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Trinidad and Tobago booked their place in the semifinal round of the Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship with a game to spare today, as they downed Bermuda 2-0 at the CD Jose Wever Stadium in Oranjestad.
It was the young Soca Warriors’ second successive 2-0 win of the tournament, after a similar triumph over Antigua and Barbuda in Group E of League B yesterday.
Photo: TTFA Media.
The result apart—and the fact that busy forward Adasa Richardson was again on the score summary—today’s showing from coach Densill Theobald’s team had little in common with their opening victory.
Against Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago were busy and determined but also patchy and sometimes slipshod. Today, though, the young Warriors barely put a foot wrong.
Bermuda were cornered from virtually the opening whistle. The boys from the two-island republic never let them settle on the ball, as they pressed high and snapped at their heels repeatedly.
Photo: TTFA Media.
At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Levi Williams could have played a game of solitaire without anyone noticing.
However, the biggest departure from Tuesday’s performance for Trinidad and Tobago came in possession—as central defenders Aden Montano and captain JaiMarley John, ably assisted by midfielders Ackim Duncan and Deron Blackman, were composed and mature on the ball.
In short, Bermuda could not keep the ball for themselves, nor could they regain it with any regularity.
Based on the Concacaf Under-17 rankings, Bermuda (ranked 12th in Concacaf) were the seeded team in Group E of League B ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (ranked 15th).
But John and company made a mockery of that.
The match was just seven minutes old when Richardson opened the scoring with a close-ranged header off a Reagan Rowe cross. And the only mystery was why it took until the 50th minute for Theobald’s troops to get the insurance item—this time off a header from substitute Jeremai Nanton from a Sebastian James corner kick.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Arguably, Trinidad and Tobago lacked a bit of fluidity and ingenuity in the exchange between their attacking midfielders and front three, which might have created more shooting opportunities.
But, today, they were aggressive, mobile, and determined and played with personality too.
Rowe, Richardson and Kevez Quintero are a lively front three who could run all day while James’ set piece deliveries were another constant threat.
Bermuda had no answer.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Right back Kyen Anderson, who only flew from Trinidad to Aruba yesterday—due to the shoddy management of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA)—came off the bench today, along with all of the outfield substitutes.
Concacaf tournament rules insist that all selected players must be used for at least an hour in the tournament. It might say something about Theobald’s confidence in the depth of his team that he has already fulfilled that criterion after just two days.
Tomorrow, on the rest day for League B, Trinidad and Tobago play their final group outing against Barbados—due to their late arrival in Aruba. In contrast, Jamaica, their semifinal opponent on Friday, have the day off.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Jamaica, incidentally, defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in Bacolet last year during the 2024 CFU Boys U-14 Series.
With just 18 available players, Theobald cannot rest his entire XI for Friday’s crucial fixture. His decision on which seven players he can afford to keep in reserve tomorrow might be a vital one.
In truth, it might be a bigger challenge than Bermuda posed today.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 18.Levi Williams (GK); 14.Oshea Watson, 5.Aden Montano, 3.JaiMarley John (captain), 15.Antoni James; 6.Deron Blackman, 8.Ackim Duncan, 2.Sebastian James; 10.Reagan Rowe, 9.Kevez Quintero, 11.Adasa Richardson.
Substitutes: 1.Christian Telfer (GK), 4.Kyen Anderson, 7.Jeremai Nanton, 12.Samuel Balfour, 13.Jaylon Roberts, 16.Matthew Lee Young, 17.Aaden Jones.
Coach: Densill Theobald.
Bermuda (4-3-3): 12.Nuri Latham (GK); 13.Adam Barritt, 4.Solomon Salaam, 15.Shiia Davis, 5.Deacon Wade; 8.Carter Thomas, 14.Azai Dyer, 6.Roman Wilkinson; 7.Zydon Lightbourne, 9.Jeon Wolfe, 10.Z’ani Jennings (captain).
Substitutes: 1.Xavier Thomas (GK), 2.Ny’ori Dill, 3.Kayuri Tucker, 11.Justin Franco, 16.Swan-edmead Chaz, 17.Kaiyuri Albuoy, 18.Rylan De Silva.
Coach: Vashun Blanchette.
Referee: Damien Rosa (Martinique).
Photo: TTFA Media.
Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship
(Monday 4 August)
Bermuda 0, Antigua and Barbuda 0 at Oranjestad;
(Tuesday 5 August)
Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Aaden Jones 20, Adasa Richardson 65), Antigua and Barbuda 0 at Oranjestad;
Barbados 2, Bermuda 3 at Oranjestad;
(Wednesday 6 August)
Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Adasa Richardson 7, Jeremai Nanton 50), Bermuda 0 at Oranjestad;
Antigua and Barbuda 3, Barbados 0 at Oranjestad.
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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.
