T&T Women Soca Warriors suffered a second straight shut-out loss, 4-0 to Concacaf rivals Canada at the Natal International Women’s Tournament at the Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil on Sunday night.
The result pushed Canada through to the final leaving T&T, which was hammered 11-0 by host Brazil in its opener to settle for a playoff against Mexico who were beaten 6-0 by hosts Brazil.
T&T and Mexico will first meet in their final round robin match tomorrow, after which both teams will also meet on Sunday for a third place playoff.
The Women Soca Warriors headed into the match led by captain Arin King who also wore the armband in the 6-0 defeat to the USA last Thursday in San Antonio, Texas and coach Anthony Creece was able to inject some more experience into his starting team with the likes of Mariah Shade, Janine Francois, Khadidra Debesette, Ahkeela Mollon, Karyn Forbes all being drafted into the team after arriving from the USA on Friday.
Just as they did against the Americans, T&T was able to keep their opponents to one goal in the first-half with Diana Matheson’s tenth minute goal being the only item separating the teams.
But a minute into the second half, Rebecca Quinn doubled the advantage while Nichelle Prince added a third in the 81st minute before veteran Christine St Clair, the team captain scored her 186th international goal in the 85th minute to complete the scoring against a tiring T&T outfit.
Assistant coach Anthony Creece who is in charge of the team due to coach Waldrum and assistant coach, Ben Waldrum, his son being unable to travel described Canada as a disciplined unit, adding that he was not unhappy with T&T’s effort on the evening.
“Today (Sunday) we lost to a very disciplined, well coached Canadian team,” Creece said.
“Our ladies played well in spite of some tired legs and few injuries. We came out determined to continue to take it to Canada but again gave up a soft goal just one minute into the half. The last two goals came near the end when our legs just gave out on us. But we were able to control some spells in the game and I am happy with the performance given the circumstances,” Creece added.
TT squad
T&T women’s line-up: Tenesha Palmer (GK); Jenelle Cunningham, Arin King (captain), Anastasia Prescott, Afiya Matthias, Janine Francois, Karyn Forbes, Ahkeela Mollon, Maylee Attin-Johnson, Khadidra Debesette; Mariah Shade.
Subs: Annalis Cummings, Sharain Cummings, Joy Daniel, Renelle Findley, Shenelle Henry, Tamara Johnson, Jo-Marie Lewis, Melissa Woo Ling, Patrice Superville, Victoria Swift.
Coach: Anthony Creece.