Steely T&T U-17 Women down Belize, set up final qualifying showdown with Honduras

Trinidad and Tobago are just one point away from a place in the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship now, as the young Women Soca Warriors defeated Belize 2-0 last night in Group B action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

The result meant the hosts remain on top of the group by just one goal and the two island republic would be able to advance to the next stage as group leaders with just a draw against Honduras on Friday at the same venue.

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Cherine Steele (centre) is congratulated my teammates after getting the opening goal against Belize during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Honduras, who defeated the United States Virgin Islands 4-0 last night, could possibly follow Trinidad and Tobago through to the Concacaf Championship with a point—as one of the two best runners-up. But their fate would not be in their own hands.

It is likely that an outright win would eliminate the losing team on Friday, just three games into their World Cup qualifying campaign. For players aged between 15 and 17, it is the game of their young lives so far.

“We are more than capable of coming out on top,” said Trinidad and Tobago defender Kaitlyn Darwent, after a second successive clean sheet. “We just have to trust ourselves and work hard.”

Belize, like USVI on Monday, never created a clear scoring chance against the hosts. The Trinidad and Tobago back four, with the alert central defensive pairing of Mikaela Yearwood and Darwent and the athleticism of full backs Hackeemar Goodridge and captain Kanika Rodriguez, were unpassable.

Trinidad and Tobago right back Kanika Rodriguez (left) tries to take the ball around Belize defender Rhianna Valentine during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

In the midfield area, Cherina Steele was arguably Trinidad and Tobago’s most outstanding player on the night, as she toiled for her team off the ball and made better decisions on it.

And, on the flanks, Rasheda Archer and Ty’kaiya Dennis could not be tamed by their shellshocked opponents.

Yet there was obvious room for improvement too.

Giant midfielder Aniya Thompson strayed around the park so much that it made a mockery of the term “holding midfielder”. And Archer and Dennis ran with the ball so much that coach Ayana Russell might have to consider asking Concacaf to let them have three balls on the pitch, so her attacking midfielders and forward, a certain Orielle Martin, could get a touch.

Trinidad and Tobago flanker Ty’kaiya Dennis (centre) dribbles past two Belize defenders during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

To be clear, Archer and Dennis are fine talents and great assets to the team. But it seemed that their abilities did not serve the cause of the Women Soca Warriors as well as they might have.

“They could give it to [Orielle Martin] a little sooner,” said Russell, after the match. “The movement of the ball [from the back] was much better, the midfield was a little bit tighter and the organisation [was good]. Just the decision making in the final third (within 40 yards of the opposing goal) could be a bit better…”

Dennis did pick out prolific centre forward Orielle Martin with space in the penalty box in the 22nd minute, only for Martin to lose her footing on the slick, wet surface at the point of contact.

Trinidad and Tobago forward Orielle Martin (right) tries to get past her warden and Belize defender Jasha Bernandez during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

In the 44th minute, Martin did get her shot off and she made the bar shudder with a left footed effort from distance after a clever slipped pass from midfielder Rori Gittens.

But Trinidad and Tobago’s number 10 was not having her usual influence on the game. Thankfully for the hosts, versatile midfielder Cherina Steele stepped up as she bundled home the opening goal in the 30th minute—after Belize failed to clear a corner kick.

It was fair reward for a solid showing by Steele.

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Cherina Steele (centre) shoots for goal while Belize goalkeeper Angelica Lopez (right) looks on helplessly during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Gittens miskicked from inside the opposing six yard box off an inviting cross from Archer in the 45th minute, while Dennis struck the outside of the post within seconds of the restart.

Rodriguez smashed an effort against the bar in the second half as well while Gittens and substitute Madison Campbell both also missed good scoring opportunities.

However, Trinidad and Tobago’s only other item came from a Gittens half-volley into the far corner, off a Martin cross in the 49th minute. It was a crucial strike, as it is all that stands between Honduras and the Women Warriors at present.

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Rori Gittens (right) celebrates her maiden international goal with teammate Mia Lee Chong during Concacaf Women’s U-17 qualifying action against Belize at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

“I have been working hard for this and trying to score for the longest while,” said Gittens.

There is an air of confidence within the Trinidad and Tobago camp. Gittens, Darwent and Steele all praised the mental work that is a feature of Russell’s squad.

It helps too that this group of players has been together for over a year, with many like Martin, Darwent, Archer and Rodriguez having already faced Concacaf opposition while playing above their age groups.

Trinidad and Tobago flanker Rasheda Archer (foreground) wheels away from Belize full back Marcelie Mar during Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Russell said last month’s Jewels of the Caribbean Under-20 tournament, in which her team finished second, was also a welcome boost.

“We were able to get somewhat of an international environment, so I think that helped a lot,” said Russell. “So the girls were more prepared. The Jewels of the Caribbean tournament helped us a lot as a staff and helped the girls to bond.”

Tactically, Trinidad and Tobago are a work in progress—but they are getting better with each showing.

Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National U-17 players pose before kickoff against Belize in Concacaf Championship qualifying action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Honduras were Concacaf Under-15 Championship League B winners last year. A win or draw for Trinidad and Tobago on Friday would be progress.

A loss would be unthinkable.

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 1.Zaira Aimey (GK); 15.Kanika Rodriguez (captain), 17.Mikaela Yearwood, 2.Kaitlyn Darwent, 3.Hackeemar Goodridge; 6.Cherina Steele, 4.Aniya Thompson (9.Mia Lee Chong 46), 12.Rori Gittens; 7.Rasheda Archer (19.Jayda Herbert 70), 10.Orielle Martin (16.Madison Campbell 77), 8.Ty’kaiya Dennis.

Unused substitutes: 18.Kenisha Taylor (GK), 21.Zofia Richards (GK), 5.Daniella Paul, 11.Sanni Wilson, 13.Zyesha Potts, 20.Jessica Nesbitt.

Coach: Ayana Russell

Belize (4-4-2): 1.Angelica Lopez (GK); 4.Rhianna Valentine, 13.Marcelie Mar, 5.Jasha Bernardez (captain), 16.Katherine Castillo (8.Arella Cal 46 [19.Danyel Black 82]); 2.Michelle Garbitt (14.Shanalee Smith 46), 9.Kenya Perez, 11.Jahxann Waight, 7.Riann Acal (20.Alysha Reymundo 78); 10.Betsy Perez, 15.Kiana Lewis (3.Jasselynn Valentine 73).

Unused substitutes: 12.Zailynn Azueta (GK), 6.Digna Flores, 17.Mya Miralda.

Coach: Joseph Waight

Referee: Smeedly Saint Jean (Haiti)

Team Belize pose before kickoff against Trinidad and Tobago in a Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers fixture at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers results

Group B

(Mon 27 January)

Honduras 2 (Jazlyn Sanchez 6, Alexandra Merriam 90+4), Belize 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago 5 (Orielle Martin 27, 29, 60, 67, Mia Lee Chong 88), USVI 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium.

(Wednesday 29 January)

Honduras 4 (Jazlyn Sanchex 10, 16, Alexandra Merriam 54, Stephany Mercado 67), USVI 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago 2 (Cherina Steele 30, Rori Gittens 49), Belize 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium.

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Cherine Steele (centre) charges into space during Concacaf Women’s U-17 qualifying action against Belize at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 29 January 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Upcoming fixtures

(Friday 31 January)

Belize vs USVI, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Trinidad and Tobago vs Honduras, 8pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.

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