T&T U-20 Men defeat SVG
T&T U-20 Men defeat SVG
Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 Men’s National Team delivered an emphatic performance as they cruised to a 6-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines in an international friendly at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on January 19.
Captain Derrel Garcia and Phillip Nelson led the charge with two goals apiece, as the young Soca Warriors continued their preparations for the upcoming Concacaf Under-20 Qualifiers, which begin next month.
T&T have been drawn in a competitive group alongside Costa Rica, Bermuda, Barbados and St Maarten. Only the top team from each of the six groups will advance to the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Championship, which also serves as the qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Garcia, who already boasts experience at the senior professional level, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a composed finish. Nelson, a student of Fatima College, doubled the hosts’ advantage ten minutes later to give TT a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime interval.
The home side came out with renewed intensity after the break and struck twice in quick succession. Garcia netted his second of the match in the 51st minute before Nelson completed his brace just two minutes later, effectively putting the contest beyond reach.
St Vincent managed to keep T&T at bay for a prolonged period thereafter, but Giovanni Hospedales eventually broke through in the 77th minute to make it 5-0. Substitute Caden Trestrail rounded off the scoring with a well-taken goal in the 85th minute.
Head coach Marvin Gordon praised aspects of his team’s performance, while maintaining high expectations for the group.
“I think I am holding this group to a high standard,” Gordon told TTFA Media. “I was pleased with the ball movement today at times, and then at times I was not pleased.”
Gordon revealed he was only about 60 per cent satisfied overall, noting that quicker ball circulation is an area still requiring improvement.
“The win is a step in the right direction, but the real test will be against the Central American teams,” he added. “We don’t want to peak too early. We want to peak at the right time.”
Defence Force Edge Grenada in Tight Friendly
In another friendly at the same venue, Defence Force secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Grenada Under-20 team.
Grenada’s Nathan McIntosh opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Nicholas Bobcombe equalised for Defence Force in the 37th, leaving the match level at 1-1 at halftime.
McIntosh struck again in the 60th minute to restore Grenada’s lead, but Defence Force responded strongly. Goals from Jonathan Mason in the 74th minute and Josiah Superville in the 89th sealed the win for the Army side.
