Game Report
Trinidad and Tobago versus Martinique
Never in Trinidad and Tobago's history have they lost the opening match
of the regional football competition. However that all changed when they
lost to Martinique 2-1 in the opening round of the Shell/Umbro cup. David
Nahkid and his squad will have to beat St. Kitts by a clear 2-0 margin
in order to qualify. Trinidad and Tobago took the lead in the seventh minute
of the first half. David Nahkid connected on a header from a right side
corner cross from Ancil Elcock. However, Martinique was more interested
in responding on the counterattack. One of the main criticism on the evening
was that the T&T midfield of Dale Saunders, Colvin Hutchinson, David
Nahkid and Angus Eve failed to click with each other. David Nahkid found
himself constantly marked by the Martinique defense. Huthinson never got
into to game and Dale Saunders and Angus Eve only produced in spurts. With
the midfield out of service, the main strike duo of Gary Glasgow and Jerren
Nixon were left without any assistance up front.
Martinique pressed the advantage of a non functioning T&T midfield
to level the scores in the 17th minute. A penalty off a foul by Ansil Elcock
leveled the game for the Frenchmen. Both sides had chances to go ahead
but Martinique pulled off a late goal in the second half. Mondenstti headed
home the winner off a free kick from outside the area. The game deteriorated
rapidly as 14 fouls were commited, four yellow cards were issued with three
going to the Calypso Boys.
Coach St. Clair has three days until the next match with St. Kitts on
Tuesday to revamp the entire squad.
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