Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 17 Women’s Team had a bright start to their first of two friendly matches against Panama but conceded three unanswered goals in a 3-1 defeat at the Luis Ernesto Cascarita Tapia Stadium on Thursday evening.
Both teams used the encounter as preparations for upcoming CONCACAF Championship campaign and it was the visitors who took an early 1-0 lead through Jessica Harragin in the 9th minute. T&T held their own for much of the first half but conceded in the 14th and 20th minutes as Shayaris Camarena and Yarelis Palacio got on the scoresheet to leave T&T trailing 2-1 at half time. Panama then got a third goal from the penalty spot eight minutes from full time from Regina Espino.
T&T head coach Stephan Defour said in his post-match interview that the exercise was no doubt useful for his team.
“It was not a bad showing by the girls considering it was the team’s first international match and first match outside of home. We really started preparing for this game less than two weeks ago,” Defour told TTFA Media.
“I thought the girls handled themselves well. We had a good start which saw us going ahead through a goal by Jessica Harragin but that was shortlived against a well-prepared Panama team. They were back in it right away. But I was pleased with certain aspects of our play and there are something we can build on and improve on going into the second game on Sunday. Overall it was a good exercise for us,” Defour said.
Both teams will meet at the same venue on Sunday.