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The “Women Soca Warriors” again could not find the right response to a talented Mexico National Team this evening as they fell 3-1 to “El Tricolour” in their final group match of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
The result meant the end of Trinidad and Tobago’s Pan American ambitions on the football field, just 24 hours after the National Under-23 Men were eliminated.
The Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina teams played to a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Mexico and Colombia will advance to the women’s semifinal round instead.
Unlike their male counterparts, the Women’s National Senior Team took their campaign to the wire as ties with Argentina and Colombia offered an opportunity for coach Ross Russell’s team to advance with a win over Mexico.
The last time these two women’s teams met was at the October 2014 CONCACAF Championship and Mexico emerged triumphant to secure a place at the Canada 2015 World Cup.
The Women Warriors hoped to get revenge but it was always a tall ask.
Mexico came into the Pan Am tournament fresh from competing at the Women’s World Cup while Trinidad and Tobago had not played a single international in seven months.
Veteran attacker Tasha St Louis was ruled out through suspension while star forward Kennya “Yaya” Cordner played with significant discomfort after supposedly being diagnosed with grade two MCL strain on her left knee.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
It got worse in the fourth minute as defender Lauryn Hutchinson had to be substituted after a worrying clash of heads with teammate Khadidra Debesette.
Mexico playmaker Stephany Mayor put the North American team ahead in the 25th minute and got her second, minutes before halftime, when she beat tentative Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes to a lofted pass over the defence before slotting home.
Cordner gave the Women Warriors reason for optimism in the 49th minute when she tumbled over opposing defender Bianca Sierra in the 18-yard box while trying to get on the end of a clever Maylee Attin-Johnson pass.
In truth, it was a generous decision by the referee. And Trinidad and Tobago forward Mariah Shade took full advantage as she sent Mexican goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar the wrong way to halve the deficit from the penalty spot.
Shade’s spot kick was Trinidad and Tobago’s first shot on target for the match.
The W/Warriors could not build on it, though. Cordner tried to buy another penalty, as she tumbled theatrically in the area with no obvious contact after a low Ahkeela Mollon cross. But, this time, the referee was unmoved.
Shade scored T&T’s only goal against Mexico today.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
And, in the 70th minute, Mexico attacker Monica O Campo put the game beyond the Caribbean team with a simple finish after Forbes was drawn away from the uprights by an opponent.
The Trinidad and Tobago women will now regroup before entering the 2016 Olympic qualifying competition next month.
The National Men’s Under-23 Team, which was eliminated after heavy defeats in its first two games, will play its final Pan Am group match on Tuesday against Mexico.
(Team)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 1.Kimika Forbes (GK); 8.Patrice Superville, 4.Rhea Belgrave, 5.Arin King, 17.Lauryn Hutchinson (14.Karyn Forbes 8); 6.Khadidra Debesette, 11.Janine Francois, 9.Maylee Attin-Johnson (captain); 12.Ahkeela Mollon, 3.Mariah Shade (16.Brianna Ryce 74), 19.Kennya Cordner.
Unused substitutes: 21.Shalette Alexander (GK), 2.Ayanna Russell, 7.Dernelle Mascall, 13.Shenelle Henry,
Suspended: 10.Tasha St Louis.
Coach: Ross Russell
Both teams played to a 2-2 draw in the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Pan American Women results
(Sat July 18)
Mexico 3 (Stephany Mayor 28, 45, Monica O Campo 70), Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Mariah Shade 50 pen)
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Was I unkind Debbie Espinal? The men’s team had three practice games and four live-in camps before the Gold Cup. The women’s team didn’t play a single international and roomed together for less than a week before they left for Toronto.
There is a difference in treatment.
Hard luck Soca Princesses but i wish you would be as kind to the Men’s Team in the Gold Cup Lasana Liburd.
Although it may not seem so, there are actually some boys I that team who have a senior international future.
But they will need therapy to forget everything about this team and the things they went through in the last three months.
Backs and forwards in the second half. Triangle after triangle and our boys couldn’t do the math. Vranes only drinking water ( at least I think that that was what he was drinking).
Hmmm. I can well imagine. Poor fellahs
Our pan am men vs Paraguay yesterday Lasana. It was quite sad.
What game did you see Michael Samuel?
Hard luck warriors. Proud of you. Enjoyed the spirit and fight.
They gave it a good go and were competitive all the way. They did quite well considering their lack of international warm up games.
Compared to what I witnessed from close up in Hamilton yesterday…..I’ll take that.
:'(
Yep, just as in the WC qualifiers and with football in Trinidad and Tobago, risk a player’s career to avoidable injury.The greater good usually ends up with the player being worse off and the team loses. Why in the world would you carry other players then to have them sit on the bench helpless. Who really pays for this. Totally irresponsible. Just need to know if she will be ok for the Olympic qualifiers now.