Despite falling 1-0 to Jamaica in the first match of their two-game friendly series, Trinidad and Tobago’s head coach, Dwight Yorke, remained upbeat about his team’s performance.
The Soca Warriors conceded a late 80th-minute goal to Sue-Lae McCalla in Thursday’s contest at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, in the defeat that extended Yorke’s wait for his first victory since taking charge last year.
However, the former Manchester United forward was encouraged by what he saw from his squad, noting that the match provided a valuable benchmark. In fact, he emphasized that his focus extends beyond the scoreline, as he continues to shape the team for future challenges.
“Yeah, I thought it was a good game. I expected it to be competitive, which it was. Another opportunity to see where we stand. Jamaica is obviously ahead of us in the rankings. Our target was to try and match them, to see how far the gap is between the two teams,” Yorke said in a post-game press conference.
“We are fairly confident in terms of the outcome, although the results haven’t gone our way. But I thought it was a pretty decent game from both teams, enjoyable to watch. We had some really good moments as well,” he added.
With the second game scheduled for Sunday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston, Yorke acknowledged the need to rotate players while continuing his evaluation.
“We haven’t got a lot of turnaround time, so we won’t dwell on it. We’ll review the game and look at our options. As you can see, the rotation of subs always disrupts things a bit, but we need to assess players and see where they are in terms of the level we’re trying to reach. I understand that there’s an expectation, not just in Trinidad and Tobago, but from people watching everywhere,” Yorke said.
He continued: “I embrace the challenge, and so do my players. We’re expected to improve as a team, and that’s what we’re doing. We had an opportunity to look at some of these players that we haven’t seen before. Another eight or nine players have joined us for the first time.
“So, again, that opens windows and ensures that when the final selection comes, we’ve explored all options. It’s not just about results—although results are important—but about the bigger picture, making sure we assess all the talent available.”
While particularly pleased with his team’s structure, Yorke admitted that the cutting edge in the final third was lacking.
“I think in terms of controlling the game, the system, and our pattern, we looked very solid at times. We dictated play and controlled quite a few moments in the game. But in that attacking third, we lacked sharpness. So again, it’s an opportunity for us to see what our players are capable of and pinpoint where we need to improve. But overall, I’m very happy. I know people will focus on the result, but I was pleased with how we played,” the former Soca Warriors striker noted.
Yorke also addressed the omission of Kaile Auvray, who impressed in the Caribbean Club Championship for Jamaica’s Cavalier FC, pointing out that no door is permanently closed.
“We’re football men; we make football decisions. We won’t get every decision right, but we have a big pool of players to assess. There are many players I haven’t seen yet, including some overseas-based guys.
“My message to every young player out there is to keep their head up. This is a journey, not something that happens overnight. It’s going to take time. If you continue to perform, you won’t be overlooked for long. My job is to select the best team at any given time. If anyone wants to blame someone for selections, I’ll take full responsibility,” he shared.
On that note, Yorke said he remains committed to building a squad capable of competing at the highest level, with a long-term vision for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“We need to build. That’s what we’re doing. We have young, exciting players, and hopefully we’ll continue on this path next year,” Yorke ended.