Former Trinidad and Tobago forward Stern John is placing his bets on this country’s Senior Men’s team to grind out a result against Honduras in San Pedro Sula tomorrow.
If there’s anybody who knows what it takes to get a victory over the Hondurans on their home turf, it’s the former Birmiginham City forward.
John struck a 61st minute winner to give T&T the three points against all odds in a week that saw the tragic death of team forward Mickey Trotman in a motor vehicular accident in Arima.Honduras needed a win to secure qualification for the World Cup but were left needing to then defeat Mexico at the Azteca which did not occur.
John was a TV analyst at Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica but left the venue with a positive feeling despite the loss.
“I think we did well against Costa Rica in the first half, The defence was really disciplined. We should have tried to impose ourselves a bit more in the second half and try to win game. I know Costa Rica is a big team but we were at home and maybe we should have gone a bit more out for the three points, but generally it was a decent performance and something we can build on,” John told TTFA Media.
“I would like to see the ball a bit quicker, When our two wingers get down the sides I want to see them put the ball in the box with players attacking the ball.
“The back four is pretty steady but (Daneil) Cyrus needs to defend more because the other countries are looking at that. I am not having a go at him but it’s just something we need to be aware of.
“We are still missing someone who can play closer to Kenwyne. Jomal did okay but I thought he needed to play closer to him. We should play more to Kenwyne’s strengths. We need to play more balls up to him where he is stronger and have guys running running and playing off him.
Three points possible
“I really look at Honduras as a three pointer for us. I think going there gives us a chance to get a result. We will get more chances. We can play a bit quicker and with a bit more drive. We don’t want to be panicking and in fact we don’t need to be in a panic mode.. I don’t think we need to play too defensive but we also don’t want to be more open.
“After ten- fifteen minutes we can be settled in and start moving the ball. We need to see more guys breaking their necks and busting their tails to get into the box. We need more players making runs past Kenwyne around the box. The Costa Ricans were passing and moving while we were just passing without much movement. We need to make unselfish runs and work for each other. But for me I think this can be a three pointer for us.
“The Hondurans will be under pressure after the loss to Panama so their fans will be on their backs early. I think if we can take the sting out of the game, and get their fans out of it, we can go on to get the victory,” John added.
John is T&T’s all-time topscorer with 70 goals in 115 appearances.
In the last meeting between these two teams, T&T ran away 2-0 winners in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the previous World Cup qualifier in San Pedro Sula, T&T lost 4-1 while in 1988, a Hutson Charles goal earned T&T a 1-1 draw in a 1990 World Cup qualifier also in Honduras. Teams also played to a 1-1 draw in a 2010 Final Round World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain with Khaleem Hyland grabbing a late equaliser for T&T.