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Ja set for epic battle after TT stun Guatemala
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
A late goal by Adan Noel propelled Trinidad and Tobago to a 1-0 win over Guatemala 1-0 and into the quarter-final of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship here at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.
The Soca Warriors lead the group with four points from two games ahead of Jamaica with one and Guatemala, who are pointless.
Jamaican Under-17 player King Kaya Beckford (foreground) and teammates are riveted by the Group D match between Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday. T&T won 1-0 to set up an interesting group match between the hosts and Guatemala tomorrow. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Trinidad and Tobago’s Keil Pierre (left) blocks a shot from Guatemala’s Cristopher Robles during their CONCACAF Under-17 Championship match at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago won 1-0. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Jamaican Under-17 player King Kaya Beckford (foreground) and teammates are riveted by the Group D match between Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday. T&T won 1-0 to set up an interesting group match between the hosts and Guatemala tomorrow. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Jamaican Under-17 player King Kaya Beckford (foreground) and teammates are riveted by the Group D match between Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday. T&T won 1-0 to set up an interesting group match between the hosts and Guatemala tomorrow. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
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Noel, struck the decisive goal in the 90+1 minute after his initial free-kick rebounded into his path and he made no mistake the second time of asking.
Tomorrow, hosts Jamaica and Guatemala will battle to the end to secure the second qualifying spot from the Group C, with Jamaica needing just a draw to advance.
T&T, who were outplayed for long periods of the game, can consider themselves lucky as an early penalty and several missed chances by Guatemala kept them in the hunt.
While T&T players were celebrating, Guatemala's goalkeeper was red-carded by referee Trevor Taylor in the 92nd minute after he rushed to the centre circle and kick-started the game, prompting his teammate to kick the ball at an empty T&T goal.
The shot nevertheless missed but Taylor, who had given him a yellow card in the 90th minute, flashed the red at him.
He joined his coach Gary Stempel who was also sent into the stands by the referee in the 31st minute.
It wasn't the greatest of game technically, but T&T did what they had to do and can rest comfortably over the next few days.
T&T's head coach Shawn Cooper was glad for the revenge win after losing to their opponents in 2009.
"We played a defensive system and forced them to shoot from outside. Our defence played deep and I thought they committed too much offensively and got caught," said a jubilant Cooper.
Meanwhile, Guatemala coach Gary Stempel said he thought they got enough chances to win and put the game away. "We took the risk by committing in attack and come Saturday, it is a do or die game with nothing to hold back."
Guatemala only had themselves to blame but set the stage for an epic battle with hosts Jamaica for that second qualifying spot.
Guatemala — Johnny Navarro, Geraldo Gordillo, Luis Ruiz, Alvaro Tuna, Julio Ortiz, Christian Jimenez, Franklin Garcia, Albert Barrientos, Luis Perez (Christopher Ramirez 54th), Bryan Lemus, Jose Avila (Hristopher Robles 63rd)
Subs not used: Jonathan Hernandez, Santos Monzon, Brandon De Leon, Kelvin Merida, Wagner Morales.
Booked: Jimenez 5th, Garcia 78th, Navarro 90th (red 90+1)
Trinidad and Tobago — Quesi Weston, Nicholas Marcano, Dario Holmes, Damani Richards, Adan Noel, Neil Benjamin, Karl Muckette, Shackeil Henry (Dwight Quintero 89th), Jomal Williams, Garvin Samaroo (Isaiah Noriega 72nd), Keil Pierre.
Subs not used: Tarik Nicholls, Tevonne Morris, Akeem Garcia, Athony Charles, Kevin Dodds.
Booked: Richards 56th, Noel 79th
Referee: Trevor Taylor (Barbados)
Assistant Referees: Egbert Paesch (Aruba), Keytzell Corrales (Nicaragua)
Fourth Official: Hugo Cruz (Costa Rica)
Fifth Official: Octavio Jara (Costa Rica)
Match Commissary: Tony James
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