T&T U20s held 2-2 by Bermuda
T&T U20s held 2-2 by Bermuda
Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 Men were forced to settle for a point after a competitive 2-2 draw against Bermuda in their opening Group E fixture of the Concacaf Under-20 Championship at the Costa Rican Federation Field in Alajuela on Tuesday.
T&T endured a cautious start, with Bermuda showing early intent and applying pressure in the opening exchanges. Despite the slow beginning, Trinidad and Tobago fashioned the first clear opportunity in the 31st minute. Colin Joseph burst down the right flank and delivered a precise cross into the area, but Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia was unable to bring the ball under control and fired over from close range.
The missed opportunity proved costly as Bermuda capitalised in the 38th minute through Jace Ryan Donawa to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Bermuda nearly doubled their advantage shortly before the break when Blayz Burnell Bergesson found himself unmarked inside the area, but he sent his effort over the crossbar.
After the restart, Bermuda continued to threaten. In the 56th minute, a right-sided corner fell kindly to Warren Emeer Peets, but the defender dragged his shot wide.
T&T responded positively and came close to equalising in the 60th minute when Garcia raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper David Martin. However, Martin produced a crucial save to preserve Bermuda’s lead.
The breakthrough eventually came for Trinidad and Tobago when Peets turned the ball into his own net under pressure, bringing the score level at 1-1.
With momentum now shifting, T&T pressed forward and were rewarded when Dominic Joseph latched onto a forward pass and unleashed a powerful strike into the far corner to give Trinidad and Tobago a 2-1 advantage.
Bermuda found a late equaliser in the 84th minute through James Morrison with a header which beat Bryan Gafiuk to secure a share of the spoils. Gafiuk before that had a reasonably solid game in goal.
Head Coach Marvin Gordon accepted responsibility for the team’s performance but remained confident in his squad’s ability to progress.
“I take full responsibility for the performance,” Gordon told TTFA Media. “We had too many players who weren’t at their best on the day, and we created chances that we didn’t take.”
Despite the challenges, Gordon praised his players for their resilience, particularly after tactical changes helped T&T fight back from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead.
“I credit the boys. When we made the changes, the fight to come back and go 2-1 up showed character. I thought we shouldn’t have conceded late, but that’s football.”
The T&T coach remains optimistic about the team’s prospects in the tournament.
“We’re still in this. We believe we can achieve something good here. It’s about staying positive going into the next game.”
With preparations already underway for the upcoming fixture against Barbados, Gordon emphasised focus and determination.
“We had a good session today preparing for Barbados, and we’re looking forward to getting three points with a strong performance. We still believe we can do this, and we’re going to give it everything we have.”
T&T faces Barbados from 1pm TT on Thursday.
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 1.Bryan Gafiuk (GK); 14.Talan McMillan (19.Josiah Kallicharan), 3.Sheridan McNish, 4.Adam Pierre, 5.Jaydon Caprietta; 6.Caden Trestrail (15.Jadon McShine 46), 8.Josiah Ochoa (20.Giovanni Hospedales 53), 12.Colin Joseph (17.Dominic Joseph 46); 7.Malachi Webb (11.Chaz Williams 46), 9.Phillip Nelson, 10.Derrel Garcia (captain).
Unused substitutes: 18.Jadon Paul-Alexander (GK), 21.Sylvon Theophilus (GK), 2.Jeremy Meloney, 13.Lyshaun Morris, 16.Jaden Chan Tack.
Coach: Marvin Gordon.
Bermuda (4-3-3): 1.David Martin (GK); 2.Nayan Grant, 3.Emeer Peets, 13.Michael Tear De Leon, 5.Logan Jimenez (captain); 15.Kennahz Fray, 6.Khari Sharrief, 17.Harlem Bean Fox; 20.Kalen Brunson, 9.Xahvi Deroza, 7.Jace Donawa.
Substitutes: 12.Daniel Powell (GK), 21.Curtis Jackson (GK), 4.Dakari Smith Davis, 8.James Morrison, 10.Blayz Borgesson, 11.Malachai Belboda, 14.Daqaio Stewart, 16.Qur’an Raynor, 18.D’ari Coddington, 19.Isai Gibbons.
Coach: Cecoy Robinson.
Referee: Steffon Dewar (Jamaica).
