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The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team picked up their first point of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup qualifying campaign tonight, as they drew goalless with Puerto Rico at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon.
And, mathematically, the Women Soca Warriors remain with a chance to advance. But to describe their potential path to the W Gold Cup as complicated would be an understatement.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Coach Richard Hood’s troops must defeat a Mexico team that shipped six goals past them without reply on 26 September. And then, they need Mexico, who squeezed past Puerto Rico 2-1 in Mexico City, to rout them by a seven goal margin in Bayamon.
It is unrealistic—but it is better than nothing.
The Women Soca Warriors host Mexico at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday 5 December. And, at least, the women in red, white and black gear will have something to play for until the last whistle.
Last Friday, Trinidad and Tobago fell 2-1 to Puerto Rico in Port of Spain. They got something out of the match tonight though.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
For goalkeeper Simone Eligon, it was her first senior international clean sheet. Hood could point to the match details as proof that this was not a bus parking exercise.
Trinidad and Tobago had eight shots to Puerto Rico’s 13, while the two nations had four and 10 shots on target respectively.
They were all square in the disciplinary chamber too, as Trinidad and Tobago full back Christa Waterman and Puerto Rico flanker Juelle Love were both sent off late in the affair for second bookable offences.
A win on the road today would not have been decisive for the Warriors, but at least they would have started the December match window on equal footing with Puerto Rico.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Still, a draw keeps Trinidad and Tobago alive in the group—even though it is a faint heartbeat.
(Team)
Trinidad and Tobago: 1.Simone Eligon (GK); 19.Christa Waterman [red card], 8.Victoria Swift, 14.Karyn Forbes (captain), 20.Abigail Moos; 17.Jonelle Cato, 4.Chelcy Ralph, 9.Zoe Maxwell, 10.Asha James, 15.Tsaianne Leander (13.Talia Martin 58), 7.Alexcia Ali.
Unused substitutes: 21.Maria Figgener (GK), 22.Malaika Dedier (GK), 2.Crystal Molineaux, 3.Tamara Johnson, 5.Renee Mike, 6.Orielle Martin, 11.Tsai-Anne Fernandez, 12.Maria-Frances Serrant, 16.Brittney Williams, 18.Naomie Guerra, 23.Taliah Simon.
Coach: Richard Hood
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