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T&T U-17 team (Photo: Shaun Fuentes).......Goals by Josiah Trimminghan and captain Brendon Creed gives T&T U-17s a 2-0 win over Guyana in their final CFU qualifying match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

A goal in each half - A header from defender Josiah Trimmingham off a cross from Mathew Woo Ling and a drive from captain Brendon Creed in the 2nd half was enough to seal T&T's victory.

An up-close report with SWO member (Patriot): "I like the looks of this team, good possession, good pressure on the opposition and willing to take shots from outside the area are the positives, along with discipline in maintaining their positions."

The negatives would be that Guyana and Suriname players were able to knock them off the ball quite easily, so they would definitely need to toughen up when the opposition gets rougher e.g. (Jamaica, Haiti)."

I also would like to point out that some poor finishing from the players up front was also a little disappointing. "But overall the team has great potential to go forward."

Meanwhile, T&T tops the group with maximum nine points and are into the final CONCACAF round next year towards the FIFA Under 17 World Cup 2013 in United Arab Emirates.

In the earlier match at the same venue Suriname was able to demolish the British Virgin Island 18-0 to finish the group runners-up. However, only group winners T&T will progress to the next rounds to meet Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and the winner from group 5, which will be concluded on August 2nd.

Final Score

T&T 2 (Josiah Trimmingham 22, Brendon Creed 71) vs Guyana 0

Teams

Trinidad & Tobago: - Stephon Seepersad; Shannon Gomez, Maurice Ford, Josiah Trimmingham, Martieon Watson (Mani Walcott 83rd), Akeem Garcia, Brendon Creed (capt), Aikim Andrews, Jabari Mitchell (Jarred Dass 75th), Mathew Woo Ling, Brent Sam (Levi Garcia 46th).

Coach: - Shawn Cooper.

Guyana: - Jason Cromwell; Shemar Richards, Trevor Jones, Steffon Enoe (Yellow 73), Troy Lewis, Paul Miggins (Kelon Primo 56th), Keron Solomon (Robert Christiani 75th), Kareem Knights (Mark Wronge 66th), Nikosie Denny, Jermaine Fletcher, Franklyn Parks.

Coach: - Sampson Gilbert.

Referee: - Valdin Ledgister (Jamaica).

Attendance: - 900.
Standings

GP  W  T  L  GF  GA  GD  Pts  
Trinidad & Tobago  3  3  0  0  28  1  +27  9
Suriname  3  2  0  1  22  4  +18  6
Guyana  3  1  0  2  14  5  +9  3
British Virgin Island  3  0  0  3  0  54  -54  0

Cooper: U-17 journey now start.
By Kern De Freitas (Express).


Trinidad and Tobago's preparation for the 12-team CONCACAF qualifying championship for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup will no doubt be tougher than their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) group triumph, which they capped off with their 2-0 victory against Guyana on Saturday.

At Hasely Crawford Stadium, defender Josiah Trimmingham headed home the opener for the hosts in the 22nd minute, while T&T captain Brendon Creed slammed home from distance in the 71st to ensure his team stayed perfect with nine points in CFU qualifying.

But after the match, coach Shawn Cooper acknowledged that T&T, who started preparations late for the tournament, have a lot more work to do if they are to earn one of four berths for the October 17-November 8 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

According to Cooper, T&T's young players need to work on their strength and match experience to match their CONCACAF opponents.

"I think we have to prepare the guys physically," Cooper told the Express after the match. "Some of them you saw they lack a bit of strength and speed, which we need when we go against the powerhouses in CONCACAF, where the Americans and the Costa Ricans are physically bigger and plus their game understanding is right on par with senior players."

If there was one area where Guyana might have matched T&T on the night, it would have been that physical battle. But T&T were superior in every other way.

Again their shooting left something to be desired. Matthew Woo Ling replaced Andrew Fortune in the centre of midfield, and Kishun Seecharan sat out in favour of Aikim Andrews, who took up right midfield.

The changes did little to affect T&T's attacking mindset, and Woo Ling was impressive, particularly with his crossing into Guyana's defence and set plays.

Still T&T wasted a fistful of chances before they got their first goal in the 22nd minute, Woo Ling leaving his marker for dead on the right of the penalty area and chipping in for Trimmingham to rush in and power his header home.

It only caused Guyana to tighten their already crowded defence, as they seemed to be playing for survival until half-time.

But for the timely saves of Guyanese custodian Jason Cromwell, T&T might have been several goals up by then. Cromwell denied striker Brent Sam and Jabari Mitchell from close range and Woo Ling off a free kick, while Sam and Andrews failed to get other efforts on target.

In the second half it was more of the same, with some brilliant point blank Cromwell saves. Mitchell shot right at him, and he also denied the midfielder twice from close up, while Andrews had the perfect time to bury a chance only to miss the ball.

Creed wrapped up the match in the 72nd after constant pressure, bundling in a Woo Ling right side corner that gave Cromwell no chance.

Even after that, Guyana showed little desire to push forward, and Cromwell kept the match to a 2-0 result with close saves off Andrews and speedy left winger Akeem Garcia, who moved to the lone striker position after Sam was replaced midway through the second half.

In the first match, Suriname battered British Virgin Islands (BVI) 17-0 to finish off a woeful tour for the islanders, who conceded 53 goals in all.

Moreno Asoman and Jofrendi Gainsa both registered beaver-tricks for Suriname, and Selassie Zandfeld score a hat-trick. Nazario Doesburg and Sorencio Julianns each had two goals to widen their team's advantage, as Suriname finished second to T&T with six points.

Guyana (three points) were third, and BVI, without a point, were fourth.