Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-17 women footballers are in Venezuela for their final overseas training camp ahead of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which will take place on these shores from September 5-25.
The squad, led by coach Even Pellerud and captain Lauren Schmidt, will play Venezuela’s Under-17 team in two matches in Puerto La Cruz today and Wednesday before returning home at the end of the week.
Upon their return home, the squad will go into a full-time live-in camp leading up to their opening match against Chile on September 5 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Venezuela will open their Group ‘C’ campaign at the U-17 World Cup against New Zealand at the Ato Boldon Stadium on September 6 and will also face Japan at the Couva venue on September 9 and Spain at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on September 13.
Looking ahead to the Venezuela matches, Pellerud said it would serve his team well in its final build up to the tournament.
“The two matches have come at a good time for us because now we are nearing the tournament and the players will have the opportunity to get match practice against a decent opposition who will have the similar South American style to our first match opponents on September 5,” said Pellerud.
Asked about his team’s readiness to play in front of anticipated large crowds in September, Pellerud said he did not think they would suffer for not having a full slate of games at home during the preparations.
“I don’t think it would be a disadvantage. If anything, I think it will spur them on more to play in front of a large home crowd and to see the fans who are there behind them in every match. We have played the likes of Canada and Mexico at home before so it’s not a matter of the girls playing at home for the first time against an international opposition when September 5 arrives.
“At this point, we are focused on preparing the girls for the upcoming matches and of course it should be understood that the type of preparation at this point of the build up as compared to what we did earlier on, perhaps six months or six weeks ago, will be a bit different but all in relation to getting the team as best ready as possible for the World Cup itself,” Pellerud added.
The injured Camille Borneo also made the trip with the team to Venezuela, as well as two reserves Patrice Campbell and Tineisha Cobham.