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THE Trinidad and Tobago women’s football team require an improved result in their second Concacaf W Championship Group B match against Costa Rica, on Friday, if they are to remain in contention for a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut.
The Women Warriors were outplayed in their opening clash against Canada at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Mexico on Tuesday night, losing 6-0, with two matches remaining. They play their final group match against Panama on Monday.
Only the top two teams from each of the two groups advance to the semi-finals and earn automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The third-placed teams in each group will qualify for a 2023 World Cup intercontinental playoff.
[caption id="attachment_963691" align="alignnone" width="819"] Canada's Jayde Riviere falls as Trinidad and Tobago's Chelcy Ralph defends during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, on Tuesday. (AP Photo) -[/caption]
TT head coach Kenwyne Jones rues the opening loss but said his team must move on with a positive mindset.
“We dust ourselves down. We have two more games to go and we are going to start the recovery process and turn our minds on to the next two games,” Jones said in the post-match press conference.
Canada controlled Tuesday’s one-sided affair as captain Christine Sinclair opened the scoring in the 27th minute courtesy of a free header just outside the six-yard box.
Two minutes later, TT skipper Karyn Forbes gave away a penalty but striker Jessie Fleming shot high and missed a chance to send them further ahead.
Into the second half, substitute Julia Grosso scored back-to-back goals in the 67th and 79th minutes.
Three more goals came in quick succession as Fleming (84’) made up for her first-half miss, while Janine Beckie (87th) and Jordyn Huitema (90+1’) also found the back of TT’s net.
Jones added, “The energy dropped off in the second half. Coming out of the half, we were 1-0 down and our energy did drop.
[caption id="attachment_963691" align="alignnone" width="819"] Canada's Jayde Riviere falls as Trinidad and Tobago's Chelcy Ralph defends during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, on Tuesday. (AP Photo) -[/caption]
“We needed to be a bit closer to Canada in the middle of the park and we failed to do that and we paid the price for it.”
The former national men’s captain said his team was unable to move the ball forward fluently as Canada dominated possession.
“Canada is a dangerous team and they have some quick forwards. They like to get it forward pretty quickly and playing behind.
“I do think that when we recovered the ball in transition, deep, and we play that ball forward, we were a bit sluggish in trying to get out the box and keeping our units a little bit tighter.
“I think it was down to bravery a little bit and we needed a little bit more of that. If you judge by the first half, if we were able to do that and when we recovered the ball play a little more, I think the game would be a bit tighter than it was,” he said.
TT were on the defensive for most of the game and goalkeeper Kimika Forbes was kept busy. Although she conceded six goals, Forbes still worked hard between the sticks.
Canadian coach Beverly Priestman welcomed the attacking test.
“With the way this group’s teams are showing us respect and defending incredibly well. That’s a good test for us. We’ve got to rise to that challenge and find new ways to attack,” said Priestman.
In the other Group B match, Costa Rica beat Panama 3-0. TT are currently bottom of the table.
And in Group A, World Cup champions USA lead the table followed by Jamaica, Mexico and Haiti respectively.
 
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