PORT OF SPAIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) -- Jesus Arellano scored twice as Mexico cruised to a 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, bringing relief to beleaguered coach Ricardo La Volpe.
Mexico, playing their first game in Group C of the second stage of CONCACAF's marathon qualifying competition, made the perfect start when striker Arellano pounced on poor defending to strike in the first minute.Arellano stole the ball from defender Marvin Andrews in the Trinidad area and beat goalkeeper Kelvin Jack.
The visitors made light of soggy conditions as they dominated the midfield and went further ahead in the 20th minute to the despair of the 20,000 crowd.
Luis Ernesto Perez chipped the ball over the Trinidad defence and Jared Borgetti beat the offside trap before slipping the ball past Jack.
Birmingham City striker Stern John pulled the Soca Warriors back into the game in the 40th minute when he climbed above the Mexican defence to head home captain Angus Eve's cross from the left.
But the goal failed to inspire Trinidad as Mexico continued to control the game after halftime, with Arellano and Perez wasting chances in the first 10 minutes of the second period.
Mexico settled the tie with 10 minutes left when Arellano scored after combining with Perez.
Trinidad lead the group with six points from three games and are still well-placed to finish in the top two and qualify for the final stage of the qualifiers next year.
The win was a welcome boost for La Volpe after his team were thrashed 4-0 by Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals and the under-23 team, which he also coaches, fell at the first hurdle in the Olympic Games last month.
La Volpe has a testy relationship with the Mexican media and has threatened to resign three times in the last two months.
