Assistant coach Carrington blames individual errors for 2-1 defeat

REYNOLD CARRINGTON, assistant coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men's football team, blamed individual errors for the squad's 2-1 defeat to Nicaragua on Friday, in Group C of League B of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.

Carrington deputised as team coach as Angus Eve was forced to miss the trip due to personal family reasons.

During a post-game interview on the TT Football Association (TTFA) social media channels, Carrington, the former TT midfielder, acknowledged, "I think it was a tough one. Our intention, going away from home was to see if we were able to consolidate the first 45 minutes.

"We tried to do that," he added. "Conceding a 'soft' goal two minutes before half-time, we were fortunate to equalise (just after) the start of the second half. As the game went on, we clawed our way back but, after the stoppage, trying to get the momentum, I think it slipped away from us."

The game was delayed midway in the second half due to a power outage but Byron Bonilla ensured full points for the hosts, when he drilled a right-footed shot beyond the reach of TT goalkeeper and captain Marvin Phillip, in the 78th minute.

Josue Quijano put Nicaragua ahead in the 45th minute, with a left-footed shot which took a slight nick off defender Aubrey David.

But TT equalised a minute into the second half, when Shannon Gomez's cross from the right struck the chest of defender Christian Reyes and flew into the back of the net.

With regards to the game plan, Carrington said, "Our intention was not to concede. We did that for at least 43 minutes and, when we conceded the goal, we had to make some changes.

"When we looked back at the play, the momentum was with us," he added. "I think some errors happened individually and it cost us the game. I think these games we have to be a little more disciplined to be able to take (a) point."

TT will continue their Group C campaign on Monday against the Bahamas at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Carrington said, "We go again against the Bahamas on Monday. The Bahamas got a (1-0) victory over St Vincent so we sort of (dug) ourselves into a hole and we have to (fight) our way back out."