Two goals in the space of six minutes gave Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 women footballers a narrow 2-1 win over Suriname in their first leg CONCACAF Under-19 qualifier at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya Road, Tunapuna, yesterday.
But a defensive breakdown in the dying seconds gave the Surinamers a vital away goal, which can prove crucial in the return leg in Paramaribo on March 21. The national squad struggled to break down the defensive-minded Suriname team, with Aveann Douglas volleying overbar in the 35th from a right-side centre by Maylee Attin-Johnson.
Attin-Johnson had two chances to open the scoring but failed at both attempts, shooting straight at goalkeeper Lorraine Dompig in the 47th after she was sent clear by playmaker Dernelle Mascall, and sending her left-footed volley over bar from a cross from Douglas. But the introduction of Tobago striker Kenya Cordner on the hour-mark changed the complexion of the match. After she was tackled by defender Ruth Jeso in the 63rd, the pint-sized Cordner got up, received the return ball from Attin-Johnson and shot past Dompig to the delight of the crowd numbering about 500. Attin-Johnson will later double the lead in the 69th, tapping home a right-side free-kick from Ayanna Russell.
But in the 75th , Cordner watched her 20-metre drive smash against a post and rebound into play. The Suriname outfit got their consolation goal in stoppage time, when defender Anastasia Prescott failed to clear a loose ball in the penalty box and Aisa Smit shot home past flat-footed Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Gail-Ann Thomas.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Gail-Ann Thomas; Anastasia Prescott, Katrina Meyer, Kia Rigsby, Jamilia Mathlin (Tandia Taylor 78th); Ayanna Russell, Lindsay Des Lauriers (Kenya Cordner 61st), Nadia James (capt), Dernelle Mascall (Shenelle Warrick 61st); Aveann Douglas, Maylee Attin-Johnson.
SURINAME: Lorraine Dompig; Ruth Jeso, Eleonoor Wish (capt), Rowena Taworae (Xiomara Dompig 85th), Charisse Jahaoemo; Jeffa Plato, Nathalie Benjamin, Onica Tol (Kembely Prias 79th); Aisa Smit, Melissa Sakramo.