Dennecia scores again but Costa Rica hand T&T third straight CONCACAF defeat

Trinidad and Tobago ended their CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship campaign with a third successive defeat this evening, falling 2-1 to Costa Rica at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

For the third straight match, the Junior Women Soca Warriors scored first—this time, through bustling forward Dennecia Prince. But, yet again, they could not hold on, even against a Costa Rican team that had not won a match in the tournament before today and which had rested eight of their regular starters.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper K’lil Keshwar (right) brings down Costa Rica attacker Fabiola Villalobos for a penalty kick during 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 22 January 2018.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

It was one of their regular players who turned the game around, though, as attacker Fabiola Villalobos converted a penalty within seconds of coming on in the 46th minute before Hillary Corrales grabbed a 56th minute winner.

By then—and not for the first time—the hosts had run out of puff and they offered only token resistance in the second half.

Still, it was more competitive than the opening game of the Group A double-header, as Haiti took the sting out of a top of the table clash by starting nine substitutes—only to be soundly thrashed 4-0 by Canada.

Only three of the four semifinalists will advance to the France 2018 Under-20 World Cup and Canada, Mexico and the United States all rested players for their second group match with an eye on the knock-out round on Friday. Haiti too, belatedly, decided to do likewise this evening and seek to preserve their legs for the semi-final engagement.

Time will tell if Haiti coach Marc Collat made the right call but Canada winger Shana Flynn made the most of the opportunity with a hattrick while Tonya Boychuk closed off the score summary for the North Americans.

When Costa Rica put out a weakened team and promptly fell behind, there was genuine hope for a consolation win by the hosts.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Dennecia Prince (right) celebrates the opening goal against Costa Rica during 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 22 January 2018.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

Once more, it was a delightful goal. Tiny attacker Aaliyah Prince was kicked off her feet for the umpteenth time this tournament but the ball rolled to midfielder and stand-in captain Ranae Ward who played into the path of overlapping full-back Jaasiel Forde. And Forde’s incisive lofted diagonal pass for Prince (D) inspired a finish to match, the forward controlling the ball neatly before burying it through the legs of opposing custodian Nicoles Genis.

Costa Rica coach Amelia Valverde responded by introducing Villalobos at the interval and her impact was immediate. Within seconds, the attacker darted behind the Trinidad and Tobago defence for a loose ball. Goalkeeper K’lil Keshwar got there first but failed to get her hands on the ball and, as Villalobos flew over the custodian, United States referee Ekaterina Koroleva pointed to the spot.

Villalobos took the penalty herself to pull Costa Rica level.

The winner came off a set piece as the Trinidad and Tobago defence failed to deal with a deep free kick from Kenlly Villalobos—one of three Villaloboses in the Costa Rican team—and Corrales flicked the ball around Keshwar to complete the comeback.


Editor’s Note: See Wired868 later for full match report with comments from both coaches.

(Teams)

Trinidad and Tobago (4-4-2): 1.K’lil Keshwar (GK); 12.Jaasiel Forde (16.Kelsey Henry 61), 17.Alexis Fortune, 2.Crystal Molineaux, 3.Shadi Cecily Stoute; 10.Aaliyah Prince (19.Chelcy Ralph 73), 11.Ranae Ward (captain), 13.Shenieka Paul, 14.Kedie Johnson; 7.Dennecia Prince (15.Asha James 67), 9.Laurelle Theodore.

Unused substitutes: 20.Malaika Dedier (GK), 5.Nathifa Hackshaw, 6.Shaunalee Govia, 8.Megan Rampersad, 18.Brittney Williams.

Coach: Jamaal Shabazz

Costa Rica (4-2-1-3): 18.Nicoles Genis (GK); 5.Fernanda Sanabria (16.Priscilla Chinchilla 46), 15.Stephannie Blanco, 3.Jeimy Unaña, 6.Maria Paula Elizondo; 19.Daniela Coto (8.Mariela Campos 75); 10.Gloriana Villalobos (), 13.Cristal Sandi (7.Fabiola Villalobos 46); 12.Kenlly Villalobos, 17.Catalina Estrada, 14.Hillary Corrales.

Unused substitutes: 1.Fabiano Solano (GK), 2.Maria Paula Salas, 4.Maria Paula Coto, 9.Sofia Varela, 11.Juliet Navarro, 20.Yaniela Arias.

Coach: Amelia Valverde (Costa Rica)

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva (United States)

CONCACAF Player of the Match: Gloriana Villalobos (Costa Rica)

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About Lasana Liburd

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.

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61 comments

  1. Them still playing?..back to the drawing board right..

  2. WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago U-20 Women’s 2-1 loss to Costa Rica.


  3. This tournament should be a rallying call for the SSFL to have a Girls Premiership!!

  4. At least Coach Shabazz recognized the team shortcomings. Hope the TTFA Chief Technical Director comes with a solution for the women and men teams using the issues raised by our coaches of the various national teams.
    Fitness and tactics must be taught to our players. Most have the basic skills and talent already.

    • Trinidad &Tobago is the only footballing country who reward coaches for losing all other recognized footballing countries fire their coaches when their teams do not perform like they should . The fact is every time one of our National team fail to win the excuses are all the same. The coach selected these players then it was his responsibility to prepare them to play on this level .Trinidadians need to wake up and deal with the reality that until we fix the main problem which is Management our football will continue to spiral downwards faster that we think

    • T&T is the only footballing Nation I know that reward National team coaches when their teams do not win. especially major tournaments.After every loss the excuses are always the same blame after blame and the coach refusal to accept responsibility for not doing the job that he was hired to do. In most other footballing countries coaches get fired when their team does not win . I think is about time we recognize the facts and deal with it accordingly. Just imagine on our home field we could not even win a game against the team that was supposed to be the worst in the group ,notwithstanding the fact that they did not even start the game with the majority of their starters . The responsibility for this dismal showing lies on the shoulders of the leader of this team and I wish you all will recognize that fact.

  5. Talk is Cheap. Onward Coach Shabazz.

  6. Shabazz recognizes the problem…
    “She has had some explosive moments,” said Shabazz. “You can see a player that, with a lot more fitness, a higher level of fitness achieved, […] is […] ready to graduate to the senior team.”

  7. “I think the girls played their heart out tonight and [I’m] very satisfied that they gave of their best. We know we’ve got to make a better preparation going forward and try to prepare a team that can be more intense in the battles.”
    T&T Women’s U-20 coach Jamaal Shabazz praises his team’s effort after their third straight defeat against Costa Rica
    https://wired868.com/2018/01/23/girls-played-heart-shabazz-praises-u-20s-effort-bow-third-loss/

  8. Well make certain that my Prof Jamaal Shabazz is aware of this and all the rest of the wanna be and bootleg coaches in our sweet country and thanks for sharing eh Tony Maxwell Hatt. Them really good yes

    • Earl …our MAJOR problem is sharing. Our coaches are propriety with knowledge. They don’t share anything. It’s a closed group that needs to have some organization. It’s the same with Athletics…i share my knowledge with clubs and coaches for free but coaches here are very insular. I post all my workouts on my page and send out a monthly Newsletter for free. But it’s like pulling teeth with coaches here.
      You can’t get anywhere like that.

    • By the way…did you see how fit and athletic the Costa Rica coach looked? ?

    • Well as you and I know that all real professional coaches have to be fit and ready the same like my real professional foreign base Coach Hart eh, so meh other bestest Coach Derek Terron King better change is diet the same eh. Them really good yes hahaha

    • And I feel your sentiments the same with myself sharing meh football Coaching DVDS youth to senior and other kinda ah football DVDS eh and it seems that all the wanna be coaches and the ones who feels that they know it all and are members of wired volley still isn’t linking up with me nah, but I will be waiting very patiently for when they all finally does eh. Them really good yes.

    • It’s a sign of the times when the most debated issue about an Under 20 team is the lack of fitness. Lawd as teenagers we played three games in a day and could play more.

    • Gerard Johnson it’s not just the Under 20 team it’s something affecting all of our teams.
      Fitness is not achieved in 3 months…. it’s ongoing and like one coach expressed here a couple of nights ago… he declared that all his players are fit. Then it’s something missing between the time they leave him and make it to the National teams.
      Players and Coaches need to be in contact all year and programs need to be developed for off season.
      Accountability must be sustained between Coach and athlete.

    • Tony Maxwell Hatt I agree. But the point I’m trying to make is the inactivity of modern day youths and their poor diets in the off seasons. A teenager in my day never started a season unfit because we were active all year. Of course we didn’t eat greasy fried chicken and chips with fatty hamburgers everyday. The players must be responsible too if they are serious about the game.

    • And maybe hence the reason why they cannot concentrate for the whole game eh I dont know why dem girls and dem just forget about the football thing and return to what they was suppose to be doing nah and that is cooking and cleaning the house eh because that was the reason why my Father God took one of meh ribs and created the woman when he realized that I was very lonely and needed a mate for sex and to make plenty children eh. Them really good yes hehehehe

    • Tony Maxwell Hatt And they do not listen, their ears are tuned to 1 radio station, so learning is very limited. They see anyone with different or new knowledge as a threat, and quickly shut them out.

    • Sheldon Scipio .you see how much licks I does get in here if I bring up something that is ‘revealing”.
      It doesn’t bother me one bit.
      We need to take control of our football and all sports.
      There are very good football coaches here but there are some who think that a particular sport is insular and fail to look at other sports for ideas. There is so much information outside of football that can be helpful.
      The physiology..the mental..the planning.. distribution of energy … etc etc.
      As football coaches you need to look at things beyond the ball..head and foot
      and look at the physiology and much more.

    • I once worked with a coach from NY Red Bulls in the MLS to run my local camp. He said they watch the NBA for movement, and incorporate many thing the see for their midfield and attacking players. They also use their speed, agility, and jumping training programs.

      We here feel football is personally ours.

    • Preach, preach, you is preaching great eh Tony Maxwell Hatt, Gerard Johnson, and Sheldon Scipio as usual eh. Them really good yes.

    • Yes basketball for balance and movement…i have seen the Canadian eoen team doing ballet sessions… there is so much out there..i know of teams that have uofa sessions… it’s what you feel will help.
      Don’t be so closed minded.
      A couple days ago an ex player and Secondary schools voach insinuated that I was a fool. That same man doesn’t realize that I was in his school last year recruiting athletes and I organized a seminar that involved former students from the school to make presentations to an assembly of student athletes.
      I would never call another coach ignorant or a fool because you may one day have to listen to one of my presentations.
      Shabazz is a good coach but his hands are tied and the game here is about a network of politics.
      Last year I wrote a paper on “Why do athletes need coaches and why do coaches need athletes ”
      It was well received at a seminar at Hasley Crawford stadium.. .
      Yes coaches need athletes… once they understand that concept they will understand the role of the coach.

    • You say Shabazz hands are tied very matter of fact. He is either part of the solution or part of the problem. This is not his first rodeo.

    • And I will bet anyone that if you ask these ypung ladies to explain the different formations on the field eh they wont have a clue or maybe a few of them might know but the only formation that they will definitely know of hand is the 630 eh no wonder why meh untie Kams said that the PNM children is ah set ah duncy head children eh for one to understand the beautiful game and to understand what my Prof Jamaal Shabazz is talking about they all have to understand the different formations eh because gone are the days where the coaches depended on the natural talented players in out sweet country. Them really good yes

  9. I am sure these girls can improve with better coaching and preparation.
    Their fitness level is way below what is required for a tournament at this level. That shows up in the second half of all of their games.
    They don’t have the energy to run back after being beaten by an opposing player. That was so obvious.
    No stringing of passes …. not creating open spaces… and if the do create one.. the opponents beats them to the ball. That is lack of fitness.
    On the plus side…i see a tremendous amount of talent that can be moulded into a swift attacking team.
    They need match practice..strength and conditioning and a good nutrition plan.
    They need to have daily communication through online digital Activity Logs via Email.. Whatsapp or FB Messenger.
    Once you develop these ladies you will have a very good Senior Team.
    Communication is key… this is something we use for conditioning and rehabilitation …it’s digital and we can also create them for conditioning exercises.
    https://www.my-exercise-code.com

    The access code is: 26VAUZX

  10. This goes way beyond Jamal Shabazza… Anyone who actually went and support the games would have seen that these other teams had proper technical plays which doesn’t come by mere practice and training… these other countries have programs for youths set in place for proper development, it was plain to see. We had alot of good players but no technical skill. I’d say well done ladies depite losing you’ll put up a good fight.
    We need to go back to the grassroots and develop from there.

  11. I am sure these girls can improve with better coaching and preparation.
    Their fitness level is way below what is required for a tournament at this level. That shows up in the second half of all of their games.
    They don’t have the energy to run back after being beaten by an opposing player. That was so obvious.
    No stringing of passes …. not creating open spaces… and if the do create one.. the opponents beats them to the ball. That is lack of fitness.
    On the plus side…i see a tremendous amount of talent that can be moulded into a swift attacking team.
    They need match practice..strength and conditioning and a good nutrition plan.
    They need to have daily communication through online digital Activity Logs via Email.. Whatsapp or FB Messenger.
    Once you develop these ladies you will have a very good Senior Team.
    Communication is key… this is something we use for conditioning and rehabilitation …it’s digital and we can also create them for conditioning exercises.
    https://www.my-exercise-code.com

    The access code is: 26VAUZX

  12. WATCH: Post-match comments from Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz following Trinidad and Tobago U-20 Women’s 2-1 loss to Costa Rica.


  13. A feel for these young ladies. Under developed and under prepared.

  14. Sorry to say but I think our goal in entering these competitions is to only play for pride (instead of trophies and wc qualification)…that seems to be our goal and it will continue to be our goal if things don’t change…all we ever play for is pride…smh…we like it so

    • What pride did our U20 women play for, pray tell, when, as hosts, they get a free bligh to participate and lost all three group matches?
      Is scoring first but ending up losing all three matches a boastful consolation worthy of feeling proud?
      The official Concacaf stats would show that the TT team made far fewer accurate passes and far more inaccurate passes than their opponents in head-to-head clashes.
      They also had fewer shots and even less on target than each of their three opponents.
      They scored the least amount of goals; conceded the most in their group; and were outplayed and outclassed in ending with zero points.
      Yet one of the more promising players (Megan Rampersad), who injected energy and momentum when introduced in a friendly encounter against Jamaica a couple months aback, was not even given a minute run, while every other player (except the substitute goalie) was given a play in the tournament.
      Was there a reason? Was this a tactical decision? Was there favouritism or sentimentality involved in player selection?
      Btw Canada, Haiti and Costa Rica all gave their subs a play.
      Is there any difference to the collective coaching IQ, method and technique to what is afforded the TT senior women team as they gear up for 2019 World Cup campaign?
      If not, and we repeat the identical failed preparations with the same coaching staff for the senior women, wouldn’t the expectation of different results not match the definition of insanity?
      Or am I being too cynical?

    • And not only they hosted the tournament eh but also played all of the games last like we have a bomb squad team eh. Them really good yes

  15. Jamal Shabazza u proved toTrinidad u are failure hard luck girls u have a bright future book e and footall

  16. couldn’t attend any games. Why did they not do better Lasana Liburd? Seems like a talented bunch. Was the preparation poor?

  17. Our bootleg coaches / teachers are failing miserably to educate our young lady football players…Got this from the movie….” Lean on me” staring…Morgan Freeman Them really good yes.

  18. That will be the faith of many other national teams

    • The TTFA is a disgrace. They embarrassed the young ladies and all youths. The Technical staff still don’t know the players strengths and weakness. I hope the foreign players play outside while the locals get scholarship or contracts. Look where our football has gone. Another JW on board. Thank you Ladies.

  19. Steupps I’m weary anyway Mexico winning the world cup under 20 already said it long long before soo adios

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