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Trinidad and Tobago opened their CFU U-14 Boys Series campaign on a winning note tonight, as they downed Aruba 3-1 in Group A action at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.
The host nation were on the front foot for most of the 70-minute contest and went ahead after a half hour, through captain and centre forward Adasa Richardson.
Photo: TTFA Media
However, a series of missed opportunities meant the score summary rarely reflected Trinidad and Tobago’s dominance. And it was not until the fifth minute of stoppage time that the two-island republic finally got a two-goal advantage, thanks to a Jeremai Nanton penalty.
The result saw the young Soca Warriors top Group A after the first match day, with a slightly better goal difference to Jamaica. The young “Reggae Boyz” beat Saint Kitts and Nevis 2-0 in an earlier encounter at the same venue.
Jamaica tackle Aruba from 4.30pm tomorrow in the first game of another Dwight Yorke Stadium doubleheader. Trinidad and Tobago face Saint Kitts and Nevis from 6.30pm tomorrow.
Today, the Warriors had the better of the game from almost the opening whistle. Coach Densill Theobald’s troops looked tidy in possession and strong on the ball—and a breakthrough looked a case of when not if.
Photo: TTFA Media
In the 28th minute, Richardson went around Aruba goalkeeper Justin Vermeer but saw his angled shot cleared off the line by a retreating defender.
Two minutes later, Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Sebastian James outfoxed two opponents to pick out Richardson in the box and the forward’s first attempt was again stopped on the goal line. But the Naparima College schoolboy made no mistake with the rebound.
Again, last ditch Aruba defender denied Richardson before the interval as the Dutch-speaking islanders somehow managed to keep their deficit to a single goal.
And, remarkably, they equalised in the 47th minute as a misplaced backpass by substitute Jahmiah Gibbes presented Aruba forward Jonatan Quintero with a one-on-one opportunity that he did not waste.
Photo: TTFA Media
The visitors were not without their moments, as they too tried to play out from the back and did not seem especially troubled by the Trinidad and Tobago press. But they were unable to win the majority of their individual duels and could not match the tempo of the host team.
Trinidad and Tobago had their lead restored in the 55th minute when left back Antoni James’ teasing cross was turned into the net by Aruba defender Lukas Beyer, who was facing his own goal as he tried to hook clear.
Kyen Anderson, who replaced right back Lukas Shaw, nearly extended Trinidad and Tobago’s lead with a 25-yard free kick that slammed against the bar in the 67th minute.
But, in the end, fans at the Dwight Yorke Stadium had to wait until deep in stoppage time for Trinidad and Tobago’s consolation item as Nanton, another substitute, converted from a foul he won himself—after being picked out by a raking Ackim Duncan diagonal ball.
Photo: TTFA Media
It was a good platform for Trinidad and Tobago to take into tomorrow’s affair, with Theobald expected to rotate his squad with Monday’s outing against Jamaica in mind.
Judging from the lively displays off the bench by the likes of Shaw, Nanton, Gibbes, Duncan and Samuel Balfour, Theobald has the strength in depth for a tournament schedule that—with four games in four days—lies somewhere between absurd and dangerous.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 1.Christian Telfer (GK); 2.Lucas Shaw (4.Kyen Anderson 62), 14.Kenai Richardson, 5.Essien Thomas, 15.Antoni James; 16.Jaden Marcelle (20.Samuel Balfour 46), 6.Deron Blackman (8.Ackim Duncan), 19.Sebastian James (17.Aaden Jones 52); 7.Darnell Walcott (9.Jeremai Nanton 52), 11.Adasa Richardson (13.Jaeden Anthony 60), 10.Reagan Rowe (12.Jahmiah Gibbes 42).
Unused substitutes: 18.Samuel Hosein (GK), 3.JaiMarley John.
Coach: Densill Theobald
Aruba: 1.Justin Vermeer (GK), 2.Tristan Koolman, 2.Lukas Beyer, 4.Hubert Solagnier, 5.Jayron Gomez, 15.Julien Netto, 10.Born de Nobrega (captain), 8.Allan Vasquez Mendoza, 9.Cyler Arends, 7.Jonatan Aron Quintero, 11.Quincy Nelisse.
Substitutes: 6.Drexxton Silva, 12.Matthew Maduro, 13.Kymani Hazel, Jaylon JRJ Abath, 16.Jack Maxwell, 17.Naim Restrepo, 18.Samuel Alexander Cuartas Ruiz, 19.Matthew Boekhoudt, 20.Juan Luis Cardona.
Coach: Robin Nelisse
Referee: Walsh Matthew
Photo: TTFA Media
CFU Boys’ Under-14 Challenge Series Tier I
Group A
(Saturday 17 August)
Jamaica 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 at Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Trinidad and Tobago 3 (Adasa Richardson 30, Lukas Beyer OG 55, Jeremai Nanton 70), Aruba 1 (Jonatan Quintero 47) at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
James created Richardson’s opener as T&T went on to win 3-1.
Photo: TTFA Media
Upcoming fixtures
(Sunday 18 August)
Aruba v Jamaica, 4.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Trinidad and Tobago v Saint Kitts and Nevis, 6.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
(Monday 19 August)
Saint Kitts and Nevis v Aruba, 4.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Trinidad and Tobago v Jamaica, 6.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
(Tuesday 20 August)
Group A 2nd v Group A 3rd, 4.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Group A 1st v Group A 4th, 6.30pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium.
(Friday 23 August)
Group A winners v Group B runners-up, Semis, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Group B winners v Group A runners-up, Semis, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
(Sunday 25 August)
Third-place playoff and Finals, Dwight Yorke Stadium.
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Best wishes to coach Densill Theobald. He has a great deal of attributes that can get the best out of young players. His experience, style of play, demeanor, methodical approach to the building blocks of the game, along with his appreciation for hard work, fairness, and respect for varying views and people’s rights to try, is a blessing to our youth as they walk their journies. Stay with it Densill.