Lawrence hails players’ effort against Mexico

Action was a 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone Final Round qualifier.

Jones latched on to a pass, from the middle, by Kevin Molino and fired his left-footed shot past goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

But referee Valdin Legister saw a flag for offside raised by assistant referee and fellow Jamaican Richard Washington, even though Kenwyne Jones (and not Joevin Jones) was in an offside position when the pass was made.

Kenwyne Jones, at the point in time, was not interfering with play and therefore the goal should have been allowed to stand.

Lawrence, speaking at the postgame media conference, admitted, “obviously I didn’t think we did enough to win the game but I also felt we did enough to get something out of the game. I think we were a bit unlucky with the goal that we scored, it was clearly onside from what I saw.” He continued, “I can’t fault the boys for their effort. The only thing I would stress from them is that sometimes we need to believe how good we can be. We allowed the Mexican team to get too much control of the game. As soon as we won the ball we gave it back to them.

“But, in terms of our organisation, our structure defensively...

we conceded from a set-piece (as) it was difficult to break us down in open play. We didn’t do enough to take the game in the other end, we didn’t test their keeper enough so I guess we (fell) short in that aspect. But, in terms of losing the game, I think we did enough to get something out of the game.

I’m disappointed for the boys because I didn’t think they deserve that but that’s football.” Mexico midfielder Diego Reyes headed past TT goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, from a corner by Miguel Layun, to ensure victory for the Central Americans.

The goal occurred two minutes after a squabble between the players, after the Mexicans took offence to a foul by Molino on defender Carlos Salcedo.

Lawrence pointed out, “when I looked at the back, I think it was one error by an individual, in terms of his positioning and marking the corner. Those are the little things that we need to tweak. I don’t think (the squabble) affected the concentration.” As far as the match was concerned, Lawrence said, “we’re starting to get that belief in ourselves slowly. Probably we needed to play a bit faster. We played a very good Mexican team (but) we matched them in a lot of aspects of the game. In terms of progression, I can take a lot of confidence in our organisation and trying to understand the things that we wanted to do.” Trinidad and Tobago will have two away fixtures, against the United States (June 9) and Costa Rica (June 13).

“The focus needs to remain the same and the belief has to remain the same,” said the TT coach.

“We’ve got two very difficult games in June, away from home, but have to prepare ourselves mentally and believe that it could still be done.” Asked about the TT midfielders’ keeping possession without making decisive passes to the attackers, Lawrence said, “I think that was one of the things, that’s why I made the change and get Andre Boucaud on the pitch.

When he came on, he got on the ball and play it forward, compared to what we had, it was a bit too long to get the ball into attacking positions. We didn’t get Joevin in attacking positions enough (or Cordell) Cato on the other side of the pitch so that’s why I brought Andre on.”