Latest update January 11th, 2025 4:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Soca Warriors hold on for 1-1 draw despite Honduras dominate qualifier

Mar 30, 2009 Sports

By Sean Devers in Trinidad

The transformation from empty stands at the ‘Oval’ for the cricket a few hours earlier to a noisy sea of red in a massive crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday night for Trinidad and Tobago’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Honduras was amazing.

Close to 20,000 raucous fans jumped and waved in a true Carnival-like fashion as they desperately urged the Soca Warriors on after being silenced by a Carlos Pavon goal which gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute.

The sell-out crowd went wild when Belgium-based Khleem Hyland’s firm push from close range just crossed the goal line as Honduras Custodian Noel Valladres failed to keep his grip on the ball for the equalizer.

But with three minutes left in the contest, the Goal was too little too late for the ‘Warriors’ who had to settle for a point going into their next engagement against the tough USA unit in the States on Wednesday.

T&T lacked energy and speed in the first half which ended goalless and it was only when assistant player coach, Russell Latapy was introduced in the 66th minute that the tempo picked up.

Kenwyne Jones replaced an ‘out of sorts’ Densill Theobald and Hyland was brought back for Jason Scotland in the 61st minute while six minutes later Latapy was brought on for Keon Daniel who had an ordinary night.      

But by then the young T&T side, also without suspended player Christopher Birchall, were playing catch-up as Honduras, now with four wins from their last four matches on Trinidad soil, dominated the mid-field play for most of the contest.

The live-wire Pavon was easily the Man-of-the-Match and when Goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams’ got it wrong as he tried to punch away a corner-kick Pavon’s ‘header’ off the loose ball gave the Central American side the opening goal and the veteran Pavon his 50th at International level.

The opening goal should have come four minutes earlier but Pavon headed wide from an excellent position.  Anthony Wolfe just missed the equalizer in the 61st minute when he collected a low cross from Carlos Edwards and smashed the ball inches over the crossbar.

The introduction Latapy, who looked amazingly fit at 41, gave the T&T’s attack firepower as they pressed for the equalising goal.

Although they dominated ball possession and looked stronger than their opponents, Honduras also failed to successfully finish off their attacks up front and wasted two clear opportunities to score in the first half hour of the match.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge...

Jan 11, 2025

Kaieteur News- The body of 39-year-old Fu Jian Wei, an employee of China Railway Construction Corporation (International) was recovered from the Demerara River on Friday, the Ministry of Public Works...
Read More
Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in tour match against Pakistan Shaheens

Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in...

Jan 11, 2025

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders with Golden Jags star Omar Glasgow

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders...

Jan 11, 2025

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy Eagles 4-Day practice match bowls 

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy...

Jan 11, 2025

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be laid-to-rest January 13

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be...

Jan 11, 2025

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025 Referees training

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • Dem signs need calibrating

    Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News- Dem boys bin pass one of dem fancy speed meter signs wah de guvament put up fuh tell drivers... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]