Russia dream ends for Soca Warriors

PANAMA CITY (CMC): TRINIDAD AND Tobago’s bid to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia ended in disappointment here Tuesday night when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Panama at the Estadio Rommel Fernandes.

The Caribbean side fell behind to Gabriel Torres’ 39th-minute strike to be 1-0 down at halftime and a 58th-minute own goal from Carlyle Mitchell, and Abdiel Arroyo’s strike seven minutes from time sealed the heavy loss.

For T&T, it was their seventh straight defeat in the tournament, leaving them rock bottom of the CONCACAF final-round standings on three points with two games left in the campaign. Powerhouses Mexico top the standings on 18 points and have already secured qualification to next year’s showpiece, while Costa Rica lie second on 15 and Panama,third on 10.

T&T head coach Dennis Lawrence said afterwards the entire side was disappointed by the outcome of the campaign.

“Obviously we knew coming into the game it would have been very difficult because Panama are a well organised team,” Lawrence said.

“I thought the game was very tight until [we conceded the first two goals] and then from there was difficult because Panama showed a good drive and determination to try and get a victory, which I congratulate them on.”

T&T opened strongly but had their spirits dampened six minutes from the break when a counter-attacking move ended when Torres beat goalkeeper Marvin Phillip with a clinical finish.

Four minutes following the restart, Nathan Lewis forced a save out of Jose Calderon as T&T came close to an equaliser.

Once again, however, T&T ruined all their positive work when Alberto Quintero sent in a cross from the right side and defender Mitchell headed an attempted clearance into his own nets.

With virtually no way back for T&T, Panama put the final nail in the visitors’ coffin when Arroyo struck in the 83rd minute.