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There was an early goal and a late attacking flurry, but in the end, Trinidad and Tobago had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Puerto Rico today—in the opening game of the 2026 CFU U-14 Boys Challenge Series in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.
Captain Hasheem Salandy opened the scoring for the two-island republic with a header in the fifth minute, off a fine Judea Phillip cross from a clever set piece routine. And, in second half stoppage time, Trinidad and Tobago were inches away from a winner, with attacker Jiair Nanton threatening twice while Salandy almost scored another header.
(via TTFA Media.)
In between the early and late action, though, Puerto Rico dominated the contest, and perhaps a draw was a fair result.
Trinidad and Tobago resume Group B action tomorrow against Haiti, while they face French Guiana in their final group game on Wednesday.
Coach Randolph Boyce started work with this group in mid-July and, in the circumstances, he might have felt satisfied with some aspects of the young Soca Warriors’ play.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Trinidad and Tobago lacked fluency on the ball and spent long periods of the 70-minute affair on the backfoot. However, Boyce’s troops displayed a solid defensive shape and physically matched their opponents throughout.
For just over half an hour, Trinidad and Tobago might have dreamed of an opening triumph too.
Phillip and Nanton pretended to misread each other’s signals from an early free kick, before the former player whipped in a left-footed cross that was headed home by Salandy.
The trio are all City FC players, so it is uncertain which coach takes the credit for that routine.
For all of Puerto Rico’s ball possession, the only other notable attempt at goal in the first half came off Nanton’s boot, as his shot from 22 yards clipped the top of the bar.
Ironically, Trinidad and Tobago conceded in transition, three minutes into the second half.
(via TTFA Media.)
Puerto Rico carved open their opponents in three passes, which started with a throw from their goalkeeper. And their skilful left winger stepped inside Trinidad and Tobago right back Ryan Aquing to surprise goalkeeper Jean-Paul Barrimond with a shot at his near post.
Puerto Rico might have gone ahead in the 49th minute, but for a perceptive, last gasp challenge by Salandy, inside his own six-yard box.
And, in the final minute of regulation time, Trinidad and Tobago appeared to have preserved the point when Barrimond came off his line to dive at the feet of a Puerto Rican forward.
(via TTFA Media.)
Remarkably, Boyce’s boys were not done yet. Nanton picked off an errant pass from an opponent, in the 72nd minute, and forced a fine save from the Puerto Rico goalkeeper, with another shot from outside the area.
It was all Trinidad and Tobago for the next two minutes, as a Salandy header, off a Nanton corner kick, was fended away by the opposing goalkeeper before the ball was scrambled clear.
And, in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, Nanton cut in off the left wing—in his trademark move—but missed the far corner, with his rising shot.
Jiair is the younger brother of National Under-17 attacker Jeremai Nanton.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
One point each, then. Haiti are next for the young Warriors.
(Team)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 18.Jean-Paul Barrimond (GK); 2.Ryan Aquing, 4.Hasheem Salandy (captain), 5.Kiyan Jupiter, 3.Darion Alzola; 10.Zaire McMillan, 6.Taariq Kerr, 8.Declan De Freitas; 7.Jiair Nanton, 9.Abayomi Hope, 11.Judea Phillip.
Substitutes: 1.Liam Alleyne (GK), 12.Eli-Akim Nelson, 13.Kymani Mohan, 14.Zidan Tinto, 15.Kayden Rosalis, 16.Alex Wortman, 17.Jake Correia.
Coach: Randolph Boyce.
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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.
