Bmobile Joe Public coach Keith Griffith made it clear, a few weeks ago, that his stint at the helm of the "Eastern Lions" would not go beyond the 2008 T&T Pro League season.
Perhaps he did not anticipate that the strain would come this soon. But, on Saturday evening, Griffith's job became more difficult as Public fell 4-2 to Ma Pau FC at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya. Almost certainly, Public's chances of qualifying for next season's CONCACAF's Champions League competition by virtue of league position evaporated against the cheeky Pro League newcomers, who are second from bottom in the ten-team table.
Public occupy seventh spot with three games in hand, but trail leaders CLICO San Jabloteh by 22 points, while they are 18 points shy of second placed W Connection.
This was no hit and run case on Saturday either as Ma Pau created more chances and played with the attacking panache that has been Public's trademark under Griffith.
Ma Pau coach Ron La Forest, a former Public employee, might have been slightly embarrassed after his recruitment of seven Brazilians in August failed to propel the "Casino Boys" up the standings. But there will be no more snickers now.
There were just three Brazilians in their starting line-up on Saturday while the Ma Pau player who most impressed was born on these shores.
Keeron Benito, who has a solitary international cap, gave a tidy display in central midfield, while powerful central defender Akeno Morgan acquitted himself well. But it was the dancing feet of midfielder Sherron Joseph, younger brother of Caledonia AIA flanker Kareem "Tiny" Joseph, who turned the match as he came off the bench and ran Public captain Dale Saunders ragged.
Joseph got the game's final attempt too with a smart left footed strike that finally calmed La Forest's nerves and allowed the coach to join the celebrations.
In a round-about way, the hiring and subsequent demotion of the Brazilian contingent might have indeed lifted Ma Pau's local playing staff.
Not that the "Samba Boys" did not contribute, of course.
Ma Pau striker Keno Proctor squandered too glorious early scoring opportunities but could hardly miss when, in the 29th minute, Brazilian flanker Erick Azevedo drove the ball to his feet, six yards from the Public goal.
Public responded within seconds as winger Kerry Baptiste spanked into the far corner after being left unattended by Ma Pau full back Quincy Charles. Baptiste shrugged his shoulders and walked back to his half.
Baptiste stifled his glee again in the 61st minute when he put Public ahead from the penalty spot after Morgan tripped Gregory Richardson. Predictable really, his body language suggested.
La Forest had made his three substitutions by then and Griffith must have felt the job was done as he introduced Haitian midfielder Ulterguens St Victor at Baptiste's expense with 15 minutes remaining.
But, three minutes later, it was La Forest's change that reaped dividends as substitute Adrian Noel whipped in an inswinging corner for Brazilian Iomar Da Silva to flick home off his head. And, in the 83rd minute, Da Silva returned the favour with a raking cross that prompted an equally sharp driven finish by Noel to send Ma Pau ahead.
Ma Pau's noisy 20-odd supporters were in full cry and so were their players. The Pro League rookies posses the leakiest defence in the domestic top flight with 50 goals conceded from 27 matches. But only the top four teams have scored more than Ma Pau.
La Forest opted not to call off their attack and was rewarded by Joseph's clever individual effort at the stroke of regulation time as the lively midfielder sidestepped Saunders and belted past Public custodian Alejandro Figueroa from the edge of the penalty area.
Griffith's Public already rewrote history this season as they became the first Trinidad and Tobago club to win in Mexico and against a MLS team. But there is still no trophy to show for his spell on local soil.
And another performance like Saturday could see Griffith relieved of a demanding job earlier than he anticipated.