Soca Warriors cruise into 2025 Gold Cup

DWIGHT Yorke achieved his first major target as Soca Warriors head coach by guiding Trinidad and Tobago to 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup qualification following a well-deserved victory over ten-man Cuba at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on March 25.

Two goals in the first half from forward Isaiah Lee and one each from skipper Kevin Molino and substitute Nathaniel James in the second half shut Cuba out and propelled TT to an inspiring victory in front of their cheering home fans.

The hosts were dominant from the get-go, and with Cuba midfielder Romario Torres red-carded for a two-footed tackle on Andre Rampersad in the second minute, TT capitalised on their player-advantage to seal a coveted Gold Cup spot.

Soon after the first whistle and Torres' exit, TT applied pressure from both wings as Tyrese Spicer and Isaiah Garcia served as ample providers.

A low free kick from Joevin Jones in the tenth minute had Cuban defender Daniel Morejon miscue his clearance and saw the ball go just wide of the post.

Some fancy footwork from an aggressive Spicer played Molino on but the TT skipper hit over bar. Spicer threatened all night. A cross from Isaiah Garcia found the head of a charging Molino who hit into the ground, but the ball bounced overbar.

Twenty minutes in, defender Alvin Jones rifled his favoured long-range effort but Cuban goalie Raiko Arozarena parried the ball into Spicer’s path, who hit it hard, but onto the crossbar.

TT got on the scoresheet in the 21st after another defence-breaking run by Spicer, who crossed low into the box for Lee to fire past Azozarena.

Cuba’s lone chance in the first half came from forward Alessio Raballo, who had his glaring header go wide. Raballo was bossed for most of the match by TT defenders Jones, Darnell Hosepdales and Josiah Trimmingham.

In the 37th, a loose back pass from Yosel Piedra was pounced on by Lee who sent TT 2-0 up with an easy goal.

So it remained at the half-time break.

Yorke replaced veteran Jones at the resumption and introduced goal threat Real Gill. TT’s persistence in front goal never stopped as Spicer executed quick-feet once more to set up Molino. Flawlessly, he fired home to send TT 3-0 up.

Gill’s addition breathed new life into TT’s frontline and he, Molino and Lee kept the pressure on. Kaihim Thomas and Nathaniel James also replaced Isaiah Garcia and goalscorer Lee.

Molino and Gill combined again with Gill hitting straight to Aronzarena. Midfielder Daniel Phillips also had promising, surging runs which increased TT’s opportunities in front goal. Phillips also fired a long-range effort which was parried out.

Frustration showed from the Cubans as the TT backline stood firm and goalkeeper Denzil Smith was hardly used. Molino was then replaced by Ajani Fortune.

And in the 84th, TT affirmed victory as Gill placed a picture-perfect through-ball to James, who hit it hard, low and fast to seal a 4-0 triumph in front over 6,241 fans.

Before the match, however, traffic snailed to the venue from the highway and caused heavy gridlock. Fans were still seen coming into the venue at the 75th minute. Those who arrived earlier, were seen leaving around the 80th minute to grab a head start from the post-match traffic.

The Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off in the US and Canada from June 14 to July 6.