A Trinidad and Tobago National Women’s Team, comprising several reserve players suffered a 11-0 defeat to Brazil’s Senior Team in their opening game of the 2015 International Tournament of Natal at Arenas das Dunas in Brazil on Wednesday night.
Brazilian star forward Marta led the onslaught with five goals. The goals came from Marta (10’, 28’, 30’, 52’ and 58’), Beatriz (33’, 55’, 64’), Debinha (48’), Raquel (70’) and Rilany (79’).
Canada also started on a winning note, stopping Mexico 3-0 in the opening game of the tournament with captain Christine St Clair netting a double, which put her one goal away from tying Mia Hamm (158) as the second all-time scorer in women’s soccer, behind Abby Wambach (184) of the United States.
T&T coach Anthony Creece predicted a rough time for the T&T side which had captain Maylee Attin-Johnson as the most experienced player in its squad.
The TTFA received the invitation from the tournament organizers last week after Croatia pulled out with all expenses being provided and newly elected President David John Williams felt it was an opportunity that could not be turned down.
After consulting with some of the stakeholders, a decision was taken to send a 13-member squad with the appearance in Natal being seen as an effort to improve the Senior Team pool and allow for much needed game experience ahead of the CONCACAF Final Round of 2016 Olympic qualifiers in a few months time. Some of the current first team players, in San Antonio for Thursday’s match with the U.S. are expected to join the team in Natal on the weekend.
“We knew it was going to be very tough for us in the first game,” Creece told TTFA Media.
“Brazil came out strongly and they never allowed us to settle. Our players were eager to do well but Brazil, at home, proved to be just too much and they dominated the game in large parts.
“We just have to pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game against Canada,” Creece added.
“I think it would be a valuable experience for a lot of the players on this team and hopefully they can come back strongly. No player likes to go down this heavily. We didn’t have much on the bench neither but we’ll lick our wounds and come back for the next game looking to make improvements.
“The bigger picture is obviously the Olympic qualifiers next year and the players here in Natal will be looking to keep building towards getting selected and doing well in the competition next year,” he added.
T&T’s next game will be against Canada on Sunday evening at the Arena das Dunas.
Brasil: Bárbara (Letícia Izidoro), Poliana (Rilany), Mônica, Rafaelle e Tamires (Juliete); Thaisa (Maurine), Andressinha e Marta (Raquel); Beatriz Zaneratto, Gabi Zanotti e Debinha (Thais).