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Tue, Apr

T&T's Michelle Decourcy (L) battles for the ball with Panama's Deysire Salazar during the international friendly, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on Monday. The match ended 1-1. - via TTFA Media
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Goals on either side of the halves from striker Kennya "Ya Ya" Cordner for T&T and Carina Baltrip of Panama, respectively, assured both teams finish their international friendly clash 1-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva on Monday.

However, both teams had strong opportunities to claim the win but were prevented by either impressive goalkeeping or lack of composure.

The match was just seven minutes old when striker Cordner found herself at the end of a long searching ball from Victoria Swift, that goalkeeper Farissa Cordoba let through her grasp.

This coupled with an equally disastrous defensive blunder by Yirsi Salas, allowed Cordner in with the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net for a 1-0 T&T advantage.

The fluctuating affair tilted in T&T's favour in the 42nd minute with Forbes' opposite number Cordoba beaten by Karyn Forbes' thunderous drive, only for the upright to save the Panamanians.

The home team enjoyed a 1-0 advantage at the half-time interval but they were made to work even harder when it resumed.

Cox, the architect of most of the Panamanian attacks, was again given room to move as she delivered a pinpoint ball to the back of the T&T defence for Lenith Cedeno storming down the right flank. But after taking it nicely in her stride, Cedeno sent her attempt wide of the goal.

Later in the 77th, it was Cedeno again who raced through from an earlier clearance and with only Forbes (Kimika) to beat, Cedeno hit a weak shot that failed to pose any kind of trouble.

Cordner, who had gone silent for a portion of the match, had a golden opportunity to seal the win but she muffed an attempt from inside the area.

The match seemed to be heading for a 1-0 T&T win until Baltrip rose unchallenged to head home from a right-side corner in the 88th minute to level the score.

However, the T&T women had the last say at a winner, as substitute Laurell Theodore galloped through the Panamanian defence and with the goal gaping in front of her with just the Panamanian custodian to beat, she put it wide.

(Teams)

Trinidad and Tobago (3-2-3-2): 1.Kimika Forbes (GK), 8.Victoria Swift, 20.Lauryn Hutchinson (5.Meyah Romeo 46), 4.Rhea Belgrave; 12.Chelcy Ralph, 14.Karyn Forbes (captain); 7.Liana Hinds, 10.Anya de Courcy, 3.Aaliyah Prince (15.Laurelle Theodore 58); 11.Raenah Campbell (13.Dennecia Prince 76), 19.Kennya Cordner (18.Naomie Guerra 81).

Unused substitutes: 21.Tenesha Palmer (GK), 22.Malaika Dedier (GK), 2.Collette Morgan, 23.Adrianna Arjoon, 16.Janelle McGee.

Coach: Kenwyne Jones

Panama (4-2-3-1): 1.Farissa Córdoba (GK); 4.Katherine Castillo, 14.Yerenis De Leon, 2.Yirsi Salas (11.Yvamara Rodriguez 80), 3.Carina Baltrip; 7.Deysire Salazar, 8.Laurie Batista (captain) (17.Yamileth Palacio 62); 6.Aldrith Quintero (19.Lineth Cedeño 55), 10.Marta Cox, 20.Schiandra Gonzales (16.Whitney De Obaldia 62); 9.Karla Riley (18.Ana Quintero 80).

Unused substitutes: 12.Nadia Ducreux, 13.Izaura Tryhane, 15.Susy Cassinova.

Coach: Ignacio Quintana

Referee: Cecile Hinds.