PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago conceded two second-half goals, plunging to a 2-0 defeat to Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League here Thursday night, to extend their winless streak in all competitions to 12.
The hosts managed to frustrate the Honduras side and enter the break at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on level terms at nil-all but an early second half strike from Brayan Moya and an injury-time goal from Douglas Martinez, killed off their chances.
T&T ended the game with nine men after winger Levi Garcia picked up a second yellow in the 72nd minute and defender Mekeil Williams was given a straight red in added time at the end. While the defeat was the first for T&T following stalemates against Martinique, it left left them on only two points from three matches in Group C of League A, and in further danger of relegation to League B and missing out on direct qualification for the 2021 Gold Cup.
“Tonight (Thursday) it was disappointing for us. I thought we had a good first half. We started well and created a couple good chances but we failed to capitalise,” captain Khalee Hyland said afterwards.
“It was a difficult evening and we now find ourselves in a position where we have to depend on the results of the other matches and also go to Honduras and get something there.”
He added: “It wasn’t easy in the conditions and then with a lot of rain today and heavy traffic made it difficult before the game but we have to keep believing.
“It’s not a good run for us at the moment but in everything if you continue to believe in yourself, believe in God and continue to work hard to achieve then there will be a good to follow. As I said we are not enjoying the best of times but we have to keep fighting.”
Bryan Rochez forced a save out of Marvin Phillip in the eighth minute as Honduras pressured early on while T&T’s Sheldon Bateau struck the crossbar in the 27th with his header.
And just before the break, Henry Figueroa’s fierce drive was tipped over by Phillip to keep T&T’s sheet clean at half-time. On resumption, however, Honduras got the breakthrough goal when Albert Ellis produced good work on the right touchline to set up Moya who beat Phillip from close range.
T&T searched for the equaliser in vain and was lucky not to fall further behind when Phillip fisted away Jonathan Toro’s curling left-footer in the 81st minute.
However, no such fortune fell their way in injury time when Ellis teed up Martinez for his debut goal.