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Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Derek King might be wondering how he left Sabina Park empty-handed tonight, as the Soca Warriors led Haiti 2-1 after 90 minutes—only to concede twice in stoppage time.
As a result, Haiti coach David Badia began his international career with a win on his debut. King, after six games (not counting a loss to US second tier club Louisville City FC), is still waiting for his first triumph since succeeding Dwight Yorke at the helm.
(via TTFA Media.)
And the Soca Warriors have now gone nine games without a win—a barren run that began on 14 October 2025 and includes the last three games of Yorke’s tenure.
It was a cold reminder of the thin line between success and failure at this level.
Facing a 2026 World Cup opponent, King went into the affair without his likely preferred central defensive pairing of Kobi Henry and Kieran Ngwenya, creative midfielder Molik Khan and attacker Dante Sealy.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
He then lost central defender Josiah Trimmingham and goalkeeper Denzil Smith to injury during today’s contest. Yet still, somehow, it looked like Trinidad and Tobago might hold on for a big result.
But, by the end, the Warriors’ defending was more wishful than resolute. And you could sense trouble was near, as the Haitians began to rain crosses into the opposing area with increasing regularity.
In the post-game chat, Trinidad and Tobago captain Levi Garcia admitted disappointment, but vowed that the team would put the loss behind them quickly—as they prepare to face the Dominican Republic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday 27 September.
“Have more faith and trust the process a bit more,” said Garcia, when asked about the players’ best response.
Perhaps it is telling that Garcia used the word “faith”. Only twice in the history of Trinidad and Tobago football has the Men’s National Senior Team endured longer win-less runs, with former coach Dennis Lawrence holding the record with 14 games between 14 October 2018 and 14 October 2019.
(Copyright AP Photo/ Arnulfo Franco.)
Again, King might be in the hot-seat now—but the current run includes three drawn matches under Yorke. And, as a mitigating factor, the current coach’s run comprises outings against Bolivia, Venezuela, Gabon, South Korea, Russia and now Haiti.
That’s not exactly a catalogue of pushovers.
So it was not unexpected when Haiti totally bossed the first 10 minutes of today’s CNL meeting, with 70 percent possession during that period.
Remarkably, the game’s first real chance fell to Trinidad and Tobago in the 14th minute, though, as midfielder Daniel Phillips played forward Ryan Telfer clear of the opposing defence with a straightforward ball over the top.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
Telfer won a corner kick, but perhaps he should have done better.
The pattern seemed to hold with Haiti hogging the ball but the Warriors matching them for shots on goal, with Garcia—returned to his favoured right flank—looking menacing on the break.
King might have felt genuinely disappointed when Haiti went ahead in the 22nd minute, through a free, close-ranged header from Fabrice Picault. Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Wayne Frederick II had lost possession and right back Rio Cardines was on the wrong side of Picault at the crucial moment.
Photo: TTFA Media.
However, nine minutes later, Cardines and Frederick atoned with gusto, as the former’s deep, diagonal free kick was swept home on the half-volley by the latter player.
And, when you thought it surely could not get better than this, Garcia ran on to a perceptive pass from Frederick to lob opposing goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre in the 58th minute and put Trinidad and Tobago ahead.
Just seconds before Garcia’s goal, Badia replaced a defensive midfielder, Carl Sainte, with the considerably more offensive Jean Bellegarde of England Championship team, Wolves.
Had Badia misread the tone of the game? That question looked destined to haunt him as time ticked away, even as Haiti pinned Trinidad and Tobago back.
Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor, who created Picault’s opening goal, struck both uprights in the 78th minute while Brice made a fine save to keep out a downward header by Haiti defender Hannes Delcroix off a Belgarde cross.
After being forced into two injury-enforced changes, King opted to replace Cardines, Garcia and Frederick. But Tyrese Spicer and Telfer looked winded and Trinidad and Tobago were certainly not defending from the front anymore—not adequately, anyway.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Garven-Michee Metusala pulled Haiti level with a close-range finish, after Ruben Providence headed a cross from fellow substitute, Kenny Quetant, into his path.
Could Trinidad and Tobago survive another four minutes of stoppage time? Yes, and no.
The score was still 2-2 after six minutes—but there was a lengthy delay as Spicer got attention after an opponent inadvertently stepped on his foot.
And, in extra time of stoppage time, Bellegarde whipped another cross into the area and Isidor bravely flung himself at it, to divert the ball beyond Trinidad and Tobago defender Déron Payne.
The enthusiastic celebrations from the Haiti camp revealed what the result meant for them.
At the other end, Garcia said: trust the process.
King has to pick up his troops again for a crucial affair in Port of Spain. And, for the sixth time this year, he must explain to his players why the next time will be different.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Trinidad and Tobago football fans can only hope so.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 22.Denzil Smith (GK) (1.Jabari Brice GK 65); 19.Rio Cardines (2.Déron Payne 64), 5.Josiah Trimmingham (4.Jaheim Joseph 46), 17.Justin Garcia, 23.Noah Powder; 14.Wayne Frederick II (6.Andrew De Gannes 83), 18.Andre Rampersad, 8.Daniel Phillips; 11.Levi Garcia (captain) (12.Dantaye Gilbert 75), 7.Ryan Telfer, 16.Tyrese Spicer.
Unused substitutes: 21.Jahiem Wickham (GK), 10.Luke Phillip, 13.Reon Moore, 20.Real Gill.
Coach: Derek King.
Haiti (4-2-3-1): 1.Alexandre Pierre (GK); 2.Carlens Arcus (captain), 4.Garven-Michee Metusala, 5.Hannes Delcroix, 8.Martin Experience; 6.Carl Sainte (10.Jean Bellegarde 57), 17.Danley Jean-Jacques (20.Frantzdy Pierrot 83); 11.Don Louicius (15.Ruben Providence 69), 7.Fabrice Picault (19.Yassin Enzo Fortune 57), 21.Dany Jean (9.Kenny Emmanuel Quetant 57); 18.Wilson Isidor.
Unused substitutes: 12.Johan Mednard (GK), 23.Josue Duverger (GK), 3.Francois Dulysse, 13.Markhus Lacroix, 14.Dominique Celidor Simon, 22.Jean-Kevin Duverne,
Coach: David Badia.
Referee: Filip Dujic (Canada).
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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.
