Now that the cobwebs are presumably gone, Norwegian coach Even Pellerud expects a better showing from Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Princesses tonight when the four-nation Under-17 Women’s Invitational Tournament continues at Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
Mexico are coming off a close 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday, while T&T will be hoping to improve on their disappointing 0-0 draw with Jamaica by giving a good showing against the Central Americans.
Disappointed after the opening night result, Pellerud is expecting better tonight.
’I think it was good for the girls to get the first game out of the way,’ he said. ’I think the tension and the nerves made sure we did not perform as I had hoped (against Jamaica) because I think we are much better than that and I hope to see it in the next match.’
Pellerud could field a much stronger team tonight after leaving out the likes of star forward Kayla Taylor and giving some of his other players in the 25-member squad a run against Jamaica. But even with his best team, Pellerud knows his girls still have to step up against tonight’s opponents, who beat them 3-1 and 5-2 in Mexico in January.
What the T&T team will have is the benefit of playing at home before strong local support and Pellerud has no doubt what his girls have to do.
’We will play against a stronger team than Jamaica. They will press us and we will have less posession and we need to protect the ball better,’ he said.
TODAY’S MATCHES:
5.30 p.m.--Jamaica vs Canada
7.45 p.m.-Mexico vs Trinidad & Tobago
FRIDAY’S MATCHES:
5.30 p.m.--Jamaica vs Mexico
7.45 p.m.--Canada vs Trinidad & Tobago