T&T fall 2-1 to Thailand at King’s Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men suffered a 2-1 defeat to host nation Thailand in the Third Place match of the King’s Cup 2022 at the Chiang Mai Stadium before 12,500 fans on Sunday. Tajikistan captured the Cup with a win, 3-0 on penalties over Malaysia in the Final at the same venue later in the day.
Finnish-based defender Kareem Moses headed home T&T’s equaliser at 1-1 in the 61st minute from a Kevin Molino delivery. Moments earlier, Molino, after entering the match at half time had his effort pushed out for a corner.
Thailand, which lost 5-3 on penalties to Malaysia on Thursday, had T&T on the backfoot for long periods in the early part of the encounter. But they were gifted their opening goal in the 21st minutewhen Channarong Promsrikaew punished goalkeeper Marvin Phillip for a dreadful error when he sent a clearance straight to the Thai player who made no mistake from close range.
As T&T settled and began to enjoy a bit more of the ball, they forced the hosts to defend a couple dangerous attacking plays.
Reon Moore headed a Levi Garcia delivery just bar from near the six-yard box and the Guatemalan forward also had another effort before the break which the Thailand ‘keeper took cared of.
The majority of the second half was played under heavy rainfall and T&T went in search of a go-ahead goal. Ajani Fortune, Molino and Jesse Williams were introduced into the play with John-Paul Rochford also appearing along with defender Anthony Herbert. But it wasn’t to be for T&T with the hosts instead grabbing the go ahead goal through Supachok Sarachart in the 72nd minute.
T&T didn’t hang their heads and were unlucky not to snatch a late equalizer with Molino going close at the end. The defeat was yet another loss to Thailand by a one-goal margin for T&T, losing 3-2 in 2004 and 1-0 in 2018.
T&T will now look to regroup for preparations ahead of the March Concacaf Nations League matches away to Bahamas on March 24 and at home to Nicaragua on March 27.
The local-based contingent will return to Trinidad on Wednesday with some of the overseas-based pros returning to their respective destinations on Monday.
Trinidad and Tobago: 1.Marvin Phillip C_); 12.Kareem Moses, 2.Aubrey David,16.Alvin Jones (10.Kevin Molino 46), 4.Sheldon Bateau (3.Jesse Williams 46′), 15.Neveal Hackshaw,19.Keston Julien; 23.Leston Paul (6.Anthony Herbert 82′), 8.Andre Fortune II (9.Ajani Fortune 46′); 13.Reon Moore (14.John-Paul Rochford 73′), 11.Levi Garcia.
Unused substitutes: 21.Nicklas Frenderup (GK), 7.Judah Garcia, 17.Noah Powder.
