Girls U-14 Team Thread

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Trinidad and Tobago U-14 girls off to CFU Series.
T&T Newsday Reports.

The T&T girls U-14 football team left Trinidad on Wednesday to contest the 2023 CFU Girls U-14 Challenge Series in Antigua.

The squad, under head coach Marlon Charles, will play four matches at the developmental tournament. They will face Jamaica twice on August 21 and 24 and Puerto Rico on August 19 and 22. All games will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

This group of players has been part of the TTFA high performance programme which has been undergoing preparations under Charles and his staff since April.

Charles said one of the aims of the programme was to improve their technique.

"Passing, controlling and receiving balls. One of the thing that we have here in the programme is that we want everyone to be comfortable on the ball. This is a long-term goal for when they get to seniors.

"A lot of the times they play with their nose – everything is straight forward, but now when they put their foot on the ball they can see the options and make decisions."

He said incorporating a competitive game mentality is also essential.

"If I have the ball and I lose the ball, do I walk back or do I fight for it – do I help my teammates? These are the things we're trying to include in a culture for these kids so by the time they get to 17, 18 then all these things are just part of them."

Charles said the players have absorbed the knowledge and understand the importance of one-touch football.

"It's a process we are going through but it's very enjoyable."

Charles believes the current group has the potential to qualify for a FIFA Women's World Cup, if they are allowed to train consistently. "Imagine these girls continue this kind of work. By the time they get to senior level we should have a team just like the team that was one point away from a World Cup (in 2015). This is the whole objective for us right now."

According to the CFU, 20 teams will participate in the highly anticipated tournament. The tournament will see the teams divided into two tiers (Tier I & II) with 14 national teams from around the Caribbean competing in Tier II while six teams will do battle in Tier I for the coveted Challenge Series trophy.

T&T girls U-14 roster:

Akeila Marryshow, Goalkeeper, Gasparillo Youths

Amara Bhagan, Goalkeeper, Cox Coaching School

Hackeemar Goodridge, Midfielder, Trendsetter Hawks

Jayda Herbert, Forward, Trendsetter Hawks

Lexi Sankersingh, Midfielder, Queen’s Park Cricket Club

Mikalah Guerero, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town

Timera Ottley, Defender, Fyzabad United

Shakila Hamilton, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town

Jessica Nesbitt, Defender, Eastern Counties United

Taya Williams, Forward, San Juan Jabloteh

Daniella Paul, Defender, Gasparillo Youths

Kimani Wallace, Defender, Jewels Sports Club

Mia Lee Chong, Midfielder,Tampa Bay United (US)

Onesha Gregouir, Forward, Jewels Sports Club

Naima Julius, Defender, Diego Central United

Shivanni Saroop, Midfielder, NY Surf Soccer Club

Arielle Villaruel, Defender, Eastern Counties United

Scarlett Cole ,Forward, Pro Series

Zyesha Potts, Midfielder, Jewels Sports Club

Gyasi Lewis, Forward, Combined Ballerz Academy

Staff: Marlon Charles (Head Coach), Afiyah Matthias (Assistant Coach), Ricarda Nelson (Manager), Natalie Harper (Kit Manager), Cristal Bernard (Team Doctor), Kiren Johnson (Team Medic).

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Puerto Girls U-14 put three past Trinidad and Tobago
cfufootball.org

Runners-up in the last edition of the CFU Girls’ U14 Challenge Series Puerto Rico kicked off their 2023 campaign with a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. The teams were playing in the Tier I Group Q opener at the ABFA Technical Center in St. John’s, Antigua on Saturday.

Puerto Rico were in full attacking mode from the whistle, with excellent dribbling and passing skills in the middle of the pitch. The first build-up came seconds into the match when Caroline Rivera Micheo assisted a beautifully timed through ball onto the boot of Selymar Centeno Sierra, which allowed a forceful hit straight into the back of the net.

Trinidad and Tobago struggled to build momentum in the first half of the match, which caused them to be stuck more on defense than attacking. Captain Mackeemar Goodridge and Mia Lee Chong, however, displayed great confidence on the pitch, which kept the Soca Warriors’ hope alive.

Camryn Smith of Puerto Rico had a show of athleticism and endurance throughout the match, working on both offensive and defensive plays. Her agility on the pitch was unmatched, which was an added benefit for her team. The Puerto Rican goalkeeper Camelia Marín Cestero made some incredible saves, denying Trinidad and Tobago any opportunity to get on the score sheet.

In the 48th minute of play and from a throw-in came the second goal of the match for Puerto Rico’s super-sub-Camila Adame, when she crossed a left footed ball into the 6-yard box and over the head of the goalkeeper.

With one minute of extra time remaining, the Puerto Ricans were awarded a penalty. Bryana Laboy Vega stepped up for her team and confidently put the ball at the back of the net despite the brilliant effort of goalkeeper Akeila Marryshow.

The Puerto Ricans will continue their quest of being the U14 champions when they face Jamaica on Sunday. Trinidad and Tobago play Jamaica on Monday.

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Shivanni Saroop: A leader in Soccer at 13
By Sue-Ann Wayow (AZP News)

AT just 13-years-old, Shivanni Saroop is already a football leader.

Born to a Trinidadian father and a Canadian mother, Saroop who lives in  New York will be representing Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in an international football competition.

She was selected to be part of the Under-14 National Girls Football Team and is currently in Antigua anticipating her first game this weekend.

The Trinidad and Tobago team will be competing against 19 other countries in the 2023 Caribbean Football Union Girls U-14 Challenge Series.

The ninth grader at Roslyn High School in New York sent a video demo of herself to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) last year and was selected for the local under-16 girls national football team, her father Shawn Saroop told AZP News via WhatsApp.

He said, “Due to her age and talent, they felt she would be a good prospect for the Under-14 team.”

Shivanni has two younger sisters, 11 and ten to whom she is an inspiration. In America, they call it soccer.

Shawn Saroop said, “They are really inspired by what she has done. She is really nurturing as a big sister and she puts in a lot of hard work.”

She also helps train kindergarten children in football. She has been playing since five years.

Along with his job as head of technology with Excellence Community Schools, which oversees 13 schools, Saroop is also the director of soccer for the Nassau County, Police Athletic League, (NCPAL).

He told AZP News that Shivanni helps him and also trains kindergarten children.

Her football career started recreationally with Rockville Center Soccer (former home of US Women team player Crystal Dunn).

Then she went on to play 1st division football with East Meadow Soccer Club and was now the captain of the NY Surf G2009 National team playing in the Elite Development Program (EDP) soccer league competing against teams in the northeast US states.

Shawn Saroop said, “In the past, she has helped her teams top their respective leagues, play in finals of the New York State Cup, beat other clubs in top tournaments such as FC Stars Cup, DELCO Tournament, Richmond Strikers Cup, SUSA Fall Tournament and SC Del Sol PDT in Arizona.

“More recently she has helped former school-Bronx Community School for Excellence to win the Charter School Athletic Association (CSAA) Co-Ed Soccer championship.  She was awarded the team MVP for the season,” her proud father said.

Saroop left New York for Antigua on Saturday as Trinidad and Tobago battle their first game against Puerto Rico.

For the CFU Challenge this year in Antigua, the 20 teams were divided into two tiers (Tier I & II) with 14 national teams from around the Caribbean competing in Tier II and six teams will battle in Tier I for the coveted Challenge Series trophy. 

Trinidad and Tobago was placed in Tier 1 with the main opponents being Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

All games will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The Trinidad and Tobago roster from the TTFA website:

Akeila Marryshow, Goalkeeper, Gasparillo Youths;
Amara Bhagan, Goalkeeper, Cox Coaching School;
Hackeemar Goodridge, Midfielder, Trendsetter Hawks;
Jayda Herbert, Forward, Trendsetter Hawks;
Lexi Sankersingh, Midfielder, Queen’s Park Cricket Club;
Mikalah Guerero, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town;
Timera Ottley, Defender, Fyzabad United;
Shakila Hamilton, Midfielder, South Stars Princes Town;
Jessica Nesbitt, Defender, Eastern Counties United;
Taya Williams, Forward, San Juan Jabloteh;
Daniella Paul, Defender, Gasparillo Youths;
Kimani Wallace, Defender, Jewels Sports Club;
Mia Lee Chong, Midfielder,Tampa Bay United (US);
Onesha Gregouir, Forward, Jewels Sports Club;
Naima Julius, Defender, Diego Central United;
Shivanni Saroop, Midfielder, NY Surf Soccer Club;
Arielle Villaruel, Defender, Eastern Counties United;
Scarlett Cole,Forward, Pro Series;
Zyesha Potts, Midfielder, Jewels Sports Club;
Gyasi Lewis,Forward, Combined Ballerz Academy.

Staff
Marlon Charles (Head Coach), Afiyah Matthias (Assistant Coach), Ricarda Nelson (Manager), Natalie Harper (Kit Manager), Cristal Bernard (Team Doctor), Kiren Johnson (Team Medic)

[Tallman]

Jamaica Girls U-14 prevail in high-intensity match against Trinidad and Tobago
cfufootball.org

A penalty was the deciding factor between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in their Tier I Group A clash in the CFU Girls’ U14 Challenge Series, with Jamaica prevailing 1-0. The teams were playing at the ABFA Technical Center in St. John’s, Antigua on Monday.

The temperature around the stadium was cool with cloudy skies hiding the sun. There were Jamaican and Trinidadian flags hung on the fences, and, at the sound of the whistle, a fan shouted, “Soca vs Reggae.”

Trinidad and Tobago were pushed forward by Mia Lee Chong, the conductor in the Trinidadian orchestra. Her vision and range of passes stretched the Jamaicans thin. Chong’s nifty footwork also added fuel to an already burning performance in the early stages for Trinidad and Tobago.

Link-up play on the edge of the 18-yard box between Jayda Herbert and Lexi Sankersingh resulted in the first attempt on goal for Chong.

Jamaica had an opportunity of their own in the 8’ when goalkeeper Akeila Marryshow’s attempted pass out the back found the feet of Ricquanna Richards, but she couldn’t capitalize on the goal-keeping error and put her shot off target, much to Marryshow’s relief.

Jamaica tried to use their flanks to get behind their opponent’s defense, but attempts were foiled on the left-hand side by Hackeemar Goodridge of Trinidad. Her awareness and ability to snub out a pass with fighting spirit made it difficult for Jamaica. Herbert took on defenders from the left side and switched to the right to continue her rampage for the team Soca.

It was Chong with another attempt in the 29’ from a free kick that went just wide of the post. The halfway whistle gave Jamaica a chance to regroup from the continuous pressure as the end-to-end game was deadlocked.

The second half got even more intense with an equalizer seemingly out of reach for both teams.

Herbert broke the deadlock for Jamaica after a penalty was awarded to them for a handball in the penalty box. She made no mistake in the 35’, putting her team in front and on their way to collecting all three points.

Trinidad were not deterred by the score line and still kept the pressure on Jamaica. By this time, the Reggae Girlz parked the bus and strong defensive principles were applied.

Jamaica would go on to secure their first three points of the tournament from a tough encounter.

Trinidad and Tobago will have another go at Puerto Rico on Tuesday, a day ahead of the Jamaica v Puerto Rico fixture.

[Tallman]

Puerto Rico Girls U-14 blank Trinidad and Tobago 5-0
cfufootball.org

Match Day 5 saw Puerto Rico run out 5-nil winners over Trinidad and Tobago when the teams clashed at the ABFA Technical Center in Tier I Group A play in the 2023 edition of the CFU Challenge Series Girls U14 competition.

Puerto Rico were dominant in possession and served notice of their intention with early inroads and an effort on goal by Amanda Figueroa in the 7’.  Both Caroline Rivera Micheo and Figueroa looked to cause the Soca Warriors trouble with a willingness to play on the move.  Puerto Rico employed a high press strategy, limiting time and space for their opponents to play. The plan worked to perfection, and Figueroa latched on to an errant pass in defense to send a right footed effort over the head of Amara Bhagwan.

Puerto Rico’s high press continued to cause Trinidad and Tobago trouble and won a free kick at the edge of the box in minute 21.  Lauren Franco Rivera took control of the set piece and sent her shot under the wall to the left-hand side of the goalkeeper to give her team a two-goal advantage.  The Boricuas continued the onslaught, and the third goal came in the 30’. Amber Córdoba Colon’s shot from distance caught Bhagwan off-guard and she managed to just get her fingertips to the ball, but Naomi Johnson was on the doorstep to capitalize.  Team Puerto Rico took a three-goal lead into the half time break.

Puerto Rico came out the interval on the front foot, limiting Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to play comfortably, and their substitute shot-stopper Amelia Marryshow was called into action soon after the resumption, pulling off a diving save in the 38’.  Shakily Hamilton for Trinidad and Tobago tried to keep her team in the contest with some industry and determination, but Puerto Rico had other ideas as Bryana Vega headed home from a corner kick.  Rivera swung a teasing cross into the box, and Vega got on the end of it to make it four goals to zero.

Guadiana Lewis and Jayda Herbert continued to show fight for Trinidad and Tobago but containing Puerto Rico proved to be a difficult task. The fifth goal came in the 61’ as Vega grabbed her second of the game, producing a sublime touch inside the penalty area, dragging the ball away from the defender before dispatching it to the Marryshow’s left.

Camellia Marin Cestero pulled off two saves in quick succession to preserve the shut-out, first racing off her line in the 66’ to snuff out an attack and a minute later with a diving punch to deal with a dangerous dipping cross by Hackeemar Goodridge from the right side.

The final whistle sounded with much jubilation from the Puerto Ricans and emotions from the Trinidad and Tobago team.

[Tallman]

Trinidad and Tobago Girls U-14 edge Jamaica 2-1 in a thrilling encounter
cfufootball.org

It was Soca vs Reggae for the second time of the tournament as Trinidad and Tobago took on Jamaica in Tier I Group A action in the 2023 CFU Girls’ U14 Challenge Series on Thursday night. The young Soca Warriors avenged an early group stage loss by edging out their Jamaican counterparts 2-1 at the ABFA Technical Center.

The contrasting styles were on display as Trinidad and Tobago looked to play through the lines in possession while Jamaica combined high pressing and direct play early in the match. Trinidad and Tobago’s Mia Lee Chong came close to opening the scoring in the 8’, but her free kick narrowly missed the top left-hand corner of the goal after Shakilla Hamilton was fouled just outside the penalty area.

Jamaica broke the deadlock two minutes later through a Jamara Jones conversion. Jones went on a blistering run down the left, leaving three defenders in her wake before cutting back on her favored right foot and unleashing a powerful strike past Amara Bhagan in goal for Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago continued to stick to their game plan and were rewarded for their patience.  Hamilton raced onto a pass after some intricate passing in midfield but was brought down illegally in the penalty area.  Lee Chong made no mistake with the spot kick, slotting clinically to Amiya Grant’s left, drawing the teams level in the 17’.

Both teams traded attacks over the next few minutes until a defensive error by the Reggae Girls gifted their opponents a chance in the 23’.  Hamilton was the first to react to the blunder and scored from close range—a typical poacher’s goal.  Jamaica looked to respond immediately and Jones, now operating in the right, again used her pace to get in behind the defense, but her delightful cross eluded two teammates inside of the penalty area. The first stanza continued with half chances from both squads, but the Soca Warriors took a well-deserved lead into the break.

The young Reggae Girlz signaled their intent to chase the game with multiple halftime changes.  Trinidad and Tobago found themselves pinned down in their own half straight away and a Rojauna Mills 37’ close-range effort was smartly saved by Bhagan, resulting in a corner kick.

Lee Chong looked to contain the rampant Jamaican attack by getting on the ball and pulling the strings in midfield.  Hamilton should have doubled her personal tally in the 41’ but shot straight to a well-positioned Grant.

With time running away and still searching for an equalizer Jones continued her menacing runs at the Trinidad and Tobago defense, but the team from the Southern Caribbean continued to soak up the pressure.

As the second half wore on, Trinidad and Tobago were content to drop behind the ball being compact in defense.  Lee Chong came up with some timely defensive interception to thwart wave after wave of attack by the Reggae Girls.

The referee’s whistle signaling the end of the game was greeted with much jubilation by players and supporters alike—Trinidad and Tobago prevailing 2-1.

[Tallman]

Aruba Girls U-14 win penalty shootout with Trinidad and Tobago to advance to Tier I finals
cfufootball.org

A penalty shootout was needed to determine the winner of the second semifinal in the 2023 CFU Girls’ U14 Challenge Series. Playing for the right to face Puerto Rico who had earlier booked their place in the finals, Aruba prevailed 5-3 after 70 minutes were not enough to separate the sides.

Aruba started the brighter of the teams in the Tier I encounter at the ABFA Technical Center, pressing and pressuring their opponents. A 6’ Lorendana Nepi Perez free-kick went over the wall, but the Trinidadian keeper Amara Bhagan was well positioned to comfortably make the save.  Meantime Zyana Rogers closed down the Trinidad and Tobago back line, leaving them little time to play out the back.

The young Soca Warriors weathered the initial storm and started to push back the Aruban offensive, enjoying a decent spell of possession. Mia Lee Chong, as always, was close to the action looking to combine with Shivanni Saroop and Scarlett Cole centrally as well as the pacey Jayda Herbert operating on the right side.  The Lee Chong and Saroop combination almost gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 23’, but Saroop came up agonizingly short on getting on to a well-placed free kick from Lee Chong.

Kimani Wallace displayed some textbook 1v1 defending in the 28’ denying Rogers a goal scoring-chance after she was expertly picked out by Nepi Perez. Rogers was in on the action five minutes later, but her effort from just inside the penalty area went wide of the target.  Aruba ramped up the pressure as the first stanza wound down, and Rogers had another chance blocked just before halftime.  Trinidad and Tobago held their nerve to go into the break all square.

Aruba looked to go on the offensive immediately on resumption, but Sharienne Vrolijk shot over the crossbar after a Nepi Perez corner kick created some indecision in the Sosa Warriors’ penalty area.  Halftime introductions Shakilla Hamilton, Mikalah Guerrero and Gyasi Lewis for Trinidad and Tobago brought some energy to the attack, with both Hamilton and Lewis keeping the Aruba back line honest.

Trinidad and Tobago, now in the ascendency, were almost caught out on the break when Rogers ran onto a clearance by her defensive line, but the forward could not keep her shot on target.

The Trinidad and Tobago skipper Hackeemar Goodridge had to handle Rogers in another 1v1 duel to deny the Dutch forward the opening goal of the contest.

With both teams pressing for the win and space opening up, Hamilton went on a foraging run but Tyanne Rafael, in goal for Aruba, was equal to the task, pushing the forward’s shot away for a corner kick.

Rafael pulled off the save of the match in the 62’, stopping Taya Williams’ firmly struck shot from close range. Passage to the final should have been booked for the Soca Warriors in the 70’.  A long ball over the Aruban defense saw Lewis outpace the defense and with Rafael electing to stay on her line, Lewis shot over the crossbar, spurning a chance they would later rue.

With 70 minutes not enough to separate the teams, penalty kicks were on the cards.  Aruba kicked first and had conversions from Vrolijk, Nepi Perez, Niamey Tromp, Dariella Leerdam and Rogers.  Trinidad & Tobago replied with Lee Chong, Guerrero and Herbert.  Skipper Hackeemar Goodridge hit her penalty kick narrowly wide of goal.

Aruba celebrated and now look to take on Puerto Rico in the Tier I final on Sunday morning at 8:30 am.