Soca Warriors beaten again in ‘Digicel’

LESTER MORE notched a double to lead Cuba to a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago in yesterday’s Digicel Caribbean Cup clash at the National Stadium, Waterford, St Michael’s, Barbados. The result means that Trinidad and Tobago must defeat hosts Barbados tomorrow, in the final round of matches, to be guaranteed one of three spots in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.

The Soca Warriors opened the match on a positive note when, in the 13th minute, striker Cornell Glen latched on to a through ball from evergreen midfielder David Nakhid and rifled his right-footer, via the post, past Cuban goalkeeper Adelin Molina. Goalkeeper Duarance Williams was called up to block a one-and-one attempt by Cuban forward Mikael Galindo in the 17th, but the gloveman could do nothing to prevent More from equalising in the 23rd. Williams’ dead-ball clearance went straight to More who volleyed his 45-metre left-footer over the back-pedalling Williams and into the back of the net.

The Cuban strike force of Galindo and More constantly tested the TT defence, and More scored the winner in the 48th when, unmarked in the penalty area, he tapped home from close range. Galindo, on breakaway opportunities in the 77th and twice in the 88th, failed to widen the advantage and the Cubans held firm for the win, despite breakdown of attitudes between players of both teams.

TT team —  Duarance Williams; Derek King (Cyd Gray 36th), Keyeno Thomas, Anton Pierre, Jose Luis Seabra; Leslie Fitzpatrick (Angus Eve 74th), Densil Theobald, Lyndon Andrews, David Nakhid; Scott Sealy (Conrad Smith 75th), Cornell Glen.