Trinidad & Tobago clinched a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals, defeating 10-man Honduras 2-0 on Monday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kenwyne Jones and Kevin Molino scored second-half goals in the triumph.

Despite the setback, the Hondurans still finished at the top of the Group B table with six points.  Even though they Trinidad and El Salvador finished level on points at four apiece and goal difference, the Caribbean side took second due to scoring more goals (4-3).

With a spot in the knockout phase already assured, Honduras (2-0-1) opted to rest regulars Andy Najar, Rony Martinez, Roger Rojas and goalkeeper Donis Escober against the Soca Warriors.  Alajuelense striker Jerry Palacios saw his first action of the tournament.

Trinidad also made changes of its own, presenting a more attack oriented team with Molino and Cornell Glenn being named in the starting eleven.

Kenwyne Jones was handed the captain’s armband in place of Densill Theobold and took the responsibility to heart, playing with vigor and a sense of urgency.

The Stoke City forward was in the thick of things as Trinidad looked for an early goal. In the first 20 minutes Jones had two chances that went close, heading over the crossbar and shooting the other just wide of the target. His best opportunity came in 33rd minute, when he was in alone on advancing goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez, but failed to push the ball past him.

Palacios thought his 29th minute volley had given Honduras the lead, but he was adjudged to be offside.

The odds for Trinidad got even better in the 37th minute when Jose Velasquez was sent off for his tackle from behind on Cornell Glen, reducing Honduras to 10 men.

Two minutes into the second half, the Soca Warriors took advantage of the extra man as they were awarded a penalty kick.  Glen was pushed down in the penalty area and Jones stepped up to power the ensuing spot kick past Hernandez to give Trinidad a 1-0 lead.

Molino doubled Trinidad’s advantage in the 66th minute, collecting a cross from Jones inside the six-yard box and placing past Hernandez.

NOTES: Trinidad’s Gold Cup winless streak was snapped at 11 games…Trinidad posted its first shutout in 22 all-time Gold Cup outings…Honduras has scored one goal or less in eight of its last 10 Gold Cup games.

Teams

Trinidad & Tobago: - Jan-Michael Williams, Carlyle Mitchell, Daneil Cyrus, Randanfa Abu Bakr, Joevin Jones (Aubrey David 79th), Andre Boucaud, Khaleem Hyland (Yellow 10), Kevin Molino (Yellow 10), Darryl Roberts (Carlos Edwards 71st), Kenwyne Jones (capt), Cornell Glen (Jamal Gay 67th).

Honduras: - Kevin Hernandez, José Velásquez (Red 37), Gerson Rodas (Roger Rojas 62nd), Orlin Peralta, Johnny Palacios (Juan Garcia 50th), Nery Medina, Mario Berríos, Wilmer Fuentes, Alexander López, Jerry Palacios (Yellow 52), Mario Martínez (Osman Chavez 42nd).

Refree: - Marco Antonio Rodríguez.

Statistics

Honduras  -  Trinidad & Tobago

7  Shots  15
0  Assists  1
6  Corner kicks  3
2  Offsides  2
8  Fouls  15
11  Clearances  13
43  Recoveries  23

Commentary from CONCACAF.COM

END OF THE GAME

2H 91'  Jan Michael Williams clears the ball
2H 90'  Aubrey David commits a foul on Alexander Agustín López
2H 89'  Kenwyne Jones committed a foul against Alexander Agustín López
2H 88'  Throw-in by Daneil Cyrus
2H 88'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 87'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 86'  Mario René Berríos attempts to shoot on goal! And the attempt goes wide!
2H 86'  An illicit act by Aubrey David against Alexander Agustín López! The referee awards a free kick
2H 85'  The linesman raises his flag, offside ruling for Jamal Gay
2H 84'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 82'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 82'  Andre Boucaud trys to shoot on goal, but the attempt goes wide!
2H 82'  Nery Medina makes a clearance for Honduras
2H 81'  Foul committed by Kevin Molino on Osman Danilo Chávez Guity
2H 80'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 80'  Jerry Palacios shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
2H 80'  Nery Medina throws in
2H 79'  Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, made by Kevin Molino
2H 79'  Alexander Agustín López kicks the corner
2H 79'  A switch by Trinidad and Tobago, Aubrey David comes on for Joevin Jones
2H 79'  Cleared to the corner for Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Andre Boucaud
2H 78'  Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Bark Abu
2H 75'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 74'  A shot by Jerry Palacios went in the wrong direction
2H 73'  An illict act by Jamal Gay against Orlin Orlando Peralta! The ref gives a free kick
2H 72'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 72'  Roger Rojas shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
2H 71'  Kenwyne Jones commits a foul on Juan Carlos Garcia
2H 71'  Osman Danilo Chávez Guity committed a foul against Kenwyne Jones
2H 71'  A switch by Trinidad and Tobago, Carlos Edwards enters the field for Darryl Roberts
2H 70'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 69'  Throw-in by Orlin Orlando Peralta
2H 68'  Shot on goal by Khaleem Hyland, Kevin Vance Hernandez saves
2H 67'  Jamal Gay enters for Trinidad and Tobago, Cornell Glen leaves the field
2H 66'  GOOAAL by Kevin Molino! Trinidad and Tobago celebrates
2H 65'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 63'  Daneil Cyrus throws in
2H 62'  A switch by Honduras, Roger Rojas comes on for Gerson Daniel Rodas
2H 61'  Throw-in for Honduras, done by Nery Medina
2H 60'  Throw-in by Orlin Orlando Peralta
2H 60'  Kevin Vance Hernandez clears the ball
2H 59'  Darryl Roberts committed a foul against Orlin Orlando Peralta
2H 58'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
2H 58'  Mario René Berríos lost control over his shot and it goes wide
2H 57'  Foul by Daneil Cyrus on Mario René Berríos! The referee awards a free kick
2H 57'  Clearance by Honduras, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Osman Danilo Chávez Guity
2H 57'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Daneil Cyrus
2H 56'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 56'  Andre Boucaud shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
2H 55'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Daneil Cyrus
2H 54'  Jan Michael Williams makes a clearance
2H 54'  Daneil Cyrus fouls Mario René Berríos
2H 54'  Foul committed by Kevin Molino on Orlin Orlando Peralta
2H 53'  Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Jan Michael Williams
2H 52'  The referee shows Jerry Palacios a yellow card
2H 52'  Jerry Palacios is found in an offside position
2H 51'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 50'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Nery Medina
2H 50'  Honduras makes a substitution, Juan Carlos Garcia comes on, Johnny Palacios comes off
2H 49'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
2H 49'  Cornell Glen attempts to shoot on goal! But the attempt goes wide!
2H 49'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Nery Medina
2H 48'  Kenwyne Jones tallies a goal from the penalty spot for Trinidad and Tobago
2H 46'  Penalty! Orlin Orlando Peralta fouled Cornell Glen in the penalty area
2H 45'  Daneil Cyrus throws in
2H 45'  Clearance by Honduras, made by Kevin Vance Hernandez

START OF SECOND HALF
 
  END OF FIRST HALF

1H 45'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 44'  Foul by Osman Danilo Chávez Guity on Cornell Glen! The referee gives a free kick
1H 44'  Throw-in for Honduras, done by Nery Medina
1H 44'  Shot by Khaleem Hyland , but the ball ends up in the hands of Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 43'  Kevin Molino kicks the corner
1H 43'  Osman Danilo Chávez Guity makes a clearance and concedes a corner for Honduras
1H 42'  Kevin Vance Hernandez makes a clearance
1H 42'  Honduras makes a change, Osman Danilo Chávez Guity comes on, Mario Roberto Martínez comes off
1H 42'  Cornell Glen touched the leather with his hand and the referee awards an indirect free kick
1H 41'  Clearance by Honduras, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Nery Medina
1H 41'  Clearance by Honduras, executed by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 40'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 39'  A shot by Khaleem Hyland, but the attempt goes wide
1H 37'  José David Velásquez is sent off for receiving his second official caution
1H 37'  Foul by José David Velásquez on Cornell Glen! The referee gives a free kick
1H 37'  Kevin Vance Hernandez clears the ball by kicking it out of bounds
1H 37'  Khaleem Hyland kicks the corner for Trinidad and Tobago
1H 34'  An illicit act by Nery Medina against Andre Boucaud! The referee awards a free kick
1H 34'  Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Jan Michael Williams
1H 31'  Chance for Trinidad and Tobago. Kenwyne Jones shoots, stopped by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 31'  Jan Michael Williams clears the ball
1H 30'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Orlin Orlando Peralta
1H 30'  Throw-in for Honduras, done by Orlin Orlando Peralta
1H 28'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 28'  Kenwyne Jones shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
1H 28'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Daneil Cyrus
1H 27'  Throw-in for Honduras, done by Johnny Palacios
1H 25'  Mario René Berríos shoots on goal! But Jan Michael Williams catches the ball!
1H 25'  The linesman raises his flag, offside ruling for Mario Roberto Martínez
1H 24'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Johnny Palacios
1H 24'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Daneil Cyrus
1H 23'  Foul by Cornell Glen on José David Velásquez! The referee gives a free kick
1H 22'  Daneil Cyrus throws in
1H 21'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Daneil Cyrus
1H 20'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 20'  Kenwyne Jones shoots! But the attempt misses the target!
1H 20'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 19'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 19'  Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Kenwyne Jones shoots, but the ball misses the target!
1H 19'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 18'  Opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago. Kenwyne Jones shoots, but it goes wide!
1H 18'  Foul by Jerry Palacios on Khaleem Hyland! The referee awards a free kick
1H 17'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Daneil Cyrus
1H 17'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 16'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 15'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Mario René Berríos
1H 15'  Goal kick by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 15'  Bark Abu attempts to shoot on goal! But the attempt goes wide!
1H 15'  Corner kick for Trinidad and Tobago, taken by Khaleem Hyland
1H 14'  Clearance by Honduras, the ball was kicked out of bounds by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 13'  Bark Abu commits a foul on Mario René Berríos
1H 13'  Clearance by Jan Michael Williams
1H 13'  José David Velásquez clears the ball
1H 12'  Foul by Mario René Berríos on Kenwyne Jones! The referee gives a free kick
1H 12'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 11'  Cornell Glen is found in an offside position
1H 10'  Corner kick for Honduras, taken byAlexander Agustín López
1H 10'  Khaleem Hyland receives a yellow card
1H 10'  The referee shows Kevin Molino a yellow card
1H 9'  An illicit act by Kevin Molino against Mario René Berríos! The referee gives a free kick
1H 9'  Chance for Trinidad and Tobago. Andre Boucaud shoots, saved by Kevin Vance Hernandez
1H 8'  Alexander Agustín López fouls Cornell Glen
1H 8'  Throw-in for Trinidad and Tobago, done by Daneil Cyrus
1H 7'  Throw-in by Mario René Berríos
1H 7'  Corner kick for Honduras, executed by Mario Roberto Martínez
1H 7'  Bark Abu clears and gives away a corner
1H 7'  Corner kick for Honduras, taken by Mario Roberto Martínez
1H 6'  Cleared and corner given away by Trinidad and Tobago, made by Kenwyne Jones
1H 6'  Alexander Agustín López takes the corner kick
1H 5'  An illicit act by Khaleem Hyland against Mario René Berríos! The referee awards a free kick
1H 4'  Foul by Kevin Molino on Mario Roberto Martínez! The referee gives a free kick
1H 4'  Jan Michael Williams clears the ball by kicking it out of bounds
1H 4'  Daneil Cyrus throws in
1H 3'  Throw-in for Honduras, taken by Orlin Orlando Peralta
1H 3'  Clearance by Trinidad and Tobago, executed by Jan Michael Williams
1H 2'  Goal kick by Jan Michael Williams
1H 2'  A shot by Wilmer Daniel Fuentes went in the wrong direction
1H 2'  Alexander Agustín López takes the corner kick

  START OF THE GAME

T&T pushes on to first quater-final spot since 2000.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA).

Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior team bounced back with a workman-like showing to secure their first passage out of the first round since the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 victory over Honduras at the  BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston on Monday night.

Second half goals by stand-in skipper Kenwyne Jones and Kevin Molino pushed T&T to second spot on the group table on four points, ahead of El Salvador having scored a goal more and in the process set up a quarter-final meeting with Mexico in Atlanta on Saturday.

“It was a victory we wanted badly and one which we worked hard for tonight and I’m pleased more than anything else for the players,” head coach Stephen Hart told TTFA Media after the victory over a Honduran team that had already topped the group with six points and were through to the quarter-finals. Still, the win for T&T was of huge significance and quite pleasing for the T&T contingent in Houston and the TTFA at large.

“We made some changes to the team and the players on the field and the ones on the bench knew what the task was and they executed well. We took our goals well and I thought we were disciplined when we needed to be and we got the desired result. It’s a significant victory for all of us and hopefully be a post to the process of change and development that the football is undergoing at this time,” the head coach added.

Hart brought Cornell Glen, midfielder Andre Boucaud, defender Radanfah Abu Bakr and Kevin Molino into his starting team at the expense of Densill Theobald, Keon Daniel, Carlos Edwards and Seon Power while Daneil Cyrus replaced the injured Justin Hoyte. The changes paid dividends as each player delivered on the night.

Glen was hustled over by Orin Peralta in the 47th minute and Jones stepped up to convert the resulting penalty kick and put T&T 1-0 ahead.

Earlier on, Glen’s agility and Molino’s involvement saw T&T appear more purposeful in attack while Boucaud’s work rate in the middle was a welcomed sight.

Jose Velasquez was shown a straight red for a vicious tackle from behind on Glen seven minutes before the break.

Before Jones got on the scoresheet he had T&T’s two best openings. A header just missed the crossbar in the 29th and four minute later he failed to beat the goalkeeper after being sent through on a one on one. The Stoke City forward also had two shots which missed the target.

Scoreless at the half, T&T had it all to play for in the closing 45 minutes and they put on a display that warranted a good ending.

T&T forced the Hondurans on the backfoot and made their way through the defence for the second goal in the 68th minute. Hyland’s ball into Jones saw the big striker’s perfect flick set Molino up nicely and the Orlando City midfielder clinically struck home with a low right footer.

The goal sent the 200 odd T&T fans into a frenzy and silenced the Hondurans. The attendance was 21,783 but comprised of El Salvadorians who had showed up to see their team’s 1-0 win over Haiti in the opening match.

Joevin Jones and Molino were busy and combined well on T&T’s left while Darryl Roberts did his part on the right side. Carlos Edward replaced Roberts in the second half as T&T looked to tie up the victory.

Jones and Molino had a couple further chances as the second half progressed as T&T held their own at the back as Honduras tried to pull a goal back without any success.

“It was fantastic win for us tonight,” Jones added.  “We worked hard and we played well as a team. What we showed tonight is that we could lift ourselves up when the chips seemed down and this team can definitely become a force with more consistency at this level. I’m pleased we’ve been able to come out of the group stage for the first time in thirteen years.”

T&T will travel to Atlanta on Tuesday but Racing Genk midfielder Khaleem Hyland will not be available for Saturdays match, having been recalled to his club for a Cup clash. It was part of an arrangement between the TTFA and Genk management which stemmed from a late initial request for the player’s release for the tournament. Genk subsequently turned down the request before allowing him to join the squad ahead of the first game in agreement for his return ahead of the July 21st match with Anderlecht.