Under-17s eye response against Saint Martin
Under-17s eye response against Saint Martin
Following a disappointing start to their campaign, the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s Under-17 football team face a must-win situation when they meet Saint Martin in their second Group A match of the CONCACAF Under-17 Qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium this evening.
T&T were edged 1-0 by Barbados in their opening fixture on Tuesday, a result that left them with no margin for error in a group where only the top team advances to the final round of World Cup qualifying.
Head coach Randolph Boyce acknowledged the setback but stressed the importance of keeping the young squad motivated and focused on development.
“We definitely have to keep motivating them,” Boyce said post-match. “We have to pick them up from where they are now. As much as we want and need to win, it’s also about developing them and teaching them the right things in the right way.”
Despite the loss, the statistics offered encouragement. T&T controlled 63.7 per cent possession, registered 14 shots, with five on target, but failed to convert their chances.
“We created a lot of opportunities,” Boyce noted. “Now it’s about fine-tuning and putting away the chances we create.”
The lone goal against Barbados came from what the coach described as a lapse in concentration, as Adam King headed home from close range following a set-piece.
“I thought we defended solidly for most of the game,” Boyce said. “Barbados are a physical team, and it really came down to one moment.”
That physical nature also influenced Boyce’s substitution decisions, including the late introduction of playmaker Finn De Freitas, while substitute J’meke Watkins came closest to equalising with a one-on-one chance that went unfinished.
Saint Martin, meanwhile, enter the match with confidence after a 3-0 win over Sint Maarten, their first-ever victory at this level.
With victory essential to keep qualification hopes alive, Boyce may make adjustments to his starting line-up, but his key message remains clear — possession must now translate into goals.
