Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Women will look for a second straight victory when they face off with 2012 Olympics Bronze Medallists Canada in their second match of the 2016 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying competition at the BBVA Compass Stadium from 5pm (3pm in Houston) on Sunday. Guyana faces Guatemala in the earlier game from 1pm.
Both teams are coming off opening victories with Canada thumping Guyana 6-0 and T&T coming from a goal down to defeat Guatemala 2-1 on Thursday. Canada came away 4-0 winners when both teams met at the International Women’s tournament in Natal Brazil in December. The Canadians also defeated Mexico 3-0 in Natal but lost to Colombia (1-0), Costa Rica (2-0) and Brazil (2-0).
This time T&T will be fielding a more strengthened team, led by captain Maylee Attin-Johnson and they will be expecting to pose a tougher challenge to the Concacaf giants.
“This time we have a stronger team and we have been preparing together for a longer period than when we played them in Brazil, so I’m expecting us to be better,” T&T player Arin King told TTFA Media.
“I think all of us are really looking forward to the match because a win could give us a chance of topping to group. We know the game will be challenging but I think we have in us what it takes to come out on top and then finish the group on a high next week,” the Canadian-born defender added.
Head Coach Richard Hood conduced a light session on Friday which consisted mainly of recovery exercises and he put the player through their final paces during a another session at the Houston Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.
“We know the Canada game will be much more demanding physically and we will have to be more precise and clinical in our approach,” Hood said.
“Like I said, I wasn’t particularly happy with the performance in the last match even though it was enough to get the result. But we have two games left and we know a good result against Canada will put us in a very good position going into the last group match against Guyana.,” he added.
Midfielder Tasha St Louis who scored the winner over Guatemala is hoping to her side can rise to the occasion again.
“This is a tough game ahead but we really want to top the group. I think we will have to start the match a lot stronger than we did against Guatemala. We have to tidy up a few things and definitely make better use of our goalscoring chances. We have faced Canada before so we know what they are like and hopefully we can bring our best game on the day,” St Louis said.
T&T goalkeeper Kimika Forbes expects T&T to lift its level on Sunday.
“We didn’t put away our chances in the last game so it’s very important that we make use of our chances in the next game. Against a team like Canada we have to believe in ourselves and our ability. I believe we have the ability to upset Canada on Sunday,” T&T goalkeeper Kimika Forbes added.
There are no major injury concerns in the T&T camp. Canada meantime will be looking to 21-year-old Ashley Lawrence to continue her good work after she scored a hattrick in the win over Guyana. Sixteen-year-old Deanne Rose notched a double as Canada featured a strong lineup that included superstar Christine Sinclair up front, Erin McLeod in goal and midfielder Desiree Scott who earned 100th cap for Canada.
“We gave some new players some new opportunities and that was really exciting and to see [Lawrence] get a hat trick and Desi [Scott] get her 100th cap, it was a good night for us,” said head coach John Herdman.
“Three points and Trinidad up next and we’re ready to roll.”
Videos: -
Tasha St Louis and Liana Hinds Post Match Reactions
Women Win - Check out this GameDay Video Recap of T&T's 2-1 win over Guatemala