Trinidad and Tobago failed to deliver the goods in a 2-0 loss to Haiti but were handed a late lifeline by Honduras when their 92nd minute winner over El Salvador in Friday’s second game of a double header at Sun Life Stadium left the “Soca Warriors” with a reasonable chance of advancing to the quarter-final stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
There was little sunshine in T&T's play at the Sun Life and now they must find a way past Honduras in Houston on Monday and hope that neither Costa Rica or USA slip up in their remaining group matches which includes Belize and Cuba.
If T&T beats Honduras (now on six points) on Monday they will move to four points and end up in third position which would be better than the other third place finishers which could be either Belize or Cuba which would finish with a maximum three points depending on which of those teams get the better of the other.
T&T disappointed in most of its play on Friday and were punished by Haiti through a double by Jean-Eudes Maurice in the 16th and 53rd minutes. T&T’s best effort was a header by Kenwyne Jones which hit the post inside the opening minute of the second half
Haiti had more hunger for the three points and T&T head coach Stephen Hart alluded to that.
“Haiti scored twice and we didn’t. They possessed the ball at times better than us. We failed to press the ball and the shot came in and they got the rebound for the first goal. We played some better football in the second part of the first half but at times we were playing ball possession for ball possession sake and not to penetrate. We lacked penetration and any sort of movement in the final third to get behind them.
“We have to be more decisive and more penetrative in the right areas in the field and in general we have to show some more passion and desire to win the ball back and to be more dynamic overall,” Hart added.
Hart believed that T&T needed to press their opponents higher up the pitch for longer periods as it was evident T&T enjoyed better moments whenever they adopted that approach during the match.
“Now we must have that desire to take the game to Honduras. It’s quite simple now. We have to win on Monday to stay alive,” Hart said.
T&T’s two central midfielders Khaleem Hyland and Densill Theobald never got going on a surface that got a pre-game soaking from some heavy showers. Haiti were faster to the ball but were never overly dominant. After the opening 25 minutes they appeared to be contented with the 1-0 lead but still T&T failed to press them.
T&T had two headers on goal from Keon Daniel and Jones in the opening 20 minutes while Haiti’s Jean Alcenat had a powerful effort deflected inches over bar by defender Carlyle Mitchell.
Carlos Edwards, who like Jones, was allowed hardly any time or space by the Haitians, had a crack on goal in the 34th minute but it went over bar.
Maurice was the first to react when Jeff Louis’ 25-metre shot was partially stopped by Jan Michael Williams and he slotted home from close range to put Haiti ahead before a few thousand fans which comprised mostly Haitian fans.
Maurice doubled Haiti’s advantage when Williams also blocked an initial effort before the ball was forced in from close range.
Roberts missed a chance to pull a goal back for T&T near the end. T&T lost defenders Joevin Jones (ankle blow) and Justin Hoyte (groin injury) in the second half.
Maurice double gives Haiti its first three points.
CONCACAF.COM.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Haiti launched itself back into contention for a quarterfinal berth at the CONCACAF Gold Cup behind a 2-0 Group B victory over Caribbean rival Trinidad & Tobago at Sun Life Stadium on Friday.
Jean-Eudes Maurice scored both goals for the Haitians, one in each half.
The win gave Haiti (1-0-1, 3 points) its first points of the competition with one group-stage game left to play against El Salvador in Houston on Monday. Trinidad, which drew 2-2 with El Salvador on Monday, has one point.
Knowing that anything less than a victory was necessary to remain in realistic contention for a quarterfinal place, Haiti started the game by attacking the right side of the Trinidadian defense through the attacking duo of Jean Philippe Peguero and Maurice.
Those tactical and personnel choices paid dividends in the 16th minute, when midfielder Jeff Louis fired a 25-meter shot that was initially saved by goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams. The ball fell perfectly in line for the left foot of Maurice, who hammered the ball to the back of the net.
Trinidad’s backline was regularly placed under pressure, which made it difficult to kick-start the offense. Darryl Roberts, however, did send an attempt wide right from in front of the Haitian goal, following a fluid build-up orchestrated by Carlos Edwards.
Shortly after the break, Trinidad nearly equalized as Edwards broke away down the left flank and fired a cross to Kenwyne Jones, whose header struck the far post.
That miss proved costly in the 53rd minute. Williams deflected a searching cross from Yves Desmaret into the path of Maurice, enabling the 27-year-old to double his team’s advantage..
On Monday, Trinidad faces a must-win situation against Honduras in the last group game for each at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
NOTES: Maurice became the first Haitian to score two goals in a Gold Cup game after 14 all-time encounters … Trinidad & Tobago is winless in its last 11 Gold Cup outings (last win came against Costa Rica, 2-1, in a quarterfinal match on February 20, 2000).
VIDEOS
- T&T head coach Stephen Hart following the loss to Haiti
- Trinidad & Tobago vs Haiti Highlights
Teams
Trinidad & Tobago: - 21.Jan-Michael Williams, 20.Seon Power, 5.Carlyle Mitchell, 3.Joevin Jones (25.Aubrey David 60th), 17.Justin Hoyte (10.Kevin Molino 70th - Yellow 76), 11.Carlos Edwards, 12.Darryl Roberts, 8.Khaleem Hyland, 19.Keon Daniel (23.Jamal Gay 56th), 18.Densill Theobald (capt), 9.Kenwyne Jones.
Substitutes: - 1.Marvin Phillip, 21.Cleon John, 7.Christopher Birchall, 14.Andre Boucaud, 16.Kevon Carter, 13.Cornell Glen, 32.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 26.Curtis Gonzales, 6.Daneil Cyrus.
Haiti: - 1.Frandy Montrévil, 3.Mechack Jerome, 2.Jean Alcenat (Yellow 57), 8.Judelín Aveska, 19.Kim Jaggy, 15.Yves Desmarets, 13.Jean Monuma Constant, 7.Jeff Louis (14.Joseph Peterson 91st), Jean Alexandre, 11.Jean Maurice (5.Jean Pierre 80th), 10.Peguero Jean Philippe (6.Kevin La France 63rd).
Substitutes: 21.Ronald Elusma, 12.Jean Jospy, 20.Olrish Saurel, 22.Ricardo Ade, 17.Charles Herold Junior, 23.Pascal Millien, 18.Leonel Saint Preux, 9.Kervens Belfort Fils.
Referee: - Jeffrey Solís.
Venue: - Sun Life Stadium, Miami.
Standings - Group B
G W D L F A PTS
Honduras 2 2 0 0 3 0 6
Haiti 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
El Salvador 2 0 1 1 2 3 1
Trinidad & Tobago 2 0 1 1 2 4 1
Statistics
Trinidad & Tobago - Haiti
15 Shots 11
0 Assists 1
4 Corner kicks 3
1 Offsides 1
15 Fouls 10
5 Clearances 8
48 Recoveries 32
EXTRA - Line-up Commentary (concacaf.com)
END OF THE GAME
2H 92' Carlos Edwards throws in
2H 91' Jamal Gay is found in an offside position
2H 91' A switch by Haiti, Joseph Peterson enters the field for Jeff Louis
2H 90' Seon Power shoots! But the attempt is saved by Frandy Montrévil!
2H 89' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
2H 88' Darryl Roberts attempts to shoot on goal! But the attempt goes wide!
2H 87' An illicit act by Kevin La France against Densill Theobald! The ref awards a free kick
2H 87' Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Jamal Gay shoots, but the ball misses the target!
2H 86' Corner kick for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Kevin Molino
2H 86' Cleared to the corner for Haiti, executed by Jean Sony Alcenat
2H 86' Darryl Roberts takes the corner kick
2H 86' Cleared and corner given away by Jean Jacques Pierre
2H 85' A shot by Aubrey David went in the wrong direction
2H 85' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Khaleem Hyland
2H 84' Seon Power commits a foul on Jeff Louis
2H 82' Kenwyne Jones shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
2H 82' Kevin La France illegally stopped Densill Theobald
2H 81' Kevin Molino touched the ball with his hand and the referee gives an indirect free kick
2H 81' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
2H 81' Chance for Trinidad and Tobago. Jamal Gay shoots, but it goes wide!
2H 80' A switch by Haiti, Jean Jacques Pierre enters the field for Jean Eudes Maurice
2H 78' Jean Eudes Maurice is found in an offside position
2H 78' Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 78' A shot by Jeff Louis went in the wrong direction
2H 77' An illict act by Kevin Molino against Jean Sony Alcenat! The ref gives a free kick
2H 76' The game is paused, the referee shows a yellow card to: Kevin Molino
2H 75' Foul committed by Kevin Molino on Jean Eudes Maurice
2H 75' Throw-in by Carlos Edwards
2H 73' Carlos Edwards throws in
2H 73' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Carlos Edwards
2H 71' Foul by Jean Eudes Maurice on Kevin Molino! The referee gives a free kick
2H 70' Foul by Kevin Molino on Jeff Louis! The referee awards a free kick
2H 70' Kevin Molino joins Trinidad and Tobago, Justin Hoyte leaves the field
2H 69' An illicit act by Densill Theobald against Jean Sony Alcenat! The referee awards a free kick
2H 65' Foul by Jeff Louis on Khaleem Hyland! The referee gives a free kick
2H 63' Substitution by Haiti, Kevin La France comes on for Peguero Jean Philippe
2H 63' Yves Hadley Desmarets kicks the corner
2H 62' Jamal Gay clears the ball to the corner.
2H 62' Jeff Louis executes the corner kick for Haiti
2H 62' Jan Michael Williams clears the ball to the corner
2H 62' Shot on goal by Yves Hadley Desmarets, Jan Michael Williams controls the ball
2H 61' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Carlos Edwards
2H 60' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Justin Hoyte
2H 60' Aubrey David now enters the field for Trinidad and Tobago, Joevin Jones comes off
2H 59' Foul by Peguero Jean Philippe on Deon Carlyle Mitchell! The referee awards a free kick
2H 58' Throw-in for Haiti, taken by Jean Sony Alcenat
2H 58' An illicit act by Jamal Gay against Judelín Aveska! The referee awards a free kick
2H 57' Jean Sony Alcenat is penalized with a yellow card
2H 57' Foul by Jean Sony Alcenat on Joevin Jones! The referee awards a free kick
2H 56' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Justin Hoyte
2H 56' Jamal Gay joins Trinidad and Tobago, Keon Kelly Daniel leaves the field
2H 55' Jean Junior Monuma Constant fouls Joevin Jones
2H 54' Foul committed by Carlos Edwards on Jeff Louis
2H 54' Throw-in for Haiti, taken by Jean Junior Monuma Constant
2H 54' Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Jan Michael Williams
2H 53' Haiti makes an open play goal by Jean Eudes Maurice
2H 51' Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 51' A shot by Yves Hadley Desmarets went wide
2H 50' An illicit act by Seon Power against Peguero Jean Philippe! The ref awards a free kick
2H 49' Throw-in by Justin Hoyte
2H 48' Justin Hoyte throws in
2H 48' Clearance by Haiti, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Frandy Montrévil
2H 48' Corner kick for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Carlos Edwards
2H 47' Cleared by Jean Junior Monuma Constant, resulting in a corner for the opponent
2H 47' Judelín Aveska fouls Joevin Jones
2H 46' Clearance by Haiti, made by Frandy Montrévil
2H 46' Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Kenwyne Jones shoots, stopped by Frandy Montrévil
2H 45' Jean Sony Alcenat clears the ball by kicking it out of bounds
2H 45' Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Keon Kelly Daniel shoots but the ball hits the post!
START OF SECOND HALF
END OF FIRST HALF
1H 46' An illicit act by Khaleem Hyland against Jeff Louis! The ref awards a free kick
1H 45' An illicit act by Carlos Edwards against Peguero Jean Philippe! The referee awards a free kick
1H 45' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Carlos Edwards
1H 45' Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 44' Opportunity for Haiti. Peguero Jean Philippe shoots, but it goes wide!
1H 43' Joevin Jones throws in
1H 43' Chance for Haiti. Jean Eudes Maurice shoots, stopped by Jan Michael Williams
1H 42' Throw-in for Haiti, done by Kim Jaggy
1H 42' Throw-in by Kim Jaggy
1H 41' Justin Hoyte throws in
1H 39' Shot by Keon Kelly Daniel , but the ball ends up in the hands of Frandy Montrévil
1H 39' Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Deon Carlyle Mitchell
1H 37' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 36' Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Darryl Roberts shoots, but the ball misses the target!
1H 35' Indirect free kick! Deon Carlyle Mitchell touched the leather with his hand
1H 34' Throw-in for Haiti, done by Kim Jaggy
1H 34' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 33' Carlos Edwards trys to shoot on goal, but the attempt goes wide!
1H 33' An illict act by Darryl Roberts against Kim Jaggy! The ref gives a free kick
1H 33' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 32' A shot by Densill Theobald, but the attempt goes wide
1H 32' Justin Hoyte throws in
1H 31' Carlos Edwards shoots! But the attempt is saved by Frandy Montrévil!
1H 31' Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 29' Foul by Darryl Roberts on Jeff Louis! The referee gives a free kick
1H 26' Corner kick for Haiti, executed by Mechack Jerome
1H 25' Cleared to the corner for Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Deon Carlyle Mitchell
1H 25' Chance for Haiti. Mechack Jerome shoots, saved by Joevin Jones
1H 24' Foul by Keon Kelly Daniel on Jean Sony Alcenat! The referee gives a free kick
1H 24' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 20' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 20' A shot by Kenwyne Jones, but the attempt goes wide
1H 19' Corner for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Keon Kelly Daniel
1H 19' Mechack Jerome makes a clearance and concedes a corner.
1H 19' Peguero Jean Philippe commits a foul on Densill Theobald
1H 18' Goal kick by Frandy Montrévil
1H 17' Chance for Trinidad and Tobago. Keon Kelly Daniel shoots, but it goes wide!
1H 16' Joevin Jones throws in
1H 16' Haiti makes an open play goal by Jean Eudes Maurice
1H 15' Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Jan Michael Williams
1H 15' Shot by Jeff Louis , but the ball ends up in the hands of Jan Michael Williams
1H 15' Yves Hadley Desmarets throws in
1H 13' Throw-in for Haiti, taken by Jean Sony Alcenat
1H 11' Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 11' Kim Jaggy attempts to shoot on goal! But the attempt goes wide!
1H 11' Yves Hadley Desmarets throws in
1H 10' Chance for Haiti. Jean Eudes Maurice shoots, stopped by Jan Michael Williams
1H 9' Throw-in for Haiti, done by Kim Jaggy
1H 9' Darryl Roberts committed a foul against Kim Jaggy
1H 8' Jean Sony Alcenat clears the ball
1H 8' Foul by Yves Hadley Desmarets on Darryl Roberts! The referee gives a free kick
1H 5' Foul by Khaleem Hyland on Jeff Louis! The referee awards a free kick
1H 4' Throw-in by Jean Sony Alcenat
1H 2' Justin Hoyte throws in
1H 2' Throw-in for Haiti, taken by Kim Jaggy
START OF THE GAME