“We have heart—we know what to add!” T&T Women’s coach satisfied, despite 4-1 loss to Jamaica

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team went down 4-1 to their Jamaican counterparts last night, in an international friendly at the Ato Boldon Stadium that represents their sole warm-up before the 2026 Concacaf W Qualifying series starts next month.

Reggae Girlz star Jody Brown put the visitors ahead in the 11^th minute before Trinidad and Tobago equalised through a sublime Nikita Gosine finish, as the teams went in level at the break.

However, the superior quality and fitness of the Jamaica team showed in the second half.

Goals from Natasha Thomas and debutant Tiana Harris nudged the two-time Fifa Women’s World Cup finalists ahead, before Brown capped off a superb night with a second goal.

The result—as one-sided as it was—offered a sense of optimism to both camps.

For Jamaica, it was a confident step in their preparation for what they hope will be a third appearance at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

For the home team, who were outmatched in fitness and experience, there were genuine signs of structure, technical growth, and heart—an encouraging performance for coach Damian Briggs and his squad.

A small boisterous crowd greeted the players in Couva, and they did not have to wait long for goalmouth action.

Barely past the 10-minute mark, Brown, a standout for Jamaica at the 2019 and 2023 Women’s World Cups, opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

She took an incisive pass from Natasha Thomas and accelerated into the inside right channel before smashing her shot beyond T&T custodian Nicolette Craig.

 

Brown’s explosive move and ruthless finish silenced the Trinidad and Tobago faithful.

However, within two minutes, they were back in full voice, with vuvuzelas blaring again in full force.

The reason was a sublime Nikita Gosine finish that left even the small contingent of Reggae Girlz fans in awe. The speedy forward took on the Jamaica defence before unleashing a left-footed shot from just outside the “D”.

The pace and pinpoint accuracy left Sydney Schneider, in goal for Jamaica, a mere spectator as the ball plunged into the top corner.

The goal certainly lifted the Trinidad and Tobago team—they defended more stoutly, completed more passes, and showed greater cohesion for the rest of the half.

They held Jamaica 1-1 at the end of the first half, but only just.

Fitness issues were already cropping up—forward Tyeisha Griffith and defender Chrissy Mitchell both limped off by the middle of the first half.

Jamaica was also not at its sharpest in front of goal during the first 45 minutes.

They hit the post immediately after Gosine’s equaliser. Craig batted away a powerful Kayla McKenna shot, while Thomas badly miscued a shot wide from a great position.

On the stroke of half-time, Brown was left hanging her head as she fluffed her shot wide from inside the box.

Jamaica coach, Hubert Busby Jr, acknowledged after the match that his team lacked a cutting edge in the first half.

“I thought we were a little bit wasteful, to be honest, in front of goal,” he said. “We made a couple of adjustments at halftime. We spoke about the things that we needed to improve on and credit to the players who went out there and executed accordingly.”

Busby’s adjustments bore fruit almost immediately.

In the 52^nd minute, Thomas pounced on a loose ball and rifled in a low shot past Craig to put her team back ahead.

Fifteen minutes later, Craig missed her attempt to punch away a corner, and debutant Harris headed the ball in. The young defender, who had entered the field only a few minutes before, struck a blow for Jamaica’s next generation.

Brown completed the rout six minutes from time, reacting instinctively after substitute Kalyssa Van Zanten’s shot after a superb mazy run, which was brilliantly saved off the line.

Despite the scoreline, there was much for the local fans to get excited about. Coach Briggs’ team never folded, putting together good passing sequences, tackling courageously, and defending resiliently against one of Concacaf’s elite teams.

Briggs was not bowed when he spoke to reporters after the game.

“I said to the players, don’t let this result define who we are,” he said. “We got to take the good things out of it and look at the things that were not too good and work on it, and go again.”

Briggs did not shy away from admitting the gulf in conditioning was a major factor in the defeat.

“We only had three players that were in-season, coming in from abroad,” he said. “We know it would be a challenge from a physical point of view.

“Unfortunately, when fitness levels are down, you can’t sustain that sort of pressure. Overall, the staff, we are happy with the performance.”

The Trinidad and Tobago coach, who took over after Angus Eve’s sudden exit, said the match was part of a broader long-term rebuild.

“We are trying to put together a structure that is going to carry us way beyond even this World Cup qualifying campaign,” Briggs said. “Today, in spells, technically, we showed we could stay on the ball. We were brave in possession at times to play forward.

“Out of possession, too, we were brave. When we pressed, we pressed with energy.”

For Trinidad and Tobago, the friendly international was not only a test but a learning lab of sorts.

Several younger players were given the showcase to impress, including goal scorer Gosine and the diminutive Alexcia Ali.

“It was really good to see some of the younger players, as well, blending with some of the older players,” said Briggs. “They themselves were brave and they gave a good account of themselves.”

Veteran players Kennya “Yaya” Cordner and Victoria Swift played their part in anchoring the team.

Briggs praised the way youth and experience gelled in the squad.

“It was also good to see the older players helping some of the younger players—in terms of that cohesiveness, it was good to see,” he said.

For Jamaica, there was more to the game than just preparation for the upcoming Concacaf W Championships. It was about connecting with their countrymen who were enduring the horrors of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Busby said. “Stay safe and stay strong.”

The Jamaica coach and his staff will be temporarily based in Trinidad—until Friday at least—with the locally-based contingent of his team.

“We spoke about going out there at the end of this game and giving something not just to the Jamaicans on the island but Jamaicans worldwide,” he said.

“They are going through a lot right now, and credit to the players—and all of us, really—who are impacted by what is going on at home. We want to say prayers for everybody, and we hope that everybody is safe.”

Turning to the match itself, Busby chuckled at the notion of a “friendly” match between the rival nations.

“There is no friendly match when these two countries get together,” he said with a smile. “We knew it was going to be a tough match, against a well-coached, organised team. We knew that we were going to be tested. That is why we took this game.”

Busby praised the competitiveness of the Trinidad and Tobago team.

“Credit to them, they pushed us to the limit,” he said. “We knew that they were going to be aggressive, and they were going to press us. They caused us some issues in terms of putting that pressure on the ball, which is what we needed.”

The 4-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of Jamaica’s technical superiority, but that is just part of the story.

The Reggae Girlz have qualified for the past two Fifa Women’s World Cups, and their teams are made up of professionals from leagues in England, the USA, Scotland, and Spain.

Trinidad and Tobago is rebuilding a programme that has been plagued with underfunding, inconsistent preparation, and administrative upheaval.

Briggs suggested that a new ethos is taking shape in local women’s football.

“We want to play football that is attractive with high levels of energy,” he said, “We know what we need to add, and hopefully, come Barbados, we will be in full swing.”

Briggs pointed to evidence that the rebuilding process is taking shape, and there was a step forward in performance, if not yet on the scoreboard.

“I learned that we have heart,” T&T’s coach said. “I thought that everyone tried honestly. Everyone gave one hundred percent.”

Another chapter in the biggest rivalry in Caribbean women’s football has been written, and Tuesday’s clash added another layer of intrigue.

Jamaica’s superior fitness and technical quality ultimately decided the result.

However, Trinidad and Tobago resisted bravely, showing flashes of spirit and quality that hinted they are a work in progress, not circling the drain.

There may still not be enough evidence to show that the team can overcome the likes of El Salvador, Honduras, and Barbados in next month’s Concacaf W Championship qualifiers.

However, there was enough to show that their trajectory is trending upwards.

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Nicolette Craig (GK) (18.Tenesha Palmer 87 GK); 23.Chrissy Mitchell (22.Kaitlyn Darwent 32), 2.Shaunalee Govia, 6.Victoria Swift (4.Javanah Moreno 87), 20.Kedie Johnson; 8.Maria-Frances Serrant (24.Chelcy Ralph 87), 12.Naomie Guerra (13.Shenieka Paul 54); 19.Kennya Cordner (captain) (10.Alexcia Ali 54), 9.Nikita Gosine, 11.Aaliyah Prince (16.Tori Paul 54)(15.Shurella Mendez 87); 17.Tyeisha Griffith (7.Afiyah Cornwall 32).

Unused Substitutes: 3.Tamara Smart, 5.Jade Beekai, 14.Karyn Forbes, 21.Keri Myers.

Coach: Damian Briggs.

Jamaica (3-4-3): 1.Sydney Schneider (GK); 5.Konya Plummer (12.Kalyssa Van Zanten 53), 17.Allyson Swaby (captain), 4.Chantelle Swaby; 15.Tiffany Cameron (19.Tianna Harris 53), 3.Mia Mitchell (2.Israela Groves 53), 21.Olufalosade Adamolekun (22.Jaileah McPherson 89), 14.Deneisha Blackwood; 18.Natasha Thomas, 9.Kayla McKenna (6.Gabrielle Gayle 89), 10.Jody Brown (24.Lola Nesbeth).

Unused Substitutes: 7.Ricshya Walker, 13.Serena Mensah, 16.Njeri Butts.

Coach: Hubert Busby Jr.

Referee: Crystal Sobers.

International Friendly

(Tuesday 28 October)

Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Nikita Gosine 13), Jamaica 4 (Jody Brown 11, 84, Natasha Thomas 52, Tiana Harris 67) at Couva.