Beenhakker: TT deserved to win

It was a case of history repeating itself as, on September 3, 1989, midfielder Kerry Jamerson netted an 88th minute winner as TT earned a narrow 2-1 triumph over the Central Americans at the same venue, to keep their 1990 World Cup dreams alive.

On Saturday, striker Stern John, who came under fire for a string of mediocre performances over the past year, netted two crucial strikes in the last four minutes of regulation time to salvage the win for the hosts. Beenhakker, who was asked about his team’s display on Saturday, stated, "We had a difficult start again, just like the USA match (on August 17). But I have to say that the team, after this disappointment, the quick goal after two minutes, have done very well. They did what they could."

He continued, "In my opinion they already deserved in the first half, at least a goal. In the second half, I think we did a great performance. We made a goal but we were losing (following the second goal scored by Guatemala). But they kept on fighting and the result is there.

"I think when you see the whole match, more than ever the team has deserved this victory and the way they (fought) until the last moment, that was a big difference with the first half-hour (against the) USA.

"So they learned their lesson and that made me very happy," the Dutchman said.

Beenhakker revealed that following the 1-0 defeat to the Americans last month, he asked his players to follow their example and be prepared to play for 90-minutes.

On the performance on veteran midfielder Russell Latapy, who played his first international since hisinternational retirement in July 2001, Beenhakker said:

"At least he’s giving me more possibilities and more balance in the team. He has a very good eye for running (at) people, he has a very good eye for his team (mates)."

Latapy’s long-time friend, captain Dwight Yorke dropped to the midfield role after Aurtis Whitley was replaced by striker Jason Scotland at half-time.

"We had no other possibility because we were losing the game," was Beenhakker’s rationale. "We brought in Jason and after the second goal (from Guatemala) we brought also Scott (Sealy).

"The consequence was Yorke had to play more in the midfield and he took his responsibility," the coach said.

"On the persistence with John, who was under fire to deliver, Beenhakker retorted, "I don’t understand. I heard a lot of critics about Stern John since I’m here. I know he doesn’t have a lot of friends here in Trinidad and Tobago."

But the coach noted, "I can tell you from the beginning, I gave my confidence to the guy. This is the guy who has the same rights as any other player. Sometimes you play good, sometimes you play bad," he added.

"He’s a fantastic player and the only target player there is at this moment. The other strikers are also as good as he have different talents. They all are players who play around the first striker."

Latapy, who got TT back on track in the 48th minute, said, "It’s always good to come home and if we can add a victory to the reception, it’s a perfect return.There’s still a long way to go (in the World Cup campaign)," he continued.

And John was noticeably relieved at the post-match press conference, after experiencing a prolonged run of poor form.

"I think I have to give some ‘props’ to the (coach)," he admitted. "He gave me that chance to show because he knows what I can do. I’m a goalscorer. All the players stuck around me and even my mother, because what she went through in the past few months, the media slaughtered me big time and she’s been calling me every time in England. And I’ll like to thank her for sticking by me.

"Even the Trinidad and Tobago fans, they all (stuck) behind me and I’ll like to thank them also," he noted.