Herbert steers T&T U17s past elder compatriots; White Angels in must-win scenario against Jamaica

The T&T White Angels (ostensibly the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Under-20 Team) are in danger of missing out on a spot in Friday’s final of the Jewels of the Caribbean Under-20 tournament.

Blame the T&T Red Angels (the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Under-17 Team) for that.

Today, the Red Angels defeated their elder compatriots 1-0 on Match Day Three of the Jewels of the Caribbean—courtesy of a second half winner by substitute Jayda Herbert. And, in truth, the White Angels barely deserved the slender margin of the defeat.

Should Trinidad and Tobago fans be happy or sad at this state of affairs? Or confused?

Once again, the younger Red Angels, coached by Ayana Russell, exhibited more patience in their buildup and looked to have an idea of how they wanted to play, with a penchant for passing combinations.

In contrast, coach Dernelle Mascall’s White Angels played as though they had only recently met each other; there was plenty of grit and desire—but that is no substitute for a plan if your opponent has one.

The Red Angels have six points from their opening two games now and face Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 5pm tomorrow (Ato Boldon Stadium) and Jamaica at 4pm on Thursday (Larry Gomes Stadium).

A draw against the “Vincey Heat” tomorrow would ensure that the Red Angels are in Friday’s final at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

For the White Angels, tomorrow’s game against Jamaica at 7pm is a must win affair if they want a shot at the trophy. Anything short would leave them in a three-way tussle with Dominica and, presumably, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for third place.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium today, the White Angels never really took control of the match—unable to create a platform for midfielder Gabby Ramdeen or winger Mariah Williams to flourish, while attacker J’Eleisha Alexander remained on the fringes of the affair.

Occasionally an errant pass hinted that the Red Angels might want to tighten up their rest defence mode (the proximity of their defenders to opposing attackers in non-threatening periods of the game), so as to safeguard against counterattacks.

But central defender Jasmine McNish, a graceful giant of a player with a bright future ahead, always seemed to materialise at the right time to intercept while goalkeeper Zaira Aimey exhibited safe hands.

In this aspect, the White Angels were not found wanting.

Captain and central defender Anastasia O’Brien is fast, aggressive and good in one-on-one scenarios. And goalkeeper Maya Figgener made two top drawer saves from White Angels playmaker Orielle Martin to keep the teams on level footing.

Martin and the lively Nikita Gosine, used at centre forward today, were bubbling. Somehow, O’Brien and Figgener, with some help from central defender Shadea Andrews, managed to keep the protagonists at bay.

But in the 52nd minute, the pressure eventually told. Referee Shawn Gonzales played an unfortunate role in the winner though.

Gonzales is a young official with some promise. But he is far too inconsistent with his decisions to be a comforting sight to any coach on match day.

In today’s affair, he called some innocuous bumps yet let some full-blooded tackles go without a whistle.

In the 48th minute, White Angels defender Kimora Mitchell went straight through opposing captain Kanika Rodriguez with a reckless challenge in the penalty area. Gonzales, inexplicably, did not blow.

Four minutes later, Martin left her feet as she lunged into Mitchell near the centre field. Ironically, Gonzales was consistent here. He waved play on again.

And Martin played through Herbert who cut inside from the left flank and squeezed a shot past an opposing defender, with the deflection taking the ball past Figgener and into the far corner.

The goal should not have stood, due to Martin’s tackle. But, at the same time, the Red Angels deserved a penalty earlier.

It is hard to know what justice looks like when a referee is off his game.

Mitchell, for the record, limped off the field and took no further part in the game. Hopefully, her ankle feels good enough to play tomorrow—Mascall’s White Angels could do with her services.

But first, the Red Angels will be pushing for their third win on the trot. It’s hard to bet against them at the moment.

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Maya Figgener (GK); 7.Jada Graham, 15.Shadea Andrews (13.Tashana Hackette 50), 5.Anastasia O’Brien (captain) (14.Khloe Kirton 63), 20.Kimora Mitchell (4.Shakira Charles 56); 10.Sheneil Findley (22.Aaliyah Baptiste 36), 6.Carissa Cowan (23.Gyasi Lewis 36); 19.Daneelyah Salandy (16.Siani Urbano 56), 17.Gabby Ramdeen, 11.Mariah Williams; 9.J’Eleisha Alexander.

Unused substitute: 18.Nika Ifill (GK).

Coach: Dernelle Mascall

T&T Red Angels (4-2-3-1): 1.Zaira Aimey (GK); 5.Daniella Paul (12.Natalia Gosine 58), 4.Hackeemar Goodridge, 3.Jasmine McNish, 14.Cherine Steele (2.Jessica Nesbitt 36); 11.Rori Gittens (8.T’kayai Dennis 36), 6.Cherina Steele (17.Mikaela Yearwood 58); 15.Kanika Rodriguez (captain), 10.Orielle Martin (16.Madison Campbell 58), 7.Rasheda Archer (19.Jayda Herbert 36); 9.Nikita Gosine.

Unused substitute: 18.Kenisha Taylor (GK).

Coach: Ayana Russell

Referee: Shawn Gonzales

Jewels of the Caribbean results

(Sunday 15 December)

Jamaica 1 (Alyssa Stephenson 6), St Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (Nasheeka Prescod 35+1) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels 5 (Orielle Martin 14, 34, 37 pen, 41, T’kayai Dennis 65), Dominica 0 at Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Monday 16 December)

Dominica 0, Jamaica 7 (Andrene Smith 2, Tiny Seaton 11, Destiny Powell 17, Olivia Ashbourne 21, Alyssa Stephenson 56, Cassandra Smith 57, Jaileah Cox-McPherson 67 pen) at Ato Boldon Stadium;

T&T White Angels 0, St Vincent and the Grenadines 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Tuesday 17 December)

Dominica 2 (Le-Myar Forde 9, 40), St Vincent and the Grenadines 3 (Meiya Wilson 23, Nasheeka Prescod 43, Vinesha Johnson 52) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels 1 (Jayda Herbert 52), T&T White Angels 0 at Larry Gomes Stadium.

Upcoming fixtures

(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;

(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.

Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

T&T Red    2-2-0-0-6-0–6

St Vincent   3-1-2-0-4-3-5

Jamaica       2-1-1-0-8-1-4

T&T White 2-0-1-1-0-1-1

Dominica    3-0-0-3-2-15–0