For the third straight match involving a National Team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the atmosphere was inviting and guess what. For the second time in three nights it welcomed an impressive win for the hosts as this time they sealed their place in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup in style with a no nonsense 3-1 victory over usually competitive Caribbean opponents Haiti.
It was a sweet pill to swallow for head coach Wim Rijsbergen as he came into the tournament under some degree of pressure, firstly having to face the mountainous task of preparing a squad for South Africa 2010 knowing that he would be heavily scrutinized and secondly not knowing what to expect from a squad of little experienced players added to the fact that some of his better rated home-based players were forced out due to club conflict.
But Rijsbergen could already feel somewhat satisfied as his team not only topped their group and proved early doubters wrong but he surely would have come across some potential “Warriors” that could add some depth to the journey to Africa.
Again, young striker Darryl Roberts, now being hailed as a developing weapon, started alongside in form goalgetter Gary Glasgow who though missing further chances, ended up twice on the scorecard and now has five goals in two matches.
From the get go, T&T appeared sound but the Haitians also looked up for the battle and paced themselves well almost as if allowing the home team to come at them. In the starting defense was Makan Hislop in place of Dwayne Jack.
Glasgow’s snap effort was over bar from the six yard box inside the opening ten minutes. But the man known for his precise passing showed that he could place the ball in clear cut fashion too. Kerwyn “Hardest” Jemmot, the eventual Digicel “Man of the Match” stepped up and clinically buried a low left footer into the bottom right corner of the net to push T&T ahead 1-0 on 14 minutes.
Within ten minutes, Roberts got a sniff at a second but Haiti also caused some danger on the opposite end when Germain Peter blasted over bar after a neat build up.
Eight minutes approaching the half time, the home fans were all “oohs and ahhs” when Jemmot orchestrated a breathtaking move, sending Roberts through from the middle of the park and the youngster skillfully flicked into the path of Glasgow but he despairingly shot over bar from close to ten yards out.
T&T continued to control the pace of the game but Haiti always looked like they could spring something to hurt the hosts who were playing in front 8,500 odd fans. They showed more signs of that as the second half progressed. Substitute Brunel Fucien got the 1974 World Cup finalists back into the match in the 54th minute when he connected with a through ball and drilled his shot to the right corner past a stranded Jan Michael Williams. Captain Bruny Pierre was a pleased man at that point but he too was realizing that the game was far from over.
Rijsbergen had at the half took off Leslie Fitzpatrick, struggling with a groin problem and put in Kwame Wiltshire. He then got in on the action and delivered a good one from the left which led to Roberts going fully into a challenge with goalie Normil Yvesner, forcing the error and the loose ball for Glasgow to hammer home. Once again, T&T were ahead and the fans were again sensing a win. But skipper Densill Theobald and company knew they had to make sure this time. And there was no coming back for Haiti when Glasgow collected a through ball, evaded Yvesner and cut back in before curling his effort into the net.
Hayden Tinto also made a late second half entry and seems to have found the liking of the fans based on their reception to his appearance. By then Rijsbergen and the rest were already counting three points but aware too that they were still the unforced errors which would need tidying up for future affairs.
T&T’s Williams also brought out a couple brilliant saves to deny the Haitians even an extra goal down the stretch as the hosts completed another moral boosting win but remain well aware that the could meet the same team in the final if they end up there next Tuesday.
They now await the second place finisher from the Bobby Sookram group (which plays off tomorrow) for the semi-final outing on Saturday at the Hasely Cawford Stadium.