TRINIDAD and Tobago's senior football team advanced to the semi-finals of the 1999 Copa Caribe tournament when they mauled Grenada 7-0 in the second match of a Group "A" double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last night.
T&T won despite missing the services of striker Stern John, who was called back to play for American Major League Soccer side Coloumbus Crew yesterday. The home team found the ideal replacement in Peter Prosper, who scored in the 5th, 9th and 40th minutes to lead T&T's assault.
Under the leadership of Anthony Rougier, the hosts waited just five minutes before ramming in the first goal down the throats of the Grenadians. It came when Prosper capitalised on Alvin Felix's attempt to claim a cross and with his back to the goal, the Lebanon-based striker turned and fired past two defenders standing on the goal-line.
Prosper caused another re-start from the middle when he hit home from inside the 18-yard box four minutes later. T&T's third goal was the best executed of the seven. Angus Eve collected a pass inside the area and maintained his poise before hitting a crisp shot which flew past Felix on his near post.
Then Arnold Dwarika put his name on the score sheet with a clinically executed header from an Eve cross in the 35th minute. Five minutes before the interval, Prosper added his third goal, meeting
Dwarika's pass and beating his marker before shooting past substitute goalkeeper Seymour Redhead.
Grenada's defence struggled throughout the opening half and more punishment looked likely in the second. It did, and after three minutes, US-based striker Mickey Trotman ended his run down the right flank by hitting into the far corner of the net.Grenada's nightmare continued when Lyndon Andrews latched on to Trotman's straight pass down the centre to shoot home.
As if taking pity on Grenada, coach Bertil St Clair replaced Dwarika, Trotman and Andrews (L) with Hector Sam, Travis Mulrain and debutant Carlos Edwards. Despite that, the Grenadians could do nothing to dampen T&T's spirit on a wet and wonderful night for the local squad.