LOCAL champions AC Port of Spain blew a lead for the third time in the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, when conceding a goal in stoppage time, in last night’s 1-1 draw against Grenadines FC of Antigua and Barbuda, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Mucurapo.
Having taken the lead through striker Shackiel ‘Smek’ Henry in the 21st minute, the “Capital Boys” again wilted late when gifting Sean Tomlinson (90+5’) a free header, five minutes into second-half added-on time, to tie the match.
Last night’s match was mainly an exercise in inefficiency by the “Capital Boys”, who hit the target just once despite having had some 25 shots at their opponent’s goal--a match in which both teams missed second-half penalties.
“It hard to bounce back from something like this,” admitted Jameel Neptune, the AC PoS left-back. “We had been trying to get three points in the tournament. We have one game left to go and just have to lift our heads and keep moving forward.”
The “Capital Boys” surely have to be more steady up front and at the back, next Tuesday, in a must–win final preliminary match against Dominican Republic’s Cibao—who sit second in the group—at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Henry was fastest to react after Grenadines goalkeeper Zaieem Scott stopped attacking midfielder Sedale McClean’s charge at his goal. While his teammates appealed for a penalty, Henry pounced to put the rebound into an open net as the “Capital Boys” drew first blood.
The half-time lead could have been more substantial had the local team decisively converted any of many good chances, including a penalty. McClean might have been unlucky when striking the foot of each post within a few seconds of the other, about 10 minutes into the match.
But McClean also made a meal of things, when on the half-hour mark, he did everything but score, unnecessarily dribbling defenders, trying to go around the goalkeeper, and in the end dropping his head in disappointment.
Substitute Nathan Lewis was able to lift the ball over custodian Scott, but saw the effort cleared before it could enter the net by St Lucian Kurt Frederick.
Despite head-coach Walt Noreiga’s pre-match talk about managing the game, AC PoS showed that while they may be the best and also probably most talented team in T&T, in their current make-up, they seem unlikely to seriously challenge the best teams in CONCACAF.
In gaining creativity, the “Capital Boys” gave away metal with the current composition of the team. They made a limp effort at an offensive pressing, failing primarily because the likes of McClean, Henry, Duane Muckette, Michel Poon Angeron and Jon-Paul Rochford while offering lots going forward, do nothing without the ball, leaving just four to defend, including a centre-back duo of Maurice Forde and Wesley John, both prone to mistakes.
Therefore, they always give opponents multiple opportunities to get back into the match, including last night’s rivals. Sherman Augustin was happy to go down easily when left-defender Jameel Neptune heavily backed into him, and St Kitts & Nevis referee Tristley Bassue did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot in the 52nd minute.
Brought on as a replacement for Denzil Smith at half-time, former T&T goalie Marvin Phillip saved the penalty, taken by Quinton Griffith—the quite capable Grenadines FC and Antigua & Barbuda international.
Then the “Capital Boys” also won a penalty, when Griffith took out McClean with a wild tackle. However, instead of concentrating on the task, Muckette initiated a verbal exchange with Scott, the 20-year-old keeper who had come forward to possibly break his concentration.
And it worked out well for Scott, who was pumping the air after turning away Muckett’s effort. And at the end, when legs were tired, an already limp defensive effort allowed Tomlinson a free header at goalie Phillip.
SOURCE: T&T Express