Posted on February 18, 2012
BACOLET, Tobago — The Trinidad & Tobago Under-23 National Team overcame a halftime deficit and recorded a 3-1 victory over Guyana on Thursday night.
T&T struck for three second-half goals en route to the win.
Walter Moore, who started for Guyana in its 2-1 win that eliminated the Soca Warriors from 2014 World Cup contention, lifted the visitors into the lead by converting a penalty kick in the 22nd minute.
However, Trinidad & Tobago answered three consecutive times in the second half on goals by Jamal Gay in the 49th minute, Trevin Caesar in the 61st minute and U.S.-based substitute Bradley Welch in the 77th minute.
“In the first half we used the opportunity to look at the players and we changed the system a bit and then we changed it again in the second half, also bringing on a couple new players,” Trinidad assistant coach Derek. King was quoted by TTFF Media.
“We have some players that we still have to look at in the US and we are still trying to finalize the squad. We are also looking to options available regarding our systems of play. We’re focusing on game-like situations and trying to ensure we select the best twenty players for the tournament,” King added.
Guyana coach Jamal Shabazz, who did not have his United Kingdom-based players, praised the hosts.
“I thought Trinidad and Tobago struggled a bit against high pressure in the first 45 minutes but credit to them in the second half in that they kept their nerves and came back at us very aggressively and very skillfully also,” he was quoted by TTFF Media. “This is a good sign with them showing strong character and good intensity. I was very happy with what I saw of Trinidad and Tobago in the second half.”
T&T is preparing for the CONCACAF men’s Olympic qualifying tournament. The Caribbean side will participate in Group B in Carson, Calif. along with Mexico, Honduras and Panama from March 23-27. The top two teams will reach the March 31 semifinals, where the winners will book a spot at the London Olympics.
The Guyanans themselves are preparing for World Cup qualifying. They are in Group B with Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The semifinal round begins on June 8.
Categories: Caribbean, Guyana, Olympic Qualifying, Trinidad and Tobago, World Cup Qualifying
Tags: Bradley Welch, CONCACAF men's Olympic qualifying tournament, Derek King, Jamal Gay, Jamal Shabazz, London 2012, Trevin Caesar, Walter Moore, World Cup qualifying
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