TT in World Cup qualifier for Russia

Guatemela saw their qualification hopes end with a draw and remain in 3rd place with 7pts while St Vincent and the Grenadines are still without a point.

Combative Guatemala striker and captain Carlos Luiz scored both goals for his team but Joevin Jones’ double proves vital in front of the crowd estimated at 20,000.

TT started off in energetic fashion, with Cordell Cato, in the first minute, between a ball Daneil Cyrus but his shot went over bar.

Guatemala came into their own, with TT goalkeeper Marvin Phllip producing a pair of fine saves to deny Jean Marquez’ free-kick in the 15th, followed by a long blast from Marco Pappa.

Luiz, nearly broke the deadlock in the 34th with a long range free kick to put Guatemala ahead in the 37th. He met a low cross from the right by Christian Jimenez and slotted the ball to the right of Phillip.

But Joevin Jones equalised on the stroke of half time finishing off a breakaway move started by TT captain Kenwyne Jones, with a left footed shot through the legs of Guatemala custodian Paulo Moota.

Both teams were cagey in the second half but, out of the blue the hosts went ahead in the 67th.

Kevin Molino found Joevin Jones on the left and the midfielder left Jimenez for dead before, with the outside of his left boot, he buried a left footer past the diving Moota.

Phillip was called upon again to produce a pair of excellent saves, to his left, from Pappa and Gerson Tinoto in the 67th, while TT sub Levi Garcia did well to meet a high clearance from Sheldon Bateau but his shot was deflected wide.

Jimenez was shown a red card by Panamanian ref John Titti in the 84th for taking a goal-bound Joevin Jones, but another defensive lapse, resulted in the second goal in the 86th.