Canada proved to be too much for this country’s senior women footballers in Sunday’s contest at the Natal International Women’s tournament with the Concacaf powerhouse coming away 4-0 winners in the second encounter for both teams at the Arena das Dunas in Natal.
T&T headed into the match led by captain Arin King who also wore the armband in the 6-0 defeat to the United States last week and coach Anthony Creece was able to inject some more experience into his starting team with the likes of Mariah Shade, Janine Francois, Khadidra Debesette, Ahkeela Mollon, Karyn Forbes all getting first team picks.
Just as they did against the Americans, T&T were able to keep their opponents to one goal in the first half with Diana Matheson’s 10th minute goal being the only item separating the teams at half time. But a minute into the second half, Rebecca Quinn doubled the advantage Nichelle Prince added a third goal in the 81st minute and veteran Christine St Clair scored her 186th international goal in the 85th minute to complete the win against a tiring T&T outfit at that stage of the match.
Creece later described Canada as a disciplined unit, adding that he was not unhappy with T&T’s effort on the evening.
“Today we lost to a very disciplined, well coached Canadian team,” Creece told TTFA Media after the match.
“Our ladies played well in spite of some tired legs and few injuries. We gave up a very soft opening goal and the score remained 0-1 at half time.
“We came out determined to continue to take it to Canada but again gave up a soft goal just one minute into the half. The last two goals came near the end when our legs just gave out on us. But we were able to control some spells in the game and I am happy with the performance given the circumstances,” Creece added.
“The incoming players although not all that we expected were able to help raise our level in this game against a very strong Canadian group that was very strong tactically and physically,” Creece said.
T&T and Canada are in the same group in the CONCACAF Olympic Final Round of Qualifying for Rio 2016 next year and will meet on February 14th in Houston. T&T’s other opponents in that tournament are Guyana and Guatemala. The top two teams from the 8-team tournament will qualify for the Olympics.
Results
Canada 4 (Diana Matheson 10, Janine Beckie 46, Nichelle Prince 79, Christine Sinclair 81) v T&T 0
Teams
T&T: Tenesha Palmer; Jenelle Cunningham, Arin King (capt), Anastasia Prescott, Afiya Matthias, Janine Francois, Karyn Forbes, Ahkeela Mollon, Maylee Attin-Johnson, Khadidra Debesette; Mariah Shade.
Subs From: Annalis Cummings, Sharain Cummings, Joy Daniel, Renelle Findley, Shenelle Henry, Tamara Johnson, Jo Marie Lewis, Melissa Woo Ling, Patrice Superville, Victoria Swift.
Coach: Anthony Creece.
Canada: Erin McLeod; Allysha Chapman (Marie-Eve Nault 64th), Shelina Zadorsky (Kennedy Faulknor 46th), Rebecca Quinn, Josée Belanger, Diana Matheson, Jessie Fleming (Nichelle Prince 46th), Desiree Scott (Kadeisha Buchanan 69th - Yellow 71), Deanne Rose (Marie Levasseur 64th), Christine Sinclair, Janine Beckie (Melissa Tancredi 64th).
Coach: John Herdman.