“Five star Colombia stroll past Trinidad.” That was the headline on FIFA’s official website after this country’s second match at the FIFA Under 17 World Championship and believe it or not, it was a fitting way to sum up the events of Thursday’s second game in Cheonan.
Unlike Monday’s opening game, despite even losing 4-1 to Ghana, there was a show of grit from the T&T boys, but today it was not there as the young Soca Warriors’ after conceding in the 20th minute and holding the Colombians to one goal at half time, thanks to some fine goalkeeping by Glenroy Samuel, T&T let up four goals inside twelve minutes to be 5-0 down in the 72nd minute.
T&T started on par with their South American opponents but a lapse in concentration and subsequently in belief left them collecting a handful without scoring any after 90 minutes.
Andres Felipe Mosquera climbed above the T&T defense to head home in the 20th minute and Samuel after stopping a couple chances in the opening 10 minutes, had to stand tall as the match progressed to prevent T&T conceding further. On one occasion, when he was beaten, defender Daneil Cyrus had to clear off the line. The Tobago boy was the only other T&T player worthy of a pass mark from this game.
T&T at one time forced three corners in the 12th minute as Akeem Adams also had an effort going wide. Samuel had to step up to save a couple more times, one in particular a one hand stop to deny Christian Nazarith in the 20th minute. So good was Samuel, that on one occasion when he went down after a rash challenge, the fans, applauded when he was back on his feet. There were 13,537 of them in the venue, a couple thousand more than Monday's game.
Stephen Knox had T&T’s best attempt when his effort was deflected inches wide early in the second half. But Santiago Trellez then made it 2-0 on the hour mark and Mosquera added a third item three minutes later to put the game out of T&T’s reach. On 68 minutes Edgar Pardo got the fourth and Ricardo Serna completed the onslaught in the 72nd minute to leave T&T shattered in a flash.
Coach Corneal, after seeing his team hang in there for some parts of the first half and containing the Colombians to one goal, would have felt his team had a glimmer of home in the second 45.He tried Kevin Molino up front in the second half and also had Sean De Silva and defender Sheldon Bateau on but nothing went right for T&T. Stephan Campbell, T&T’s scorer against Ghana, got the start this time but he too was off his game.
The Colombians were simply quicker, physically stronger and more eager to get the job done. They will have all reason to be confident against Ghana on Sunday as the Africans lost 3-2 to Germany in the first game and will the Germans will no doubt also be a tough hurdle for the T&T boys on Sunday.
Coach Corneal said that inspite of the heavy loss, the team would really lose big if it failed to learn from the experience thus far.
“We played a better team. We cannot pinpoint one area where they were not better at. They were much stronger physically. They were powerful in the air and we were really bullied this time,” Corneal admitted to TTFF Media. “We have a lot of questions to answer and we will have to reflect and do what is necessary to compete with teams like Colombia rather than just seeking excuses. Colombia came at us and even though we were pretty fit compared to other teams from our region, there was only so far we could reach and we played a team that was more ready for a World Cup game. We hung our heads too after the first goal and then the second one. It takes a lot more to close the gap and we need to take that lesson with us from here,” he continued.
The team travels by bus to Changwon for its next game and will play for esteem and respect on Sunday as even a best third place finish seems way beyond its reach and with that any chances of advancing to the second round.
TRI-COL: post-match quotes
Eduardo Lara (COL), Colombia coach[/b]
"This was an important win for us in what is a tough group. We're now within reach of the last 16 and it's in our hands as far as the last match is concerned. I'm very happy with the result. We have got a strong team with a lot of good players, and I include the substitutes in that. I'm glad that two of them scored today. Ghana are a very good team, and I'll be watching videos of their matches again and preparing my team based on what I see."
Anton Corneal (TRI), Trinidad and Tobago coach
"We're obviously very disappointed, but we have to look at things realistically and accept that we aren't at the same level. This tournament is a real chance for our young players to gain some invaluable experience at the highest level and learn things for the future. You have to believe in miracles and we are going to prepare intensively for the match against Germany. We've lost twice so it's going to be tough for us to qualify, but we're going to do all we can to finish off this World Cup on a positive note."
Andres Felipe Mosquera (COL) Colombia defender
"I thank the Lord that we won today and that I was able to score two goals. It's obviously a little sad that I'm suspended for the next match against Ghana, but our team will give their all regardless. Ghana are tough opponents, and both teams need the points. There's everything to play for in this match, and I hope that we will get what we need."
Glenroy Samuel (TRI) Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper
"I'm very disappointed. We wanted to win this match and represent our country to the best of our abilities. Now all we can do is hope for a miracle. We can beat Germany, though. I'm satisfied with the way I personally played today, but unfortunately that wasn't enough. In any case, it's all good experience for us here at this tournament."
Final Score:
T&T 0 v Colombia 5 (Andres Mosquera 22, 63, Santiago Trellez 60, Edgar Pardo 68, Ricardo Serna 72)
Line-Ups:
Trinidad & Tobago: - 21.Glenroy Samuel, 5.Akeem Adams (4.Sheldon Bateau 70th), 17.Daneil Cyrus, 12.Robert Primus, 9.Aaron Maund (8.Sean De Silva 75th), 6.Leston Paul (capt), 15.Chike Sullivan, 13.Stephan Campbell, 14.Jean Luc Rochford, 10.Stephen Knox, 11.Daniel Joseph (19.Kevin Molino 55th)
Colombia: - 1.Mauricio Acosta, 2.Ricardo Chara, 3.Eduar Zea, 5.Sebastian Viafara, 6.Julian Guillermo, 7.Cristian Nazarith (20.Edgar Pardo 65th), 17.Andres Felipe Mosquera (capt), 9.Santiago Trellez (18.Jose Ramirez 78th), 14.Junior Romero, 10.James Rodriguez (15.Ricardo Serna 57th), 16.Miguel Julio
Trinidad & Tobago (TRI) v Colombia (COL)
9 Shots 26
1 Shots on goal 14
0 Goals 5
17 Fouls Committed 19
19 Fouls Suffered 17
6 Corner kicks 7
2 Free kicks 0
0 / 0 Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots) 0 / 0
1 Offsides 6
0 Own goals 0
1 Yellow cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
20 Actual playing time 23
46% Possession (%) 54%
Yellow Cards: - Daneil Cyrus (TRI), Andres Felipe Mosquera (COL), Eduar Zea (COL)