Trinidad and Tobago’s goalkeeper Marvin Phillip delivered a top performance to help his side earn a 0-0 draw with Mexico to open Group A of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
From start to finish, Phillip produced save after save to deliver a point to the Soca Warriors.
Mexico controlled the tempo from the opening whistle and had a slew of chances in the first 45 minutes, yet nothing that managed to beat Phillip.
Rogelio Funes Mori had the first crack via header in the 8’, followed by a Hector Herrera bullet that smacked the post in the 11’.
Phillip came up big again in the 27’ to deny Jesus Corona from close range, while a long-range effort from Erick Gutierrez right before halftime barely missed the mark.
An exquisite back-heel flick from Herrera set up Orbelin Pineda with a gilt-edged chance in the 53’, but again Phillip was on the case to keep things scoreless.
The Soca Warriors started finding their way forward and off a set piece just shy of the hour mark, Radanfah Abu Bakr’s outstretched foot was inches away from poking in a cross.
Phillip’s finest moment though came in the 75’ when Funes Mori looked destined to score off a cross from Herrera, but the Caribbean shot-stopper extended his right hand in time to make the reaction save.
Another two chances came Corona’s way, first in the 79’ when his shot was skied over the crossbar, followed by a dipping, swerving shot that Phillip parried to safety.
Phillip then capped off his excellent night by stopping a Funes Mori header in stoppage time to secure the result for his side.
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