Gordon pleased as T&T whips Barbados
Gordon pleased as T&T whips Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago U-20 head coach Marvin Gordon praised his team’s response and character following their emphatic 5-1 victory over Barbados on Thursday at the Costa Rican Football Federation Field #2 in Alajuela, describing it as a “fantastic win” built on belief, hard work and purposeful changes.
“We knew we needed three points,” Gordon said. “I think the boys worked hard in achieving the objective today,” Gordon told TTFA Media moments after the win.
After the opening match, Gordon made several adjustments to his lineup — changes he explained were rooted in confidence in the depth of his squad.
“The reason behind the changes is I believe in the full squad. We needed to freshen it up and give players the opportunity to show that we can compete and play the style of football we’re coaching at this level.”
One of the standout moments came from goalkeeper Bryan Gafiuk, whose penalty save proved pivotal.
“Bryan has been fantastic throughout the tournament… and today he was no different. A big save for the penalty,” Gordon noted.
The head coach was particularly pleased with the team’s attacking execution and movement in the final third.
“I thought there was some good ball movement. All the goals were good goals,” he said, singling out Caprietta, Dominic Joseph, Ochoa, Garcia and Kallicharan for taking their chances. “Full credit to these guys for taking the opportunity and scoring.”
Beyond the scoreline, Gordon emphasized the team’s improved composure and style of play.
“We knew we needed to play much better than the last game, and I thought today we really put the ball down and moved it.”
With four points secured, the focus now shifts to Monday’s clash with St. Maarten, before a decisive encounter against hosts Costa Rica.
“All in all, we continue to believe. We continue to fight and then we see how it goes against Costa Rica to the end. But all in all, I think the boys really worked hard knowing that we needed three points and we needed to play much better than the last game. I thought today we really put the ball down and moved it.” Gordon said. “Believe, work hard, try to do what we do on the training park on game day — and just believe. That’s all we have to do. We’re trying our best to get ourselves out of this group.”
T&T now on 4 points will face St Maarten on March 2nd and close of the group against hosts Costa Rica on March 4th. The group winner advances to the Concacaf Final Championship.
