Yorke takes positives from 3-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia
Yorke takes positives from 3-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia
Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwigh Yorke said there were some posiitives to take from this country’s 3-1 defeat in a closed-doors friendly against Saudi Arabia at the Al Shabab Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday.
T&T pulled a goal back in added on time through substitute defender Jamal Jack after creating several opportunities in the second half.
Saudi Arabia won an early penalty after it was ruled that defender Ross Russell Jnr handled the ball.
Saleh Alshehri converted the penalty to give Saudi Arabia the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. TT striker Reon Moore put the ball in the net in the first half, but it was disallowed due to offside.
The home team held a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
Saudi Arabia doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute as Abdullah Alhamddan found the back of the net, before Nasser Aldosari made it 3-0 in the 88th minute.
There were moments Yorke was proud of. “Despite the defeat, I was delighted with the team attitude and performance. There were so many positives. Yes, there were some negatives involved, but I look for attitude,” Yorke said in the post game interview with TTFA Media.
T&T did have their chances in the contest to score more goals as Isaiah Lee and Jariel Arthur both struck the post in the second half.
Yorke said it was an honour to coach the national team for the first time. “A real proud moment for me as the head coach of TT national team.”
Yorke used 22 players were used during the match with only defender Isaiah Garcia missing out due to injury . Yorke said he wanted to give as many of his players a chance after travelling so many miles to Saudi Arabia.
“The bigger picture is in March when we come up against Cuba. The process takes a little bit of time, but in the meantime we will try and make every opportunity (count) that we get to see the players.”
Yorke said Saudi Arabia is a tough opponent as the quality of their local league has helped develop their football. “These guys were preparing for a major tournament in the region here with the Gulf Cup…all their players are playing in the Saudi League. It is a high (level) league and a lot is expected of them.”
Subs – 46′ – Thomas for Alvin Jones, Gomez for Russell,Yeates for Bailey, Biggette for Foncette,Arthur for Moore
54′ – Lee for Gill
60′ – Molino for J.Jones, Williams for David,Jack for J.Garcia, Frederick II for Hackshaw, Poon-Angeron for Muckette.
