Canada's men's U-20 team won its opening match of the 2011 season, winning 1:0 over Trinidad and Tobago in a Men's U-20 International Friendly match in Sunrise, FL, USA. Canadian substitute John Pegg scored the lone goal in the second half of the 10 February 2011 match.
Pegg scored his goal in the 73rd minute after a good play by Russell Teibert. Teibert released Coulton Jackson who broke in down the right side and beat the goalkeeper, but didn't beat the left post. Pegg collected the ball and slammed it into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
"It was a good result today," said Canadian national coach Valerio Gazzola. "The players earned the victory."
Canada's goalkeeper Roberto Stillo, with the help of the back line of Francesco Augustin, Chris Suta, Sean Hart and Dominic Roberts, posted the clean sheet. The rest of Canada's starting XI featured Teibert, Jonathan Osorio, Kevin Cobby, Stefan Cebara, Jackson and Cavallini from the midfield up through to the attack.
Coach Gazzola then made four substitutions in the second half: Cobby was replaced by John Pegg (63rd minute), Cebara was replaced by Massimo Mirabelli (65'), Cavallini was replaced by Justin Maheu (74'), and Jackson was replaced by Jordan Ongaro (81').
Trinidad and Tobago made eight substitutions at the half plus a ninth change early in the second half. While Canada has been training in Sunrise, FL, USA since 5 February, the Trinidad and Tobago team only arrived into the country the previous night.
Canada maintained the upper hand for most of the match. In the first half, Canada won four corner kicks and created three good chances on goal. Of note, there was a good chance in the 17th minute after Francesco Augustin crossed it in to Lucas Cavallini and Cavallini headed it on goal. The Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper made a nice save.
Teibert was strong throughout the match. He took a dangerous free kick in the 38th minute and also made a nice cross to Cavallini in the 44th minute.
While Canada maintained most of the possession in the first half, the Trindad and Tobago side was very good on the counter attack.
In the second half, Canada continued to press forward, ultimately winning the lead with the Pegg goal in the 73rd minute. Canada also defended well in the late stages of the match. Trinidad and Tobago's best chance came in the 89th minute, but it was stopped by Canadian goalkeeper Stillo.
Today's Canadian victory avenged the last meeting between these two sides at the 2009 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship. Both Canada and Trinidad and Tobago are currently preparing for the 2011 edition, with both teams set to compete in the 12-team competition from 3-17 April in Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala. Four teams from that competition will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011.
T&T U-20s fall 1-0 to Canada.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 20 footballers suffered a 1-0 loss to Canada's men's U-20 team in a Friendly match in Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale on Thursday.
John Pegg scored the winner 73rd minute after a good play by Russell Teibert. Teibert released Coulton Jackson who broke in down the right side and beat the goalkeeper, but didn't beat the left post. Pegg collected the ball and slammed it into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Both teams are scheduled to face off again on Friday. T&T went into the game after arriving in FL the previous evening.
“It’s not a bad performance by us. Okay we lost but it was important to play the game. We arrived the previous day and we went straight into training and then the match. I think this is a crucial part of our preparations for the tournament in Guatemala and I’m looking forward to the next game,” T&T head coach Zoran Vranes told TTFF Media.
"It was a good result today," said Canadian national coach Valerio Gazzola. "The players earned the victory."
Joe Public midfielder Marcus Joseph captained the team with regular skipper Sheldon Bateau away on trial with Sporting Kansas while Joevin Jones and Shahdon Winchester are also on trial with Colorado Rapids.
Vranes made eight substitutions at the half plus a ninth change early in the second half. North American invitees goalkeepers Greg Ranjitsingh and Stefan Berkely, midfielders Malcolm Manswell and Kester Guichard as well as Ryan Mcleod were also in the squad.
Joining the squad for training in two weeks will be midfielder Daniel Carr of the Reading FC Academy and Canadian based duo Skylar Thomas, a defender and another Canadian-based defender Rudy James.
TT Starting 11:
Stefan Berkley; Dinelle Lopez, Akil Clarke (Ryan McCleod 55th), Jerron Morris, Weslie John, Kevin Raymond, Cordell Cato, Kenaz Williams, Marcus Joseph (capt), Jerrel Britto, Johan Peltier.
2nd Half from Greg Ranjitsingh, Dinelle Lopez, Weslie John, Malcolm Manswell, Kester Guichard, Alex Knaggs, Joshua Bachan, Isiah Ferguson, Nkosi Dion McCree.