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The Trinidad and Tobago national under-20 women’s team will hope for a winning start today as it continues its Canada 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a CONCACAF Group B contest against Honduras from 6 pm at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Cayman Islands.
The “Soca Princesses” have never qualified for a FIFA tournament although they participated in the 2010 Under-17 World Cup as the host nation. However, the local women’s fraternity feels there is an excellent chance of progress on this occasion as the draw has left the Princesses with one formidable opponent on its side of the group, Mexico.
Nine 2010 World Cup players are in the T&T squad today to face Honduras in a 2014 Under-20 World Cup qualifier.
(Courtesy FIFA.com)
The United States, Guatemala and Jamaica are all in Group A while Canada qualified automatically as host.
It is vital that the Princesses make the most of the opportunity today against Honduras this evening in George Town.
“It is very important to get a positive result,” Trinidad and Tobago technical director Anton Corneal told Wired868. “All the plans are to win this game because it sets us off on a great footing. It should also give us some confidence for our next game against the Cayman Islands (on Sunday night).”
Corneal and national men’s senior team coach Stephen Hart are both in the Cayman Islands to assist under-20 women’s coach and former national standout Izler Browne in another sign of the importance of this competition.
Browne told the TTFA Media that the young women are ready for action.
“I think we are ready for the challenge ahead,” said Browne. “The girls have put in the work. We had a decent camp in Fort Lauderdale and it’s just about transferring that onto the field of play in the first game against Honduras.
“We’ve been waiting on this moment for some time now since the Caribbean qualifying round ended last year and I expect that the girls will do their best as they go in search of a positive result in this opening match.”
(Courtesy FIFA.com)
The Princesses have retained eight members from the 2010 Under-17 World Cup squad including team captain Anique Walker, who scored four times in the Caribbean qualifying phase where Trinidad and Tobago finished as runner-up to Jamaica.
The quartet of Daniella Findley, Jonelle Warrick, Patrice Campbell and Shenelle Henry were also impressive in the qualifying phase and were all named on the Caribbean All-Star team. Warrick also played in the 2010 Under-17 World Cup.
Their performances this evening, along with the rest of the squad, could be vital if the Princesses are to have a realistic hope of playing at the Canada 2014 Under-20 World Cup in August.
Trinidad and Tobago squad: 1.Keri Myers, 20.Tenesha Palmer; 2.Tkeyah Phillips, 14.Otisha David, 6.Khadisha Debesette, 8.Daniella Findley, 5.Adeka Spence, 17.Jonelle Warrick; 4.Brianna Ryce, 12.Shanisa Camejo, 9.Patrice Campbell, 18.Emma Abdul, 15.Donika Murray; 3.Liana Hinds, 7.Akilah Sparks, 11.Khadidra Debesette, 13.Shenelle Henry, 10.Tsaianne Leander, 16.Summer Ajoon, 19.Anique Walker (captain).
CONCACAF U-20 fixtures
(Thursday January 9)
Group A
Guatemala 0, Jamaica 0 at George Town;
United States 6 (Lindsey Horan 13, 24, 45, 87, Summer Green 61, Savannah Jordan 81), Costa Rica 0 at George Town;
(Friday January 10)
Group B
Trinidad and Tobago vs Honduras, 6 pm, George Town;
Cayman Islands vs Mexico, 8 pm, George Town.
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Agreed……. Browne is quite good and don’t need their help… tryna take she glory
Corneal always pushes up himself, he will be doing the same for the WNT come qualifiers as well.
Good luck ladies #GOT&T
Man as always. Corneal showed up out of no where and pick team Same way for the U17s he showed up a day before the first game and overhaul everything. We’ve seen the result from that. Can’t see why Anton Corneal is involved and he has never produced results. What his WC qualifier with the boys team? That can be debated. At least 2 of those in the roster was not even in the camp in FL and one of the players rostered is very injured.
Why does Hart and Corneal need to assist Browne? Is she not capable? How much will they influence the dynamics of Browne’s team? Corneal has already influence the selection process, so lets see. Hope it works out for the players.