MIAMI, Florida – Group A of League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League completed its September window on Sunday, with Trinidad and Tobago moving to the top of the group with their second win in two matches.
The day wrapped up with Trinidad and Tobago rallying for a 3-2 victory over El Salvador at the Estadio Jorge Gonzalez in San Salvador.
El Salvador were aggressive from the start and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 17’ when Dustin Corea played in a free kick that Eriq Zavaleta met with a perfectly placed header into net.
Trinidad and Tobago’s response was almost immediate, as Reon Moore played in a cross to Ryan Telfer from the left wing, and the first touch gave Telfer the time and space to fire into the net the 1-1 equalizer in the 22’.
Things were wide open to begin the second stanza and Trinidad and Tobago made the most of it, taking a 2-1 lead in the 51’ through Malcolm Shaw, who converted a penalty after being fouled in the box by Zavaleta.
Right back came El Salvador to pull even 2-2 in the 53’ courtesy of Brayan Gil, whose nodded header off a corner kick deflected right back to him, allowing him to guide a shot into net.
Back and forth the teams went with each looking for a winning score. That precious third goal would fall for the visiting Soca Warriors, as a falling away Justin Garcia managed to pop a header over El Salvador GK Tomas Romero in the 72’ to make it 3-2.
El Salvador pushed hard for a third to get a point, but Trinidad and Tobago GK Denzil Smith was excellent in net and made the saves to lock down the three points.
WATCH Highlights | El Salvador vs Trinidad & Tobago | 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 14.Shannon Gomez, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 3.Ross Russell Jr; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 23.Kristian Lee-Him (10.Duane Muckette 46); 7.Ryan Telfer (16.Michel-Poon Angeron 80), 18.Andre Rampersad, 13.Reon Moore (12.Kareem Moses 75); 19.Malcolm Shaw (6.Andre Raymond 90+3).
Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Kevon Goddard, 8.Daniel Phillips, 11.Nathaniel James, 20.Kaïlé Auvray.
Coach: Angus Eve
El Salvador (4-1-4-1): 18.Tomas Romero (GK); 21.Bryan Tamacas (captain), 4.Eriq Zavaleta, 2.Erick Cabalceta, 16.Alejandro Henriquez (8.Elvin Alvarado 86); 6.Narciso Orellana (14.Christian Martinez 80); 7.Dustin Corea (10.Mayer Gil 65), 15.Alexander Roldan, 12.Amando Moreno (11.Joaquin Rivas 86), 13.Leonardo Menjivar (19.Emerson Mauricio 80); 9.Brayan Gil.
Unused substitutes: 1.Mario Gonzales (GK), 3.Roberto Dominguez, 5.Rudy Clavel, 17.Eric Calvillo, 20.German Fuentes, 23.Melvin Cartagena.
Coach: Hugo Perez
Referee: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)