|
From Islandevents.com PRINT Sports
Densil Theobald spoilt a good return to the Trinidad and Tobago senior team by missing a penalty, but two others who were also given an international reprieve by head coach Francisco Maturana made full use by scoring in a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands Antilles on Thursday night at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Andre Toussaint, who last saw action in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, broke stubborn Netherland Antilles resistance with a clever, individual goal in the 63rd minute. And 2006 World Cup reserve Anthony Wolfe came on as a substitute for lone striker Cornell Glen five minutes from the end and headed home the Soca Warriors' second from Kerry Baptiste's corner-kick in added on time.
Overall, it was an improved showing on what Trinidad and Tobago did against Guyana the week before, although the Netherlands Antilles did not provide the intense pressure which their hosts will need for the upcoming CONCACAF semi-final leg of 2010 World Cup qualifying.
However, a stiffer test awaits on July 30 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, where T&T continue the build-up to the opening qualifier away to Cuba on August 20 with a friendly against the Panama national team.
That match may likely see the return of Trinidad and Tobago World Cup players Chris Birchall, Avery John and Silvio Spann.
On Thursday night, Maturana utilised the same 4-5-1 system as against Guyana , but there was a lot more fluidity to it. As a result, the home team maintained a good spell of possession and created several openings, but wasted a couple scoring opportunities.
Theobald and Clyde Leon did a good job of organising the play from central midfield, while the return of Cyd Gray at right back gave the defence a more solid look to it.
The visitors were restricted to just two dangerous moments. The first, a powerfully-hit, swerving free-kick which challenged T&T keeper Marvin Phillip, who did well to keep the ball out of his net. And in the second half, Benjamin Martha blew past Caledonia AIA newcomer Gyasi Joyce, but Phillip made the save.
Again starting Glen as the lone front man, Maturana obviously banked on wide men Baptiste, on the right, and Keon Daniel, on the left, providing plenty attacking support.
Baptiste did his part, was particularly elusive and fed Glen three good crosses, all of which were turned wide.
However, Daniel did not provide the balance in attack because of his natural disdain for getting behind defenders on the left flank. However, before Toussaint replaced him at the start of the second half, Daniel whipped in a couple good crosses, one of which Baptiste headed wide at the back post.
Glen won Trinidad and Tobago a penalty in the 24th minute, when he raced into the area and was bundled over by defender Richenell Dooran. However, Theobald, captain of the national team for much of last year, wasted the chance when his nonchalantly-struck shot was held by Marcello Pisas, the Netherlands Antilles goalkeeper.
Early in the second half, Trinidad and Tobago finally had the ball in the net when central defender Keyeno Thomas scored at the back post, but his effort was ruled off-side.
The breakthrough finally came when Toussaint used the goal-line to ease past defender Curtly Hooi and with the keeper expecting him to cross from the acute angle, the W Connection striker instead scooped the ball into the net.
Two minutes later, Marcello turned a low shot around the post from Khaleem Hyland, who was set up when Theobald flicked on Baptise's pass.
T&T deserved a second goal and got it when Wolfe met Baptiste's corner-kick with a flicked-on header.
The victory showed that Trinidad and Tobago continue to be the dominant team in the Caribbean, but there is still room for improvement if they are to assert themselves in CONCACAF as well. © Copyright 2003 by Islandevents.com PRINT |