Archer, Gosine sisters, Orielle and J’eleisha in T&T squads for Jewels of the Caribbean

Pleasantville Secondary attacker Nikita Gosine, Bishop Anstey East playmaker Orielle Martin, St Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain) midfielder Daneelyah Salandy, South East Port of Spain Secondary (SEPOS) attacker Rasheda Archer and Scarborough Secondary forward J’eleisha Alexander are among a bevy of talented local girls who will take to the football field over the next week, as Trinidad and Tobago host the Jewels of the Caribbean under-20 tournament.

Jamaica, Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines all sent teams for the competition while Trinidad and Tobago submitted two squads: White Angels (National Under-20 team) and Red Angels (National Under-17 team).

Trinidad and Tobago attacking midfielder Orielle Martin (centre) glides past two opponents during the Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 action against St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Larry Gomes Stadium on 20 December 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

The five teams will meet each other in a round-robin format at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar and the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, while the final and third place playoff will be staged in Couva on 20 December.

The Jewels of the Caribbean kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 15 December in Malabar where Jamaica clash with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the first game of a double header.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Angels meet Dominica at the same venue from 4pm.

The Red Angels, coached by Ayana Russell, include Martin, the Gosine sisters (Nikita and Natalia), the Steele sisters (Cherina and Cherine), Kanika Rodriguez, Rasheda Archer and Mikaela Yearwood in their ranks.

Utility player Mikaela Yearwood passes for a teammate during RBNYFL All-Star action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field on 4 May 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Yearwood will be playing in a different role at the international level over the next week.

The talented 16-year-old St Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain) student made her international debut in goal last year. However, she plays in defence for her school and club, Pro Series, who lifted the National Intercol and Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) Under-20 crowns respectively, and insisted on being considered only as an outfield player for her country.

For the Gosine sisters, the Jewels of the Caribbean tournament marks their international debuts after they were deemed ineligible for selection last year due to schedule clashes with club commitments.

Nikita Gosine is considered a precocious talent with the ability to dribble, pass and shoot from distance. She will get the chance to show what she can do on the international stage now.

Pleasantville Secondary midfielder Nikita Gosine (left) launches an attack for her team while St Joseph’s Convent (POS) midfielder Daneelyah Salandy watches on during the Girls National Intercol final at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 5 December 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

The White Angels, led by head coach Dernelle Mascall, boast of captain and versatile defender Anastasia O’Brien, midfielders Daneelyah Salandy and Arie Bhagan, flanker Mariah Williams and prolific centre-forward J’eleisha Alexander.

Alexander, Steele (Cherina), Archer, O’Brien, Martin, Rodriguez and Yearwood are all capped at national senior level already.

United-based defender Jasmine McNish is a key component in the Red Angels line-up and one of six overseas-based players due to take part in the competition.

Trinidad and Tobago forward J’Eleisha Alexander (right) is blocked by St Vincent and the Grenadines goalkeeper G-Riesa Joseph during the Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 final at the Larry Gomes Stadium on 20 December 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Midfielder Alyssa Singh and attacker Nilla-Rae Smith also fly in from North America to represent the Red Angels along with Britain-based goalkeeper Zaira Aimey. United States-based midfielders Gabby Ramdeen and Siani Urbano will line up for the White Angels.

 

Trinidad and Tobago teams

White Angels

Goalkeepers: 1.Maya Figgener, 18.Nika Ifill, 21.Zofia Richards;

Defenders: 2.Tyeann Wylie, 3.Calypso Ayoung, 4.Shakira Charles, 5.Anastasia O’Brien (captain), 7.Jada Graham, 15.Shadea Andrews, 20.Kimora Mitchell;

Trinidad and Tobago captain Anastasia O’Brien (centre) collects the Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 trophy from TTFA director of women’s football Jinelle James (left) and technical director Anton Corneal after defeating St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium on 20 December 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Midfielders: 6.Carissa Cowan (vice-captain), 8.Arie Bhagan, 10.Sheneil Findley, 16.Siani Urbano, 17.Gabby Ramdeen, 19.Daneelyah Salandy, 23.Gyasi Lewis;

Attackers: 9.J’eleisha Alexander, 11.Mariah Williams, 12.Sydney Pollard, 13.Tashana Hackette, 14.Khloe Kirton, 22.Aaliyah Baptiste.

Coach: Dernelle Mascall

Flanker Mariah Williams (left) advances with the ball during RBNYFL All-Star action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field on 4 May 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Red Angels

Goalkeepers: 1.Zaira Aimey, 18.Kenisha Taylor, 21.Alexia Dolland;

Defenders: 2.Jessica Nesbitt, 3.Jasmine McNish, 4.Hackeemar Goodridge, 5.Daniella Paul, 13.Taya Williams, 14.Cherine Steele, 15.Kanika Rodriguez (captain);

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Cherina Steele (right) tries to evade a challenge from a St Vincent and the Grenadines opponent during the Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 final at the Larry Gomes Stadium on 20 December 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Midfielders: 6.Cherina Steele, 8.T’kayai Dennis, 10.Orielle Martin, 11.Rori Gittens, 12.Natalia Gosine, 16.Madison Campbell, 17.Mikaela Yearwood, 22.Zyesha Potts, 23.Alyssa Singh;

Attackers: 7.Rasheda Archer, 9.Nikita Gosine, 19.Jayda Herbert, 24.Nilla-Rae Smith.

Coach: Ayana Russell

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Under-17 team celebrate after securing the Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 trophy at the Larry Gomes Stadium on 20 December 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Jewels of the Caribbean

(Sunday 15 December)

Jamaica vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 2pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels vs Dominica, 4pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Monday 16 December)

Dominica vs Jamaica, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

T&T White Angels vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 7pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Attacker Rasheda Archer (right) tries to evade defender Calypso Ayoung during RBNYFL All-Star action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field on 4 May 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

(Tuesday 17 December)

Dominica vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 2pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels vs T&T White Angels, 4pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Wednesday 18 December)

T&T Red Angels vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

T&T White Angels vs Jamaica, 7pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Right back Kanika Rodriguez (left) tries to play the ball past opposing attacker Eva Nicholas during RBNYFL All-Star action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field on 4 May 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

(Thursday 19 December)

Dominica vs T&T White Angels, 2pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels vs Jamaica, 4pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Friday 20 December)

Third place playoff, 3pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Championship match, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.

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