Soca Warriors cruise into 2025 Gold Cup

Soca Warriors head coach Dwight Yorke guided Trinidad and Tobago to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification following a well-deserved victory over Cuba at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad, recently.

Two goals in the first half from Isaiah Lee, one from skipper Kevin Molino, and one from substitute Nathaniel James in the second half propelled T&T to victory in front of their home fans.

The hosts were dominant from the start, and with Cuba mid-fielder Romario Torres red-carded for a two-footed tackle on Andre Rampersad in the second minute, T&T took advantage of this to seal the Gold Cup spot.

Soon after Torres’ exit, T&T applied pressure as Tyrese Spicer and Isaiah Garcia served as ample providers.

A low free kick from Joevin Jones in the tenth minute caused Cuban defender Daniel Morejon to miscue his clearance, and the ball went just wide of the post.

Some fancy footwork from Spicer played Molino on, but the T&T skipper hit over the bar. Spicer threatened all night. A cross from Isaiah Garcia found the head of Molino, but the ball bounced over the bar.

Twenty minutes in, defender Alvin Jones rifled his long-range effort, but Cuban goalie Raiko Arozarena blocked the ball.

T&T got on the scoresheet in the 21st after Spicer crossed low into the box for Lee to fire past Azozarena.

Cuba’s only chance came from forward Alessio Raballo, whose glaring header went wide.

In the 37th, Lee sent T&T 2-0 up with an easy goal, so it remained at the half-time break.

Yorke then replaced Jones at the resumption and introduced Real Gill. T&T’s persistence continued as Spicer executed quick feet. He fired home to send T&T 3-0 up.

Gill’s addition breathed new life into T&T’s frontline as he, Molino, and Lee kept the pressure on. Kaihim Thomas and Nathaniel James also replaced Isaiah Garcia and goal-scorer Lee.

Molino and Gill combined again with Gill hitting straight to Aronzarena.

Frustration showed from the Cubans as the T&T backline stood firm, and goalkeeper Denzil Smith hardly had any work. Ajani Fortune then replaced Molino. And in the 84th, T&T affirmed victory as Gill placed a picture-perfect through-ball to James, who hit it hard, low, and fast to seal a 4-0 triumph in front of the fans.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off in the US and Canada from June 14 to July 6.