St. Kitts/Nevis dealt Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 footballers a heavy blow in the CFU stage of the World Cup qualifiers by edging them 1-0 on Friday night at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
T&T came close to opening their account four minutes later when skipper Radanfah Abu Bakr headed in a corner, which was just cleared off the line by one of the St. Kitts/Nevis defenders.
The visiting team had a chance of extending the lead in the 10th minute when Mitchum dashed towards goal, but his tame effort was not enough to challenge T&T goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.
Abu Bakr’s men again had another opportunity at getting their opening item courtesy W Connection’s Matthew Bartholomew’s header after he received a pass from the energetic Lester Peltier on the right flank; however, goalkeeper Alexis Richards saved his effort in the 20th minute.
Aaron Moses then gave T&T a scare with a low drive that required a diving save from Foncette to prevent the little fancied St. Kitts from making it 2-0.
The young ‘Soca Warriors’ had the best chance of the night in the 42nd minute when referee Enrico Wijngaarde of Suriname gave the hosts a penalty for a handled ball inside the box.
Khaleem Hyland failed to convert the spot kick, as a diving Richards in goal for St. Kitts/Nevis saved his effort.
T&T now getting desperate tried to up the ante in the second half in the wet conditions that caused players on both sides to slip on the surface quite often.
Marvin James dribbled his way in and laid the ball for Bartholomew, who fired off target in the 54th minute.
Bartholomew again dashed towards goal in the 61st minute, but again the W Connection striker’s shot was badly directed.
The home side kept pressing for the equalizing goal, but lacked penetration and had the fans frustrated.
The 81st minute provided another scare for the young T&T side as a free kick, floated in from the right, was received by substitute Kervin Benjamin only to be hit wide off target.
Abu Bakr showed throughout the match that he was not going to go down without a fight, his direct free kick in the 89th minute producing a quality save from the St. Kitts/Nevis custodian.
Substitute Christon Thomas of Superstar Rangers tried to salvage some pride in stoppage time, but his shot could not find the back of the onion bag, which meant T&T had to suffer the humiliation of a home loss to the little fancied St. Kitts/Nevis and will have to hope for some luck if they are to move into the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Youth Cup.
The earlier game between the Dominican Republic and St. Vincent and the Grenadines ended 3-1 in favour of the Spanish-speaking country.
As a result, T&T must win Sunday’s encounter with the Vincentians and hope the Dominican Republic defeats St. Kitts/Nevis in order to grab the second qualifying spot in the group.
Trinidad & Tobago - Adrian Foncette (GK), Brendon Boucaud, Marvin James (Christon Thomas 55th), Radanfah Abu Bakr (capt), Khaleem Hyland, Keon Daniel (Elton John 83rd), Atulla Guerra, Javed Mohammed, Aaron Dowing (Carlyle Mitchell 45th), Lester Peltier, Matthew Bartholomew.
Coach – Brian Williams
St. Kitts/Nevis - Alexis Richards (GK), Tishan Hanley, Javin Matthew, Rovan Wigley, Tiran Hanley, Kevin Benjamin (Irandy Byron 66th), Kareem Harris, Aaron Moses (Byon Morson 83rd), Gerard Williams, Orlando Mitchum (Kervin Benjamin 70th), Matthew Berkeley.
Coach – Lester Morris
Match Referee – Enrico Wijngaarde (Suriname)
Trinidad & Tobago v St. Kitts/Nevis
0 GOALS 1
1 YELLOW CARDS 4
0 RED CARDS 0
5 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
11 FOULS 13
6 CORNERS 4
2 OFFSIDES 1