Left-footed Defence Force striker Devon Jorsling got the only goal as a scrappy Trinidad and Tobago senior national football team continued to struggle under coach Russell Latapy.
Yesterday, Jorsling converted a 70th minute tap-in to give the Soca Warriors a 1-0 victory in their friendly international against Antigua & Barbuda, at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Preparing for the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the Soca Warriors face St Lucia tomorrow.
Latapy's 20-man T&T squad was without key players, goalie Marvin Phillip, Kerry Baptiste, Carlyle Mitchell, Makan Hislop, Trent Noel and Hayden Tinto, after Joe Public FC requested that their players be excluded because of the Concacaf Champions League match against Guatemala club, Municipal on Thursday.
Antigua & Barbuda could have gone ahead in yesterday's friendly. They won a 57th minute penalty when defender Kern Cupid handled in the penalty area. However, Randolph Burton kicked straight down the centre of the penalty area and had his shot saved by T&T goalie Jan Michael Williams, who dived to the right and saved with his feet.
Following the penalty miss, T&T went close to scoring through midfielder Hughtun Hector. Clyde Leon then made his return to the T&T team when coming on for right-winger Kevon Carter in the 68th minute.
T&T had goalie Williams to thank for the win. He twice stopped Antigua striker Peter Byers.
Jorsling's goal gives T&T 1-0 win over Antigua. By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Trinidad and Tobago’ s Men Senior team broke their three-match winless streak with a slim 1-0 victory over Antigua/Barbuda at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Sunday.
A Devorn Jorsling 70th minute goal gave the Russell Latapy coached team the victory as they continue their build up to the Digicel Caribbean Cup later this year.
T&T needed a win to shake off a series of less than convincing performances in their last three matches which included defeats to Jamaica and Panama and a 0-0 draw with Belize.
Latapy had several new starters in his team including National Under 23 striker Juma Clarence who made his senior international debut while Lester Peltier and Anthony Wolfe also made their returns.
The lone goal came when Ataullah Guerra made a surging run down the flank before crossing for Hughtun Hector. His effort deflected into the path of Jorsling who made no mistake from close up.
Goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams saved a 57th minute penalty from Randolph Burton after Kern Cupid handled inside the box.
Latapy had Defence Force’s Ross Russell as his assistant coach.
“Overall I think we deserved the victory but we should have won more convincingly. I’m happy for the win but we need to win by a bigger margin. The main focus is getting ready for the Digicel Cup and hopefully we can put in an even better performance against St Lucia in the next match,” Jorsling told TTFF Media after the win.
T&T faces St Lucia on Tuesday at the same venue. The team will also travel to Guyana to play their senior team on September 26 and Jamaica in Kingston on October 10.
T&T: - 1.Jan-Micheal Williams, 14.Jovin Jones, 19.Daneil Cyrus, 5.Kern Cupid, 6.Keston Williams, 11.Kevon Carter (2.Clyde Leon 68th), 7.Hughtun Hector, 8.Juma Clarence (13.Jason Marcano 46th), 15.Lester Peltier (4.Ataullah Guerra 62nd), 10.Anthony Wolfe, 9.Devon Jorsling (capt) (17.Jamal Gay 72nd).
Subs not used: - 21.Kevin Graham, 16.Jesse Stewart, 3.Aklie Edwards, 12.Keron Cummings, 18.Densill Theobald. |