Ya Ya’s back! Doctor clears Cordner for Martinique clash

Trinidad and Tobago attacker Kennya “Ya Ya” Cordner is set to make a sensational return to the “Soca Princesses” line-up tomorrow as the host nation prepares to book a date with regional rival, Jamaica, for the inaugural Women’s Caribbean Cup final.

Cordner was cleared by the Southern Medical Clinic today after a scare on Thursday.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago attacker Kennya "Ya Ya" Cordner. (Courtesy TTFA Media)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago attacker Kennya “Ya Ya” Cordner.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)

“I’m happy that everything is okay now,” Cordner told the TTFA Media. “It was really, really hard watching from the stands on Friday night but now I’m able to resume playing and that’s all I’m thinking about now.

“I’m thankful also for good health and to my teammates and friends for their concerns over the last day or so.”

The 25-year-old Cordner was omitted from the Trinidad and Tobago squad as a precaution after she and teammates Kimika and Karyn Forbes complained of chest pains on Thursday. St Clair Medical Centre examined all three players but, although they cleared the Forbes sisters, doctors wanted to do further tests on Cordner including a cardiac MRI.

The results from the proposed MRI would not have been available until after the conclusion of the ongoing Caribbean Cup.

Instead, after consultation between coach Randy Waldrum and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Sheldon Phillips and press officer Shaun Fuentes, a decision was made to take Cordner to Dr Shane Gieowarsingh at the Southern Medical Clinic.

Gieowarsingh’s finding, after an echogram and ECG, was that a cardiac MRI was unnecessary. And Cordner, a three-time TTFA Player of the Year, was declared free to “take part in physical training and play competitive football.”

The decision was a relief to Cordner and a major boost to Waldrum and Trinidad and Tobago’s title ambitions.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Maylee Attin-Johnson (second from right) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in their 10-0 rout of St Kitts and Nevis. (Courtesy Jinelle James/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Maylee Attin-Johnson (second from right) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in their 10-0 rout of St Kitts and Nevis.
(Courtesy Jinelle James/Wired868)

“It’s great news for the team and for Kennya for her get the clearance,” said Waldrum, “but, more importantly, to know that she is not at risk health wise. She’s a very important part of our plans and it’s great to have her back in the setup.

“I’m very appreciative of the efforts of the Association (TTFA) to have these follow ups and ensuring that the players are okay.”

The Princesses only need a draw against Martinique tomorrow from 6.15 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and are heavy favourites for the fixture. But Waldrum is missing suspended captain and playmaker Maylee Attin-Johnson while, despite the final 3-0 result on Friday, Trinidad and Tobago struggled at times to break down the defensive Antiguans.


The return of Cordner, who plays professionally for Seattle Reign FC Reserves in the United States, should go some way towards resolving that problem and eliminating any possible jitters.

Trinidad and Tobago has already qualified for October’s CONCACAF Women Championship. However, a place in the Caribbean Cup final is at stake.

Tonight, the Jamaica women downed Haiti 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva to book their place in the final and shot at lifting the first senior Caribbean women’s crown.

Cordner must help ensure that Trinidad and Tobago gets the chance to stop them.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago star attacker Kennya Cordner (right) goes for goal while St Kitts defender Rozel Liburd looks on. (Courtesy Jinelle James/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago star attacker Kennya Cordner (right) goes for goal while St Kitts defender Rozel Liburd looks on.
(Courtesy Jinelle James/Wired868)

Caribbean Cup results

(Sat Aug 23)

Puerto Rico 5, Bermuda 1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

Jamaica 2, Haiti 0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

 

Upcoming fixtures

(Sun Aug 24)

St Kitts v Antigua and Barbuda, 4 pm, Group B, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago v Martinique, 6.15 pm, Group B, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

(Tue Aug 26)

Haiti v Runner-up Group B, 5 pm, Third Place Play-off, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Jamaica v Winner Group B, 7.15 pm, Final, Hasely Crawford Stadium.

More from Wired868
T&T KO’d after 1-0 loss to Panama; Jones explains absence of Cordner and Cornwall after toothless showing

Trinidad and Tobago’s dream of qualifying for the Australia/ New Zealand 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup ended with a whimper Read more

Dear Editor: If Kenwyne gets ‘Yaya’, King and Baron back, the Women Soca Warriors can make history

“[…] I believe to win the Concacaf W Championship—and we should want to win, and prepare to win—we need to Read more

‘We’re in a good place!’ Jones explains squad shuffle and composition as T&T prepare for Guyana showdown

The team that advances from Group F in the Concacaf W Championship qualifying phase—and only Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana Read more

TTFA moves Women’s W/Cup qualifier against Guyana to Tobago, Jones names 23-member squad

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team will face Guyana at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet on 12 Read more

James, Forbes strike as T&T Women dust off red card, injuries and Covid blow to down Nicaragua 2-1

A skilful solo effort from attacking midfielder Asha James and an opportunistic finish by captain and utility player Karyn ‘Baby’ Read more

‘We’re going in a different direction’; Kenwyne confirms Maylee exit—along with Cordner and asst coach

Women’s National Senior Team head coach Kenwyne Jones suggested today that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) should consider Read more

About Editor

Check Also

T&T KO’d after 1-0 loss to Panama; Jones explains absence of Cordner and Cornwall after toothless showing

Trinidad and Tobago’s dream of qualifying for the Australia/ New Zealand 2023 Fifa Women’s World …

21 comments

  1. He doesn’t have to overrule. Just hold on and get another opinion as you said. The players health regardless of football comes first to me. It’s to risky in my opinion.

  2. I agree that she needs to be closely monitored even if she has been cleared to play because very often doctors overlook some symptoms. I hope though that she will let them know if she feels out of sorts at any time during the game and not try to be a hero because we all want her to be in good health for her future career. Glad that she has put the team ahead.

  3. Keep de scores rolling. If we win this tournament we escape the US? In qualifying?

  4. With heart issues like with head injuries/concussions we should err on the side of caution. Anyway – wishing her well and hoping she drank too much coffee, which trigger her symptoms.

  5. I agree with that Carlos. But the doctor is not a Trini. The TTFA selected the doctor. And even the first decision was inconclusive.
    Perhaps the first hospital wanted to try out a few expensive machines… I don’t know. It was inconclusive to start with.

  6. I understand what you’re saying btw Kirwin. But how can a coach overrule a doctor?
    The most he can reasonably do is get another opinion.

  7. And after 49 seconds… Kennya Cordner scores! 1-0 to T&T so far.

  8. Lasana – obviously this is a decision that needs to be taken out of the hands of the player (and coaches). I’m just concerned that the coaches and management went shopping for a doctor that would give them the answer they were searching for. There’s a famous AG that does that all the time.

  9. If the doctor says yes and the player wants to play, what do you do? There is no reason to stop her. You have to go on medical opinion I think.

  10. Seriously? Seems like a tremendous risk they’re taking with a player’s life/health. I’m not sure it’s worth it.

  11. Yes, but after 1 day another doctor says nothing wrong and woopy ding. Once they give a positive word we go running. They should let her relax in case of a relapse. I think it’s risky

  12. Given the national propensity to slip up at the last hurdle, I want to see us go with our strongest team. But if there is any medical reason why Ya Ya should not play, then she should be left out of the line-up so that we can be at full strength, God willing, against Jamaica on Tuesday; that’s when we are really likely to need her services.

  13. Footballers always want to play football. And they have no medical reason not to play her now.
    So I’m certain she will play.

  14. They better not risk her. I don’t like the manner in which they cleared her. We can play without her for now.

  15. I look forward to see her play again. For me, the decision making of the women’s team is as good as any other team in the country.
    Can’t wait to see them contest the final.

  16. Great news. Thanks for the update.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.