After suffering a 1-0 loss to Jamaica in its first friendly on Friday, TT and Jamaica played to a goalless draw, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima on Sunday afternoon.
The match was national men’s coach Angus Eve’s preparation for the March 23 Copa America qualifying match against Canada.
Following the defeat to Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, on Friday Eve had introduced goalkeeper Denzil Smith, Ross Russell Jr, Kevon Goddard, Michel Poon-Angeron, Nathaniel James, Duane Muckette and John-Paul Rochford to the starting line up.
Alvin Jones, Jamal Jack and Kaile Auvray, all of whom made cameo appearances in the previous match, also started on Sunday.
TT is said to have struggled to find a breakthrough throughout the entire first period, and enjoyed the better of the limited chances on either side of the park in the second period.
Jamaica then had a chance to take a lead shortly after the half-time break, when Shaniel Thomas nearly capitalised on a poor headed clearance from Ross Russell Jr, but his strike was saved confidently by Smith.
TT’s winger Auvray created a chance in the 58th minute, successfully taking on Jamaica’s fullback before passing the ball across the face of the goal, eluding everyone, including James.
Coventry City’s Justin Obikwu, who started on Friday, came off the bench and caused Jamaica some problems. Obikwu shrugged off two Jamaican defenders in the 79th minute and nearly beat the Jamaica stopper, who was forced off his line to punch the ball clear.
Eve will use the matches to help make a better selection for the upcoming one-off fixture versus Canada. The winner of the fixture in Fresco, Texas, will take one of two remaining spots available for the Copa America championships, being hosted in the US from June 20-July 14.