Warriors through to final 'Hex'
By: The Associated Press
Trinidad and Tobago progressed to the CONCACAF finals of World Cup qualifying by beating Cuba 3-0 on Wednesday.
Trinidad needed only a draw to join the United States as qualifiers from Group 1, but Kenwyne Jones and Dwight Yorke scored in a two-minute span of the second half, and Keon Daniel's late strike helped to send the fans home happy from Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Trinidad's Colombian-born coach Francisco Maturana said he was satisfied with achieving the objective of qualifying for the next phase.
In highlighting Jones as "a rock," Maturana said his potential was still untapped.
"I believe Kenwyne Jones has the capacity to be one of the best forwards in the world," Maturana said. "He is a rock, and it's been a few years he's been like that."
On a heavy pitch soaked by two days of torrential rain, Trinidad almost scored after two minutes when Cuba defender Jenier Molina slipped and gifted possession to Russell Latapy, but the 40-year-old dragged his shot wide.
Cuba could have scored in the 24th when a fierce Mario Leonard drive beat goalkeeper Clayton Ince only to hit the inside of the post. Roberto Balmaseda failed to convert the rebound.
Trinidad began to look nervous as numerous chances were wasted but Yorke put Jones through one-on-one with Cuba goalkeeper Danis Quintero Chevans in the 67th and he slotted the ball beneath Chevans.
Moments later Jones returned the favor when he fed Yorke inside the penalty area and the Trinidad skipper made no mistake, drifting past a defender before driving a low right-foot shot beyond Chevans.
With a minute to go, Carlos Edwards charged down the right flank before cutting the ball back to the top of the box, from where Daniel calmly side-footed a shot into the roof of the net.
"It was significant that we had this result tonight because even though people felt this was going to be an easy game we didn't play particularly great in the first half," Yorke said.
There was some tough talking at halftime, he added.
"We got in at 0-0 but things could have gone the other way and we recognized that. Some harsh words were said and full credit to the players because they stepped up to the plate (in the second half)."
Trinidad & Tobago: - 1.Clayton Ince, 3.Aklie Edwards, 5.Keyeno Thomas, 6.Dennis Lawrence, 7.Christopher Birchall (Khaleem Hyland 81st), 8.Cyd Gray, 9.Keon Daniel, 10.Russell Latapy (14.Stern John 73rd), 11.Carlos Edwards, 15.Kenwyne Jones (12.Jason Scotland 79th), 17.Dwight Yorke (capt).
Subs Not Used: 18.Anthony Warner (GK), 13.Josh Johnson, 2.Clyde Leon.
Cuba: - 1.Danis Quintero Chevans, 2.Silvio Minoso (capt), 3.Jenier Molina, 4.Hnier Cantillo, 6.Joel Valencia (14.Juan Gonzalez 84th), 7.Lazaro Pratt, 8.Alianni Montaya, 9.Luis Ramirez, 10.Roberto Balmaseda (11.Jensee Sallez 81st), 16.Reisandry Cervantes, Mario Leonard (Evier Gonzalez 76th).
Warriors advance.
By: Gregory Trujillo (Guardian).
T&T Soca Warriors are into the final round of qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In aiming to make the world’s biggest football event for the second straight occasion, the Soca Wariors defeated Cuba 3-0 last night at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, with goals coming from Sunderland duo Kenwyne Jones and Dwight Yorke and local-based Keon Daniel.
The Soca Warriors won the first two corners of the match, both crosses were handled by the visitors’ defence.
With the Cubans not afraid to take shots, they were unlucky not to forge ahead in the 24th minute when a pile-driver by Pratt hit the upright.
In the 43rd minute, a good combination featuring Yorke, Latapy and Jones ended with Latapy volleying overbar.
T&T had a number of chances soon after the break with the first real chance falling to Edwards on the hour mark. But his cracking shot smashed against the crossbar.
The floodgates were opened for T&T in the 67th when Sunderland teammates Yorke and Jones combined to give the home team the important lead.
Defender Thomas broke up a Cuban attack, played the ball to Yorke in midfield. The skipper in turn put Jones through and the striker chipped over the head of advancing Quintros.
Two minutes later, Jones returned the favour for Yorke, who beat a defender and then Quintros to score.
Daniel sealed the issue when he notched his fourth goal in the tournament. With a cool head, the Petrotrin forward neatly placed a roofer past Quintros in the 89th.
T&T will now join the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador in the six-team final round home and away series—the draw for which will be made tomorrow.
