National midfielder Leslie-Ann James was hospitalised after she was struck with a ball on her neck from close range, during Saturday's women friendly international football against Canada Under-19s at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Tunapuna.
But the visitors won their second match of their three-game tour on a muddy outfield, by a 3-2 margin. Striker Aysha Jamani (10th and 14th) and midfielder Lisa Collison (35th) were the scorers for the Canadians while Natalie Des Vignes (20th) and captain Kathy-Ann Nixon (63rd) replied for T&T. James' injury occurred in the 78th minute and, after being attended to by newly-appointed T&T men's senior team physio Zephyrinus Nicholas, team doctor Terrence Babwah and members of the Canadian medical staff, the 22-year-old was rushed to the Medical Associates Hospital, St Joseph.
Assistant coach Marlon Charles said yesterday that she has a few aches and pains but no damage to her neck and spine, adding that the team's vice-captain was discharged that same night and is expected to make a full recovery. Commenting on the match, coach Jamaal Shabazz admitted: We let in too many soft goals. We controlled the midfield and we had more possession, but it proved to be ineffective because we didn't convert it into chances, he continued. They, on the other hand, played very direct and capitalised on the loose marking by our team in and around the (penalty) box.
Both teams will meet today from 7 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. But, in addition to James' injury-forced absence, the local lasses will feature two changes with Under-19 players Aveann Douglas and Katrina Meyer replacing Rae-Ann Elder and Regina McGhee, who both returned to the US.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Nicole Mitchell-Thomas; Janelle Noel (Regina McGhee 73rd), Terrie-Lisa John, Kathy-Ann Nixon (capt), Nadia James (Tanekar Alexander 52nd); Leslie-Ann James (Terri-Lisa Abdool 90th), Jinelle James (Rae-Ann Elder 62nd), Nyasha Reyes, Tasha St Louis; Maylee Attin-Johnson (Sedonna Agard 15th), Natalie Des Vignes (Dawn-Marie Alfred 62nd).
CANADA: Stacey Vanboxmeer (Stephanie Labbe 46th); Katie Radchuck, Marie Parrault-Mercier, Stephanie Gibson, Emilly Zurrer; Kate Bazos, Selenia Iacchelli, Veronique Maranda, Lisa Collison; Katie Thorlakson (capt) (Sari Raber 46th), Aysha Jamani (Josse Belaner 15th).