QUITO, Ecuador -- Trinidad & Tobago has one lofty goal -- to become the first Caribbean team to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
So, it's quite appropriate the Soca Princesses will have to go to great heights to qualify for Canada 2015. They meet Ecuador in the first leg of a playoff series here Saturday for what will be the 24th and final spot.
Playing in the capital of this South American country always has been a challenge for Ecuador's rivals, given that the city is 9,350 feet (2,800 meters).
T&T head coach Randy Waldrum took up the invitation of his friend, Mexico manager Leonardo Cuellar, and had his team train in Mexico City for four days to become accustomed to the rarefied air.
"It was difficult because we are not used to training in that type of atmosphere," Trinidad standout forward Kennya Cordner said, "but for me personally, it wasn't that bad because I have played in Mexico several times before."
By virtue of finishing fourth at the CONCACAF Women's Championship last month in the United States, Trinidad failed to earn a direct World Cup berth, but it did secure an intercontinental playoff meeting with the Ecuador – the third-place team in South America.
The Caribbean champion returned home for a few days ahead of traveling to Mexico City.
"It has helped us a lot because most of the girls have to get adapted to altitude, even if it's going to be much higher in Ecuador," added Cordner. "Most everybody was coping with it.
In the CONCACAF competition, Trinidad played a pair of 120-minute marathons 48 hours apart. It fell in a penalty-kick shootout to Costa Rica in the semifinals, before dropping an extra-time decision to Mexico in the match for third place.
Cordner figured that her teammates will be able to focus better knowing they will play only once on the road and then have three weeks to get ready for the return match at home on December 2.
"That was a bit tough," she said of the two games at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. "This one is going to be much easier, despite the altitude. We just have to go out there and get the job done. Altitude is just a mindset. That's not the issue right now. We have to go out and get those three points on Saturday."
RELATED NEWS
Women Soca Warriors focussed on Ecuador
T&T Newsday Reports.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Women’s Team underwent one training session yesterday morning in Guayaquil, Ecudaor after arriving in the South American country late on Wednesday evening ahead of this weekend’s FIFA World Cup play-off away leg.
Head Coach Randy Waldrum put his players through their paces at the stadium of club team Barcelona. The TT squad will travel to Quito today ahead of Saturday’s match at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa.
The players are said to be in high spirits and focussed on the task at hand. Waldrum and his staff have been paying close attention to the preparations and media in Ecuador has been around the team, trying to capture whatever they can of the visiting opponents before Saturday’s encounter.
TT midfielder Dernelle Mascall says the team is ready for whatever comes their way.
“We’re all keeping our minds focussed on going into Saturday’s match and keeping it together and trying to put on a strong performance. We’ve had a really good few days in the buildup to the match. The camp in Mexico served its purpose and now we’re just looking ahead to the game to ensure we are ready as can be for Saturday, “ Mascall told TTFA Media.
“This past three weeks have been an experience like no other. The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s team defying all odds and stamping our name in the world of women’s football. Now teams around the world know that we are a force to be reckoned with and the only way to obtain three points against us is to earn it,” Mascall said.
She paid tribute to her teammates, the staff members and other supporters of the team
“The passion, heart and grit we displayed derived from the continued love and support from our TT people has been fabulous. For those who supported us, sent messages and posts via social media, all the best wishes, words of encouragement and those who kept us in their prayers we express our gratitude.”
She stressed on the fact that the current squad has certain attributes that has set them apart from previous TT Women teams.
“The core players of this team have grown together through the ranks, so we know each others’ stories. But what really sets us apart from past senior teams is that vehement desire. We all want to qualify and we all believe that this is our time to qualify and that is the greatest asset of this team.”
Mascall grew up in Moruga and said her days of playing street football were the start of things to come as she ended up in Iceland on a professional contract.
“I grew up playing street football. I started playing competitively when I entered secondary school and then I went on to play College Soccer in North America for four years before going semi-pro and then playing professionally in Iceland.
“I’ve experienced the game’s transformation; evolving from the individual “pass the ball to her” to what it is now - strategy and tactics. Despite the evolution, football remains the same for me; it’s my refuge.
For that ninety plus minutes, nothing else matters, absolutely nothing else but the game. When playing in college or playing professional, it’s one person representing a nation as compared to representing your national team and having all these talents harnessed into a cohesive unity.”
Mascall said her love for country keeps her going.
“My role on the field as an attacking midfielder and what I bring to the table is creativity. The type of football we Trinbagonians love to watch and play. I myself really enjoy this particular aspect of the game.
I have yet to find the words to express the feeling you get when you first throw on your red white and black t-shirt. And not to mention the indescribable feeling when your national anthem is playing. I’ve played all around the world but nothing compares to wearing the red white and black,” she declared.