T&T continues top goalkeeping tradition at Gold Cup
Nicklas Frenderup at left, served as the GK during the Prelims, conceding just two goals
while Marvin Phillip then delivered a Man of the Match display against Mexico in the group
stage opener, making seven saves. CONCACAF
Caribbean Life, JULY 16-22, 2021 31
By Nelson A. King
When it comes to goalkeeping,
Trinidad and Tobago
have a long tradition of
producing some of the best
shot-stoppers in the CONCACAF
region, according to
CONCACAF.
It said that names like 2006
FIFA World Cup hero Shaka
Hislop and Jan-Michael Williams
evoke great memories
for fans of the Soca Warriors.
Now, in the 2021 CONCACAF
Gold Cup, the Soca
Warriors are continuing that
tradition of top goalkeeping.
CONCACAF said Nicklas
Frenderup served as the goal
keeper during the Prelims,
conceding just two goals and
making the decisive save in
the penalty shootout win
versus French Guiana that
earned Trinidad and Tobago
the ticket to the group stage.
Marvin Phillip then delivered
a Man-of-the-Match display
against Mexico in the
group stage opener, making
seven saves in a 0-0 draw.
Looking back on the
French Guiana Prelims
decider, Frenderup was proud
that he came through for his
country.
“It was a big thing for me,”
he told CONCACAF. “I have
worked over a long period to
be able to make that matchwinning
save. I think it’s the
biggest moment in my career
so far.
“It means a lot to me to
help my team and my country,
but it’s not only about
me, the team has played good
matches,” he added. “We have
good defense, midfield and
strikers; so, front to back we
work together as a team.”
CONCACAF said the fact
that two different goal keepers
were able to step in and
have big performances in
less than a week for Trinidad
and Tobago reflects the great
bond shared by the men who
play that position.
“We push each other every
day,” Frenderup said. “We
also have Adrian Foncette.
We can’t forget about him
because he’s a brilliant goalkeeper
as well.
“But to talk about Marvin’s
performance against Mexico,
it was brilliant,” he added.
“I’m very proud of him and,
sometimes, you need to take
those chances that you get.
“He took it; and so, I’m
really proud of him, and I
hope he keeps going because
he’s a good guy and a good
goalkeeper,” Frenderup continued.
“The keepers here, we
help the team.”