Friday, January 27 2012

JAMAL GAY netted in the 47th minute as the Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 football team edged the visiting Finland “senior” team 1-0 on Wednesday evening in a friendly fixture at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

The Caledonia AIA striker collected a ball from national midfielder Kevin Molino and, on his second attempt, placed his shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jesse Joronen.

Molino, who plays for Orlando City in the United Soccer League (USL), and Caledonia AIA winger Micah Lewis were the major attacking sources for the Under-23s.

Midfielder Jayson Joseph forced a good save from Joronen in the first half while substitutes Kaydion Gabriel and Trevin Caesar had close shaves in the second period.

For Finland, Kasper Hamalainen squandered two chances to beat TT goalie Andre Marchan while Akseli Pelvas also missed a pair of

goal-scoring opportunities.

The TT Under-23s are expected to have a practice match against the Guyana “senior” team at a date and time to be determined.

Following the game, Eve said, “I had an opportunity to see the Finland team against our ‘senior’ team and I devised a plan to face them and I must say the boys executed that plan very well.”

The former TT midfielder and captain continued, “I thought the boys were very disciplined throughout the game for instance Jamal Gay was up front alone but he kept working hard and he took his chance when it came.

“I thought that we need to improve on our possession play,” Eve said.

“In the Pan American Games we played against teams of a similar level, in terms of the intensity, and today it was the same from the Finland team.”