Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 20 Men suffered a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica’s Under 20 Men in their opening encounter at the Guadeloupe Six-Nation Invitational tourney on Saturday evening at the Stade René Serge Nabajoth, Les Abymes Stadium.
From all accounts, T&T gave a decent showing but conceded goals on either side of the half. Costa Rica’s goals were scored by Ronaldo Araya and Yecxy Ramos Jarquim, one a free kick which went in off a deflection and another late in the match which was a well struck effort from some 25 yards out.
The game was played on a wet outfield after a heavy downpour before kick off and during parts of the match.
T&T head coach Russell Latapy described the encounter as a useful exercise for his troops which are preparing for CONCACAF Under 20 World Cup qualifiers in November.
“It was a keenly contested match and a good all round performance by our boys,” Latapy told TTFA Media.
“Considering also that this was our first international match as a group and knowing too that we had a few new faces with some of the more regular players being left at home because of exams, I was pleased to see the way we executed certain things on the field and the way we carried ourselves out there against a good Costa Rican team” Latapy said.
“We conceded the first goal on virtually the final kick of the half and that was due to a lack of experience and composure which will only get better with matches like these. I thought we were solid and we limited Costa Rica’s attacks in our half.
“In the second half I would say we had the better of the exchanges for the first fifteen to twenty minutes with a couple of good chances to get on the scoresheet but we didn’t take them. Their second goal came came on a quick break up the park and from a resulting corner the player had a really good hit from about 25 yards out.”
‘Overall I was satisfied with some aspects of our play and we will be looking to better some areas and have a go at it again in our second match,” Latapy added. T&T faces Martinique in their second match from 6pm on Sunday.
Guadeloupe and Haiti drew 0-0 in Saturday’s second game while Costa Rica had previously beaten Martinique 3-0 and French Guiana and Guadeloupe drew 1-1 on Friday.
Teams
T&T starting Line-up - Denzil Smith; Darnell Hospedales, Kerdell Sween, Jabari Graham, Deron John, Anthony Samuel, Judah Garcia, Shaqkeem Joseph, Jordan Riley, Kishon Hackshaw, Jaydon Prowell (capt).
Subs from - Jabari Brice, Jessie Williams, Shem Clauzel, Dernell Charles, John-Paul Rochford, Isa Bramble, Brandon Semper.
Coach - Russell Latapy.
Costa Rica full team - Kevin Chamorro, Ricardo Montenegro; Diego Mesen, Juergen Sequeira, Walter Cortez, Jose Quiros; Greivin Fonseca, Amferny Arias, Rachit Parquins, Denilson Mora, Yecsy Jarquin, Carlos Villegas, Ronaldo Araya, Sebastian Castro; Mauricio Villalobos, Yonaiker Mora, Juergen Montenegro, Julen Cordero.
Coach - Breansse Camacho.