Jamaica test for Soca Princesses.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).
Trinidad and Tobago's women national football team, the Soca Princesses, play two warm-up matches in Miami against Jamaica and a USA-based professional team before facing Mexico in their first round match of the 2006 CONCACAF Women Gold cup on November 19.
The national women footballers leave for Miami on November 14, five days before the start of the third edition of the women's Gold Cup, which is being held in the United States.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup runs until November 26 and serves as the region's Final Round qualifier for the 2007 FIFA Women World Cup which takes place in Beijing China.
Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama battle for two automatic World Cup qualifying spots, and a third home-and-away playoff berth against Asian qualifiers Japan.
T&T begin the competition against Mexico on Sunday November 19 at the Tropical Park Stadium, Miami, Florida. Should they beat the Mexicans, they travel to California's Home Depot Centre for a clash with two-time Gold Cup & World Cup champions, the United States, on November 22. The Championship game and third placed playoff takes place on November 26 at the Home Depot Centre.
Marlon Charles, coach of T&T's Soca Princesses, has opted for the early start to give his team at least two warm-up games before the start of the tournament. With most of his squad in colleges in the United States, Charles has not been able to have the kind of preparation he would have liked.
"We are trying to leave five days early to at least get in some preparation. We are hoping to get a game against a professional team based in Miami. Also, we have contacted the Jamaicans to play a second game against them. They are in the same boat as us and that may be the only other game each team gets before the tournament."
Charles felt the draw has left both Caribbean teams at a disadvantage. He would have liked the original round-robin format which would have given his girls more time to find their legs. Instead, the United States and Canada, both ranked among the world's top 10 teams, have automatic byes to the semi-final, while the four others play a knockout round to reach the semis. However, Charles is not disappointed at having to face the No.25-ranked Mexicans in the first round. T&T (No.40 in the world) and Mexico have met four times, with the 'Soca Princesses' winning one, Mexico taking one, and the other two drawn.
"The Jamaican coach is happy because they draw Panama in the first round. It will be tough for us because Mexico and the United States play warm-up matches almost every weekend. They will be match-fit and they will have a sharpness our girls might not fully have," he said, while explaining that he will be using the five days before the tournament to get his players as fit as possible.
Most are coming off the college playoffs currently going on and will come into the camp with a measure of fitness from playing on the American university circuit. Charles is also confident that the fighting spirit of his Soca Princesses will emerge.
"Playing against top teams makes our players better. When we play Mexico, our players will know they have to step up. We will respect the Mexicans, but we will not fear them," he said.
Charles has one bit of great news in the acquisition of Atlanta-based central defender Sarja Williams, whose father is Trinidadian. She has been recommended as a quality player by Ken Esau, who described her as a tall, athletic defender who can head and kick the ball well. Charles is hoping she can reinforce his defence and will see her for the first time in the two warm-up matches before the tournament.
However, he will be without Martha Archer , a 26-year-old left-back from Birmingham Ladies Football Club of London, who was seeking to join the team. her grandfather has T&T roots, but her papers may not be processed in time for the tournament.
