Neveal Hackshaw (#8) and Trinidad & Tobago defeated Aruba in a CONCACAF Under-20 Championship match on January 11, 2015, in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo: Mexsport)
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jabari Mitchell scored twice and Trinidad & Tobago captured its first win of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, defeating 10-man Aruba 5-1 on Sunday at the National Stadium.
With the victory, the young Soca Warriors took at least temporary possession of first place in Group A with four points from two games. Later in the day, Panama (1-0-0, 3 points) will meet the United States (0-1-0, 1 point), followed by an encounter between host Jamaica (0-1-0, 1 point) and Guatemala (0-1-0, 1 point).
Similar to its 2-2 draw with the Jamaicans in Friday's opener, Trinidad jumped out to an early lead.
Mitchell struck for his and the match’s first goal in the third minute. After running onto a long ball down the right wing, Aikim Andrews squared a pass towards the edge of the six-yard for the W Connection rising star, who slotted his shot off goalkeeper Janmarc Antersun and over the line.
The Trinidadians doubled their advantage in the 16th minute thanks to a well-worked set piece. Stationed near the left side in Aruba’s end, Mitchell made it appear as if he was going to pump his free kick into the box. Suddenly, Levi Garcia – from a deep position – made a sprint down the sideline and Mitchell cleverly rolled the ball in his direction. The unmarked Garcia centered on the ground to Andrews for a simple tap-in. It was the 18-year-old’s second goal in as many games.
Aruba conceded a penalty kick and was reduced to 10 men before 30 minutes elapsed. Joel Geerman was issued a straight red card for taking down Andrews in the box from behind. Kadeem Corbin converted the subsequent kick from the spot in the 29th minute to make it 3-0.
Looking to exceed Panama’s 4-0 win over Aruba on Friday, Trinidad continued to attack after the break.
In the 57th minute, Duane Muckette increased the Caribbean champion’s lead. The University of South Florida standout, realizing that he was not going to be closed down, fired home from 30-yards out with his right foot.
Trinidad was awarded a second penalty in the 77th minute as Garcia was tripped in the left side of the box by David Dubero. On this occasion, Mitchell stepped up to take the kick, burying it into the left side of the net in the next minute.
Duncan Homoet made history in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, scoring Aruba’s first-ever CONCACAF Under-20 Championship goal.
Trinidad returns to action on Wednesday against Guatemala, while Aruba will look to bounce back against the United States the same day.
