THE road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the Soca Warriors kicked off in disappointing fashion with a 2-2 draw against Grenada at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on June 5 in their first qualifier.
The Soca Warriors often ask for the TT fans to come out in numbers and be the 12th man. It was by no means a full house, but over 8,000 showed up to support.
A brace from Myles Hippolyte in the first half gave The Spice Boys of Grenada a 2-0 lead. Ryan Telfer pulled a goal back before halftime and Reon Moore equalised with 15 minutes remaining.
The first quality chance on goal was for TT. In the fifth minute, Telfer picked out Noah Powder with a diagonal pass. Powder collected near the top of the 18-yard box, but his shot was parried away.
[caption id="attachment_1088117" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Grenada's Myles Hippolyte (L) and TT's Noah Powder battle for possession of the ball during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier, on June 5, 2024, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. - DANIEL PRENTICE[/caption]
Grenada played a high line as the defenders stood near the halfline. The high line worked in the first 15 minutes as most of TT's possession was in their own half.
Grenada, who dominated physically, started to string passes together and it led to an attempt by Darius Johnson. The left winger cut in on his right foot, but his shot went wide in the 19th minute.
The Spice Boys were rewarded in the 24th minute with a penalty. Josh Gabriel hit a cross from the left side and it struck Daniel Phillips, who handled the ball. Hippolyte converted to make it 1-0.
In the 28th minute, Hippolyte's scorcher made it 2-0. The ball was initially cleared by TT, but it fell to Hippolyte just inside the box who volleyed home.
You could hear a pin drop in the stadium.
Grenada continued to create better chances in front goal. In the 40th, Johnson found himself in the box with only TT goalkeeper Denzil Smith to beat but the TT custodian kept the score 2-0 with a diving save.
[caption id="attachment_1088116" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT's Ryan Telfer (L) makes an attempt at goal against Grenada during the 2026 World Cup qualifier, on June 5, 2024 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. - Daniel Prentice[/caption]
Against the run of play, TT pulled back a goal in the 43rd minute. A neat counter-attack led to Telfer slotting home near the penalty spot.At halftime, TT were trailing 2-1.
At halftime, TT head coach Angus Eve substituted Powder for Alvin Jones and talisman Levi Garcia was forced to be subbed for Andre Rampersad due to injury.
TT began the second half with more purpose in search of the equaliser, but Smith still had work to do in the TT goal.
In the 60th minute, Telfer collected the ball near the halfline with space in front of him. He made a strong run toward goal but he scuffed his shot and it trickled wide. Eve introduced the attacking Nathaniel James with a little more than 20 minutes left.
Reon Moore, who was having a quiet match, was played through on goal but over pus
