Trinidad and Tobago U14 girls into CFU Challenge Series semis

The TT Under-14 girls team advanced to the semifinals of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Girls Under-14 Challenge Series after getting a 2-1 comeback win over Jamaica at the ABFA Technical Centre in St John’s, Antigua on Thursday night.

TT conceded in the tenth minute of play as Jamara Jones gave the “Reggae Girlz” the early breakthrough. However, the Marlon Charles-coached TT team showed good resilience as they roared back with a strong first-half showing to get their first win of the series. Both TT and Jamaica managed one in their four Group A matches, with TT having a better goal difference.

TT got their equaliser from the penalty mark in the 17th minute, as Mia Lee Chong slotted past Jamaica goalkeeper Amiya Grant after Shakilla Hamilton was fouled in the area.

Hamilton then turned goalscorer in the 23rd minute, as she punished an error by the Jamaican back line to give TT a 2-1 lead heading into the halftime interval.

TT goalkeeper Amara Bhagan made a smart save in the 37th minute to stop a close-range effort by Rojauna Mills as TT withstood the pressure from their Jamaican counterparts and held on for the crucial win.

After three straight losses in the series to Jamaica and Puerto Rico (twice), the TT girls have finally found their footing, registering their first goals of the tournament and getting their maiden victory in the process. TT will contest the unbeaten Aruba in the semis on Saturday, with Puerto Rico playing the Cayman Islands in the other semi.

Both Aruba and Puerto Rico won all four of their group matches. The final of the series will be played on Sunday.