U-17S INTO THE KNOCKOUT PHASE
U-17S INTO THE KNOCKOUT PHASE
A draw was needed and that’s exactly what was achieved as Lindell Sween’s 82nd minute equalizer held off a stubborn Barbados as Trinidad and Tobago’s U-17 Men’s team secured a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Pensativo on Wednesday. The result pushed T&T through to the knockout phase where they will meet the Group H second placed team on Sunday.
Either team could break down each other’s defence until late in the first half when Shamari Harewood’s effort bounced past goalkeeper Ailan Panton to push the “Bajans” ahead.
ForDominic Wilson, Lyshaun Morris and Lindell Sween all had attempts on goal but could not find the target. But Sween had the final say with a low left footed effort into the far right post with eight minutes left in regulation.
COOPER : WAS NEVER GOING TO BE EASY
“I said from the start Barbados is no walk over. They have some quality players within their squad and they were a stubborn bunch. The difference in this match was who wanted it more with all the cards on the table. They (Barbados) were purposeful in their play and had the belief of going to the second rounds. We on the other hand was trying to put on a full 90-minute performance to have the perfect game. But we struggled to settle down not for the first time and went a goal behind by some poor decision making and defensive organisation.
Changes to the Approach
“We had to make some decisions in the starting team with a slight injury to Derrel Garcia coming from the goal he scored against the US. He struck the ball so hard that he injuried his right ankle, so I decided not to use him. But fate had it we had to throw on our offensive threat off the bench to bring a change to the game. Our conditioning program has been second to noneso we were relentless in the second half to get the equalizer.
It wasn’t Pretty but…
“It wasn’t pretty and we know we can play much better football than we are doing at this time. But the boys are learning on the job and their efforts cannot be questioned. They are giving there all for the country at the moment. But we must be better going forward in the future. We have several players on the day who can deliver goals. Today was Sween and day before was Garcia. It was a team effort and a member doing his part when asked to do so. Before the goal he had his personal struggles in the field, but his talent came to the party at the end,” Cooper said.
“Now we will recover over the next couple days and prepare for our next opponent. Again, we are one step towards achieving our mission. It will certainly be a challenge but it’s one we are looking forward to,” Cooper concluded.
