分类： sports

The Trinidad and Tobago women’s national football team delivered a commanding performance in their Concacaf W Qualifier debut, securing an impressive 5-0 victory against Barbados at Kensington Oval on December 1. The match marked a spectacular beginning to their campaign in Group F, which also includes El Salvador and Honduras.

Despite initial challenges adapting to the cricket pitch’s unusual bounce, the visiting team established early dominance. Captain Kennya “YaYa” Cordner broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a clinical finish from close range after goalkeeper Lisa Harding parried a powerful header from defender Kedie Johnson.

The first half saw several near-misses for Trinidad and Tobago, including Alexcia Ali’s disallowed goal for offside and Nikita Gosine’s free kick striking the crossbar. Barbados’ best opportunity came from Rianna Cyrus, whose weak shot failed to trouble TT goalkeeper Simone Eligon.

Strategic positional adjustments at halftime proved instrumental in TT’s second-half explosion. Johnson, shifted to left back, unleashed a spectacular 30-yard left-footed strike in the 77th minute that dipped dramatically beyond Harding’s reach. This breakthrough ignited a scoring frenzy in the final stages.

Substitute Ariana Borneo made an immediate impact after her 67th-minute introduction, adding a third goal with a exquisite left-footed curler from outside the box in the 82nd minute. The offensive barrage continued as Aaliyah Prince showcased exceptional dribbling skills before slotting home a precise finish just moments later.

The comprehensive victory was capped in stoppage time when Lorall Romain drilled a fifth goal through a crowded penalty area following an indirect free kick awarded for a goalkeeper infringement.

The win provides ideal momentum for Trinidad and Tobago, who now await their next qualifier against Honduras on March 3, followed by a home fixture against El Salvador on April 16. The tournament structure sees only group winners advancing to the 2025 Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the qualifying pathway to both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Five Rivers Secondary School delivered a breathtaking display of offensive dominance on December 1, securing their place in the National Coca-Cola Intercol girls’ semifinal with a devastating 9-0 victory over Holy Faith Convent Couva at Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva.

The match transformed into a personal showcase for striker Hackeemar Goodridge, who netted an impressive four goals in what became a one-sided championship division encounter. Goodridge’s remarkable performance was complemented by Ahmeeda Bowman and Jayda Herbert, each contributing two goals, while Shaquilla Daniel sealed the commanding win with a solitary strike.

Five Rivers established control from the opening whistle, creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the first half. Goodridge initiated the scoring spree in the seventh minute after capitalizing on a defensive miscue from Holy Faith Convent. Bowman extended the lead to 2-0 in the 27th minute with a skillful individual effort, evading defender Azariah Huggins before calmly finishing past goalkeeper Jael Moore.

The eastern zone champions demonstrated relentless pressure, with Goodridge securing her second goal just three minutes later after finding herself unmarked in the penalty area. Herbert joined the scoring parade moments afterward, taking advantage of another defensive error to push the advantage to 4-0 before halftime.

Five Rivers maintained their aggressive approach after the interval, with Goodridge completing her hat-trick in the 47th minute assisted by Herbert. The prolific striker added her fourth goal just five minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Despite the overwhelming lead, Five Rivers continued their offensive onslaught. Daniel converted her opportunity in the second half, followed by Herbert’s second goal in the 68th minute from a rebound situation. Bowman concluded the spectacular performance with a magnificent individual effort in the 81st minute, weaving through Holy Faith’s defense before firing past Moore to complete the historic victory.

Holy Faith Convent struggled throughout the match, managing few meaningful attacks and demonstrating defensive vulnerabilities that Five Rivers exploited mercilessly. The victory sends Five Rivers into the national semifinals with tremendous momentum and a statement-making performance.

Naparima College secured their second Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship of the 2025 season with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Presentation College San Fernando in the Coca-Cola South Zone Intercol final. The decisive match unfolded at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium on December 1, showcasing Naparima’s formidable offensive capabilities against their city rivals.

The match’s narrative transformed dramatically in the second half when striker Riquelme Phillips delivered a spectacular hat-trick performance. Substitute Xarion France compounded Presentation’s distress with a clinical fourth goal during extra time, sealing Naparima’s commanding victory. This triumph propels Naparima into the National Intercol quarter-finals, positioning them for a potential triple crown of SSFL titles this season.

Presentation College initially demonstrated promising momentum during the opening minutes, earning a penalty opportunity in the fourth minute after Naparima defender Sebastian James fouled striker Isaiah Jacob in the box. However, Naparima goalkeeper Mikhail Clement anticipated perfectly, diving left to deny Jacob’s spot kick in what became a pivotal turning point.

The Lions maintained territorial dominance throughout the first fifteen minutes but gradually yielded control as Naparima established midfield superiority. Despite several scoring chances from Jacob, Presentation consistently lacked the finishing precision required to convert opportunities into goals.

The match evolved into a midfield stalemate during the latter first half, with Naparima’s Jabari Rodriguez, Jayden Caprietta, and Jacob O’Reilly applying sustained pressure on Presentation’s defensive lines. Both teams remained scoreless at halftime despite numerous attempts.

Naparima emerged from the break with renewed offensive intensity. The breakthrough arrived in the 63rd minute when defender Camron Bovell’s long aerial pass triggered defensive miscommunication between Presentation’s goalkeeper Marcelo Phillip and his defender. Phillips capitalized on the collision, expertly lofting a shot into the far post beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Thirteen minutes later, O’Reilly executed a strategic steal in Presentation’s territory, delivering a perfectly weighted pass to Phillips who finished clinically against the outrushing goalkeeper. Phillips completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute through coordinated play with Caprietta, expertly shifting to his left foot before firing into the top right corner.

The final blow came during added time when substitutes Arron Raymond and France combined effectively, with France delivering a powerful right-footed finish that eliminated any remaining hope for Presentation. The victory reinforces Naparima’s status as premier contenders while Presentation must regroup for subsequent seasons.

Trinidad and Tobago’s four-man bobsleigh team has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by securing their first extended podium placement at the North America Cup in Whistler, Canada. The event, held from November 23-24, witnessed the Caribbean nation’s squad delivering impressive performances against international competition.

The team, comprising pilot Axel Brown alongside athletes Xaverri Williams, Shakeel John, and De Aundre John, demonstrated remarkable consistency across two days of intense competition. On the opening day, the quartet clocked a combined time of 1:46.49 (53.60s and 52.89s across two heats), earning them fifth position among fourteen competing nations. Canada claimed victory with 1:45.80, followed by Israel (1:46.02) and Jamaica (1:46.05).

Day two brought further improvement as the Trinidadian squad advanced to fourth place with an enhanced cumulative time of 1:46.41 (53.36s and 53.05s). Jamaica dominated this round with 1:45.88, while Canada secured both second and third positions.

Their dual performances positioned the team within the prestigious extended podium classification (fourth through sixth places), recognized by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation as podium-level achievements for official rankings and athlete profiles.

The accomplishment becomes particularly significant given substantial pre-race challenges. Team pilot Brown revealed that delayed sled shipments cost the team an entire week of crucial training preparation. ‘We had to really put the hammer down,’ Brown noted, ‘resulting in heavy fatigue across the entire team by the competition’s conclusion.’

These results carry vital importance for Winter Olympic qualification, with each race contributing points toward global ranking tables. Brown cautiously optimistic about early qualification standings emphasized that ‘it’s still very early’ in the process.

The team now looks ahead to competitions in Park City, Utah—a venue Brown describes as their ‘favorite track’ and site of their historic first podium achievement in 2024. With four upcoming races scheduled, the squad aims to match or surpass previous performances at this successful location.

Completing the team roster are spare athlete Micah Moore and coach Lee Johnston, who continue to support the nation’s growing presence in international winter sports.

A revitalized Trinidad and Tobago senior women’s football squad embarks on their CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers campaign with unwavering confidence, targeting a victorious start against Barbados this Sunday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Damian Briggs, the 23-member contingent arrives in Barbados on November 29 for final preparations. The team represents a strategic fusion of seasoned international veterans and promising new talent, all united in their quest for a positive result. Veteran striker Kennya ‘Yaya’ Cordner captains the squad, which features experienced players like midfielders Asha James (Defence Force) and Marie-Frances Serrant (Neom FC, Saudi Arabia), alongside newcomers poised for their international debut.

Coach Briggs, who assumed leadership just two months ago, expressed strong belief in his team’s capabilities following an intensive pre-tournament camp. ‘Everyone’s buzzing with the belief that we can secure three points, or at minimum one. We’re confident that if we perform to our full potential, we’ll achieve a positive outcome,’ Briggs stated during final preparations at the TTFA technical centre in Couva.

The squad composition reflects a deliberate recruitment strategy combining local TT Pro League standouts and overseas-based talents. Notable inclusions feature goalkeeper Akyla Walcott (Wheeling University), defender Cicely Spencer Wickham (Niagara University), and forward Gabrielle Williams (Sutton), among other international prospects identified through TTFA’s expanded scouting network.

Briggs emphasized the importance of this recruitment approach: ‘To compete with the best teams, we must be hand-in-hand with recruitment efforts.’ He specifically credited TTFA’s director of women’s football Jinelle James and overseas contributors for their role in talent identification.

While the team suffered a 4-1 friendly defeat to Jamaica in October during Briggs’ early tenure, the coach reframed this result as a valuable assessment tool rather than a setback. The match provided crucial insights into necessary tactical adjustments and team development areas. According to Briggs, the subsequent month has seen significant progression in both team chemistry and tactical understanding.

The upcoming match against Barbados marks the first of three Group B qualifiers, with subsequent away fixtures against Honduras (March 4) and a home match against El Salvador (April 17). The group winner will advance to the CONCACAF W Championship, serving as the gateway to qualification for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.