Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under 20 footballers will meet Bermuda in the third place match of the Caribbean Football Union Under 20 Championship following their defeat to Antigua and Barbuda 5-4 one penalty kicks in Friday’s semi-final outing in Willemstad.
Neither team could find the net during regulating time as well as extra time, sending the match to penalty kicks. This was the fourth game in which T&T maintained a scoreless sheet in 90 minutes but goalkeeper Denzil Smith, for all his good work in open play throughout the competition, could not pull off any further stops to save T&T during the shootout.
Kareem Riley missed T&T’s third kick as Antigua converted their five to book a spot in Sunday’s final against Haiti which defeated Bermuda 3-0 in the second semi-final clash on Friday. T&T meets Bermuda from 5pm at the Ergilio Hato stadium in Willemstad.
T&T captain Jabari Mitchell, Keston Julien, Noah Powder and Shane Sandy all converted their kicks in that order for T&T.
Head Coach Brian Williams, mentioned that he was disappointed that T&T failed to put away its chances during the match. Prolific forward Nicholas Dillon missed the encounter after suffering an injury in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Haiti, leaving the field in the 88th minute.
“It’s a disappointment yes, that we had to lose the match in the manner in which we did from the penalty kicks,” Williams told TTFA Media.
“I felt we had good enough chances during the regular period of play to take the game but we were not as efficient as I would have liked. It is unfortunate that we had to end up in penalty kicks and then it was any team’s match at that stage. I know the players are disappointed as well because we’ve missed out on a chance of getting to the final.
“The better story for us is that we have been able to book our spot in the final round of CONCACAF and everyone here understands now that the focus towards that tournament in February starts now. It’s going to take a lot of sacrifice, dedication and strong preparation for us to be ready to not just go there and play but to compete strongly and qualify for the World Cup in South Korea,” Williams added.
T&T, with its loss on Friday, gave up the chance of defending their 2014 title in Sunday’s final. But Haiti will be making a return and will be aiming to capture the crown after losing to T&T 3-0 in the previous final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
T&T Line Up
1. Denzil Smith (GK), 3. Kori Cupid, 5. Taryk Sampson, 6. Noah Powder, 8. Jarred Dass (15. Kation St Hillaire, 46’) 10. Jabari Mitchell (Capt), 11. Kareem Riley, 12. Shane Sandy, 14. Taofik Lucas-Walker (16. Micah Lansiquot, 58’), 17. Keston Julien, 19. Morgan Bruce (18.Josh Toussaint, 81st.
Subs that did not play: 2. Andrew Rullow, 13. Isaiah Garcia, 20. Jabari Brice (GK) Out with injury – 4. Kierron Mason, 9. Nicholas Dillon, 7. Isaiah Hudson.
Head Coach: Brian Williams
Referee: Swason Owen (Cayman Islands)