people in San Juan have patience. That affects us. I watched on TV the game in Cordoba [Argentina’s home loss 1-0 to Paraguay on Oct. 11] and I could see that the players were booed and insulted. That does not help. We need to be united. We need to feel that we are the hosts.
“They have to understand that we need to do it together. We are the first to want to win and get results. When those around you are not behind you, you notice that.
“We have a few days to forget and prepare the next one. It needs to be different to that [performance] of today. We know we are going to be punished but we need to be strong to come out of this situation.
“There are many games left and we are not thinking about missing out on qualifying. Winning the rest of them we will be back in contention. We must be positive because we think we will get there but we need to change a lot.”
Boucad, Garcia and Caesar should all be starting on this side. Kenwyne is not doing much. Hart is predictable game after game and his tactics are the same and to me he needs to change things. If we lose to Honduras that can spell the end to Hart as we have until March for the other qualifiers. I also think that Cyrus should not be starting for T&T. He is good at getting forward but his defensive capabilities are not that good. Take it to the opposition from the start not the last 10 mins..You have a guy playing in the Dutch 1st division and he benching. I don’t understand his team selection and tactics..
Did any of the Kenwyn Jones bashers see what Brazil did to the illustrious Messi? They made him look like a novice. FOOTBALL IS A TEAM SPORT REGARDLESS OF INDIVIDUAL TALENTS. Our midfield could frustrate Neymar and Messi and make them look bad.
Well I agree with supporting each and every one but you sir wrong about the service he receives..he blows almost every opportunity he gets and it is time he eats bench
Garvin Walters, read this and see that the coach identities the same things you referred to about a year ago:
http://wired868.com/2016/03/21/hart-feelings-dribblers-wanted-what-the-warriors-miss-and-the-new-bert-neptune/
Brent Bennett, here’s my thought on the Kenwyne dilemma.
Kenwyne has a strength that opposing teams fear. And that’s his aerial ability. None or our other forwards seem to have a particular quality that can hurt opposition at this level. With the possible exception of my pardner Cornell Glen. Lol.
Anyway, even if the strikers at roughly the same level but Kenwyne has a better attitude about training and preparation and has more exposure and experience… All at a time when younger players want to sneak out for boat rides and so on…
Well, I would want to have that positive attitude in the camp because I feel it is lacking.
Take Yohance Marshall for instance. He is our fourth central defender which means he isn’t going to play. Unlikely anyway.
But Yohance is an upright citizen who will bring a positivity to the squad and some of those attributes we lack in preparation.
Shawn Charles compared Kenwyne to Darren Sammy and I’d agree with that to a point. He adds intangibles.
I don’t mind the criticism. And I won’t count myself as a fan really.
I just disagree that he brings nothing.
If we can find another forward with a quality that worries opposition and who helps squad stay grounded, pick him immediately!
Lasana – after watching that game last night I must say that our capitan needs to be dropped. He needs to earn his spot on the team. Right now he does not deserve a spot. His attitude on the field of play, like his performance, was very poor. Hart must take the bold position and sit his a$# on the bench. I have always been a huge fan of him, but right now he is dead weight.
Maybe Kenwyne will be benched in Honduras. But that might be because he isn’t match fit and playing two games at that level in four days is asking plenty.
Plaza played professionally in Central America too, albeit a short and not so successful stint.
So let’s see if Plaza makes a good case for himself in training. But I won’t drop Kenwyne unless some else shows why they deserve his place.
Immediately! Lasana Liburd lol
Immediately is too far away….maybe alyuh didnt realise so i will do the honours…yuh doh get it wrong at dis stage….dis is d HEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lasana Liburd TULLA…9 1/2
If we can get him fit Gary Hector. Even then, you always cross your fingers that the right Tulla shows up. The one that we don’t see often enough.
Lasana – Wow – you serious? Kenwyne is the one who needs to prove to the coach and spectators that he deserves to be on the team. He’s had ample opportunities to do that and has failed miserably. Others deserve to be given similar opportunities to succeed or fail.
I think Kenwyne had 14 goals in his first 20 games or so for Hart. At present, he has 16 goals from 34 games.
Plaza has 3 from 17. Caesar has 3 from 10. Winchester has 1 from 11.
Now to be fair to those other strikers, some of those caps were just 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there. But it is hard to say from what we have seen that anyone deserves to be there. And I’m not sure who is sparking in training.
We must give the youngsters a chance. If not when Kenwyne isnt match fit, then when??
Lasana – so basically you’re saying that Kenwyne should be picked on past performance. As the saying goes – what has he done for us lately? Absolutely nothing! Time for a change. There are others more deserving of chance. Plaza for example is much more mobile – has good speed and maybe if the coach shows some confidence in him he might deliver. We need strikers who are first to get into the box when Jones and Levi destroy their men down the flanks. From what I’ve seen Kenwyne has been laboring and can’t seem to keep up with the flankers runs. Time to sit his a$# down. Maybe that will get him motivated.
Lol. Well, Plaza has to be in line to start in Honduras. Because I don’t think Kenwyne can play two games in quick succession at the moment.
I like Plaza. He is always looking for goal and he has a beautiful shot with little back lift. So I will be hoping for him to take his chance and show that he should be considered for the wok.
Now yuh talking. And we need to let young Levi loose. Cato needs to take a seat. Would also love to see Jones play on the left instead of the right. I think we’ll get more shots and better shots from him. The brother is a man child. He was our best player by far. The ref did a poor job at protecting him.
But remember we can’t really afford to be experimenting this much at this level. Maybe Levi as a top flight player can be tossed in. But you may not be sure of what everyone else can do at this level.
I don’t mind Plaza and Levi starting. That can be a plus.
We have young guns Plaza, Caesar, Garcia, Cato, all who are hungry for wins and have empty baskets to fill eh, and they are not always in the starting line up as our prolific gaolscorers eh steeuuppss Them really good yes.
And I understand and personally I am not making him the scapegoat because the other players should always pull their weight, look at the dummy that he did when the other player should have scored that goal on the Costa Rica goalkeeper eh and as I said before just before the game the Assistant Coach had them doing the same shooting drills eh and the only person that I will blame for the loss eh is Mollino for the madness that did that caused him to be banned for two games so guess we will be loosing the game against Honduras the same to eh. Them really good yes
Cato is a star? You got to be kidding me. He is terrible dude.
And fuss you and Mr. Live Wire player Mr Bound not to score is so dunce eh tell me why he turned down the contracts from Liverpool and Tottenham nah and why isn’t he still playing in the EPL or even in the Premership division but chooses to play in our bootleg professional league for Central F.C. and he is only 31 yrs old eh steeuuppss
I’m no KJ apologist Mango. But people are acting like removing or replacing KJ with somehow cure our ills. That’s a fallacy. I don’t like how he is being treated by the masses that’s all. But I agree he is a flawed player. His work rate is simply not good enough. But don’t make him out to be the scapegoat, that’s inheritantly unfair
Yeah but Brent Bennett I know you very well and like your brother you both were my excellent goalscorers and in these times these nowadays players ain’t want nutten with you all man, and I am positively certain if you was the Coach of our national team you wasn’t picking Mr, Bound not to score et all because you will be picking goalscorers like yourself because you loves to win and it is nutten personal against Mr Bound not score to eh the fella just doesn’t have what it takes man to be on no national team, look where he is finally going to play eh in the MLS for the new Atlanta team franchise and he really belongs playing for some 8 division club somewhere eh and it is time that my Coach Hart do the same thing that Italy, Germany, Holland, and other big countries do eh once yuh playing in the bootleg America professional league eh yuh cannot make our national team eh Them really good yes. hhahahaha
I have no objections to the coach replacing him. None whatsoever. However, we as a public need to avoid making him the scapegoat. There are enough problems and flaws on that team to complain about. That’s all I’m saying.
Look leh meh stop supporting this bootleg Soca Worries team and just support meh greatest team in the universe eh along with meh second sweetest country the USA steessuupss Them really good yes.
So why do you think that ah does call them Soca Worries eh, because you never really know what to expect from them eh, they really need to stop the madness and start to be consistent eh because this football tabanca thing isn’t easy eh steeuupss Them really good yes hahahaha
Still my country they fight hard ….just needed to be more focused as the second half went on
And just imagine when your team suppose to lock up the shop in the defense eh they got a goal in the extra 3 mins of the game eh steeuupppss Them really good yes hahahaha
Lock up shop looking for an equaliser?
hehehehehe
4,5,0
????????????????????
Costa Rics’a preparation was much better than ours! They played friendlies against top opposition, beating Russia last mth etc, etc. TnT played against DR!!!!!!!!! But we are expected to compete! Gimme a break!!!!
Lasana Liburd what was our formation? Was it 4 5 1?
Looked like a 4411 to me
We started 4-4-2 and then went 4-5-1.
TnT not sure to beat any of these teams in the Hex now. They just not up to par at all…..
Hart needs to grow some balls and drop Jones as our starting striker. No movement up top for our midfielders to play a through ball, just a sitting immobile striker who defenders are more than happy to mark. We won’t be going to Russia with Jones up front and Hart knows this.
13345 people seeing that in the Stadium yesterday EXCEPT Hart ???
Stern John was called a loafer and received many criticism. He wasn’t very mobile from my recollection. Could it be the service isn’t the same? If Kenwayne was scoring in the current setup I wonder if we would have an issue. Now he needs to deliver and he should be a bit more mobile (modern strikers are) but I think that is just part of a wider problem which seems to be off the field imo. This is the same goal cup team we were cheering some months ago. That almost be giants Mexico. Something is wrong off the field. If we can play (again) like we played against Mexico we would have won last night.
Agreed.
Kesta Trotman you now start to watch this team and even if you did, when he came off did you see movements, plays being made, yuh left back and right back was getting into more serious position than and was fighting the game,you stand by a man almost hold nigt waiting to jump…. the ball we play now is position football not the old long English ball so you strike have to be mobile looking to make plays…
That should be our go to strat… save that “Get the ball to Kenwyne” for the 75th min when we 2-0 down and nothing else wukin
We shud play 4 4 2.. jus sayin.. Plaza and Caesar/Lobo upfront
We did play 4-4-2 essentially. Jomal was within arm’s length of Kenwyne throughout.
The team needs more penetration in attack, especially the middle and we’re not and will not get that from Jones at this stage of his career. We NEED a midfielder n
Molino, Bostock and Cummings hopefully to the rescue.
Penetration in attack and the tactics to go along with it comes from having a mobile striker who knows how to run off the ball, defenders and make space for himself. Jovein Jones should play a #10 drifting in from the right as he’s severely left footed. Kenwyne isn’t the #9 we need for this team.
Duane Winchester you just reminded me of Cummings. Where’s he?
Cummings hasn’t returned to his best form yet. Garvin I agree with you on what the team needs. But it isn’t there.
He is trying to get himself sharp again so he can become available for selection. He had not recovered since he got shot in December last year.
I really hope we have a team with Molino and Bostock on it.
We get beat 1-0 in Honduras and QC done
Costa Rico dictated the game from start to finish, Ramirez game management excellent! We could all have taken a nap first half in.the bore draw, Campbells appearance was like the light being switch on, crash bang wallop game over.
I won’t go as far as to say Costa Rica dictated from start to finish. But their game management was excellent for sure. And I’d agree on Campbell’s influence!
Agree with ^^ …you slight off there …they just played on the counter and did it well
can’t bash jones are we playing to his strengths ?
And before I forget eh my other midfield/ playmaker/ prolific goalscorer Athulla Guerra didn’t even get his chance once more again eh, but my Coach Hart started with Jomal Williams that ply his trade somewhere in Mexico for a third division team eh. I wudda also taken of Hyland who doesn’t have a clue about being a midfield/ playmaker/ prolific goalscorer eh and bring on the general along with Boucard and certainly the outcome of the game wudda surely be different eh steeuuppss Them really good yes.
Lasana Liburd I couldn’t go but I saw the first half. It was our best 1st half in a while. But what really happened in the later half? Lapse in concentration? What? I was expecting a 1 goal margin of victory to the team that played best not a 2 goal margin.
Costa Rica switched gears and caught us sleeping at the wheel. And we never really looked like hurting them offensively.
I just saw the highlights. the first goal Cyrus was out cold, guy just ran in behind him. I feel for Hart, this team looks nothing like the team that was at the goal cup and drew 4-4 with Mexico. Things is it is most if not all the same guys. Something is wrong and it is obvious must be something off the field.
Yes. There have been issues and the team lost their rhythm somewhat. They need a spark.
Missed the game cause inwas travelling…thanks for the great commentary…we need a win in Honduras and it sounds like we can do it….#warriorworld
will be real hard to win in honduras with that scary support- the cnc 3 commentary was not as clear as far as photography as the flow
It will be hard yes…but harder to come back from 2 back to back losses at the begining of the hex with mexico, panama and the us to face afterward..
Is sumn wrong with my logic I hire you to do a job 4 me and I c u can’t get it done and I have options to choose from wouldn’t I select another to get my job done gzzz ah dam vex BENCH D DAM DUDE I don’t Hav 2 call his name I’m sure if I ask 10 people of whom I speak dey all will answer d same dat jus goes to show its magnified don’t know how d hell dey not cn dat ? big man be honest to ur self and team mates bro and give someone else an opportunity to rise UR KILLING US.
I started going to games only wen Hart took over cause he done ah tremendous job with the team no doubt about dat but after d last qualifying match I said I had enough not going another game till he makes dat change and do not give me no crap bout he draws 2 players 2 him and wat a school Boi can do wat he’s doing and shud I say probably even btr MR HART TAKE MY ADVICE TO SAVE YUH WUK BITE D BULLET AND DROP OR BENCH DAT DEAD WEIGHT.