T&T SENIOR MEN DEFEAT JAMAICA 1-0
T&T SENIOR MEN DEFEAT JAMAICA 1-0
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men secured a gutsy 1-0 victory over Caribbean rivals Jamaica in their first of two international friendlies at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday night.
A 67th minute item by second half substitute Reon Moore separated the teams which both used the encounter as preparation for upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures.
Joevin Jones wore the captain’s armband for T&T and he led by example with a solid showing on the night which saw him provide the assist for Moore’s winner.
Moore pulled wide of his marker to the left on a counterattack, cut inside and shoot, beating goalkeeper Kemar Foster at his near post.
In the first half T&T had a couple close tries on goal with John-Paul Rochford going down in a clash with Foster on what appeared to be a good penalty shout. Rochford earlier had a close range header well kept out by the custodian while Jones saw his effort trickle wide of the mark when he beat an advancing Foster to a ball played over the top.
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T&T starting goalkeeper Denzil Smith made to good stops to deny the hosts before being forced to leave the game after receiving a knock on the head. He was declared fit to resume training by the T&T medical staff on Sunday.
Eve felt his team handled the pressures of the match well and deserved credit for coming away with the win away to the “Reggae Boyz” which was T&T’s first over Jamaica since 2013.
“For us to come here and grind out a victory is tremendous. Trinidad and Tobago football has been in the doldrums, and Jamaica is like 50 spots ahead of us. To get this victory against a good outfit with some experienced players, some in Europe and a world-class coach we are really happy to be able to compete with these types of guys,” Eve noted.
Jamaica’s head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson believes they played well for the most part but lack penetration.
“We didn’t deserve to lose it (first home game) if you look at the chances. We have to improve a lot of things,” said Hallgrimsson.
“There are positives to take from the game. We created a lot of chances. We also got into positions but overplayed instead of delivering it in the box or shoot. It was the first international match for a lot of them, so it’s a good experience for them,” he added.
Trinidad and Tobago : 21.Denzil Smith (GK) (22.Adrian Foncette (GK) 45′); 16.Alvin Jones, 4.Josiah Trimmingham, 17.Justin Garcia, 5.Andre Raymond (12.Jameel Neptune 52′); 14.John-Paul Rochford (13.Reon Moore 62′),8.Michel Poon-Angeron, 23.Jesse Williams (6.Kareem Riley 86′);, 3.Joevin Jones (captain) (18.Matthew Woo Ling 86′), 11.Jomoul Francois (9.Nathaniel James 62′).15.Kailé Auvray (20.Jomal Williams, 62′)
Unused substitutes: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 2.Jelani Felix, 7.Noah Powder, 10.Kadeem Corbin, 19.Quesi Weston, 24.Justin Sadoo.
Head Coach: Angus Eve
Jamaica : 1.Kemar Foster (GK); 2.Alwayne Harvey (15.Oshana Staple 46), 6.Richard King, 19.Adrian Mariappa (captain), 20.Dexter Lembikisa; 18.Omari Hutchinson, 10.Ravel Morrison, 14.Sue-Lae McCalla (21.Delano McCoy-Splatt 46), 3.Dwayne Atkinson (7.Lamar Walker); 11.Jourdaine Fletcher (12.Dujuan Richards 46); 9.Trivante Stewart (25.Collin Anderson)
Unused substitutes: 13.Akeem Benjamin (GK), 23.Asher Hutchinson (GK), 4.Tyler Roberts, 5.Ricardo Thomas, 8.Demario Phillips, 17.Jahshaun Anglin, 22.Fitzroy Cummings, 24.Jamoi Topey.
Head Coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson
