For many years Trinidad and Tobago has unfortunately been associated with disappointment, drama, and pain. However, the Concacaf Nations League match against Nicaragua at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago on the 27th of March is a match that has massive weight in terms of the future of the national team. Head coach of the Trinidad & Tobago team Angus Eve described the game as a “Final” and he is very might right to say so.
QUALIFY AUTOMATICALLY FOR THE CONCACAF 2023 GOLD CUP
The first thing fans may not know due to poor marketing of this match is that a win for Trinidad & Tobago will see them qualify automatically for the 2023 Gold Cup. As it stands Nicaragua are on top of Group C of League B with 13 points and only requires a draw to advance to the Gold Cup. Trinidad & Tobago is second in the group with 12 points. Simply put Angus Eve and his men have to win this game.
PROMOTION BACK TO LEAGUE A IN THE CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE GROUP
Another benefit of a victory over Nicaragua is that the team will return to League A in the Concacaf Nations League. Trinidad & Tobago was relegated to League B back in 2019 with then coach Dennis Lawrence and this gives the team a chance to gain promotion.
A CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE COPA AMERICA 2024
Another benefit of a victory in this game and getting promoted to the League A of the Concacaf Nations League is that it will put Trinidad & Tobago in a position to qualify for the Copa America 2024. Concacaf and Conmebol collaborated for this event. 6 teams from the Concacaf region will qualify to play in the tournament which contains 16 teams. In order to do so Trinidad & Tobago must get promoted to the League A or none of it will matter.
FORM GUIDE
Even though Trinidad & Tobago came away with a solid 3-0 win against the Bahamas, Nicaragua will be a much sterner test. The last times both teams met Trinidad & Tobago lost 2-0 away from home. Nicaragua will want to continue the momentum coming off a 4-1 victory over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
CONCLUSION
While it appears that based on the form guide Trinidad & Tobago has the advantage the opposition may negate this somewhat. In the last 5 matches against each other, both teams have won 2 times and one draw. Trinidad & Tobago’s last win was back in 2016 and then all the way back in 1967. With so much at stake for both teams and based on the previous meetings the games have always been tight and it seems that it will be no different this time around. The scoreline can be a close one or quite possibly end up in a draw in Tobago. Nicaragua has a slight advantage going into this game. What can be said for sure the outcome of this game is more than just a simple win that will serve as a massive catalyst for the victor for the next couple of years in terms of competition, ranking, and status.
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