USA make TT pay the penalty

TT were flying high with a 2-0 lead and not even a goal by USA’s Michael Barminski in the 45th minute could dampen TT ’s spirits.

But with time running out and the hosts on course to book a spot against Japan in the last four, Pat Harris turned up to make it 2-2 with a goal in the 69th minute.

TT could not hold their nerve and were left standing there bemused as the Americans went on to triumph 3-2 on penalties in their quarter-final.

The match was physical and highly contested with USA starting quicker but TT were able to absorb the constant attacks. The best chance of the first quarter fell for TT ’s Tariq Marcano as he collected a lobbed pass from Kwan Browne but his shot came off the post.

TT had a lot more movement from the forwards which allowed them to be more penetrative in the second quarter. In the 20th minute, a penalty corner was awarded to TT which resulted in a direct penalty after one of the defenders attempted a goal- line clearance but it touched his body. TT ’s most senior player Kwan Browne stepped up and took the penalty but was denied by goalkeeper Brandon Karess, saving high to his right. Three minutes later, the hosts were awarded another penalty corner and the initial flick shot was blocked but somehow Mickell Pierre latched on to the loose ball and scored from an acute angle to give them the 1-0 lead.

TT extended their advantage in the 43rd when Browne again lobbed a pass to an unmarked Daniel Byer who calmly slipped it to Dillon Francis who slapped it home to make it 2-0. The score-line lasted just two minutes though as USA’s Michael Barminski scored a powerful flick to complete the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, TT were constantly battling their nerves and it showed as they squandered three glorious chances to extend their lead. Their profligacy cost them though and with 70 seconds remaining on the clock, Pat Harris broke the hearts of hundreds at the Centre as he got the slightest deflection off a shot to slip it past goalkeeper Andrey Rocke for the equaliser despite being a man down and without a ‘keeper at that moment.

USA’s goalie Brandon Karess took over the show, saving the first three TT penalties allowing them to win 3-2 in the shootout.

Match ups for Today: 5th – 8th: Switzerland vs Russia (1:15pm) 5th – 8th: Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados (3:30pm) Semi-final 1: Canada vs Russia (5:45pm) Semi-final 2: USA vs Japan (8pm)