T&T Women continues to impress after pulling off a 2-2 tie with Argentina.

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T&T Women continues to impress after pulling off a 2-2 tie with Argentina.
By Inshan Mohammed.

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior women football team opened it's 2015 Pan American Games with an impressive 2-2 draw with Argentina at the new CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium in Canada.

Both teams played to a goalless first half with Argentina looking more threatening of the two. In the second half however, T&T came out a different team but it would be the South Americans who drew first blood. Mariana Larroquette gave the South Americans the lead in the 52nd minute. The lead lasted only 7 minute though as Mariah Shade got the equalising goal for T&T in minute 59.

T&T dominated large portions of the second half and wasted a few great chances to pull away for the win, chances upon chances went a-begging and they almost paid the price after Fabiana Vallejos slip in a weak side-foot cross from the left that Forbes failed to hold on too leaving Belen Potassa with a simple tap-in to make it 2-1 in favor of Argentina.

T&T didn't drop their shoulders and responded almost immediately, when former captain Maylee Atti-Johnson tapped in a loose ball after a scramble in the box from a Ahkeela Mollon right-side free-kick that rescued a point for the Soca Princesses.

T&T will face group leaders Colombia next on July 14. The Colombians are fresh from the 2015 Women's World Cup finals (also held in Canada) in which they created history after securing a Round of 16 place only to be knocked out by eventual World Cup winners; USA.

Results

Argentina 2  v T&T  2
Larroquette 52   Shade 59
Potassa 88   Atti-Johnson 90

Teams

T&T: - Kimika Forbes; Ayana Russell (capt), Brianna Ryce, Rhea Belgrave, Arin King, Patrice Superville, Janine Francois (Tasha St Louis 63rd - Yellow 82), Karyn Forbes (Maylee Atti-Johnson 72nd), Ahkeela Mollon, Mariah Shade, Kennya Cordner.

Coach: - Ross Russell.

Argentina: - Elisabeth Minnig; Agustina Barroso (capt), Nerina Garcia, Noelia Espindola (Yellow 46), Florencia Quinones (Belen Potassa 83rd), Cecilia Ghigo, Yael Oviedo, Vanesa Santana, Florencia Bonsegundo, Maria Jaimes (Yellow 28) (Fabiana Vallejos 66th), Mariana Larroquette.

Coach: - Julio Olarticoechea.

Referee: - Mirian Leon (SLV).

Standings

P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
Colombia  1  1  0  0  1  0  3
T&T  1  0  1  0  2  2  1
Argentina  1  0  1  0  2  2  1
Mexico  1  0  0  1  0  1  0

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HIGHLIGHTS of Trinidad and Tobago Women’s 2-2 draw with Argentina

http://www.tv6tnt.com/news/Women-Warriors-draw-against-Argentina-at-Pan-Am-Games-2015-313899631.html

[Sam]

Big up to de ladies, great job, keep fighting, we love you guys.

Colombia and Mexico is two world cup team, so it will be hard but not impossible.

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Russell pleased with women’s draw in Pan Am opener.
T&T Guardian Reports.

National Senior Women’s team head coach Ross Russell credited his players for their gritty showing against Argentina as they came from behind on two occasions to earn a 2-2 draw in their opening Pan American Games encounter in Toronto on Saturday.

Goals by Mariah Shade in the 59th minute and late second half substitute Maylee Attin-Johnson secured the deserved point for T&T. Marianna Larroquette had earlier put the South Americans ahead on 52 minutes before Shade stepped up to convert for T&T.

After missing a couple decent chances, T&T then found themselves trailing when Belen Potassa slotted home from close range following a left side delivery.

Forward Kennya Cordner had a couple very good opportunities to add to T&T’s tally in the second half but luck was not on her side. Colombia edged T&T on possession 51 to 49 percent.

Russell said he was pleased with the draw.

“The team took a little long to settle in. The Argentines settled before us but once we did that, we started to look good and play our game,” Russell told TTFA Media.

“The strategy going into the game was to be careful at first and once settle in, we would play our game which is more attacking through the wings. The Argentines were a bit slow on the wings and they were not heading the game as properly,” he added.

Overall, Russell was satisfied and he is now anticipating an even better showing when T&T faces Colombia on Tuesday.

“The result is a good one because I thought we did well to come back twice to get a share of the points. I think we can do a lot better in the upcoming games.

“Once we settle down and play our style, I believe we will be a force to be reckoned with in this group,” Russell added.

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Russell: Women showing courage.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardina).

T&T's senior women team head coach Ross Russell says that his team has demonstrated a willingness to work hard and believe in their ability against opposition that is expected to roll over them.

T&T have attained two points at the Pan American Games so far, coming from behind to draw with Argentina and South American women football giants Colombia. They will need another strong showing against Mexico to progress to the knockout phase.

"So far the ladies have come out and shown their ability and their character. They believe in themselves and they have played for each other with a never say die attitude. That has been the key for us in the two games so far," Russell said.

"Even though Colombia were expected to get the better of us, our players never showed any fear or play in way that made them look intimidated. We'll be looking to end the group phase on a high even though it will be another tough outing. So far I'm liking what I've seen and we can only improve."