Beveney attributed the 5-0 thrashing in Grenada on Saturday to just a bad night out when marking was a problem.

“We did not play to the level we normally do. We were not marking fully. Marking was the key. We played better in the Trinidad game. We conceded only one goal and we had a lot of scoring opportunities.”

The young captain said the team were not in low spirits because after the Grenada loss the coach inspired them by pointing out that even great teams lose by wide margins.

“The Trinidad game put us back on track. We just have to work hard from here and we can score five or even six goals.”

Trinidad Express wrote: “The Trinidad and Tobago team, made up of senior and Under-23 players, struggled to break down a Guyanese squad -- coming off a 5-0 loss to Grenada last Saturday in a World Cup qualifier -- and failed to consistently create clear-cut scoring chances.”

But finding the net was the problem that hampered the team in both the Grenada and Trinidad games.

The Express described two wasted opportunities: “Guyana's Gregory Richardson was played clear through T&T's defence by a through pass, but directed his shot wide of (goalkeeper) Duarance Williams' left upright.

And in the final minute of the half, midfielder Shawn Beveney cut the Soca Warriors backline to shreds with a meandering run. He eventually passed to (Randolph) Jerome, who scooped his close-up shot over the bar.”

But Richardson said of the Grenada game: “That was real unlucky. It happens. We had a hard night. We are now looking forward to the next game to change that.”

Goalkeeper Marlon Hendricks who sacrificed himself to prevent a third goal said the team as a whole did not play well.

“Collectively as a team, our game was not on top. We just didn’t rise to the occasion. Grenada played more like they wanted to go to the next round. But I really can’t say why that was so.”

Hendricks said the first goal was a slight misjudgement on his part because looking back the ball seemed to be going out, but he did not take chances and blocked. The ball went back into play and the Grenadian strikers were not marked.

Similarly, for the second goal, Hendricks said the defence just stood flat-footed and as he advanced to cover the near post, the superb shot went in the V. Again, the goalkeeper was left alone as the defence failed to react and he had to thwart the sure goal.

“I hadn’t a choice. It would have been a goal anyway and it would have put more pressure on us. I attempted to reach the ball but got his foot. It was nothing better I could have done. I was the last line of defence. The defence stood up waiting for the off-side whistle.”

Hendricks, however, is peeved that his sacrifice did not pay off.

“I felt otherwise. I did not go to lose.”

The goalkeeper will have to miss the next match in a World Cup fixture because of the red card, meaning he will not be able to play in the return leg.

Hendricks, also, disclosed that central defender Orlando Jilgeous had an old injury on which he was hit early in the game.

A former Grenada national coach, giving comments during the live commentary of game on national radio, said all the inroads were made through Jilgeous and was surprised that he was not substituted.