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The Trinidad and Tobago Boys National Under-15 Team missed out on their best chance of a group stage victory at the Concacaf Championship this morning as they were held 1-1 by Barbados at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The Under-15s, who are coached by Stuart Charles-Fevrier, need a win over Portugal on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing from Group D. However, more realistically, they will be trying to avoid a bottom place finish with the third and fourth placed teams set to play a final game against similar ranked nations in other groups.
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Trinidad and Tobago lost 3-0 in their Concacaf opener against Costa Rica yesterday while Barbados were whipped 6-0 by Portugal, who are one of three guest teams in the competition.
The young Soca Warriors have now failed to win any of their last five matches, after defeats to Panama, Venezuela, Mexico and Costa Rica respectively before today’s draw. The Elite Boys conceded 17 goals with six scored during that period.
After Sunday’s loss to Costa Rica, Fevrier singled out his defence as the chink in their armour.
[dfp-ad]“Personally, I thought the first 15 minutes we were very sluggish in terms of coping with the intensity of Costa Rica,” Fevrier told the TTFA Media. “I thought when the game settled, we definitely matched them and created goal scoring opportunities but unfortunately we did not capitalise on them.
“[…] In terms of the defence, we definitely have to recruit to create some more competition, because most of the defenders I have at present were midfield players I transformed.”
But today Fevrier’s offence could not get the business done either.
Winger Josiah Wilson scored in first half stoppage time with a low left footed shot off a short corner kick with Abdul-Quddoos Hypolite. But the young Warriors could not get an insurance item and were ultimately undone when a well taken item by Barbados substitute Nadre Butcher ensured a share of the spoils for the regional neighbours.
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There was a minor controversy at the final whistle as at least two disappointed Trinidad and Tobago players, Wilson and Isaiah Thompson, pointedly refusing to shake hands with the Barbados goal scorer, which drew critical comments by observers on social media. Under-15 captain Jaheim Marshall and teammate Kassidy Davidson both sportingly acknowledged the offered hand of their opponent.
The Barbados team are led by technical director Russell Latapy, who is the former Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 coach.
Barbados play Costa Rica tomorrow while Trinidad and Tobago face Portugal with goal difference likely to decided third and fourth place between the Caribbean nations.
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It’s ok. Results are tertiary. Participation and “development” are the new “wins”
We should be satisfied with our “participation medal”. Perhaps the TTFA can look into graduation caps and gowns in time for the next tourney