T&T lose lead twice in 2-2 draw away to Cuba; but can still avoid relegation

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team interim head coach Derek King is still waiting for his first win at the helm, after his outfit settled for a 2-2 draw away to Cuba in Concacaf Nations League A action today.

With the current Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) executive  apparently set to look elsewhere for its next head coach, King is likely to get just one more chance at three points with the Soca Warriors.

On Monday 14 October, the Soca Warriors host Cuba at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet. And a victory would be enough to avoid relegation to the Concacaf’s second tier, League B.

At this stage, preservation is about as much as Trinidad and Tobago football fans could hope for.

In a see-saw battle today, the Warriors led twice but never really controlled the contest. King’s men might have won—but they could just as easily have lost too.

Cuba started brighter and dominated the opening stage of the match. Yet, Trinidad and Tobago struck first against the run of play.

Attacker Isaiah Lee nicked the ball from an opponent near the middle of the field and held off his man to win a free kick.

There did not seem to be any immediate danger. But left back Triston Hodge’s cross, after a short free kick, was met with a powerful header from defender Sheldon Bateau and, from nothing, the visitors were ahead.

The 33-year-old Bateau was one of four returning veterans today alongside midfielder Joevin Jones (also 33), attacking midfielder Kevin Molino (34) and goalkeeper Adrian Foncette (36).

The latter two were substitutes at kick off but were both called upon in the second half.

The average age of Trinidad and Tobago’s starting outfield players today was 30. The average age of Cuba’s outfield starting lineup was 23.

But what does that say exactly? King is reluctant to take a chance on young talent? Or that there are few emerging players who are dependable enough to turn to in a crisis?

It is probably a bit of both.

Just a month ago in Honduras, King named teenager Dantaye Gilbert in an attack-minded starting line-up for his first senior international in charge and also gave significant minutes to Kaïlé Auvray (20), Real Gill (21) and Nathaniel James (20).

The Warriors were routed 4-0.

Less than 10 minutes into his second away trip, King had five defenders with two workman-like midfielders ahead of them—and one of his 33-year-old call-ups had scored.

And there would have been further evidence of the benefit of experience if 38-year-old Kevon Woodley took a presentable chance in the 41st minute.

“We had at least two opportunities to go two goals up and we never took our chances,” King told the TTFA Media. “Once we keep the [opposing] team in the game, they will grow in confidence.”

Ironically, Cuba coach Yunielys Castillo could have given the same speech at the interval. Veteran forward Maykel Reyes, Cuba’s oldest player at just 31, had two excellent scoring chances inside the opening half hour.

One thing seemed certain. This was not the sort of game where a one goal lead would suffice.

King made two changes at the halftime break with Ross Russell Jr deputising for the injured Hodge while Ryan Telfer replaced Woodley. Bateau made it to the 52nd minute before also limping off the turf with what appeared to be a muscle injury.

Alvin Jones came in for Bateau.

On the hour mark, Alvin’s more decorated elder brother, Joevin, almost gave the Warriors an insurance item—as he stepped inside an opposing defender but flashed his shot wide of the last post.

Four minutes later, 21-year-old Cuba substitute Rey Angel, left criminally unattended, made Trinidad and Tobago pay for the let off with a searing right-footed drive from outside the area that beat goalkeeper Denzil Smith to level the scores.

Smith was not able to continue and was replaced by Foncette—King’s fourth change of the match.

Remarkably, Trinidad and Tobago went ahead again. This time, it was a well-crafted goal from open play, as Russell Jr advanced down the left flank to cross to Andre Rampersad who relayed the ball to Joevin. And “JJ” neatly turned a Cuban defender before drilling his shot into the far corner.

During the goal celebrations, Molino entered the field for Noah Powder. It was a perfectly understandable swap when Molino handed his sub card to the fourth official. Trinidad and Tobago were seeking a winner at the time,

But by the time Powder was actually called off, the dynamics had changed. And Trinidad and Tobago were trying to protect a lead.

In the end, they could not hold on. And, to be fair to Molino, the Warriors looked defensively fragile throughout the contest—and not just when he came on.

In any case, cue some more calamitous defending with another Cuban youngster, this time it was 19-year-old Aniel Casanova, benefiting to bring the hosts back level.

“This game is something we can build on,” said King, who is targeting three points in Tobago next Monday.

At the final whistle, Cuba had 52% possession with 416 passes to Trinidad and Tobago’s 411. However, the hosts had more than twice as many shots (23 to 11) with the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeepers forced to make five saves, compared to three for Cuba’s Raiko Arozarena.

King said he was disappointed in the result but also credited his team’s “style of play” and willingness to pass themselves out of trouble.

“Defensively we have some work to do,” said King. “Out fitness has a way to go as well. It is a work in progress.”

Time is always in short supply as Men’s National Senior Team head coach though. And already supporters are clamouring for a more recognisable name or a more attractive CV at the helm.

It is unlikely that King will get to finish his work. Instead, his tenure will boil down to one result.

Will Trinidad and Tobago be demoted to Concacaf Nations League B on his watch? Or can he keep the Warriors in the top tier of the confederation?

The answer is likely to define his brief stint at the helm.

Team

Trinidad and Tobago: 22.Denzil Smith (GK) (21.Adrian Foncette [GK] 68); 14.Shannon Gomez, 4.Sheldon Bateau (16.Alvin Jones 53), 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 18.Triston Hodge (5.Ross Russell Jr 46); 8.Isaiah Lee, 6.Andre Rampersad, 19.Noah Powder (10.Kevin Molino 71), 3.Joevin Jones; 23.Kevon Woodley (7.Ryan Telfer 46).

Unused substitutes: 1.Christopher Biggette (GK), 9.Nathaniel James, 11.Real Gill, 13.Michel Poon-Angeron, 15.Dantaye Gilbert, 20.John-Paul Rochford.

Interim coach: Derek King

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.