The Soca Warriors stole the show yesterday at the Estadio Romel Fernandez Stadium when they edged host Panama 2-1 in a tight gritty affair.

It was Trinidad and Tobago’s first away win to Panama since 2005 and also their first in the last 3 meetings.

Captain Kenwyne Jones led by example and celebrated his birthday in fine-style when he put the Warriors ahead in the 40th minute with an unusual thunderbolt from 20-yards out. The skipper turned 31 on October 5th.

Abu Bakr, who had not scored for his country since 2009, registered his second for T&T when the HB Koge central defender Radanfah Abu Bakr rose the highest to head home a Keron Cummings corner-kick in minute 52 to give T&T a 2-0 cushion.

The lead lasted just 7 minutes before Valentin Pimentel 59th minute easy side tap into goalkeeper Marvin Phillip’s net after some sloppy defending to make it 2-1 and gave the host some life. In the end however, the goal ended up being a mere consolation as the Panmen’ held on to secure a well deserved 2-1 victory.

T&T will rush back to Port of Spain to face Nicaragua in 5-days time at the Hasley Crawford Stadium from 7pm. Panama will head to Mexico to face that country on the same day.

(Socawarriors.net)