Guatemala beat Warriors 5-1

GUATEMALA CITY: Double strikes by Guillermo Ramirez and Dwight Pezzarossi propelled Guatemala to a 5-1 whipping of Trinidad and Tobago in their CONCACAF Final Round World Cup qualifier at the Mateo Flores Stadium on Saturday. The result was Trinidad and Tobago’s second defeat in a row in the last stage of qualifiers for next year’s finals in Germany. And it was a lopsided contest as the plethora of Britain-based professionals failed to lift the eight-time Caribbean Football Union (CFU) champions to a competitive level against the Central Americans. 

The Ramon Maradiaga-coached home side —  comprised almost completely of domestic players —  gave TT’s legion of foreign journeymen a kicking to remember. Goals from Ramirez in the 16th and 37th minutes and another from LA Galaxy stand-out Carlos Ruiz (29th) had the home side well out in front before the interval. Pezzarossi made the game completely safe with goals in the 78th and 87th minutes. Carlos Edwards’ lone strike in the 32nd minute was irrelevant as the Guatemalans ran out easy winners. The series continues on Wednesday with Trinidad and Tobago at home to Costa Rica, who edged Panama 2-1 on Saturday, while Guatemala will be facing the USA in an away match. 

TEAMS:
GUATEMALA —  Ricardo Trigueno, Gustavo Cabrera, Pablo Melgar, Nestor Martinez, Denis Chen, Carlos Figueroa, Fredy Thompson, Guillermo Ramirez, Dwight Pezzarossi, Carlos Ruiz (Juan Carlos Plata-85th), Mynor Davila (Gonzalo Romero-82nd). 
TRINIDAD/TOBAGO —  Shaka Hislop, Brent Sancho, Angus Eve, Carlos Edwards, Dennis Lawrence, Stern John, Miguel Henry, Tony Rougier, Dwight Yorke, Hector Sam (Leslie Fitzpatrick-62nd), David Nakhid (Kenwyn Jones-73rd). (CMC)