Paraguay v Trinidad and Tobago - Match Report
World Cup dream over for brave T and T
Trinidad and Tobago's dreams of survival into the second round of the World Cup came crashing to Earth after a 2-0 defeat to already eliminated Paraguay here Tuesday.
Bayern Munich's Julio Dos Santos unlocked the door to goal for the South Americans in the 25th minute, his effort backheaded into Kelvin Jack's goal by T and T defender Brent Sancho.
Second half substitute Nelson Cuevas secured Paraguay's third place finish in Group G with his first goal of the tournament four minutes from the end.
It means T and T, the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, leave their debut without scoring a goal but with their heads held high after holding Sweden to a draw and losing 2-0 to England in the last 10 minutes.
Paraguayan midfielder Carlos Paredes (top-R) jumps over Trinidad and Tobago's goalkeeper Kelvin Jack (bottom-C) after the latter fails to stop an own goal by Trinidad and Tobago's defender Brent Sancho (back R) off a Paraguay free kick during the opening round Group B World Cup football match between Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter Stadium, 20 June 2006. Paraguay were leading 1-0 in the second half. AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT
To have any chance of qualifying Trinidad needed to beat Paraguay and also hope for an England victory over Sweden in Group B's other fixture at Cologne.
However, despite a brave performance which seen Leo Beenhakker's West Indians come close to levelling in an entertaining second half it was not to be.
Thousands of fans had travelled to Germany to suport the 'Soca Warriors' on their World Cup adventure.
And it was to a lively party atmosphere that former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke added some fizz when his succession of three free kicks in the first 15 minutes showed goal promise.
On all three occasions Aldo Bobadilla was forced into evasive action, but it was Cornell Glen's glancing header in the fifth minute which came closest to giving the Caribbeans the lead and had to be parried by the keeper.
Paraguay found reward for their domination in the 25th minute after Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Roberto Acuna fired in a freekick from 25 yards.
Paraguayan forward Nelson Cuevas (R) shoots the ball past Trinidad and Tobago's goalkeeper Kelvin Jack (L) to score as Trinidad and Tobago's defender Brent Sancho (C) looks on during the opening round Group B World Cup football match between Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter Stadium, 20 June 2006. Paraguay were leading 2-0 in the second half. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS
Dos Santos headed the ball on, and, unfortunately for Trinidad, so did Sancho as the ball found its way past Jack into the net.
Jack, replacing veteran Shaka Hislop, stopped a South American onslaught in the final minutes including a spectacular stop from Nelson Valdez's goalbound header.
In the second half it was mostly one-way traffic as Trinidad played organised, attacking football which led to a string of surging runs and inviting crosses.
Beenhakker, the man who led Real Madrid to three successive league titles at the end of the Eighties, sent on Russell Lapaty and the Falkirk striker's efforts were much appreciated.
Before then a great combination between Kenwyne Jones and Yorke down the right flank saw Yorke's low goalmouth cross go begging.
On the hour mark the 35-year-old turned his marker in midfield, fed Carlos Edwards and could only watch as his cross also missed all possible targets in the box.
Paraguay responded, however, and it took an attentive Jack to punch out twice in succession shots from Roque Santa Cruz and Valdez.
In the closing stages Trinidad appeared on the verge of snatching a draw, as Jones continued to inspire with a low goalmouth cross which landed beyond Stern John.
Paraguay soaked up the pressure well, and in the 85th minute they went on the offensive, eventually finding the net for a second time when second half substitute Cuevas beat Jack easily after a nice one-two.