Trinidad and Tobago lost their second successive match at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship tonight as they were downed 2-0 by Suriname at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
A goal on either side of the interval by Shaquille Cairo and Brian Elshot undid the young Soca Warriors, who were not short of effort but lacked cutting edge.
Kishon Hackshaw, who was an unused substitute against the United States, threatened intermittently down the flank. But, by the final whistle, Trinidad and Tobago managed just two shots on effort.
Playmaker John-Paul Rochford forced a save from Suriname goalkeeper Rivaldo Soesman in the opening half hour. But it was not until second half stoppage time that the Warriors made Soesman work again, as the goalkeeper made a superb fingertip save to push an Isaiah Lee effort against his bar.
In contrast, Suriname managed 17 shots with 10 on target over the 90 minute contest, as they exploited a lack of bite in the Trinidad and Tobago midfield.
Cairo was first on to the score sheet in the 29th minute, as he drove home on the second attempt after an Elshot cross from the left flank. And, in the 69th minute, Elshot doubled Suriname’s leader with a simple finish off a Gleofilo Vlijter cross, after T&T conceded possession cheaply in midfield.
Trinidad and Tobago, who are fourth in their six team group at present, finish their campaign at 4pm on Friday when they play table proppers, United States Virgin Islands, in their final group fixture.
(Team)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Denzil Smith (GK); 4.Jerrin Jackie, 16.Luke Singh, 2.Mikel Mieres, 3.Derron John; 8.Jabarry Francis (9.Jaydon Prowell 71), 14.Ethan Bonaparte (19.Shaqkeem Joseph 46); 7.Mark Ramdeen (13.Nickel Orr 55), 15.John-Paul Rochford, 12.Kishon Hackshaw; 6.Isaiah Lee.
Unused substitutes: 20.Jabari Brice (GK), 5.Justin Homer, 10.Judah Garcia, 11.Che Benny, 17.Matthew Beal, 18.Kerdell Sween.
Coach: Russell Latapy