Canada Finishes Off Trinidad and Tobago

If Dwight Yorke had been able to play, perhaps then.

If Stern John had not been injured, perhaps then.

But without its two leading strikers, Trinidad and Tobago just could not break down Canada’s defense Thursday night and, as a result, it will be Canada and Colombia squaring off at noon Sunday for the championship of soccer’s Gold Cup.

The Canadians, behind an exceptional performance by goalkeeper Craig Forrest, shut out Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, in front of an announced crowd of 2,841 at the Coliseum in Thursday’s semifinal.

The game’s lone goal came in the 68th minute.

Jim Brennan sent a cross into the goal area from the left wing, Carlo Corazzin leaped to head it back across the goalmouth, and Mark Watson leaned in to head it past goalkeeper Clayton Ince from close range.

The result was a cruel one for Trinidad and Tobago, which had applied most of the offensive pressure throughout the match.

But the islanders sorely missed the finishing ability of Yorke, the Manchester United star who was confined to the bench while nursing a hamstring injury.

It might have helped, too, had John been available. But the Nottingham Forest and former Columbus Crew forward is sidelined because of a torn knee ligament.

Without them, Trinidad and Tobago showed all the skills that might have won it the match but lacked the final touch in front of the net.