Soca Warriors humbled 4-0 by Honduras in King’s Nation League debut

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker head coach Derek King made an unceremonious start to his dream job last night, as the Soca Warriors were spanked 4-0 by Honduras in Concacaf Nations League A action in Tegucigalpa.

In the build-up to yesterday’s contest, King spoke about the importance of weathering the first 30 minutes of the contest. Trinidad and Tobago passed that test with flying colours.

The Warriors were not only resolute at the back but created two decent chances themselves.

Lively flanker Real Gill shot over with his left foot from the edge of the opposing area in the 17th minute, after midfielder Dantaye Gilbert helped advance the ball into the Honduran half of the field.

And, in the 18th minute, the visitors had an even better opportunity as Reon Moore passed up a shooting chance to slip to Ryan Telfer, whose strike on the turn deflected off a defender and out for a corner.

The score remained goalless at the half-hour mark, but by then there were a few worrying signs.

Honduras playmaker Antony Lopez was finding pockets of space for himself between the Trinidad and Tobago midfield and defensive line, while the Warriors were conceding the ball too cheaply with slack passing.

In the 36th minute, Lopez crossed from inside the box to flanker Edwin Rodriguez whose volley produced a superb save from goalkeeper Denzil Smith with his boot.

But Honduras would not be denied indefinitely. And, in the 39th minute, the hosts finally went ahead after Rodriguez teed up Lopez on the edge of the box and the latter’s shot deflected off Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Andre Rampersad to loop over smith.

Two minutes into first half stoppage time—with King probably mentally going over his halftime team talk—they conceded again.

Trinidad and Tobago right back Alvin Jones went down after a collision but referee Tori Penso allowed play to continue and Honduras immediately charged down the vacant area that Jones’ policed.

Lopez was again involved, this time with a cushioned pass to midfielder Kervin Arriaga who beat Smith with a fine drive.

Trinidad and Tobago never looked like getting back into the game thereafter.

Rodriguez was denied by the referee’s assistant flag for offside in the 47th minute. But it was only a temporary inconvenience, as he got his first goal of the night in the 54th minute—off a tidy left side cross from Luis Palma.

And, in the 86th minute, Honduras stretched their lead to 4-0 thanks to a precise finish from substitute David Ruiz-Ochoa.

The scoreline did not flatter the hosts either.

King’s troops, who were outshot 16 to three, will hope to find the right response on Tuesday 10 September at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet when they host French Guiana.

Last year, under former head coach Angus Eve, Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the quarterfinal round of the Nations League A—where they lost 4-2 to the United States on goal aggregate.

Should the Warriors fail to win next week, they will be staring at a relegation battle instead.

(Teams)

Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 22.Denzil Smith (GK); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 6.Andre Raymond (3.Triston Hodge 60); 18.Andre Rampersad, 15.Dantaye Gilbert (19.Noah Powder 60); 12.Steffen Yeates (20.Kaïlé Auvray 65), 13.Reon Moore (9.Nathaniel James 60), 11.Real Gill; 7.Ryan Telfer (23.Kevon Woodley 71).

Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 21.Aaron Enill (GK), 4.Daniel Phillips, 5.Leland Archer, 8.Isaiah Lee, 10.Duane Muckette, 14.Shannon Gomez.

Coach: Derek King

Honduras (4-2-1-3): 1.Edrick Menjivar (GK); 13.Maylor Nunez, 2.Denil Maldonado, 4.Luis Vega, 8.Joseph Rosales; 5.Kervin Arriaga, 20.Deybi Flores; 10.Alexander Lopez (12.David Ruiz-Ochoa 66); 16.Edwin Rodriguez, 9.Antony Lozano (captain) (11.Rubilio Castillo 66), 7.Luis Palma (17.Douglas Martinez 66).

Unused substitutes: 18.Marlon Licona (GK), 22.Luis Lopez (GK), 3.Raul Santos, 6.Juan Carlos Obregon, 14.Jesus Batiz, 15.Devron Garcia, 19.Carlos Pineda, 21.Bryan Rochez, 23.Jorge Alvarez.

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Referee: Tori Penso