Venezuela shut out TT footballers

SAN CRISTOBAL: Trinidad and Tobago slumped to a 3-0 loss to Venezuela in their friendly football international on Wednesday night.

The “Soca Warriors”, coming off an unsuccessful Gold Cup qualifying campaign, fell behind on two first-half goals, as the South Americans raced to their second win over Caribbean opposition in four weeks. Mexico-based midfielder Juan Arango netted a pair in an eight-minute spell during the first half, while Daniel Noreiga rounded the scoring off for the home-side. T&T, the reigning Caribbean Cup champions, kept the Venezuelans at bay until the 30th minute when goalkeeper Peter Ramon-Fortune, playing in his first international, allowed a ball to slip from his grasp and Arango netted on the rebound. Eight minutes later, Arango rifled a 30-metre kick, which flew into the top corner leaving Ramon-Fortune with little chance of saving.

Cornell Glenn had TT’s best chance at goal when his effort crashed off the crossbar in the second half but soon after, Venezuela would go 3-0 ahead. Noreiga netted in the 75th minute following a counter attack led by Jorge Vargas. Venezuela, who defeated Jamaica 2-0 in a similar home friendly earlier this month, have now logged their fifth win in seven matches. TT, captained by Reynold Carrington on the night, slipped to their fourth straight defeat dating back to their 3-1 loss to Cuba in March.

Team: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Peter Ramon-Fortune, Brent Sancho, Keyeno Thomas, Nigel Daniel, Cyd Gray, Silvio Spann (Kerry Baptiste 82nd), Trent Noel, Reynold Carrington (Anton Pierre 72nd), Brent Rahim (Conrad Smith 60th), Sean Julien (Kerry Noray 54th), Cornell Glenn (Jason Scotland 78th).