TT get revenge over Cuba

TRINIDAD and Tobago held off rugged Cuba to exact a revenge 2-1 win in their friendly international football match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, yesterday. The Cubans knocked Trinidad and Tobago out the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory at Manny Ramjohn Stadium earlier this year. yesterday’s match lasted only 80 minutes, however, because the CONCACAF Olympic qualifier between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada which followed had to kick off promptly at 7 pm.

Before the crowd which grew to approximately 7,000 could settle into their seats, midfielder Otis Seaton had Trinidad and Tobago in front. Fellow midfielder Trent Noel threaded a pass to striker Nigel “Pistol” Pierre who cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh clubmate Seaton who beat the offside trap and smashed a rasping right-footer past Cuban goalkeeper Odelin Molina in the 12th minute. Trinidad and Tobago pinned back the Cubans in their half of the field with constant pressure, and this resulted in the second goal. Cornell Glen evaded the challenge of  defender Alexander Cruzata on the right and aimed a centre to a lurking Pierre, but Lazaro Ruiz, in attempting to clear headed the ball past keeper Molina in the 22nd minute.

Cuba fought back however, and striker Lester More headed a 38th minute free-kick from Yulier Olivera just wide. The visitors pulled a goal back after 42 minutes when the Trinidad and Tobago defenders failed to clear a Silvio Hinoso free-kick and substitute Maikel Galindo flashed a header past goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. Trinidad and Tobago should have increased their lead in the 51st, but skipper Keyeno Thomas headed a Glen corner wide. And they were lucky to escape the equaliser in the 71st when a deflected shot by Galindo was parried onto the bar by Jack. Cuba almost grabbed a late equaliser but substitute Livan Perez watched his 35-metre drive skim the bar. In the Olympic qualifier, Trinidad and Tobago under-23s led Grenada 2-0 at half-time, following goals by Kendall Davis in the 4th minute and Devon Mitchell in the 10th.