Soca Girls snatch CFU title
By Shari John (T&T Guardian)Needing only a draw to secure first place in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Final Round Qualifying Tournament, T&T survived a scare from arch rivals Jamaica last night to hold on for a 1-1 finish at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, and capture the title on goal difference.
Karissa Rodney, became the heroine of the night, when she pulled one back for T&T in the 84th minute, after Jamaica drew first blood through Semone Honeghan in the 65th minute.
The game was even with both teams sharing equal amounts of ball possession. T&T however were offered by far, the most chances but the strikers were unable to finish, their shots constantly finding the woodwork.
It was a much improved match for the Soca Princesses, and they did well to hold off the equally aggressive and skillful Jamaicans. Captain Mariah Shade, was locked down by the Jamaican defence and was unable to make her usually strong and decisive runs on goal.
T&T were forced to continue without her following an ugly collision which resulted in her substitution. Just before the end of the half, foreign based player, Rhea Belgrave, could have given T&T the lead but her shot hit the top of the bar. On the resumption, Jamaica drew first blood when Honeghan’s shot from just outside the 18-yard box soared over Forbes, who was caught off of her line.
The Soca Princesses continued to press though, while the crowd was relentless in its support. In an attempt to draw level, coach Jamal Shabazz, introduced prolific striker, Natasha St Louis into the match, who was again surprisingly not started, with 18 minutes to go, and as expected, she created chances. T&T almost found the equaliser in the 69th, from a free kick by Forbes, but Iyesha Olliveierre’s shot hit the post.
Finally, in the 84th minute, a nasty tackle, by Shanise Foster, who used her feet while on the ground to hold, T&T defender, Taylor Mims back, resulted in a free kick that was converted by Rodney, much to the delight of the local supporters.
Jamaica was then offered another opportunity to secure a victory when Sashana Campbell was brought down by Olliviere, in the 85th minute, but the penalty taken by Teashian Thomas, was a poor one and went wide of Forbes.
In the other game, Cuba beat St Kitts/Nevis 6-0 to join T&T and Jamaica in the Concacaf Final Round tournament to be held in January in Guatemala.
Soca Princesses lift CFU U-20 title.
By: Ian Prescott (T&T Express).There was a bit of luck for T&T near the end, though, when Jamaican striker Teshian Thomas turned a penalty kick wide two minutes from the final whistle after defender Taylor Mims had taken down an opponent from behind.
Both teams finished with seven points, but the Soca Princesses were champions on goal difference.
After a war of attrition, Jamaica took the lead in the 65th when a defensive breakdown allowed Semone Honeghan the chance to put her shot away from T&T keeper Kimika Forbes.
Suddenly, a large contingent of Jamaican soldiers were singing a tune by late reggae legend Bob Marley.
’One love, one heart. Let’s get together and be alright.’
But, as they had done all night, the Princesses fought back everytime and after just failing to equalise in the 67th, when Iyesha Ollivierre hit a low shot which deflected off the foot of the goal, English girl Karissa Rodney got the tying goal in the 85th when turning in Karyn Forbes free kick.
It was great reward for the home team, who were well supported, as were the Jamaican girls by the soldiers here for this weekend’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
They played out a tough first half, when they matched each other over every inch of artificial turf.
Trinidad and Tobago had the first shout in the 11th when it appeared that the Soca Princesses had scored with a free kick from hard-kicking central midfielder Karyn Forbes, who drilled her shot into the side netting.
The Trini fans jumped for joy and the Jamaican supporters booed. Two minutes later it was Jamaica’s turn when Teshian Thomas forced keeper Forbes to push a header onto the crossbar.
Karyn Forbes went close again in the 21st with a free kick which keeper Shena Wint touched over. Then in the 23rd, the T&T keeper also had to push out Semone Honeghan’s dipping free kick.
However, it was the home team who finished the half best, despite losing their captain and main striker Mariah Shade to injury in the 43rd minute. She was replaced by New York-born striker Candice Seaton.
Jamaica began the second half with a real chance to score when a wide pass picked out striker Kamesha Woodfine. But as she composed herself to shoot, goalie Forbes shot out like a bullet to smother her shot. Kaylor Taylor then hit from long range in the 52nd, only for the Jamaican keeper to push her shot onto the crossbar.
Fittingly, the game ended in a draw.
The tournament’s top three teams--T&T, Jamaica and Cuba--qualified for the CONCACAF Final Round Tournament to be held in Guatemala in January for qualification for the next FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
