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Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Dwight Yorke started his era in charge of the Soca Warriors with a 3-1 defeat away to Saudi Arabia today in an international friendly in Riyadh.
The outing was played without a live feed, as Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard requested privacy as they prepare for three Arabian Gulf Cup assignments later this month. So Soca Warriors supporters were denied the chance to see Yorke’s first game in charge.
(via TTFA Media)
However, on the face of the result, Yorke might feel he did a creditable job.
Trinidad and Tobago were not at full strength, as the game is outside of the Fifa international match window, while seven of Yorke’s starters are TTPFL players who are only two games into their season and unlikely to be match fit.
La Horquetta Rangers midfielder Tyrese “Boy Boy” Bailey, a former St Anthony’s College standout, made his debut in Riyadh as a member of Yorke’s starting team.
In contrast, the Saudi Arabia players—all based in their homeland—are midway through the Saudi Pro League and led by an experienced head coach, Renard, who steered them to a shock 2-1 win over Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
(via TTFA Media)
Saudi Arabia, who snapped a four game winless streak today after draws to Bahrain and Australia and defeats to Japan and Indonesia, are ranked 59th in the world at present while Trinidad and Tobago are 102nd.
Saudi Arabia had only a 13th minute penalty from attacker Saleh Al-Shehri to show for the first half. It was his 16th goal in 39 internationals.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Nasser Al-Dawsari, both 25, eased Saudi Arabia to a 3-0 lead before defender Jamal Jack grabbed a consolation item for Trinidad and Tobago.
It was Jack’s first international goal on the occasion of his seventh cap.
(via TTFA Media)
Yorke was fearless with his changes, as he used all 21 available players for at least 30 minutes. Only Defence Force full back Isaiah Garcia did not feature, due to concern about a hamstring injury.
Three substitutes combined for the Soca Warriors lone goal as, after Saudi Arabia only partially cleared a corner kick, Jariel Arthur flicked on an overhead kick by Isaiah Lee which fell to Jack. And the defender headed home from close range.
Trinidad and Tobago’s next scheduled outing is against Cuba in a two-legged Concacaf Gold Cup qualifier in March 2025.
(via TTFA Media)
Team
Trinidad and Tobago: 21.Adrian Foncette (GK) (1.Christopher Biggette GK 46); 16.Alvin Jones (11.Kaihim Thomas 46), 2.Aubrey David (captain) (23.Jesse Williams 60), 17.Justin Garcia (4.Jamal Jack 60), 5.Ross Russell Jr (14.Shannon Gomez 46); 9.Duane Muckette (13.Michel Poon-Angeron 60), 15.Neveal Hackshaw (19.Wayne Frederick II 60), 3.Joevin Jones (10.Kevin Molino 60); 12.Tyrese Bailey (7.Steffan Yeates 46), 13.Reon Moore (24.Jariel Arthur 46), 20.Real Gill (8.Isaiah Lee 54).
Unused substitute: 6.Isaiah Garcia.
Coach: Dwight Yorke
(via TTFA Media)
Friendly international result
(17 December 2024)
Saudi Arabia 3 (Saleh Al-Shehri 13 pen, Abdullah Al-Hamdan 53, Nasser Al-Dawsari 88), Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Jamal Jack 90+4) at Al Shabab Stadium, Riyadh.
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We can take a page from the Saudis in the way they’ve started executing their strategies/action plans to prepare and improve their football ahead of them hosting the 2034 world cup tournament. We on the other hand, our TTFA head has taken another opportunity to accompany the team on an overseas trip. It isn’t surprising that we are languishing at the bottom of the FIFA rankings. One can argue about resource availability and a host of other issues (all valid). Some of these can be addressed with planning/hardwork, determination and sheer smarts.