Trinidad and Tobago head coach Francisco Maturana says he takes full responsibility for this country’s humiliating 2-1 defeat to Bermuda in Sunday’s 2010 World Cup qualifier at the Marvin Lee Stadium. Speaking to reporters after the match via translator Fillipo Alario, the Colombian said there was no excuse for the loss.
“This first game of the World Cup Qualifiers left us with a very bad taste in our mouth, in addition it was a pretty bad result. Asked what was his thoughts on the outcome the Colombian added, “I think Bermuda were just winners of the match. They played a very calm game and interpreted the tactical game well. With regards to the shabby performance by his own players Maturana stated, “We had a lot of moments of confusion.
“We did not find the clarity that we had in past games. He added. “We were too much in a hurry to reach in the opponents goal. “This is definitely an initial overview because this is definitely not over. I believe if we find the way that we were playing before this match we can turn around this result in Bermuda.” “For this result I accept full responsibility and absorb the players from this responsibility and take it all on myself.
“When you lose everybody is right and I will respect everyone’s opinion of the game. But at the same time I would like to reserve the right to confront and enter into any tactical discussion of what happened.
Asked his reasons for replacing attacking midfielder with Khlaleem Hyland at the half-time interval and introducing left back Ancil Farrier with the ‘Soca Warriors’ down 2-1, Maturana replied, “It was tactical decision and one that I will not like to get into, but I can reassure you it was with the intent on doing good.”
Maturana when question if there was any pressure on him now to get the required result on Sunday in Hamilton, Bermuda noted that he has been a coach for many games and will always feel the pressure to win. Looking ahead to Sunday’s second-leg which T&T must win by two clear goals to advance Maturana said, “I really can’t comment on how we will play, it’s more of an attitude issue than a tactical one.
Having seen his players waste a number of clear-cut scoring chances, the T&T coach added, ““Yes, absolutely there is a problem scoring goals for us. Our two guys upfront are among the top strikers for the country all-time but I’m off the philosophy that goals come as a result of good play and goals are the end game, it means we need to start playing better.
“Today (Sunday) I noticed we abused the long ball and that’s is absolutely not the way to approach the goal. The way to play is to be patient, play your natural game and the goal will come. Maturana added, that his team knew what to expect from Bermuda but just did not perform well.
“Yes, absolutely there was scouting of the Bermuda team, but the problem was not how Bermuda played, the problem was how T&T played. “There is a problem with our defense and we have the rest of this week to work on it tactically and we will try to fix.” Overall, the Colombian stayed clear of pointing fingers at any of his players individually and said that was the job for the media to do.
” I judge the team as a whole and how they play.”
Asked to comment on the second goal scored by Bermuda, Maturana pointed out that he was extremely surprised it did stand.
“I only remember that Clayton Ince had the ball in his hand... next thing I see it’s a goal," the Colombian concluded. The team resumes training on Tuesday at the Larry Gomes Stadium and will depart for Bermuda on Thursday morning.