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The Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 women’s football team ended its CONCACAF campaign this evening with a goalless draw against the Bahamas in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Trinidad and Tobago finished ahead of the Bahamas on goal difference although coach Even Pellerud’s troops probably did not feel like celebrating.
The twin island republic whipped the Bahamas 3-0 when the two Caribbean nations met in a qualifier on 1 December 2011. And T&T hoped to partially erase the hurt of consecutive defeats to Mexico and the United States with a lopsided triumph against a team that travelled with five players who were 15 years old and younger including 12-year-old midfielder Tate Cuffy.
Bahamas goalkeeper Sheryl Evens, 16, did not read the script though and almost single handedly defied the T&T offence with a string of impressive saves.
Trinidad and Tobago will return home this week with a point but, after scoring 58 times in seven Caribbean qualifying matches, the ladies might be disappointed not to register a single goal from three outings in Guatemala.
In today’s other group match, the United States whipped Mexico 3-0 to top the group and will now play Panama in the semi-final group while the Mexicans are drawn against Canada. Panama and Jamaica both ended on four points but the Central American team advanced by virtue of a better goal differential.
So, all three Caribbean outfits were among the four teams eliminated from the CONCACAF tournament at the end of the group stages.
The Trinidad and Tobago squad, which lost Victoria Swift and Khadisha Debesette to broken noses during the tournament, battled bravely but could not console itself with a stylish departure from Guatemala.
TT squad: Lebrisca Phillip, Shantelle Christian, Khadijah De Freitas; Khadisha Debesette, Jonelle Warrick, Adeka Spence, Shanisa Camejo, Nikkia Billouin, Emma Abdul; Victoria Swift, Diarra Simmons, Naomie Guerra, Rhonda Guiseppi, Dennecia Prince, Marlique Asson, Liana Hinds; Donika Murray, Khadidra Debesette, Anique Walker (Capt), Zoe Swift.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
