[Updated] Trinidad and Trinidad defeat St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0

Trinidad and Tobago defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 in League B, Group C of the Concacaf Nations League at the Arnos Vale Recreation Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, on Friday.

A goal apiece from Neveal Hackshaw and Levi Garcia in the first half was enough to give TT the victory.

Rain started to fall at the end of the first half and it affected the intensity in the second half as both teams lacked pace.

It was TT’s second win on the trot in the tournament after getting past Bahamas 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, on Monday.

TT head coach Angus Eve said St Vincent and the Grenadines battled during the match and the rain did impact the game.

“Credit to St Vincent they made the game difficult for us in the last 35 minutes, but before that I thought we dominated the game until the weather changed and then they got a little bit of spirit in them which (is understandable because) they at home, they had a big crowd in.

“Credit to us because we came out very professional in the second half and we won the game 2-0.”

Garcia was at the centre of many of TT’s attacks on goal. In the fourth minute, he dribbled into the 18-yard box but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Garcia found Noah Powder at the top of the box but his shot went over the bar.

St Vincent and the Grenadines also created chances of their own. In the 14th minute, a promising attacking play started by captain Cornelius Stewart on the right side did not lead to a clear cut chance on goal.

A minute later, Garret Leigertwood tried to pick out Stewart with a cross, but the latter could not make contact.

Hackshaw and Garcia combined brilliantly to open the scoring for TT in the 17th minute. Hackshaw first played the ball to Garcia and the latter found Hackshaw again who chested the ball down in the 18-yard box and calmly lobbed St Vincent and the Grenadines goal-keeper Lemus Christopher.

St Vincent tried to respond quickly. In the 23rd minute, Azinho Solomon ran up the right flank then cut in on his left foot, but his attempt from just outside the box was comfortably saved by TT goal-keeper Marvin Phillip.

In the 25th minute, Garcia doubled the lead for TT. Shannon Gomez crossed the ball from the right side and Garcia, with two defenders surrounding him, headed the ball into the far corner.

St Vincent and the Grenadines attempted to attack the TT goal, but never tested Phillip.

In the 35th, TT defender Aubrey David gave away the ball metres from goal but the home team failed to capitalize.

With the rain belting down John-Paul Rochford, who had a quiet first half, struck the post for TT in the 44th minute with a free kick from 25 yards out as the first half came to a close.

Garcia continued to be a threat as in the 60th minute he found Reon Moore who struck the ball onto the bar from just outside the box.

St Vincent’s final pass or shot continued to let them down. In the 64th minute Sheldon Bateau attempted to head the ball out, but it fell to Stewart who failed to find the target.

Substitute Marcus Joseph created a few chances when he came on.

As the time ticked away, St Vincent and the Grenadines tried to salvage something from the match but could not find the back of the net.

Garcia was elated with the TT team effort in the match.

“I think we dug deep. We came out with a good team performance (and) everyone did their part and most important as I said three points and I am really happy about it,” Garcia said.

TT are second in Group C with six points after three matches behind Nicaragua.

On Friday, Nicaragua got past Bahamas 2-0 and lead the standings with seven points.

TT will play St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday, at 7 pm.