"I am a little bit disappointed," said Trinidad and Tobago under-17 and assistant senior team coach, Anton Corneal. "I felt we did enough to at least get a draw and to come away with nothing is disappointing."
On Tuesday evening at Couva's Ato Boldon Stadium, the Trinidad and Tobago under-17 team lost 2-0 to Mexico for the second time in three days.
Mexico 's junior squad was the last FIFA Under-17 World Cup champions, two years ago, and, although their technical director Jesus Ruvalcaba is leading a new troop of youngsters, the international friendlies were meant to gauge the development of Corneal's squad.
Last August, Corneal led the under-16 squad to third place at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), which was contested in Trinidad and Tobago , and was heckled by some supporters as the host nation were outplayed by Haiti at the semi-final stage.
But there were no complaints at Couva or Fatima College's ground-the site of the team's last two outings-as the young "Soca Warriors" showed courage and tactical discipline against one of CONCACAF's most formidable teams.
Another seven weeks remain before the real test starts on April 24 in Jamaica where Trinidad and Tobago would compete with Costa Rica , Canada , the United States and the host country for three Under-17 World Cup places.
If the local team can maintain their intensity, the chance of a World Cup berth might not be as far fetched as it appeared seven months ago.
On Sunday, the uneven, bouncy Fatima College surface contributed to a scrappy match and it was felt that the superior facilities would play into the hands of the visiting Mexico team.
Instead, it was the Warriors who started brighter and the first two chances of the match went to the hosts.
Trinidad and Tobago striker Daniel Joseph's low angled shot in the 7th minute brought a low save by Mexican goalkeeper Alfredo Medina while the custodian was beaten, four minutes later, after impressive approach play by Stephen Knox and Joseph fashioned an opportunity for midfielder Leston Paul, whose half volley was blocked on the goal line by a Mexican defender.
Yet, it was Mexico who opened the score summary after 21 minutes as gifted winger Jesus Millan delivered an incisive low cross that was emphatically dispatched at the near post by striker Raul Lopez.
The goal sparked a mad scramble by the Mexican bench as coaches, substitutes and players alike hugged as though something more tangible than bragging rights was at stake. It was another hint at how seriously Mexico took the outing although the North American squad arguably traveled without its best two players, Chivas Guadalajara striker Ulises Davila and Barcelona ( Spain ) playmaker Jonathan dos Santos.
Paul and Knox came close from distance but the hosts again struggled to carve create clear chances and could only watch in dismay as Mexico got a second off the head of substitute Jose Preciado after an inswinging left side free kick.
"We let players get inside of us too often from dead ball situations," said Corneal. "That is definitely something we have to look at."
Corneal referred to a team weakness although, more often than not, it was left back Aubrey Davis who bore the brunt of T&T's shortcomings.
It did not help that the Vessigny Secondary left back was paired with Mexico 's most skillful player, Millan, who exploited his poor first touch by channeling passes into the defender before hustling him out of possession.
If Millan could not be faulted for singling out Davis, the same could not be said of some patrons who routinely jeered the 16-year-old schoolboy. It was a cruel introduction to international football for the youngster, who missed the last two tournaments through injury and chicken pox.
"He has got the right spirit and heart," said Corneal. "He just needs more exposure."
The performances of Davis' teammates were more encouraging but the verdict was the same. Corneal has just over a month to help his gutsy squad find a cutting edge.
Next on the agenda, the young Warriors travel to North America where they will be pitted against A' League team Charleston Battery as well as an undetermined collegiate and state outfit.
Corneal hopes that a winning mentality emerges from the heartbreak of close defeats away to Honduras and at home to Mexico.
"The games gave them confidence that they can play against teams of that caliber," said Corneal. "I think we were even better (on Tuesday) because we kept the ball more and were able to get into more attacking positions But I want them to know that it is not okay to lose, even if we played well." The test of their education will come in late April.