Orielle sweeps honours as T&T U-17s win Caribbean tourney—but what does it mean?

Fifteen-year-old Orielle Martin gave another exhibition of her prodigious talent at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar this afternoon, with her eighth goal in four matches as she inspired Trinidad and Tobago to the Jewels of the Caribbean Under-17 Girls Invitational Tournament title.

The young Women Soca Warriors defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 in the final and Martin notched a double. Again. It is the fourth time in the competition that T&T’s “Number 10” has scored twice.

The fact that St Vincent and the Grenadines goalkeeper G-Riesa Joseph ended the evening with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy suggests Vincy Heat might have escaped a far less flattering scoreline.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) director of women’s football Jinelle James described the final as “a fitting display for women’s football in the Caribbean”.

“It was a very competitive match to the end,” James told Wired868. “Orielle Martin, Kaitlyn Darwent, Cherina Steele, Kimora Mitchell, Anastasia O’Brien, Mikaela Yearwood, Maya Figgener, Cherine Steele, Kanika Rodriguez, [and] J’Eleisha Alexander officially introduced themselves as the future women’s footballers of Trinidad and Tobago.”

There was a time when one could gauge the ability of the Caribbean game from watching Trinidad and Tobago play. But that period is behind us.

The Trinidad and Tobago women now lag behind the likes of Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico and Cuba in the region, far less the nations from North and Central America.

The resuscitation of a development programme—rechristened the High Performance programme under technical director Anton Corneal—is supposed to help bridge that gap.

The TTFA’s High Performance programme is about to enter its third year. Do we judge the programme based on the football IQ of its young players and the blossoming of its coaches? Or on Trinidad and Tobago’s showings at Concacaf youth tournaments?

Or perhaps on the calibre of players available to the national men’s and women’s pool at National Under-20 level by 2028?

Your guess is as good as mine. But if the likes of Martin, Alexander, Darwent and midfielder Charina Steele get anywhere near to their potential then, considering the decidedly substandard level of the domestic game for teenage female players, it would be worth remembering the value of pushing those players within an elite stable of players.

In Martin’s case, the word pushing seems a stretch. Her ability to spot and complete early passes, ghost past opposing defenders and her technical prowess sets her apart—even alongside the best players in her age group.

And it is hard to shake the feeling that Martin is playing within herself. That if she plays at a higher tempo and is first to press when possession is lost, she could unlock a higher level yet.

Against St Vincent and the Grenadines, she did not have to.

In the 24th minute, referee Cecile Hinds pointed to the penalty spot after Vincey midfielder Nasheeka Prescod barged over Trinidad and Tobago captain Anastasia O’Brien while defending a corner kick routine. And Martin nonchalantly beat Joseph from the penalty spot.

St Vincent and the Grenadines offered little quality in attack, outside of skillful and spritely pocket-sized playmaker, Meiya Wilson. But they did not lack effort and matched the hosts for athleticism.

Trinidad and Tobago created decent scoring chances. But, at the same time, the Women Warriors might have easier overwhelmed their guests by attacking in one bloc—rather than with four attackers while Danna Pacheco patrolled midfield and the back four and holding midfielder, Cherina, often stayed rooted to the halfline.

It was not until second half stoppage time, when impatient fans started singing for another goal, that the hosts doubled their lead with a fine strike from Martin that beat Joseph at her near post.

Notably, technical director Anton Corneal suggested that the tournament might have done more for the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Under-15 Team, which performed as a President’s XI, than the Under-17 side.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for our girls, especially the younger girls that would have been playing a year or two [above their age group],” Corneal told Wired868. “It was really good exposure for them.”

The National Under-15s finished bottom of the four-team table with three defeats and one goalless draw against Grenada. Today, they faced Grenada in the battle for the wooden spoon and lost 3-0, with Abigail Williams scoring all three items for the “Spice Islanders”.

For the Under-15s, there is no doubt that hard work lies ahead. The Under-17s finished the evening in celebratory mode but Corneal confessed that their success should be put into “perspective”.

“The result was not overly important [and] although the older girls won the tournament, we still saw a lot of areas to be addressed in the next year or two,” said Corneal. “We need to keep the ball for longer periods, especially when the competition is at the level that will really press us. Also getting numbers forward where we have more options in front.

“These are the type games where we can really take advantage of putting together our game a bit better. Also continuously playing to our potential is another area where we can improve—and not just being good enough to get by the games.

“[…] We have to make sure we don’t take our eyes off the level we should be aiming at, which is to compete with the Costa Ricas and the Mexicos.”

James was also grateful for the chance to play international games in front of supporters. And she hopes such mini-tournaments can become a regular fixture in the calendar of the national women’s programme.

“I am extremely grateful to the football associations of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines for supporting their teams and making this tournament possible,” said James.

“I hope we can have a tournament such as this for the Seniors as we focus on providing as many opportunities for our Women’s National Teams to play outside of qualifying tournaments.”

For Martin, the Jewels of the Caribbean was another opportunity to add to her CV, which already includes a National Senior Team cap. She is a very talented player; the TTFA’s High Performance programme has surely helped.

But what next for player and programme?

(Teams)

Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 21.Mikaela Yearwood (GK); 14.Cherine Steele, 5.Anastasia O’Brien (captain), 2.Kaitlyn Darwent, 20.Kimora Mitchell; 4.Danna Pacheco, 6.Cherina Steele; 8.Madison Campbell, 10.Orielle Martin, 7.Rasheda Archer; 9.J’Eleisha Alexander.

Substitutes: 1.Maya Figgener (GK), 11.Mariah Williams, 12.Tashana Hackett, 15.Kanika Rodriguez, 16.Ty’Kaiya Dennis, 19.Daneelyah Salandy.

Coach: Ayana Russell

St Vincent and the Grenadines (4-1-4-1): 21.G-Riesa Joseph (GK); 5.Rebekah Audain-John, 3.Kelisha Bowens (captain), 15.Azumi Quow, 2.Carmel Myers; 3.Kelisha Bowens; 7.Neveaeh Richards, 8.Leiona Barrow, 10.Meiya Wilson, 12.Cherish La Borde; 16.Vinesha Johnson.

Substitutes: 1.Rhea Thompson (GK), 4.Sheronique Joseph, 9.Emalia James, 11.Kacy Browne, 14.Davion James, 17.Stephanie Hunte.

Coach: Andrew Bramble

Referee: Cecile Hinds

Jewels of the Caribbean U-17 final

(20 December 2023)

Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Orielle Martin 24 pen, 80+3), St Vincent and the Grenadines 0 at Larry Gomes Stadium;

Third place play-off

T&T President’s XI 0, Grenada 3 (Abigail Williams 4, 54, 56) at Larry Gomes Stadium.

Award ceremony

MVP – Orielle Martin (T&T)

Most Goals – Orielle Martin (T&T) (8)

Best Midfielder – Orielle Martin (T&T)

Best Defender – Jasmaine McNish (T&T)

Best Goalkeeper – G-Riesa Joseph (SVG)

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