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Ian Prescott iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, June 8th 2008
CLOSED DOWN: Jamaican players Rudolph Austin, centre, and Jermaine Taylor get the ball away from Trinidad and Tobago's Kevin Cornell, left, during yesterday's friendly international at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. -Photo: DEXTER PHILLIPENGLAND were definitely a step too far forward for Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors a week ago, but back down against Caribbean rivals Jamaica yesterday, they earned a draw.
T&T coach Francisco Maturana's bunch bounced back from the 3-0 defeat to the English, their first loss of the year, with a 1-1 draw with the Reggae Boyz at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Before going into their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on June 15, the Soca Warriors faced a stern test last night.
The Jamaicans looked the more enterprising team for long periods and launched an early second-half onslaught which had the Trinidad and Tobago defenders and goalkeeper Clayton Ince working overtime to earn their keep.
Khaleem Hyland, who still has dreams of playing for Portsmouth in the English Premier League, was the difference between the teams.
Hyland, who just turned 19 years old on Thursday, played with the same authority he showed against England. And he produced a gem which gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 29th minute.
But, a disputed foul on substitute striker Luton Shelton earned Jamaica a penalty in the 90th minute which the striker converted himself.
There is nothing better to build confidence than a goal and Hyland gave the Soca Warriors a 1-0 advantage with a low shot from 20 metres out. Set up after neat work between striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Keon Daniel, Hyland gave experienced Jamaican keeper Donavan Rickets no chance with his hard, low shot which skipped off the surface and nestled into the corner of the net.
Later, Hyland almost had a repeat in the 64th minute, hitting another left-footer from outside the box which again had Rickets beaten. And a goal by substitute Kevon Carter should have stood when he ran through the defence in the 84th minute. But, although he did not pass to Scotland, the forward was ruled to have interfered with play.
Following the recent examination by England, Maturana made some changes, employing a 4-5-1 system, with Osei Telesford playing a defensive role above the four-man defence and Swansea's Scotland on top in attack.
But, there are still many things to be worked out. First, there were too many dangerous moments in the T&T defence for any coach to be comfortable.
Wide midfielder Carlos Edwards consistently saw the Jamaica captain Ricardo Gardner sneaking up the flank, but simply neglected defensive duties. And, despite the extra man, Edwards did not provide Scotland with good, regular service.
Like any Caribbean derby, the game had its rough moments and Barbados referee Rayon Small also did a poor job of stemming late tackles, particularly from the Jamaicans.
For the visitors, Marlon King was particularly dangerous, hitting a couple of shots wide, and several times stopped by last-minute tackles from Dennis Lawrence and Markan Hislop.
King also came closest for the Reggae Boyz, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area and striking the edge of the post in the 52ndminute.
Following a couple of easy victories against the likes of Grenada and Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago have now faced tough games in their last two outings. But Maturana will be hoping that since hardship often builds character, the recent tests would be enough of a character-builder exercise for the important things--the World Cup qualifying series.
TEAMS:
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 1-Clayton Ince, 4-Makan Hislop, 5-Osei Telesford, 6-Dennis Lawrence, 7-Carlos Edwards, 8-Khaleem Hyland, 9-Aurtis Whitley (Captain), 12-Jason Scotland, 13-Kareem Smith, 15-Aklie Edwards, 19-Keon Daniel
SUBS: 2-Kern Cupid, Ancil Farrier, 10-Darryl Roberts, 11-Kevon Carter, 17-Kevaughn Connell, 18-Stephan David, 21-Marvin Phillips(GK)
JAMAICA: 30- Devon Rickets (GK), 3-Simon Ford, Demar Phillips, 5-Ian Goodison, 6-Marlon King, 7-Evan Campbell, 10-Ricardo Fuller, 14-Jermaine Taylor, 15-Ricardo Gardner (Captain), 17-O'Neil Thompson, 23-Jermaine Johnson
SUBS: 8-Jamal Campbell-Ryce, 9- 0'Brian Woodbyne, 11-Richard Langley, 16-Omar Daley, 18-Deon Burton, 19-Adrian Reid, 21-Luton Shelton, 23-Jermaine Johnson, 25-Keneil Moodie, 1-Shawn Sawyers (GK).
Ian Prescott iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, June 8th 2008
CLOSED DOWN: Jamaican players Rudolph Austin, centre, and Jermaine Taylor get the ball away from Trinidad and Tobago's Kevin Cornell, left, during yesterday's friendly international at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. -Photo: DEXTER PHILLIPENGLAND were definitely a step too far forward for Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors a week ago, but back down against Caribbean rivals Jamaica yesterday, they earned a draw. T&T coach Francisco Maturana's bunch bounced back from the 3-0 defeat to the English, their first loss of the year, with a 1-1 draw with the Reggae Boyz at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Before going into their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on June 15, the Soca Warriors faced a stern test last night.
The Jamaicans looked the more enterprising team for long periods and launched an early second-half onslaught which had the Trinidad and Tobago defenders and goalkeeper Clayton Ince working overtime to earn their keep.
Khaleem Hyland, who still has dreams of playing for Portsmouth in the English Premier League, was the difference between the teams.
Hyland, who just turned 19 years old on Thursday, played with the same authority he showed against England. And he produced a gem which gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 29th minute.
But, a disputed foul on substitute striker Luton Shelton earned Jamaica a penalty in the 90th minute which the striker converted himself.
There is nothing better to build confidence than a goal and Hyland gave the Soca Warriors a 1-0 advantage with a low shot from 20 metres out. Set up after neat work between striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Keon Daniel, Hyland gave experienced Jamaican keeper Donavan Rickets no chance with his hard, low shot which skipped off the surface and nestled into the corner of the net.
Later, Hyland almost had a repeat in the 64th minute, hitting another left-footer from outside the box which again had Rickets beaten. And a goal by substitute Kevon Carter should have stood when he ran through the defence in the 84th minute. But, although he did not pass to Scotland, the forward was ruled to have interfered with play.
Following the recent examination by England, Maturana made some changes, employing a 4-5-1 system, with Osei Telesford playing a defensive role above the four-man defence and Swansea's Scotland on top in attack.
But, there are still many things to be worked out. First, there were too many dangerous moments in the T&T defence for any coach to be comfortable.
Wide midfielder Carlos Edwards consistently saw the Jamaica captain Ricardo Gardner sneaking up the flank, but simply neglected defensive duties. And, despite the extra man, Edwards did not provide Scotland with good, regular service.
Like any Caribbean derby, the game had its rough moments and Barbados referee Rayon Small also did a poor job of stemming late tackles, particularly from the Jamaicans.
For the visitors, Marlon King was particularly dangerous, hitting a couple of shots wide, and several times stopped by last-minute tackles from Dennis Lawrence and Markan Hislop.
King also came closest for the Reggae Boyz, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area and striking the edge of the post in the 52ndminute.
Following a couple of easy victories against the likes of Grenada and Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago have now faced tough games in their last two outings. But Maturana will be hoping that since hardship often builds character, the recent tests would be enough of a character-builder exercise for the important things--the World Cup qualifying series.
TEAMS:
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 1-Clayton Ince, 4-Makan Hislop, 5-Osei Telesford, 6-Dennis Lawrence, 7-Carlos Edwards, 8-Khaleem Hyland, 9-Aurtis Whitley (Captain), 12-Jason Scotland, 13-Kareem Smith, 15-Aklie Edwards, 19-Keon Daniel
SUBS: 2-Kern Cupid, Ancil Farrier, 10-Darryl Roberts, 11-Kevon Carter, 17-Kevaughn Connell, 18-Stephan David, 21-Marvin Phillips(GK)
JAMAICA: 30- Devon Rickets (GK), 3-Simon Ford, Demar Phillips, 5-Ian Goodison, 6-Marlon King, 7-Evan Campbell, 10-Ricardo Fuller, 14-Jermaine Taylor, 15-Ricardo Gardner (Captain), 17-O'Neil Thompson, 23-Jermaine Johnson
SUBS: 8-Jamal Campbell-Ryce, 9- 0'Brian Woodbyne, 11-Richard Langley, 16-Omar Daley, 18-Deon Burton, 19-Adrian Reid, 21-Luton Shelton, 23-Jermaine Johnson, 25-Keneil Moodie, 1-Shawn Sawyers (GK).
Shelton... scored second half penalty for Jamaica
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