Soca Warriors bounce back

Lester Peltier smashed a hat-trick as under-pressure Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados 4-0 in a CONCACAF 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Otto Pfister’s side needed to win the match after a surprise 2-1 defeat to Bermuda in Hamilton meant the Soca Warriors were already three points behind Group B rivals Guyana in their bid to move into the next stage of qualification. And they delivered in style as Peltier hit the first three at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain before Hughton Hector added a fourth.

Also in Group B, Bermuda and Guyana drew 1-1 to further boost Pfister’s side as Ricky Shakes levelled for the visitors following John Barry Nusum’s opener for the hosts.

Canada and Puerto Rico drew 0-0 in Toronto to leave the hosts frustrated and the visitors out of contention. While the draw meant Puerto Rico cannot move into the next round from Group D, they were happy with a case of ‘mission accomplished’ as Canada took the initiative without making a breakthrough.

St Kitts and Nevis drew 1-1 at home to St Lucia.

In Group C, Panama smashed Nicaragua 5-1 as Blas Perez hit a hat-trick and Luis Tejada scored two for the home side.

Antigua and Barbuda enjoyed a 10-0 rout of an awe-struck US Virgin Islands in Group F, with Tamarley Thomas and Peter Byers scoring hattricks.

Haiti drew 2-2 with Curacao.

In Group E, Guatemala beat Belize 3-1 while Group A action saw the Dominican Republic overcome hosts Suriname 3-1 and El Salvador were 4-0 winners against Cayman Islands.


The Soca Warriors have won three of their second-round qualifiers for Brazil 2014 to date, and their strong position in Group B suggests Hyland’s faith is well-placed. They face a group finale against Guyana on 15  November that could seal their place in the third round.

It has taken Trinidad and Tobago several years to regroup after their exploits at Germany 2006. However, with a new star in the shape of captain and Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, Hyland believes the Warriors have “all the ingredients to qualify [for Brazil 2014] and stay at the top for a long time.”

“It’s time for Trinidad and Tobago to prove that we are capable of taking centre stage," he said.