PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago remained on course to reach the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup when they stormed from behind to beat Suriname 2-1 in the first leg of their final Caribbean Football Union qualifying tie on Friday night.
Playing at the André Kamperveen Stadium, the young Soca Warriors hit back after going behind in the 11th minute, to complete a rewarding win ahead of their return leg in Trinidad and Tobago on December 20.
Marcus Joseph, who plays for Joe Public FC in the T&T Pro League, brought the visitors level on the stroke of half-time before captain Sheldon Bateau conjured up the winner in the 59th minute.
“I said before the match that I didn’t expect this game to be easy and Suriname proved me right. We had to work very hard for the victory …,” coach Zoran Vranes said afterward.
“Suriname were very different to St Vincent and I’m pleased with the way we played to the end because this kind of match is important for my players if we are to go to the next stage in CONCACAF because the competition there will be much tougher and … I saw my players hold on nicely for a victory.”
T&T suffered a blow late in the game when Ryan Fredericks was sent off eight minutes from the end, but defenders Joevin Jones and Akeem Adams kept things solid at the back to keep Suriname’s strikers at bay.
