PARAGUAY notched their fourth straight victory over T&T on Monday, in their beach soccer warm-up match, at the Estadio Mundialista Los Pynandi, Luque, Gran Asuncion.
The hosts prevailed 3-2, but T&T were rewarded with an own goal, and a strike from Omri Baird.
The T&T team are in Paraguay for a two-week long training camp, ahead of the 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship in Costa Rica, scheduled from May 17-23.
T&T were beaten in their previous three warm-up games against the hosts – 7-2 (on May 4), 5-2 (May 6) and 7-4 (Saturday – May 8). Both T&T and Paraguay are set to play twice this week, on Tuesday and Thursday.
In an interview on the T&T Football Association (TTFA) Facebook page, T&T captain Ryan Augustine said, “The opportunity to play and train in Paraguay will be critical for us. It’s the first time we’re getting this preparation, at this standard. The only other time we got something this close was in 2017.”
He continued, “Being able to play against a team that is eighth in the world, we know that in Concacaf we don’t have any team that is close to their level or their intensity. The opportunity to play Paraguay is going to be pivotal for us this time.
“They are also preparing for their qualifiers, in CONMEBOL. I’m really looking forward to our chances in the qualifiers.”
The 12-team 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championships will take place at the Sports Complex Fedefutbol-Plycem, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
T&T, who were drawn in Group C, will face the hosts on May 17, United States (May 18) and Turks and Caicos Islands (May 19).
The quarter-finals are set for May 21, with the semi-finals on May 22 and the third-place match, and final, on May 23.
The finalists will be guaranteed spots at the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia.
Paraguay (3)- (2) Trinidad and Tobago
Stadium: Mundialista Los Pynandi
1st Referee: Gustavo Domínguez
2nd Referee: Aldo Quiñónez
3rd Referee: José Núñez
Timekeeper: Angelina Rodas
Goals: Carlos Carballo (1) 2nd Period; Carlos Carballo (1) 3rd Period, Sergio Villaverde (1) 3rd Period (PY); Shallun Bobb (1) 3rd Period, Omri Baird (1) 3rd Períod (T&T)
Paraguay (3): Yoao Rolón; Rodrigo Escobar, Sergio Villaverde, Pedro Morán, Carlos Carballo (C). Alternaron: Saul González, Sixto Cantero, Luis Ojeda, Milciades Medina, Pablo Benítez, Néstor Medina, Carlos Valentín Benítez, Sixto Cantero, Carlos Moreira
Head Coach: Gustavo “Guga” Zloccowik.
Trinidad and Tobago (2): Jabari Gray; Jesse Bailey, Shallun Bobb, Omri Baird, Dominic Mc Dougall. Alternaron: Ryan Augustine, Zane Coker, Joash Baird, Shane Hospedales, Lemuel Lyon, Hakeen King, Kevon Woodley, Akinola Gregory
Head Coach: Ramiro Amarelle
Assistant Coach: Jaime Paz
SOURCE: T&T Newsday