Posted on August 22, 2011
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Striker Darryl Roberts scored two goals in the second half and helped create another in the opening 45 minutes to power Trinidad & Tobago to a 3-0 victory over India in an international soccer game at Hasley Crawford Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Soca Warriors’ lone warm-up before starting its CONCACAF second-round qualifying against Bermuda on Sept. 2. T&T played its first competitive match since November.
“For me what it is not about the result but what I could see from these boys who had not played in maybe six months,” T&T coach Otto Pfister said at www.ttffonline.com, the federation’s official website. “The boys didn’t have official game in the legs for some time. I think for the first game it was okay. For my boys I was happy. As a new coach you don’t know exactly what the situation will be. There are some areas which we still have to work on but for this the first game I was pleased with some parts also.
Roberts was knocked down in the penalty area as he tried to run through two defenders and referee Courtney Campbell (Jamaica) awarded a penalty to the hosts. Striker Stern John, a former standout with the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer) converted past goalkeeper Subrata Paul in the 19th minute for his 70th international goal in 110 appearances. John is fourth among international goalscorers, trailing No. 3 and Brazilian legend Pele by seven goals.
A minute into the second half, Roberts made it 2-0 as he took advantage o a poor clearance and sent a close-rnage shot that beat Paul.
Roberts connected for his brace in the 84th minute. Andre Toussaint, who came on for John only three minutes prior, caught India napping as he took a quick free kick that sent Roberts through. The striker chipped Paul for the final goal.
“I think he [Stern] was a good player and he is still a good player,” Pfister told www.ttffonline. “One year he don’t play any football. Three months ago I gave him special menu to lose kilo and in every training he works very hard. I think Stern John has two to three years at this level. I think he made a very good performance in 75 minutes today. He is very dangerous player in the box and I think he is a key player for Trinidad and Tobago for another two-three years. This player [Roberts] is also like Stern. This is a very good player, He is always in movement. He is very strong with ball at the feet in penetration. I was very happy with him.”
T&T goalkeeper Marvin Phillip made several big stops, including denying Sunil Chhetri in the 54th minute and Je Je Lalpeklua in the 72nd minute.
Photo: Stern John converted a penalty kick for his 70th international goal for Trinidad. Scott Bales/YCJ
Categories: Bermuda, Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, World Cup Qualifying
Tags: 2014 World Cup Brazil, Andre Toussaint, Darryl Roberts, India National Team, Marvin Phillip, Scota Warriors, Stern John
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