T&T's girls' team will be heavy underdogs when they come up against Brazil in the first of two 2019 Pan American Youth Water Polo Championships quarterfinals on Wednesday from 9 am at the National Aquatic Centre, in Balmain, Couva.
This after the Breann Jordon-captained side suffered a fifth straight loss from as many matches in round-robin play Tuesday, 6-19 against Argentina, to end the bottom of the six-team pool.
Tahirah Beepat scored a hattrick for T&T, who trailed 2-7 and 2-12 at the end of the first two quarters, while Victoria Gillette and Jordon chipped in with one each as the hosts enjoyed a better second half, scoring four goals, two each in the third and fourth periods, to the visitors' seven.
When T&T came up against the third-placed Brazil girls on the opening day of competition last Friday, the South Americans strolled to a 32-6 triumph.
Wednesday's second quarterfinal will feature Argentina and Peru from 10.20 am, with the Argentines fancied to advance after a 14-6 round-robin win over the same opponents.
In Tuesday's other final round girls' matches, USA made it five wins from as many outings with a 13-2 win over neighbours Canada while Brazil overcame Peru 16-5 to finish on five points and ahead of Argentina on goal difference.
The winner of the T&T/Brazil quarterfinal will come up against round-robin runners-up Canada in Thursday's semifinals from 10.20 am, while the Argentina/Peru victor will play table-toppers USA in the other from 11.40 am.
The two quarterfinal losers will battle for the fifth spot as well on Thursday from 9 am, while the bronze medal and gold medal matches are carded for Friday from 9 am.
The ten-day competition, which is being hosted by the Swimming Union of the Americans, is a qualifier for the Americas region to next year's FINA World Youth Championships.
Results:
(Girls' Div)
USA 13 v Canada 2
Brazil 16 v Peru 5
Argentina 19 v T&T 6
Final standings:
Teams*P*W*D*L*F*A*Pts
USA*5*5*0*0*114*19*10
Canada*5*4*0*1*82*32*8
Brazil*5*2*1*2*69*54*5
Argentina*5*2*1*2*55*67*5
Peru*5*1*0*4*31*85*2
T&T*5*0*0*5*22*116*0
Wednesday matches:
Quarterfinals:
Brazil v T&T, 9 am
Argentina v Peru, 10.20 am