Dass scores one for mom as young Warriors squeeze past Guadeloupe

A 48th minute item by versatile midfielder Jarred Dass ensured that Trinidad and Tobago got off to a winning start in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-20 Championships at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva last night.

Dass, who played an integral part in Naparima College’s all-conquering 2015 SSFL season, dedicated his winning item to his mother, who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Jared Dass (centre) tussles for the ball with Guadeloupe defenders Loic Nuiro (left) and Hanane Nebot during Caribbean Under-20 Cup action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in 15 June 2016. Dass scored the winner as T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Jared Dass (centre) tussles for the ball with Guadeloupe defenders Loic Nuiro (left) and Hanane Nebot during Caribbean Under-20 Cup action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in 15 June 2016.
Dass scored the winner as T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

“It’s a very special goal for me as it was the goal that brought us our first victory and also my mom celebrated her birthday (Tuesday),” Dass told the TTFA Media, “so I was happy to score this goal for her as well.”

Prior to the start of the tournament, T&T coach Brian Williams indicated that his team was ready to put away the chatter and get down to business. But last night the visiting Guadeloupe team made it very difficult for the young “Soca Warriors” to carry on their affairs, as they afforded the hosts little time on the ball, particularly in the defensive third. 

Guadeloupe’s constant pressing gifted them with a glorious chance in the ninth minute, after an awful back pass by centre-back Kierron Mason. Luckily for Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe attacker Teddy Nabab was unable to make the most of Mason’s generous pass as he skimmed his effort off the upright.

“There definitely were some jitters at the beginning of the game,” Williams said at the post-game briefing. “I think it may have been a bit of complacency because our team maintains possession and tries to build up the ball from the back. But the Guadeloupe team was pressing us so we had to play a bit more direct.”

Guadeloupe were having some issues of their own at the back, as towering T&T striker Nicholas Dillon twice found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Davy Rouyard inside the first 20 minutes.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 forward Nicholas Dillon (left) tries to power past Guadeloupe defender Hanane Nebot (centre) while his teammate Loic Nuiro looks on during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016. T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 forward Nicholas Dillon (left) tries to power past Guadeloupe defender Hanane Nebot (centre) while his teammate Loic Nuiro looks on during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016.
T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

However, the Central FC striker was unable to capitalise as Rouyard smartly saved with his feet on both occasions, much to the disdain of the 3,000-strong Couva crowd.

The physical Guadeloupe midfield pair of Dimitri Bolivar and Anthony Tafna Danavin then sought to impose themselves on the game, as they outmuscled their opponents off the ball; both legally and illegally.

The French-speaking visitors even had some joy down the right flank as they caught left-back Noah Powder high up the pitch on a few occasions. Midfielder Thomas Pracin nearly profited on one such right side raid in the 40th minute, but his curling left-footed shot was well saved by teenaged Warriors goalkeeper Jadel Poon-Lewis.

“Not knowing much about Guadeloupe other than that they had four players playing in France, I thought we were a little bit hesitant in going forward which I was a bit concerned about,” Williams said. “But when I saw the high pressing I know we had to play a little more direct in the second half.”

Williams’ halftime chat seemed to have worked wonders as the hosts jumped in front, just three minutes after the resumption.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 captain Jabari Mitchell (left) tries to work the ball past a Guadeloupe opponent during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016. T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 captain Jabari Mitchell (left) tries to work the ball past a Guadeloupe opponent during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016.
T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

A flick on by attacker Isaiah Hudson off a right side throw-in caused the world of problems for the hesitant Guadeloupe defence. And by the time the clearing tackle was made, Dass was jolly on the spot to apply a clinical, low finish.

Dass’ goal lifted the spirit of his teammates and the crowd, and the young Warriors finally started to move the ball around with some confidence and vigour. Fifteen year-old Hudson then forced Rouyard into two fine saves in quick succession as the Naparima College sharpshooter looked to be sharpening his chops.

A second T&T item looked like a formality as the game wore on, but Rouyard was in great form between the uprights. The Guadeloupe custodian kept his team in the contest with a remarkable double save in the 74th minute to deny rasping efforts by both Kareem Riley and Warriors captain Jabari Mitchell.

And, in the 77th minute, Guadeloupe coach Moise Castry was nearly jumping for joy as Nabab raced into the T&T box, only to be denied by a great last-ditch Taryk Sampson tackle.

But Castry and company were left pondering their missed opportunities in the end as the hosts came away with a 1-nil result.

Photo: Guadeloupe Under-20 midfielder Yvann Macon (centre) tries to find a way past Trinidad and Tobago players Shane Sandy (left) and Taryk Sampson during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016. T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Guadeloupe Under-20 midfielder Yvann Macon (centre) tries to find a way past Trinidad and Tobago players Shane Sandy (left) and Taryk Sampson during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016.
T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

“We weren’t able to score maybe six times during the game (…) because we had a lack of confidence and patience,” said Castry, via his interpreter. “So the score could have been drawn or we could have won the game.

“We conceded a goal due to an error in our defence. But we are satisfied with what we did.”

A relieved Williams was happy to overcome the first game jitters that his team faced.

“We definitely know that Guadeloupe is going to be one of our toughest opposition,” said Williams. “So we paid a bit more attention to our opening game because we knew how tough it would have been.

“I must say congrats to our team and the way they applied themselves to the strategies.”

In the opening match of yesterday’s double header, St Lucia came away with a 2-nil victory against Turks and Caicos courtesy second half goals by Antoine Wilfred and Nyrone Winter.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 attacking midfielder Jared Dass (left) takes on a Guadeloupe player during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016. T&T won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 attacking midfielder Jared Dass (left) takes on a Guadeloupe player during Caribbean Under-20 Cup qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 15 June 2016.
T&T won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Trinidad and Tobago will expect to add to Turks and Caicos’ problems when they clash from 7.30 pm tomorrow at the same venue while St Lucia and Guadeloupe clash from 5 pm in the opening match of the double header.

(Teams) 

Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Jadel Poon-Lewis (GK); 3.Kori Cupid, 5.Taryk Sampson, 4.Kierron Mason, 6.Noah Powder; 11.Kareem Riley (14.Yohannes Richardson 82), 12.Shane Sandy; 8.Jarred Dass (19.Morgan Bruce-De Rouche 67), 10.Jabari Mitchell (captain) (17.Rushawn Murphy 87), 7.Isaiah Hudson; 9.Nicholas Dillon.

Unused Substitutes: 20.Jabari Brice (GK), 2.Andrew Rullow, 13.Isaiah Garica, 15.Kathon St Hillaire, 16.Micah Lansiquot, 18.Jacob Sooklal.

Standbys: Denzil Smith (GK), Josh Toussaint, Quinn Rodney.

Coach: Brian Williams

Guadeloupe (4-1-4-1): 1.Davy Rouyard (GK); 2.Robby Jason, 4.Hanane Nebot, 5.Loic Nuiro (captain), 19.Kevin Moeson; 15.Joris Santenac; 7.Teddy Nabab, 6.Anthony Tafna Danavin (9.Lucas Larochelle 78), 8.Dimitri Bolivar, 14.Thomas Pracin (11.Morgan Saint-Maximin 88); 10.Yvann Macon (Meddy Viardot 73).

Unused Substitutes: 16.Sebastein Trocador (GK), 3.Gabriel Vainqueur, 12.Giovanni Dupalan, 13.Arthur Cadin, 17.Sebastien Manijean, 18.Luca Ramoutar-Badal.

Coach: Moise Castry

Referee: Johannes Dolaini (Suriname)

Man of the Match: Davy Rouyard (Guadeloupe)

Photo: A Trinidad and Tobago football fan waves his flag during their 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup fixture against Cuba in Phoenix. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: A Trinidad and Tobago football fan waves his flag during their 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup fixture against Cuba in Phoenix.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

CFU Under-20 Qualifiers

Group 2

(Wednesday 15 June)

Turks and Caicos 0, St Lucia 2 (Antoine Wilfred 58, Nyrone Winter 70) at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Jarred Dass 48), Guadeloupe 0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium;

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 coach Brian Williams. (Courtesy TTFA Media)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 coach Brian Williams.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)

Upcoming fixtures

(Friday June 17)

St Lucia vs Guadeloupe, 5 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs Turks and Caicos, 7.30 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Sunday June 19)

Guadeloupe vs Turks and Caicos, 4 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs St Lucia, 6.30 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.

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About Roneil Walcott

Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary's College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.

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34 comments

  1. Keep up the good performances .

  2. Know his Parents well. Beautiful people.

  3. I agree uncle Earl Mango Pierre but time to move forward motivating not pampering!! Solution based not problem identifying let’s help d cause

  4. And the beautiful game is about being skillful with a ball eh, on and off the field Gordon Pierre. Them really good yers.

    • Uncle Earl Mango Pierre time to stop live in d past and acknowledge the present to empower the future!! Not too sure all them teams u put was better either but that is a whole other conversation my thing is u can’t be the number one fan one way and carrying down young players that way tell me what they did wrong and how to improve

    • Well if you don’t know about our great players that represented our youth teams in the past and also went on to play real professional football abroad eh, yuh need to stay out of the football eh because I have been saying this for years the problem with our football is that the youths don’t know our past great players so that they can follow their footsteps all they are watching are the players on TV that are playing real professional football abroad and as the saying goes if a people doesn’t know their history they can never move forward in the future and I done talk and I will always continue to be a number 1 fan but I am tired of the mediocrity eh, time to get the ball rolling man we are to far behind. Them really good yes.

  5. When alyuh start to develop players like these that we had in the past call me nah, it is call youth development and the grassrroots eh. Them really good yes.

  6. Again, it is unclear our intentions with and without the ball. No clear structures in place

  7. Gordon Pierre it is time that alyuh stop pampering these players eh, at their ages many of them should be playing real professional football abroad eh, or even playing in our professional league eh, that when tournaments like these comes around eh, is plenty licks for the other CFU teams eh because of our program and as I said they all need to stop playing shit football and really get their acts together and even some of our bootleg Coaches. Them really good yes.

    • Totally agree playing for your country does not automatically make you protected from adverse comments . Many times the selection process is flawed or skewed or done by a person not qualified to so do .
      This was not the level Of an international U 20 team , yes for CFU but not outside
      Lacking technical and tactical maturity.

    • Trevor Bridglalsingh ah really wish that I can explain myself like you and some others yes because alyuh always on point eh, LOL

  8. Uncle Earl Mango Pierre i will not have u these are u 20 young men who read d Internet! The game was not d best but remember these are young men giving their all for their country constructive criticism please, and solutions going forward!!

  9. Yeah ah heard that the game was really ta ta eh, and our football will continue to be in a mess if they don’t return to the grassroots eh. Them really good yes.

  10. Where can i get the schedule for the balance of the games?

  11. Good result. Pretty forgettable performance. But we have something to build on at least.

  12. I was there…. I was 50/50 on Sandy playing as the defensive mid….at times he looked out of the game but he played the holding midfield role well delivering some nice passes in the process… Would have liked to have seen more of him attacking…. But good win for the lads…

  13. Still no real cohesion….. No fluency. Hope that as tournament goes along this improves. There is talent in the team, just no real teamwork…..

  14. Our players didn’t appear to be certain about what their jobs entailed last night.

  15. Guadeloupe definitely had the better first half as they were knocking rings around our players. We only settled down after we scored. Generally i wasn’t impressed but this is only the first game. We need to do better in keeping the ball and decision making in the attacking third to win this group and especially to do something meaningful against better CONCACAF opponents

  16. They definitely played better in the second half. First half, they seemed disjointed and as if they were struggling to string together three or four passes. So glad the nerves settled after half time.
    Think we need to work on finishing though. Seems like we had sufficient opportunities to come away with a more comfortable score line.

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