TT shut out Antigua in Gold Cup

The Soca Warriors lead the group on goal-difference over Cuba, who edged Guadeloupe 3-2 in the earlier match of Wednesday night’s double-header.

In what must be taken as no disrespect to the 19 players recently involved in strike action against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), the inclusion of nine foreign-based pros clearly gave the team a new sense of energy and spark, especially in attack. And it was no surprise that the hosts opened the scoring in the third minute, with a deflected shot by winger Evans Wise nestling into the back of the net with Antiguan goalkeeper Janiel Simon left stranded. Wise, one of the team’s most inconsistent players, clearly seemed assured on the left flank, but he would have felt hard pressed that his 18th minute effort failed to widen the team’s lead.

Sent through after an incisive pass from Stern John, Wise’s centre found Collin Samuel in the six-yard box but the in-form Scottish-based striker saw his tame effort cleared off the line by former Joe Public defender Ranjae Christian.

Carlos Edwards, also looking settled on the right, spotted an unmarked Stern John whose header sailed wide in the 40th while, five minutes later, Samuel saw his headed-goal, from an Edwards’ left-side centre ruled offside by assistant referee Abdulla Hamid.

Antigua never showed any desire to launch goal-bound attacks, and they paid dearly for their timid approach in the 54th minute. Playmaker Brent Rahim found Edwards on the right and, after slipping past the challenge of Winston Roberts, found Samuel inside the penalty box who headed downwards into the path of Stern John who rifled home from 15 metres.

The Antiguans were a deflated team after that, and midfielder Rackley Thomas let his emotions get the better of him, picking up his second bookable offence by Guyanese referee Gavin Otis James after a horrible tackle on Rahim on the hour mark. The Antiguan collected his first card on the half-hour after a tussle with Wise, who also received a caution in an otherwise smooth encounter. TT coach Hannibal Najjar had two injury scares in the match, with Wise being replaced by lanky Tobagonian Hayden Fitzwilliams in the 53rd with a bruised leg while captain Marvin "Dog" Andrews suffered a pulled muscle in his right upper thigh. But Najjar was pleased with the result, despite the fact that he would have "liked to have a better advantage in terms of goalscoring".

Fitzwilliams missed a good opportunity to score on his international debut in the 68th when, collecting a low pass by stopper Anton Pierre, sent his left-footed attempt past a flat-footed Simon, while substitute Jason Scotland failed to net his fourth goal in three matches when, sent clear by Fitzwilliams, blasted his right-footer overbar.

Action continues today with another doubleheader at the re-named Marvin Lee Stadium, at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tunapuna. Trinidad and Tobago will be seeking its second straight victory at the expense of Guadeloupe from 8 pm while Cuba will square off against Antigua in the earlier match from 6 pm.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Selwyn George, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews (Kurt Williams 81st), Avery John, Craig Demmin; Anton Pierre, Brent Rahim, Carlos Edwards, Evans Wise (Hayden Fitzwilliams 53rd); Collin Samuel (Jason Scotland 75th), Stern John.

ANTIGUA - Janiel Simon; Stevroy Anthony, Ranjae Christian, George Dublin, Neil Shyah Jeffers; Rackley Thomas, Winston Roberts, Troy Simon (Arnold James 71st), Kevin Watts (Jerton Harris 62nd); Gayson Gregory, Kerry Skepple (Marvin O’Garro 77th).