Positives from Soca Princesses

What was perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this performance was that for those of us who watched them earlier, they never appeared interested in the battle on Sunday.

This was not the fighting Soca Princesses that stormed forward in their opening match and surprised a shell shocked—Chile with a 2-0 lead before finding the resolve to hold on late in the match, when Chile threatened to draw level.

Supporters who did not witness the opening salvo may have mistakenly believed that what they saw on Sunday was the team’s best effort. The reality, though, is that Sunday’s performance was the team’s worst.

Similarly, when they played Nigeria on Wednesday and seemed certain to hold on for a 1-1 draw, until the Nigerians scored a late winner, there was energy and drive.

So those who watched Sunday’s match would have left the Ato Boldon Stadium with the wrong impression of the standard of our football. That is the pity. So what went wrong? Is it that the girls were intimidated by the pressure of the situation?

Or is it that the North Koreans just outplayed them? Simply put, the Soca Princesses allowed North Korea to score a soft goal in the opening minutes as the defence was caught napping.

The statistics reveal some damming information. In total, there were five shots on goal for the entire 92 minutes, Three were from North Korea and disappointingly, two (one in each half) from Trinidad and Tobago, a team that entered the match in a must win situation.

As a spectator, one cannot fault fans for asking for the T&T coach’s head as it appeared as if the players were playing to instructions and living in fear of conceding another goal.

But can we really blame the coach, as there is only so much one can do off the field, and the rest has to be left up to the players to deliver. Let us try to understand what may have gone wrong that was the team’s fault. The fitness level of some of the players looked decidedly short.

Was it just, too much football in one week? There are many aspects of our women’s game that need improving, from heading the ball to shooting at goal. However, the one area that continues to show itself in the three matches is the T&T’s team touch.

There was none. Most of the 16 teams understood the basics, such as the use of the first touch to control the ball. With our team it was the opposite. On several occasions, we turned apparent advantage (if there was a good first touch) into disadvantage, with players using two and three touches to control the ball.

This is an area that needs to be addressed in all aspects of our football, from men to women. But all is not lost, because there were loads of good returns for this country.

For yet another occasion, politicians and their foes were presented with the opportunity to understand how important sport is to the welfare of a nation in need of hope and salvation.

These young girls were not only playing to advance in this World Cup, they were carrying the hopes of our nation, that had gladly settled into a cherished adventure with innocent youngsters.

Perhaps the innocence of these girls is what inspired people to believe and wish for more. It is part of our culture that we always want to believe that this beautiful twin island republic can rise against the odds.

We know so, because rightfully there is precedent in other sports through heroes such as Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon, Richard Thompson, George Bovell, Brian Charles Lara, the T&T cricket team at the IPL Champions League, netball 1979 and the Soca Warriors.

These are just a few instances, there are more. Everyone of these girls made us proud. Coach Evan Pellerud’s statements bear significance here.

He told me on Synergy Sports that goalkeeping was one of the areas which improved during the tournament. Pellerud noted that this will help to improve the standard of the game since no longer would soft goals be scored on weak goalkeepers.

In my opinion, 17-year-old goalkeeper, Linfah Jones, was the most outstanding player on the T&T team. Jones’ reading of the game, of the plays and her distribution were all outstanding. Many times she occupied the role of a sweeper.

Despite her 5-ft 3-inch height, Jones made up for that with tremendous bravery, running at the feet of onrushing forwards. In the match against Nigeria, Jones pulled off at least six brilliant saves to single handedly keep T&T in the game. Other players of note were speedy defender Khadisha Debesette and her twin sister in midfield Khadidra Debesette.

T&T’s captain Lauren Schmidt was consistent in defence without ever being spectacular. While skillful 15-year old Kayla Taylor promised so much but never quite achieved the heights the team required.

So we need to say thanks to the squad. And while, T&T may be out of the tournament, it has been an exciting affair so far, with many teams capturing the imagination of the public.

As it stands, finding the winner appears to be a four-way battle between the clinically efficient Germany, the exciting Nigerians, the unpredictable Ghanaians and the spasmodic Spanish.

Of course, this is football and the name Brazil can never be discounted in any format. Congratulations to our Trinidad and Tobago girls for making us all believe again.

Bitter-sweet goodbyes for TT Under-17 footballers.
T&T Newsday Reports.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-17 women’s footballers led by captain Lauren Schmidt on Monday received their certificates of participation in the World Cup signed by FIFA President Sepp Blatter and General Secretary Jerome Valcke.

Several members of squad have already returned to their respective homes in United States and Canada just a day after TT played their final match at the World Cup, losing 1-0 to defending champions North Korea on Sunday.

And for the final of the tournament on September 25 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the national players here in Trinidad have been invited to make a lap of honour before what is hoped to be another partisan crowd.

Meantime, after Sunday’s encounter and back at the Crowne Plaza in Port-of-Spain the footballers were in a jovial mood after their last cry over the 1-0 defeat and ouster from the tournament.

During a bitter sweet post-match dinner, US-based forward Jasmine Sampson, who saw her shot crash off the crossbar, addressed her teammates and staff to say “thank you” for the opportunity to play for Trinidad and Tobago.

She expressed her appreciation to the staff for the love and care given to the players, and for their patience, perseverance and hard work.

Sampson also said thanks to her teammates for being the sisters she never had. “I will miss you. Thank you,” she said.

Team coach Even Pellerud congratulated the girls on their sterling achievement. He mentioned that he did not believe they could play three matches in a row with such players of little experience.

“I am very impressed with the level of sophistication and understanding of the game you have shown,” the Norwegian said.

Special mention was made of the back four (defenders) and he said he thought it was the best back four he has seen in the tournament.

“We managed to create several chances, it was an exciting match, an amazing experience. We’ve come very far in a short time, you have much to be proud about,” he said.

“While Korea has a very good programme and are very skillful, we contended with them and gave them few opportunities to score. I thought you demonstrated good control he said.

Regarding the TT women’s programme the head coach said: “We are sad that the campaign is over. We did not reach our goal of going to the next round. I am sure we will enjoy what we shared. It was an outstanding experience, there is no reason to cry anymore. You and Trinidad and Tobago have a lot to be proud of.

“I hope the TTFF takes advantage of what we have, while the interest in the game is high.

“It would be disappointing if they do not. The World Cup 2012 will be in Vietnam I believe, it is only two years away.

“The next programme should focus on team shape, fitness and lifestyle commitments; hopefully we will not take too long to begin the next programme,” he said.

Pellerud reminded the Soca Princesses: “Today marks the end of this campaign, not the end of you.”

A meeting of team and staff was held after breakfast on Monday morning and further farewells and well wishes were exchanged.

The young footballers were also pleased to learn that they get to keep their playing shirts.