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The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Under-17 Team had to settle for one point tonight, as they were held 2-2 by Curaçao in a thrilling, feisty affair at the Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curaçao.
The clash kicked off Group F in the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers.
El Salvador and Barbados are also listed in Group F. The six group winners qualify automatically for the Concacaf Championship, along with the two best second place finishers.
(via Concacaf.)
Trinidad and Tobago entered tonight’s contest with an excellent record against the Dutch-speaking islanders. And coach Ayana Russell’s troops worked hard and showed a lot of character in front of a partisan crowd at Willemstad.
The teenaged Women Soca Warriors enjoyed between possession stats and outshot Curaçao: 15-7. Yet, the twin-island conceded the first goal in the 51st minute, as Sparta Rotterdam forward Jacelynn Jubithana stole the ball from Trinidad and Tobago defender Layla Gregoire before lashing past goalkeeper Zofia Richards from 20 yards.
The Women Warriors answered within six minutes, as playmaker Jade Jones scored with a cracking left-footed strike from the edge of the area after the hosts failed to get distance on an attempted clearance from a Giuliana Meyer cross.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
And, in the 79th minute, Trinidad and Tobago players thought they had the winner. Again, Jones was involved. The maestro’s inswinging left-footed corner was headed out by opposing defender Q-sheena Valks Kowsoleea, only for Jones to regain the ball.
Jones whipped the second cross in with her right foot and found captain Sanni Wilson alone at the far post, to convert from close range.
Trinidad and Tobago players celebrated with fingers on their lips to the crowd—but the gesture proved premature.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
In the 82nd minute, off Curaçao’s first corner kick of the second half, Jubithana sent a wicked curling delivery towards the far post and substitute Xiarleahmay Nocento towered over Richards to head in the equaliser.
Richards stayed down and had to be removed on a stretcher, but there was little question about the legitimacy of the goal.
It was an exciting contest, with both teams doing their part. But Russell might see it as two points dropped.
Mascall and Russell have reversed roles with the Women’s National Under-20 Team.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Wilson blasted off the underside of the bar in the 11th minute, while, two minutes earlier, Curaçao right back Elisa Huizing had to hook the ball off her own goal line—following a Jones free kick.
Curaçao also came close to an opener off a corner kick in the 37th minute. On that occasion Gregoire made a crucial clearance, after Richards failed to hang on to the ball.
Russell gave an international debut to 14-year-old United States-based attacker Shiyah Matthews, and she raised some eyebrows with her quality on the ball.
Jones and Wilson always looked dangerous, forward Torie Jean-Jacques was full of energy, and Hackeemar Goodridge, Rori Gittens, Jessica Nesbitt, and Gregoire, in particular, defended stoutly.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
But it was not quite enough for the three points.
Trinidad and Tobago travelled without 2025 Women’s Player of the Year, Nikita Gosine, and there is no doubt that her quality would have helped.
Gosine was invited to join the squad. She is not injured—and she is not in Curaçao. As always with the gifted Pleasantville Secondary teenager, there is plenty of back story and finger pointing.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Russell’s young team gave a good showing with the resources that they had though. But they cannot drop any more points, if they are to advance beyond the group stage.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-1-4-1): 21.Zofia Richards (GK) (18.Alexia Dolland GK 86); 2.Jessica Nesbitt, 4.Layla Gregoire, 3.Hackeemar Goodridge, 5.Mateja Leben; 6.Rori Gittens; 11.Sanni Wilson (captain), 10.Jade Jones, 15.Zyesha Potts (7.Shiyah Matthews 67), 13.Giuliana Meyer; 9.Tori Jean-Jacques.
Unused substitutes: 1.Saiya Smith (GK), 8.Chelsea John, 12.Sydney Pollard, 14.Gianna Changar, 16.Gyasi Lewis, 17.Shemaiah Toussaint, 19.Khloe Kirton, 20.Alia Toussaint.
Coach: Ayana Russell.
Curaçao (4-2-3-1): 1.Kingnaichely Provence (GK); 2.Elisa Huizing, 4.Q-sheena Valks Kowsoleea, 3.Jeandrelys Alexander (captain), 15.Shae-lyandra Gijsbertha; 6.Mecayla Douglas, 8.Nahla De Lanooi; 19.Christy-ann Bergland, 10.Destiny Koko, 14.Jairvienis Martina; 9.Jacelynn Jubithana.
Substitutes: 12.Jazlynn Wouter (GK), 5.Shiloh Arndell, 7.Rashima Martis, 11.Elodie Berenos, 13.Nora Damhuis, 16.Samantha Diaz, 17.Khloe Maduro, 18.D’amar Haddocks, 20.Xiarleahmay Martis Nocento.
Coach: Gamal Douglas.
Referee: Kareem Benjamin (Saint Kitts and Nevis).
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
