PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Forward Jonathan Glenn believes good preparation was behind Trinidad and Tobago’s 3-3 draw with CONCACAF powerhouses Mexico.
The two teams played to yet another thrilling stalemate, this time at the Rio Tinto Stadium last Friday in Sandy, Utah, to follow up their entertaining 4-4 result during the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
The 28-year-old Glen, who scored in the encounter, said they had a good idea what to expect from the Mexicans and had prepared accordingly.
“We knew they are a great passing team and that at certain spells in the game that we would have to defend really solidly and we would have to go periods of the game without having the ball,” the Iceland-based player said.
“I think it was really important that we got the early goal to kind of settle us. But even if we went two nil up that it wasn’t going to be game over because they would be a team that would keep coming at us.”
He continued: “We got the third goal and then we were unlucky to concede the third goal which was an amazing one by them.”
The game was a significant one for Glenn as he not only made his first start but scored his first international goal when he opened the scoring for T&T in the seventh minute. And though he spent most of his time on the bench during T&T’s Gold Cup campaign, Glenn said he was never despondent at any stage.
“I think in the Gold Cup the team was playing really well. The coach spoke to me and he let me know that my time will come and that I just needed to be patient and I just needed to continue working hard,” he explained.
“With that mindset I was not worried … once I was able to continue doing well for my club and have the right attitude, I would get my chance and it came [on Friday].”
Glenn’s goal and another from Keron Cummins in the 39th minute gave the Trinidadians a 2-0 advantage which was halved when Carlos Esquivel scored before half-time.
Mexico then went on to score two more goals in the second half – including one with five minutes remaining – to secure a share of the honours.
Glenn praised T&T’s effort even though they surrendered a two-goal lead.
“I’m pleased with the performance. Mexico is a fantastic team and this was a huge moment for me and I knew I just had to go out there and give it my all,” he said. “We were unlucky to give up that late goal but I’m still very excited at the moment.”
