Women Warriors seek unbeaten Concacaf World Cup qualifying run

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s senior women’s football team is goal-bound on attaining maximum points from their two remaining Group F Concacaf World Cup qualifying matches.

The Karyn Forbes-captained unit resumes their quest against the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday and conclude the opening qualification round against Guyana on Tuesday.

The TT team touched down in Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos on Thursday and is gearing up for a crucial encounter against the hosts at the TCIFA National Academy.

The Women Warriors won their two opening group matches – 2-1 vs Nicaragua and 2-0 vs Dominica – and are intent on finishing the group stage with a perfect win record.

Currently, TT (six points) are second on the Group F standings with Guyana (six pts) atop the table on goal difference. Nicaragua (three pts) are third while Dominica and Turks and Caicos are fourth and fifth respectively, winless after two matches.

TT are favoured to come up trumps against Turks and Caicos since they were hammered 19-0 by Nicaragua and 7-0 by Guyana in earlier matches.

Head coach Kenwyne Jones is confident the team has what it takes to maintain an unbeaten run.

He said, “I’m expecting them to win the matches. I believe in the talent of the group; I believe in the talent of the individual players.

“I know they are going to give 100 per cent; I know they are going to fight to the end and we just have to make sure that we keep things simple and we play to our strengths and I think we’ll be good going into the games coming forward.”

Looking at the opponents, Jones added, “Of course…squads change, players change, coaches change, the way of playing has changed but at the end of the day we are going to go and execute our game plan in order to attain the three points.”

The primary focus, he said, remains on securing all six points in the coming games. If successful, TT will secure a berth in the Concacaf final phase of 2023 World Cup qualifiers, which takes place in Monterrey, Mexico from July 4-18.

Jones, a TT 2006 FIFA World Cup representative, continued, “First things first; in playing the game of football you either play for three points or one point. We are playing to win games, we do not want to play for goal difference.

“The mindset of our team is to go out and win our games. Whether you win that game by one goal or by 19, at the end of the day, once you have three points and win the game; that is all you need.”

Additionally, Tuesday’s match against Guyana kicks off at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago.

A TT Football Association statement issued on Wednesday said that tickets for the match are $50 (uncovered section) and $100 (covered).

“Patrons do not need to be fully vaccinated to attend. Kids under 12 are free and small coolers will be allowed. No glass bottles will be allowed into the venue.”

Tickets are available at Caribbean Corner Store (Plymouth & Hope), Guys Auto Zone (Plymouth), Urban Lust (Lowlands Mall), Village Bar (Mason Hall), Pablo’s Supermarket (Argyle), Dutch Fort Bar and Restaurant (Scarborough), FFVC Apparel (Plymouth) and Hype Clothing – Port Mall (Scarborough).

TT Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifying Squad:

Kimika Forbes (Unattached), Chelsi Jadoo (Valadares Gaia FC/Portugal), Shani Nakhid-Schuster (Unattached), Rhea Belgrave (Police FC/TT), Shaunalee Govia (Unattached), Shadi Cecily Stoute (University of Georgia/USA), Liana Hinds (Hibernian women/Scotland), Victoria Swift (Club Leon/Mexico), Amaya EllisJohns (Hopkins University/USA), Raenah Campbell (Avantes Chadlkida FC/Greece), Asha James (West Texas A&M University/USA), Chelcy Ralph (Ball State University/USA), Dennecia Prince (Point Fortin/TT), Karyn Forbes (Police FC/TT), Kedie Johnson (Florida International University/USA), Cayla Mc Farlane (Harvard University/USA), Maya Matouk (Police FC/TT), Maria-Frances Serrant (Corban University/USA), Sarah De Gannes (Brewton-Parker College/USA), Lauryn Hutchinson (Unattached), Tenesha Palmer (Police FC/TT), Klil Keshwar (St. Francis College/USA), Alliyah Trim (FC Ginga/TT).