DESPITE Silvio Spann being given a start by new T&T coach Russell Latapy, it was young visiting striker Celso Borges who scored two second-half goals to give Costa Rica a 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying match at the weekend.

The victory ensured Costa Rica's place atop the regional table midway through the six-team, round-robin qualifying tournament that will determine three qualifiers for next year's global football showdown in South Africa.

Costa Rica, now 4-1 for 12 points, spoiled the debut of Latapy as coach of the Soca Warriors, who remain at the bottom of the table after four games.

Former Dragon Carlos Edwards gave the hosts a lead in the 29th minute, capping an outstanding performance as an attacking full back, but Alvaro Saborio's strike in the 40th minute pulled Costa Rica level 1-1 at half-time.

Borges, who plays for Norway's Fredrikstad, struck in the 52nd minute, but Collin Samuels answered ten minutes later for Trinidad and Tobago.

Borges shut down notions of an upset with his goal in the 68th minute and from there the Costa Ricans clamped down to deny the Warriors another goal.

Silvio played in midfield alongside Dwight Yorke, before giving way to striker Cornell Glen just after the hour, as Trinidad switched to an extra attacker to try and get themselves back on level terms.

"It was a match we wanted to win because we knew if we want to qualify we have to win our home matches," said Latapy.

"We were down at the time and I felt that if I threw on another attacker, the match would open up. But the reality is that if you lose by one goal or two goals you still lose.

"So I had to throw on another attacker to try and get something back."

Russell Latapy gives orders to Kenwyne Jones

This evening, the Warriors face the only side left in the region's qualifying in worse shape than themselves - Mexico, who fell to El Salvador on Saturday.

El Tri coach Javier Aguirre is nervous ahead of the clash at the fabled Estadio Azteca, where Mexico have only lost one qualifier in their history.

"You can't win with just heart and desire," the former Atletico Madrid boss said.

"It's clear that grit, pride and the desire to be picked in the team are all important. But talent counts, too. Team unity counts. Many things count and have to add up.

"I'm convinced that we're going to be at the World Cup, but the situation in the standings doesn't help," Aguirre added.

"One win from four games, a statistic like this is not nice to look at."

Mexico, 13-times finalists, last missed a FIFA World Cup in 1990, when the country was banned for fielding ineligible players in a youth tournament.

One man who will be missing tonight will be former Wrexham hero Dennis Lawrence, who has had to remain in the island to care for his mother.

Team mate Marvin Andrews said: "Dennis is a good friend and everyone knows that we play together in the defence for Trinidad and Tobago.

"It's a difficult time for him now and I pray to God that his mom has a successful and speedy recovery."

FIFA/Trinidad Guardian

Click here for Spanish language highlights from the Costa Rica game.

	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
	USA	3	2	1	0	7	2	7
	Costa Rica	3	2	0	1	3	2	6
	Honduras	3	1	1	1	4	4	4
	Mexico	3	1	0	2	3	5	3
	El Salvador	3	0	2	1	4	5	2
	Trinidad and Tobago	3	0	2	1	3	6	2