Shabazz: “I have a little smile;” T&T win again but Dominica take heart from border restrictions

“Suddenly, I have started to smile,” said Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team coach Jamaal Shabazz, with a wide grin. “I have not been smiling for a long time since I came back in women’s football. Fa-Inna maAAa alAAusri yusran [which is Arabic for ‘Verily, after the hardship comes the ease.”

After two years without an international victory—a run that includes the tenure of three coaches—the Women Soca Warriors stretched their winning streak to five matches last night, downing Dominica 3-0 in their second France 2019 World Cup qualifying encounter at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Shabazz’s own underwhelming return to the post of women’s coach included elimination at the Caribbean stage at National Under-17 level while, despite having home advantage, the National Under-20 Team lost all three outings in January’s Concacaf competition,

But reunited with senior players with whom he has worked for well over a decade, such as captain and playmaker Tasha St Louis, defender Ayanna Russell and midfield lynchpin Karyn Forbes, Shabazz’s sense of relief—and even optimism—was unmistakable.

Three months ago, the coach told Wired868 that his current team lacks the depth to qualify for France and he intends to focus on developing a force for the future. Last night, he modified that sentiment ever so slightly.

“They want it badly and I want it badly for them,” said Shabazz, who admitted some players were unhappy with his pessimism, “but I have got to keep the priorities…”

Yet, at the risk of sacrificing bonhomie, it is worth noting that the Women Warriors’ last five games were against Suriname, Grenada, Guyana, the United States Virgin Islands and Dominica. Of those, only Guyana—whom T&T downed 3-1—are generally expected to provide respectable opposition against the reigning Caribbean champions.

And it might be saying something that Shabazz was not the only content coach last night. Dominica coach Rajesh Latchoo, a former Trinidad and Tobago women’s youth team coach and assistant to Shabazz at Morvant Caledonia United, also had a satisfied air.

“I thought that [Dominica] were able to keep their tactical discipline,” said Latchoo. “Obviously Trinidad was the superior team we knew what we were coming up against. [But] I am pleased with the girls for their efforts.

“We only had three months to prepare and these girls showed that Dominica are resilient and it is about improving the image of [our] women’s football.”

As always, the truth lay somewhere in between. Dominica started with five defenders and one midfield sentry ahead of them. Yet, three of their remaining four outfield players acted as auxiliary defenders too.

The lack of ambition by the Dominica ladies was disappointing but also quite realistic. The visitors did not have a single crack at goal—on or off target—and, if stats were available, they might show that they didn’t even manage 10 percent ball possession.

Yet there was something commendable in their grim defending, as the Dominicans threw their bodies in front of shots and forced Trinidad and Tobago attackers down blind alleys.

“[Dominica] reminded me of when we would play the United States and were just defending for dear life and trying to get the ball forward to [Ahkeela] Mollon,” said Shabazz. “It was a good strategy. Our players are getting to learn this aspect of the game [and how to] play when an opponent comes and parks the bus.

“[…] I don’t think they expected [Dominica] to park the bus so well. This game could easily have been played at PTSC…”

Dominica is an island under repair in more ways than one. Usually, a trip to Trinidad for their team would mean smiling selfies on the stadium pitch, followed by the pain of a double-digit hammering. But after the fury of Hurricane Maria last year, Dominica’s happy-go-lucky spirit has given way to something more resourceful.

“One of the challenges [as Dominica coach] is the terrain [and] the lack of power,” said Latchoo. “These girls have to train at a certain hour in the daylight because there are no lights. The facilities are still rebuilding because of the hurricane and a lot of these girls lost family members.”

He made special mention of Dominica’s burly central midfielder, Chazelle Phillip, who was instrumental in denying St Louis the space she needed to bewitch the opposing defence.

“[Phillip] is from the country and she is one of the girls who has to travel so far to get to practice,” said Latchoo. “It it the equivalent of going from Port-of-Spain to Moruga. And remember we are always trying to cheat the lights [so practice can finish in near darkness].

“When she started—well, she’s still overweight—but she has lost a lot of weight. She puts in the work and she makes the sacrifice to make sure she is in training. These girls motivate me to continue working.

“[…] They could only get better. Once we get the dorms from the FIFA project up so we can host the girls and once we get lights…”

There have been awkward moments between Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica in the last year, as the two-island republic—economic considerations notwithstanding—did not exactly gush with warmth and empathy at the plight of their beleaguered neighbours.

But yesterday, for long periods, it was Dominica who denied Trinidad and Tobago free passage to their penalty area.

In the end, all three goals from the host team came from set pieces as midfielder Karyn “Baby” Forbes scored directly from a free kick while defenders Jenelle Cunningham and Rhea Belgrave converted after getting on the end of dead balls.

“We fancy our dead ball situations,” said Shabazz. “We have about three or four players who can really use it. And […] anytime a game is tight, we feel confident that, once we have free kicks or corners, we are sure to get one in.”

Trinidad and Tobago appeared short of the necessary creativity—and sometimes patience—to open up Dominica yesterday and St Louis and midfielder Janine Francois still look to be lacking rhythm. But the hosts’ ball movement was purposeful and the Women Warriors put in a commendable shift.

Forbes’ passing with either foot—not to mention her shooting—is worth the price of admission while Belgrave, Russell and wing-back Jonelle Cato did themselves justice. Forward Mariah Shade and nippy winger Shanelle Arjoon did not really deliver the goods but it was not for want of trying.

In the post-match media conference, Shabazz beamed while mentioning the talent still to be added to his squad, such as defender Arin King and forward Kennya Cordner. There are also goalkeeper Kimika Forbes, attacker Kayla Taylor, utility player Liana Hinds and versatile twin sisters, Khadisha and Khadidra Debesette.

He repeated his call for former captain and midfield organiser Maylee Attin-Johnson and winger Ahkeela Mollon to rejoin the programme too.  And he offered a little teaser about two new mystery guests from the United States.

“We have found two what I consider gems,” said Shabazz, “and we expect them to join in June. We expect them to make [squad selection] more competitive.”

Shabazz’s good mood extended to a playful jab at his sparring partners in the Wired868 Facebook forum.

“So all the people on Wired, don’t be angry with me,” Shabazz joked,  “when I have a little smile on my face because I have not been smiling for a long time. The Malik Johnsons and all the beautiful commentators on Wired…”

For the good of the Women Warriors, one can only hope that Shabazz’s sunny side survives the tests to come in next month’s final Caribbean qualifying round.

For now, Trinidad and Tobago have to face St Kitts and Nevis at the same venue from 6:30pm on Friday.

“The next game is the most important game,” said Shabazz. “[St Kitts] have demonstrated the ability to play and bring the ball out and attack… I have respect for their programme.”

Judging from what has taken place over the past month, the Women Warriors can do with the challenge.

(Teams)

Trinidad and Tobago (3-4-3): 1.Saundra Baron (GK); 4.Rhea Belgrave (3.Anastasia Prescott 68), 2.Ayanna Russell, 5.Jenelle Cunningham; 8.Patrice Superville, 11.Janine Francois, 14.Karyn Forbes (19.Aaliyah Prince 70), 7.Jonelle Cato; 9.Mariah Shade (18.Naomie Guerra 78), 10.Tasha St Louis (captain), 12.Summer Arjoon.

Unused substitutes: 6.Natasha St Louis, 13.Andrea Young, 15.Taylor Mims, 16.Kedie Johnson, 17.Shaunalee Govia.

Coach: Jamaal Shabazz

Dominica (5-3-1-1): 12.Kimberly Elei (GK); 20.Alanna Finn (17.Keanna Francis 63), 14.Kylee Bertand, 6.Kira Bertrand, 4.Kimara Sabaroche, 8.Kasika Samuel; 11.Rosilia Registe (captain), 19.Chazelle Phillip, 16.Michlyn Morgan (9.Donisha Xavier 55); 3.Alijah Titre (5.Henrica Samuel 43); 10.Romelcia Phillip.

Unused substitutes: 1.Christina Sobers (GK), 2.Myah Raymond, 7.Ezra Elwin, 13.Keandra Francis, 15.Tafari Bertrand, 18.Cassandra Augustine.

Coach: Rajesh Latchoo

Referee: Gillian Martindale (Barbados)

2019 World Cup qualifiers Group C

Results

(Saturday 19 May)

St Kitts and Nevis 2, Dominica 1 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago 10 (Patrice Superville 16, Mariah Shade 36, 40, 81, 89, Karyn Forbes 37, Tasha St Louis 39, Jenelle Cunningham 43, Kedie Johnson 60, Katelyn Wiater OG 73), USVI 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Monday 21 May)

USVI 3, Grenada 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago 3 (Jenelle Cunningham 5, Rhea Belgrave 36, Karyn Forbes 54), Dominica 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium.

Upcoming fixtures

(Wednesday 23 May)

St Kitts and Nevis vs Grenada, 4pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

USVI vs Dominica, 6:30pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Friday 25 May)

Grenada vs Dominica, 4pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs St Kitts and Nevis, 6:30pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Sunday 27 May)

St Kitts and Nevis vs USVI, 4pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Grenada vs Trinidad and Tobago, 6:30pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.