Trinidad and Tobago will face Curacao for just the second time in their history in the CONCACAF Nations League. Following Nicaragua’s disqualification, the Soca Warriors were promoted to League A of this competition. La Familia Azul kept their berth in the top flight of the Nations League despite placing last in their group.
Preview (Trinidad and Tobago vs. Curacao)
Trinidad and Tobago have returned to the top flight of this competition for the first time since this tournament’s inception in 2019 after an unexpected plot twist at the conclusion of their previous Nations League B season. The Soca Warriors ended the season one point ahead of Nicaragua in the standings. Since then they utilized an ineligible player, and they were denied promotion to League A. They were instead given an automatic spot in the 2023 Gold Cup by TNT. Trinidad’s recent performances in CONCACAF competitions demonstrate there is still much space for improvement. The senior team lost its final two games at the Gold Cup this summer by a combined score of 10-1.
The 51-year-old has promised to diversify the player pool in Trinidad and Tobago and expose more children to major competitions. They haven’t played at Hasely Crawford Stadium since defeating Saint Martin 2-0 in a friendly. The Soca Warriors haven’t suffered a loss there since 2019 (a 2-0 loss against Honduras). They have only ever faced Curacao once. It was an exciting matchup at the 2014 Caribbean Cup that Trinidad ultimately won 3-2.
Curacao will have the opportunity to move past some previous CONCACAF setbacks by competing in League A. The teeny island nation from the Lesser Antilles was eliminated in the first round of their 2023 Gold Cup qualifying playoff against Saint Kitts and Nevis, conceding an equalizer in the 83rd minute and losing 3-2 on penalties. They missed out on the semi-finals in their first appearance at this tournament by one point. They finished last in a group with Canada and Honduras in 2022-23. Bicentini also assisted this squad in winning the last Caribbean Cup in 2017. They defeated Jamaica by a score of 2-1.
Team News
AEK Athens’ thigh injury may prevent Levi Garcia from playing for Trinidad, and Kevin Molino, who scored 23 goals for the senior team, recently declared his retirement from international football. In their prior Nations League appearances, Neveal Hackshaw, Noah Powder, and Joevin Jones all scored twice, while Nicklas Frenderup and Marvin Phillip both recorded a clean sheet. In their lone prior encounter with Curacao, the Soca Warriors narrowly prevailed thanks to a brace from Kenwyne Jones and a goal from Molino in the second half.
This week, Jearl Margaritha, Jaron Vicario, and Nino Francisco will be competing for their first caps for Curacao, while La Pantera Azul will be without the seasoned Eloy Room, Jurgen Locadia, Xander Severina, and Nigel Thomas. At the last Nations League competition, only Leandro Bacuna and Anthony van den Hurk scored goals for this squad. Both teams appear to be lacking quality in the offensive third.
Trinidad and Tobago 0 – 0 Curucao
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