Tobagonian, Tsaianne Leander scored a goal in each half as T&T Under-20 Women Soca Warriors kicked off their Fifa Under-20 World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable 2-0 blanking of host St Vincent and The Grenadines at Victoria Park, Kingstown, St Vincent and The Grenadines on Sunday night.
Going into the opening Group Four match, in the three-team series which also includes Dominica, T&T coach Jason Spence said he wanted to pounce on his opponents early and Leader did just that by firing the young Women Soca Warriors in the 19th minute after which the visitors were denied on numerous occasions by some outstanding goalkeeping.
Despite their dominant play, T&T only had a 1-0 lead to show at the half, but in the second period Leander doubled the advantage on the hour to seal the easy win.Commenting on the team's performance coach Spence while not pleased with his team's wastefulness in front of goal was happy for the victory.
He said, "I must congratulate the girls on a job well done and picking up the all important three points. We went out there with a game plan and they stuck to their task, played very organised and disciplined football."We wanted to score more goals, but credit to their goalkeeper on the night, she was outstanding and was no doubt the difference between us getting a larger margin of victory.
Looking ahead to today's encounter against Dominica at the same venue from 5pm, Spence said his team will be going all out for another victory to seal top spot in the group and not wait on the outcome of the final match between the host and Dominica on Thursday."We know that a win against Dominica will secure top spot in the group and we will be approaching the match with the same positive mindset.
"The only edge they have on us is that they were able to see us in action against St Vincent and The Grenadines, while we don't know what to expect from them, but we are a confident group and we are not fearful of any opponent," ended Spence.Over at the Mindoo Phillip Stadium, Castries, St Lucia, Jamaica outplayed Grenada 5-0 in Group Two while in Group Three, Bermuda hammered St Kitts/Nevis 7-0 at the Estadio Panamericano San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic.
Today, in other matches, Jamaica faces St Lucia in Group Two and Dominican Republic tackles St Kitts/Nevis in Group Three, both from 5 pm.
T&T Women's U-20 squad:
Rebecca Ann Almandoz, Celeste Thomas, Shaunalee Govia, Naomie Guerra, Zoe Swift, Renee Mike, Chelcy Ralph, Chelsea Federick, Chevonne John, Maya Matouk, Eden Charles, Corel Carmichael, Sawsha Woznuk, Amaya Ellis, Tsaianne Leander, Raenah Campbell, Ranae Ward, Kelsey Henry, Nicolette Craig.
Technical staff: Jason Spence (coach), Desire Ann Sarjeant (assistant coach), Lecia Fraser Baptiste (equipment manager), Ashlee Alonzo (strength and conditioning athletic performance coach), Phillip Ian Dore (physiotherapist), Jamiyla Muhammad (manager).