Suriname spank TT Under-20s 3-0

The result, coupled with St Vincent/Grenadines 3-1 defeat of Guyana on the same evening means that both teams still have a realistic chance of advancing to the CFU Final Round in November and will both come out with all guns blazing when they meet in today’s final match from 7.30pm in Kingstown.

Suriname currently top the group with six points and are almost certain to advance as group winners while St Vincent (three points) are ahead of third placed TT (three points) on goal difference and Guyana hold the cellar spot.

A victory for either TT or St Vincent will push them to six points and a place in the finals as one of the three best second-placed teams in the four CFU groups. Also, a draw for St Vincent will see them finish the group in second spot ahead of TT on goal difference.

“It was a disappointing performance from our guys on the night,” said TT coach Ross Russell.

“We didn’t bring the same fight and energy like we did against Guyana and Suriname punished us. We had a meeting with the players and addressed this and now it’s down to us getting it right again and pulling of a victory in this must win match on Sunday against the host team.

“We are capable of playing a lot better than what was seen on Friday night and while we expect St Vincent to be up for the challenge, playing at home, we also have to raise our game and produce the kind of display that will get us the result that we need,” Russell said.

On Friday night Suriname got their opening goal in the 33rd minute when Eduard Rahi headed home on the far post from close range after his captain Nibte Mervill swung the ball over from the left edge of the six yard box.

TT would then fall behind 2-0 when goalkeeper Quesi Weston was adjudged to have pulled down Rahi as both players chased after a ball played in from the left by Blatz Terrence. Apai Yekini stepped up to convert the penalty with ease to Weston’s left.

That goal led to TT dropping their shoulders as they struggled to mount decent attacks on the opposition goal .The Surinamese defence stood their ground and kept TT at bay throughout.

And as TT tried desperately to find a way through, Yekini found open space and notched his second goal to put the game beyond TT. He struck a right footer into the top left corner of the net past a hapless Weston in the 76th minute.

Teams -

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Quesi Weston, Anthony Charles, Alvin Jones, Damani Richards, Adan Noel, Neil Benjamin, Duane Muckette, Dwight Quintero (Shackiel Henry 68th), Jomal Williams (Akeem Garcia 82nd), Xavier Rajpaul, Marcus Gomez (Kye West 57th).

SURINAME: Delano Stella; Purcy de Baas, Albert Nibte, Miquel Darson, Ivanildo Misidjan, Raynel Gambier (Celten Olt 61st), Sergino Rahi Eduard, Bruce Diporedjo, Viola Bodji (Saverio Gazon 78th), Giovanni Terrence Blatz (Arzinio Poina 68th), Dimitrie Yekini Apai.