T&T WNT U-17 finishes 3rd after 1-1 draw with Canada.
By: canadasoccer.com.
Canada's women's U-17 team closed out the Women's Under-17 Four Nation Tournament with a 1:1 draw against host Trinidad and Tobago.
The match was played in front of a spirited crowd at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. The host scored in the opening half and Canada's Haisha Cantave returned with the equaliser in the second half.
"It was a very well played match by Canada against a hard-working and direct opponent," said Canadian national coach Bryan Rosenfeld. "We created many chances, but not enough to win."
Tonight's match was Canada's third international match in six days. Rosenfeld's starting XI featured Sabrina D'Angelo in goal, Ally Courtnall at right back, Shannen Jainudeen and Nicole Setterlund at centre back, Katherine Caverley at left back, Chantale Campbell, Kylie Davis and Sabrina Hémond from right to left in the midfield, and Haisha Cantave, Nour Ghoneim and Diamond Simpson from right to left up front.
Both teams came out to a flying start. Less than two minutes from the whistle, right back Ally Courtnall was driving into the offensive zone and winning Canada's first corner of the match.
Just three minutes later, Trinidad and Tobago had a wonderful chance after a cross got past Canadian goalkeeper D'Angelo. Fortunately, Setterlund got back just in time and dove to knock the shot wide of the net.
Then in the eighth minute, Campbell stepped up and fired a 30-yard blast that hit the crossbar.
The play continued both ways, but then Canada thought it had a worthy opportunity after Simpson broke in past the defence. Simpson was tackled on the play by goalkeeper Keri Myers, but there was no call on the play.
Four minutes later, Trinidad and Tobago opened the scoring with the first goal of the game in the 19th minute. Canadian goalkeeper D'Angelo was knocked in the air when several players went up to connect with a Trinidad and Tobago free kick. The ball came down and scrambled its way over the line for a 1-0 Trinidad and Tobago lead.
"Trinidad and Tobago's players fought like crazy, but our Canadian players never quit," said Rosenfeld.
Canada quickly returned to action looking for the equaliser. While Canada would have to wait until the second half, it did get close with several more chances before the half-time whistle.
In the 32nd minute, Campbell produced a great shot along the ground that was nearly redirected on target by Cantave. Five minutes later, Cantave had a chance on a breakaway, but her shot was stopped by Myers.
Then in the 40th minute, Courtnall had another one of her great runs, but was pulled down right on the edge of the penalty area. Again, there was no call on the play.
Before the second half, coach Rosenfeld made his first of five changes, replacing Hémond with Abigail Raymer. Within five minutes of her entry, Raymer had a good chance off a Cantave cross, but Raymer was just wide with her shot.
A few minutes later, it was Cantave on the receiving end of a Setterlund pass. Cantave did not miss, firing the equalising goal into the top corner of the net.
From there, Canada maintained most of the possession, but could not score the winning goal. There was a great strike from Cantave in the 63rd minute, a well-taken free kick by Campbell in the 81st minute, and a good run by substitute Zakiya McIntosh in the 85th minute.
During the second half, coach Rosenfeld made four more changes. He replaced Raymer with Caroline Beaulne in the 75th minute, Cantave and Ghoneim for McIntosh and Haillie Price in the 77th minute, and Davis for Kinley McNicoll in the 83rd minute.
The Canada 1:1 draw closed out a week-long camp in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. Following the match, Canada will have a few more days of training before heading to Costa Rica for the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship which runs 10-20 March.