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Trinidad and Tobago failed to distinguish themselves from the pack in Group E today, as coach Marvin Gordon’s troops had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Bermuda in the opening 2027 Fifa Under-20 World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica.
In a see-saw affair, the young Soca Warriors trailed 1-0 at the interval but recovered to score twice in the space of two minutes in the second half—with substitutes Josiah Kallicharan and Dominic Joseph both involved.
(via TTFA Media.)
However, Bermuda got the last word from their own super-sub, James Morrison, whose looping header in the 84th minute ensured an even share of the spoils.
It was the second tie of the day in Group F, after Barbados and Sint Maarten finished 1-1. Group favourites and host, Costa Rica, who were on a bye today, might feel they have one foot in the next round already.
In reality, the task facing the Trinidad and Tobago teenagers has not changed much. If they win their remaining three matches, captain Darrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia and his teammates will advance past the qualifying stage to the Concacaf U-20 Championship.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
But, against a frisky but limited Bermuda team, the scale of that challenge was exposed.
For large periods of today’s contest, Trinidad and Tobago seemed to rely almost exclusively on individual talent and athleticism to make headway. And, after underwhelming showings at Men’s and Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers already this year, there was little today to soothe troubled local football fans.
Just three weeks ago, Men’s National Under-17 Team head coach Randolph Boyce opened his campaign with a 1-0 loss to Barbados at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
It is not inconceivable that Gordon had a flashback of that result, with his outfit trailing Bermuda 1-0 at the half.
In truth, the young Warriors might have had four goals themselves by that stage. Garcia and attacking midfielder Colin Joseph both missed proper scoring chances. And forward Phillip Nelson was denied a brilliant solo item by opposing goalkeeper David Martin, before somehow failing to make contact with an inviting Jaydon Caprietta cross.
(via TTFA Media.)
Similarly, Bermuda had multiple chances before and after flanker Jace Donawa slipped behind Trinidad and Tobago right back Talan McMillan to collect an incisive Kennahz Fray pass, and dribbled past goalkeeper Bryan Gafiuk before scoring in the 38th minute.
Unable to play beyond Bermuda’s high press, the young Warriors were relying on long balls out of the back from central defender “Toka” Pierre.
The tactic led to several scoring opportunities for the two-island republic—but it also meant Trinidad and Tobago basically conceded the ball to Bermuda. Gordon’s claim to prefer tidy build-ups and possession play seemed empty at this point.
(via TTFA Media.)
The coach—whose assistant, Devorn Jorsling, was absent due to Concacaf Club Championship duty with Defence Force—rang in the changes at the break, as Dominic Joseph, Chaz Williams and Jadon McShine replaced Joseph (C), Malachi Webb and Caden Trestrail respectively.
In the 53rd minute, there was an attacking tactical change to boot, as Gordon sent in attacker Giovanni Hospedales for midfielder Josiah Ochoa—and the Warriors moved to what resembled a 4-2-4 system.
A few minutes later, England-based forward Josiah Kallicharan replaced right back, McMillan, and God alone knows what shape Trinidad and Tobago were in by that stage, with five attackers on the field.
(via TTFA Media.)
Bermuda might have doubled their lead in the 63rd minute, but for a superb save by Gafiuk with his outstretched foot. But the Warriors were in the ascendancy, with Hospedales, Joseph (D) and Garcia all going close.
And, in the 77th minute, Trinidad and Tobago virtually forced the ball over the line by sheer will power.
Kallicharan broke free down the right flank and whipped in a low cross. Bermuda defender Emeer Peets easily cut out the ball, but, with Nelson closing in, seemed unsure about what he wanted to do next.
(via TTFA Media.)
Somehow, Peets managed to roll the ball through his own goalkeeper’s legs to equalise.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Bermuda substitute, Morrison, was caught loitering on the ball right from the kick off. Joseph (D) poked it away from him and then ran on to a return pass from Kallicharan, before beating Martin from a sharp angle to score.
Just like that, inside of two minutes, Trinidad and Tobago went from a goal down to one ahead.
(via TTFA Media.)
There were still 11 minutes left to navigate. And the Warriors could not hold on to the three points.
Gafiuk opted not to come and claim a deep Khari Sharrief free kick, while he could not make the necessary height to keep out Morrison’s looping header off the set piece. And, against the run of play, Bermuda were back level.
The game finished 2-2.
Jorsling was unavailable today due to his responsibilities with Defence Force in the Concacaf Club Championship.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Trinidad and Tobago players slumped to the ground in disappointment at the final whistle. They will have an immediate opportunity to make amends on Thursday afternoon when they face Barbados at the same venue in Alajuela.
Anything but three points then would be fatal to their chances of advancing beyond the group.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 1.Bryan Gafiuk (GK); 14.Talan McMillan (19.Josiah Kallicharan), 3.Sheridan McNish, 4.Adam Pierre, 5.Jaydon Caprietta; 6.Caden Trestrail (15.Jadon McShine 46), 8.Josiah Ochoa (20.Giovanni Hospedales 53), 12.Colin Joseph (17.Dominic Joseph 46); 7.Malachi Webb (11.Chaz Williams 46), 9.Phillip Nelson, 10.Derrel Garcia (captain).
Unused substitutes: 18.Jadon Paul-Alexander (GK), 21.Sylvon Theophilus (GK), 2.Jeremy Meloney, 13.Lyshaun Morris, 16.Jaden Chan Tack.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Bermuda (4-3-3): 1.David Martin (GK); 2.Nayan Grant, 3.Emeer Peets, 13.Michael Tear De Leon, 5.Logan Jimenez (captain); 15.Kennahz Fray, 6.Khari Sharrief, 17.Harlem Bean Fox; 20.Kalen Brunson, 9.Xahvi Deroza, 7.Jace Donawa.
Substitutes: 12.Daniel Powell (GK), 21.Curtis Jackson (GK), 4.Dakari Smith Davis, 8.James Morrison, 10.Blayz Borgesson, 11.Malachai Belboda, 14.Daqaio Stewart, 16.Qur’an Raynor, 18.D’ari Coddington, 19.Isai Gibbons.
Coach: Cecoy Robinson.
Referee: Steffon Dewar (Jamaica).
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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.
