Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 15 Boys team started off their Colombian tour on a winning note with a 3-1 victory over Sevilla in Cali on Friday evening.
In what was their opening match of the Tournament of the Americas after a arriving a day earlier, T&T settled quickly and proved to be too tough for their opponents.
The Shawn Cooper-coach team conceded early though, falling behind 1-0 in the second minute of play. But T&T kept themselves in the match and were rewarded with a penalty when Defence Force midfielder Trey Henley was brought down inside the penalty box. Henley converted the penalty in the 20th minute to level the scores at one apiece.
Then T&T would taken a 2-1 lead on the half hour mark when Sharkell Louison of Moruga Secondary directed his diving header past the Sevilla goalkeeper. T&T would hold the lead going into the half time break. The match remained a tight contest before St Ann’s Rangers defender Travell Edwards sent a free kick into the net from atop the penalty box in the 70th minute for a 3-1 scoreline.
Cooper was satisfied with his team’s opening win.
“It’s always good to start on a winning note. We arrived yesterday and we knew we had to settle down quickly and head into the game. The boys were eager to play and credit to them for going on the pitch and playing a good game. It’s a learning experience for all of them and it’s a good sign to see them adapting and getting a good result in our first match,” Cooper told TTFA Media.
T&T are scheduled to play River Soccer at 5pm on Saturday.