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21
Thu, Nov
Match Report
Trinidad & Tobago Jamaica
T&T flag Jamaica
Khaleem Hyland (29')

International Friendly
DateVenueLocationAttendance
2008-06-07Marvin Lee StadiumTunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago0


Soca Warriors let it slip


England were definitely a step too far forward for Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors a week ago, but back down against Caribbean rivals Jamaica yesterday, they earned a draw.

T&T coach Francisco Maturana's bunch bounced back from the 3-0 defeat to the English, their first loss of the year, with a 1-1 draw with the Reggae Boyz at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. Before going into their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on June 15, the Soca Warriors faced a stern test last night.

The Jamaicans looked the more enterprising team for long periods and launched an early second-half onslaught which had the Trinidad and Tobago defenders and goalkeeper Clayton Ince working overtime to earn their keep. Khaleem Hyland, who still has dreams of playing for Portsmouth in the English Premier League, was the difference between the teams.

Hyland, who just turned 19 years old on Thursday, played with the same authority he showed against England. And he produced a gem which gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 29th minute. But, a disputed foul on substitute striker Luton Shelton earned Jamaica a penalty in the 90th minute which the striker converted himself.

There is nothing better to build confidence than a goal and Hyland gave the Soca Warriors a 1-0 advantage with a low shot from 20 metres out. Set up after neat work between striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Keon Daniel, Hyland gave experienced Jamaican keeper Donavan Rickets no chance with his hard, low shot which skipped off the surface and nestled into the corner of the net.

Later, Hyland almost had a repeat in the 64th minute, hitting another left-footer from outside the box which again had Rickets beaten. And a goal by substitute Kevon Carter should have stood when he ran through the defence in the 84th minute. But, although he did not pass to Scotland, the forward was ruled to have interfered with play.

Following the recent examination by England, Maturana made some changes, employing a 4-5-1 system, with Osei Telesford playing a defensive role above the four-man defence and Swansea's Scotland on top in attack. But, there are still many things to be worked out. First, there were too many dangerous moments in the T&T defence for any coach to be comfortable.

Wide midfielder Carlos Edwards consistently saw the Jamaica captain Ricardo Gardner sneaking up the flank, but simply neglected defensive duties. And, despite the extra man, Edwards did not provide Scotland with good, regular service. Like any Caribbean derby, the game had its rough moments and Barbados referee Rayon Small also did a poor job of stemming late tackles, particularly from the Jamaicans.

For the visitors, Marlon King was particularly dangerous, hitting a couple of shots wide, and several times stopped by last-minute tackles from Dennis Lawrence and Markan Hislop. King also came closest for the Reggae Boyz, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area and striking the edge of the post in the 52nd minute.

Following a couple of easy victories against the likes of Grenada and Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago have now faced tough games in their last two outings. But Maturana will be hoping that since hardship often builds character, the recent tests would be enough of a character-builder exercise for the important things--the World Cup qualifying series.

Teams

T&T Squad:
1.Clayton Ince; 13.Kareem Smith, 4.Makan Hislop, 6.Dennis Lawrence, 15.Aklie Edwards (3.Ancil Farrier 77th); 5.Osei Telesford, 7.Carlos Edwards (11.Kevon Carter 72nd), 8.Khaleem Hyland, 19.Keon Daniel (17.Kevaughn Connell 72nd) (18.Stephan David 86th), 9.Aurtis Whitley (capt); 12.Jason Scotland.

Subs not used:
2.Kern Cupid, 10.Darryl Roberts, 21.Marvin Phillip, 24.Jerol Forbes.

Jamaica Squad:
30.Donovan Ricketts; 5.Ian Goodison, 14.Jermaine Taylor, 3.Simon Ford (18.Deon Burton 68th), 17.O'Neil Thompson (16.Omar Daley 46th); 7.Evon Taylor, 15.Ricardo Gardener (capt), 27.Demar Phillips, 24.Rudolph Austin; 6.Marlon King (23.Jermaine Johnson 82nd), 10.Ricardo Fuller (21.Luton Shelton 61st).

Subs not used:
1.Shawn Sawyers, 8.Jamal Campbell-Ryce, 9.O'Brian Woodbine, 11.Richard Langley, 19.Adrian Reid, 25.Keneil Moodie, Demar Stewart.

Full Time: 1 - 1

T&T: - Khaleem Hyland 29th.
JAM: - Luton Shelton 90th-Penalty.

Referee: Rayon Small (BAR)
Assistants: Jeremy Taylor (BAR), Allison Phillip (GREN)
Fourth Official: Geoffrey Hospedales (T&T)
Match Commissary: Boris Punch (T&T)

LINEUP
1.Clayton Ince
15.Subbed outAklie Edwards
 Subbed in 77' Ancil Farrier
4.Makan Hislop
6.Dennis Lawrence
13.Carl Smith
5.Osei Telesford
19.Subbed outKeon Daniel
 Subbed in 72' Kevaughn Connell
7.Subbed outCarlos Edwards
 Subbed in 72' Kevon Carter
8.Khaleem Hyland
9.Aurtis Whitley (capt.)
12.Jason Scotland
SUBSTITUTES
17.Kevaughn Connell
3.Ancil Farrier
11.Kevon Carter
18.Stephan David
21.Marvin Phillip
2.Kern Cupid
10.Darryl Roberts
COACH
 Francisco Maturana
SUBSTITUTIONS
72'Subbed outSubbed inKevon Carter for Carlos Edwards
72'Subbed outSubbed inKevaughn Connell for Keon Daniel
77'Subbed outSubbed inAncil Farrier for Aklie Edwards