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We have 28 guests online| T&T END PRELIMS WITH 1-1 DRAW |
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 Second round contention in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC) culminated on Sunday evening at the Marvin Lee Stadium with host Trinidad & Tobago dancing their way back to earn a draw against Guyana’s Golden Jaguars.It was a keen contest which produced a much improved performance from the Jaguars who had been favored to advance to the DCC Finals prior to the commencement of the group, based on their past performances in the competition, but that was not to be. Following Antigua & Barbuda’s nerve racking triumph against St. Kitts & Nevis in the first game of the double header and their qualification for the finals, Guyana could have eased off the throttle for the T&T encounter but it brought out the best fans have seen of them in the group matches. Solid and creative ball work by the Guyanese saw them controlling the game against the home team and created some early chances which went wide of the target. Shawn Bishop had an early chance from a free kick just outside the box that sailed over the bar. Dwight Peters in the 13th minute and Bishop again one minute later, spilled more chances to take the lead. Left outside midfielder Walter Moore received a neat pass from Randolph in the 18th minute and took a well timed left foot shot on the run which curled past the near post. Trinidad & Tobago too, would come close on a number of occasions. Keon Daniel’s 21st minute shot was saved on the second attempt by Richard Reynolds. The Trinis, boasting a rich history in Caribbean football dating back to the inception of regional competition in 1989, would come close to taking the lead again in the 45th minute when the Guyana defense was caught flat footed, Scott Sealy and Khaleem Hyland working in tandem failed to make good on their opportunity, Reynolds again, clutching the ball on second attempt. Andre Toussaint let off a scorching shot in added on time in the first half but his shot sailed over the cross bar bringing an end to a pulsating first half. T&T wasted no time in injecting fresh leg into their attack and made a triple change just after the commencement of the second half. Seon Power, Scott Sealy and Aurtis Whitley replaced by Cyd Gray, Devon Jorsling and veteran Arnold Dwarika. The changes though, did not bring the home team immediate results, Guyana continuing to dominate proceedings. They made their first change in the 48th minute when Kester Jacobs made way for Dwain Jacobs. Gregory Richardson and Randolph Jerome continued to work overtime up front seeking to penetrate the Trinidad defense but they were being kept at bay all along. In the 58th minute though, Jerome was the man to orchestrate the move that would eventually break the deadlock. His squared pass in the box searching for Richardson, was handled by Keon Daniel as adjudged by referee Willy Minyetty of the Dominican Republic. Richardson, who was in ripping form for T&T’s Pro League side Joe Public in the CONCACAF Champions League, took the shot for Guyana and buried it easily, sending custodian Marvin Phillip to his left as the ball went straight on into the back of the nets. The goal sent the large T&T crowd into a hush as they never expected the Jaguars to strike first. The Guyanese technical staff utilised their second change in the 70th minute strengthening the midfield, Howard Newton taking over from Dwight Peters. The soft sound of drums could be heard in the stands and gradually the home team, which has shown that they possess the necessary artillery to fight from behind, began to gather more momentum in their attacks. Their midfield started to smother and out-play the Jaguars who started to look a bit jaded from the steady build ups. And even as time ticked, the equaliser was not far away. In the 85th minute substitute Jorsling tucked his shot past Reynolds, a goal that brought the entire stadium to its feet. Soon after, the whistle was sounded to bring an end to a keen fight with the spoils shared equally but more importantly, Trinidad & Tobago moving on along with Antigua & Barbuda to the Finals of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships. Trinidad & Tobago topped the group with 7 points. Antigua & Barbuda finished second with 6, Guyana 2 and St. Kitts & Nevis who lost a thriller to Antigua 4-3, ending on 1. Guyana: 02. John Rodrigues, 03. Howard Lowe, 04. Kester Jacobs (Dwain Jacobs min 48), 05. Walter Moore, 10. Gregory Richardson, 12. Shawn Bishop (19. Kayode Mc Kinnon min 85), 13. Charles Pollard, 14. Dwight Peters (9. Howard Newton min 70), 18. Randolph Jerome, 21. Chris Nurse, 22. Richard Reynolds. Subs: 01. Andrew Durant, 08. Carey Harris, 11. Collie Hercules, 17. Devon Millington. Trinidad and Tobago: 02. Clyde Leon, 04. Makan Hislop, 05. Keyeno Thomas, 06. Khaleem Hyland, 09. Aurtis Whitley (15. Arnold Dwarika min 46), 10. Andre Toussaint, 11. Scott Sealy (18. Devon Jorsling min 46), 16. Seon Power (8. Cyd Gray min 46), 17. Aklie Edwards, 19. Keon Daniel, 21. Marvin Phillip. Subs: 01. Glenroy Samuel, 03. Avery John, 12. Lester Peltier, 14. Julius James. Referee: Willy Minyetty (Dominican Republic) |
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