‘We did well but we can do better’

Many spectators were expecting a clear victory for the home team. However, the game ended in a bittersweet tone with both teams locked at 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago advancing to the final qualification round and the Guatemalans mathematically out of contention.

Brian Williams coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Under 20 football team was expecting a little more from TT’s performance but believes from a coaching perspective it was not a bad game. “The most importing thing is that we qualified for the next round”, while he also believes the team needs to be safer at the back because the vulnerability in this area.

Williams also credited the performances of Joevin Jones the scorer of the two goals that secured the point for TT. Jones, who is a left-sided defender for his MLS club Seattle Sounders, was given the freedom to roam down the flanks which proved to be a brilliant decision on the day. “Getting two goals in a game at that level is always good’” added Williams, who believes Jones showed his offensive ability and his performance was definitely creditable. He also expressed his views on the performance of national striker Kenwyn Jones who has become a bit of a controversial figure among some supporters who seem to have a lot of high expectations for the big man.

Williams added that the expectations are always high for Jones and many persons seem to pressure him to do well. He says he would not be too critical of Jones’ performance.

Williams believes Jones is doing a good job as captain and has matured well into that role.

He agrees that Jones has to hold his own in terms of his personal performances and needs to be a little more serious and clinical in front of goal but said this will come over time and with a few more games.

When asked about the performances of Marvin Phillip in goal he said, “He did well but the second goal could have been prevented by him holding the ball or pushing it towards a defender instead of setting up the Guatemalan striker.” However Williams believes that Phillip has been serving well and doing well with team.

“We all have to look at improving our performances for the next level... Moving forward I think we have a lot of options, I’m very optimistic that we can do well once we take into consideration getting everything in place.” With a draw against Guatemala TT now has a fighting chance to qualify for Russia 2018 which Williams believes is not beyond the team but individual performances of the team needs to improve.

“Players need to take the coming games more seriously, we have a good chance,” said Williams.