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.
“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.