Melissa Tancredi overcame first-half frustration to finally score in the 63rd minute and give Canada a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in Group A opener Friday night at the CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament.
Canada dominated throughout, dictating possession and creating numerous chances, extending its record to 12-0 against Caribbean opposition in the CONCACAF women's championship and outscoring its foes 93-1. Canada improved to 3-0 against Trinidad in the tournament with its first victory since 1994.
Trinidad fell to 1-2-11 against North American teams in the competition.
Tancredi twice had goals disallowed for offside in final 10 minutes of the first half, the first of which appeared onside according to television replays.
Josee Belanger foreshadowed Canada's domination in the sixth minute. Tancredi bore down unmarked on Trinidad keeper Kamika Forbes, who raced off her line to block the initial shot. The ball bounded left to Belanger, whose left-footed shot from the middle of the area curled off the near post.
The Canadians repeatedly threatened, with Christine Sinclair redirecting Belanger's cross wide of the post in the 48th, and both Sinclair and Tacredi shooting in rapid succession from the edge of the six-yard box that Forbes blocked at the left post in the 60th.
Canada finally finished a chance when Rhian Wilkinson ran onto a ball out of midfield on a counter, and looped a ball into Tancredi racing diagonally into the penalty area. Tancredi took one touch, held off defender Anyana Russell and right-footed a shot under Forbes from the edge of the six-yard box.
It continued to threaten the Trinidad net when Jonelle Filigno raced in unamarked only to shoot wide in the 74th from 13 meters, and in the 80th when Kaylyn Kyle's shot hit the side netting.
Trinidad, which began the game with four teenagers in its starting lineup, had little possession and even fewer shots, needing 32 minutes before it managed to earn a corner kick.
The closest it came to a goal was in the 62nd minute when Akeela Mollon's corner kick curled just over the crossbar.
Both sides suffered injuries with Canada defender Emily Zurrer forced off the field for nearly six minutes to bandage a cut over her left eye - suffered in a goalmouth scrum during a corner kick, and Trinidad defender Katrina Meyer required to leave the game in the 25th with what appeared to be a sprained ankle.
Teams
Canada: - Karina LeBlanc, Rhian Wilkinson, Candace Chapman, Emily Zurrer, Marie Nault, Diana Matheson (Yellow 37), Sophie Schmidt (Carmelina Moscato 75th), Kaylyn Kyle, Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi (Desiree Scott 73rd), Josee Belanger (Jonelle Filigno 54th).
Coach: - Carolina Morace.
Trinidad & Tobago: - Kimika Forbes, Rhea Belgrave, Arin King, Anastacia Prescott (Candance Edwards 73rd), Katrina Meyer (Janine Francois 25th), Tasha St Louis, Karyn Forbes (Yellow 14), Anyana Russell, Ahkeela Mollon, Kennya Cordner, Maylee Atthin-Johnson (Dernelle Mascal 79th).
Coach: - Jamaal Shabazz.
Video: - Highlights
Referee: - Kari Seitz (USA).
Attendance: - 250
Venue: - Venue: Estadio Beto Ávila, Cancún.
Standings
GP W D L F A D PTS
Mexico 1 1 0 0 7 2 +5 3
Canada 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Trinidad & Tobago 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Guyana 1 0 0 1 2 7 -5 0
Shabazz looks to Mexico with hope.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Jamaal Shabazz, coach of the T&T senior women’s team is looking to his side’s second match against Mexico in the Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament tonight with hope.
T&T suffered a 1-0 defeat against Canada on Friday evening in its first match in the tournament, and must now obtain maximum points from its next two matches against Mexico and Guyana respectively in Group ‘A’, if it is to have any chance of advancing to the next round.
The Soca Princesses put on a gusty performance, but were undone by a 63rd minute Melissa Tancredi goal, after the T&T defence were caught sleeping on a Canadian counter attack, allowing Tancredi to set-up a solo run from midfield, before slotting home to the left of T&T goal keeper, Kimika Forbes.
“I think there is a lot of hope for us, Mexico destroyed Guyana but I have confidence in the speed of our attack,” said Shabazz.
Mexico beat Guyana 7-2 following T&T’s match against Canada.
“While we did not get the result we wanted it is clear that we are no longer a team that will lie down to the likes of Canada and the USA,” said Shabazz.
“I am looking forward to today’s game against Mexico, if we can sort out one or two things within our defence I think Mexico will have a game on their hands. There is a great atmosphere in the camp at the moment; we want this game very badly.”
Shabazz said following the match, he urged his players to commit themselves to getting a positive result against Mexico and he has no doubt they will come through for their country.
He said it is obvious that the gap between T&T and the Concacaf powerhouses has been closed and it’s now a matter of mental strength more than technical and tactical ability.
“T&T were usually beaten by teams like USA, Canada and Mexico by huge margins so the 1-0 loss still has its positives.” Also speaking ahead of the match, T&T right winger, Ahkeela Mollon gave an assurance that the team would be giving 100 percent today and urged supporters to keep the faith.
The Sweden-based professional said she was not entirely satisfied with her performance against Canada and will be looking to improve tonight.
She said T&T played as a unit and showed composure where needed, but will need to find more open spaces against Mexico and attack with more passion if they are to get the needed result.
T&T play Mexico at 7.30pm (8.30pm local time) without key defender Katrina Meyer who is out due to injury, national skipper Maylee Attin-Johnson will also have to pass a fitness test having received a blow to her knee during Friday’s match.
Canada will meet Guyana in the curtain raiser on the night from 5.00pm. Last night both two-time defending champions and six-time winners, USA and Costa Rica went in search of their second straight wins in Group B.
The USA which defeated Haiti, 5-0 on Thursday came up against Guatemala while the Haitians faced Costa Rica. Tonight, the Soca Princesses will go in search of a win to stay in contention for a World Cup spot when they face Mexico from 9.30pm. In the first match, Canada tackles Guyana from 7 pm.