Women lose Gold Cup qualifier to Mexico
Women lose Gold Cup qualifier to Mexico
Six goals in the first half propelled Mexico to a commanding 6-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago in Group A of League A of the Road to W Gold Cup on Tuesday night at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico.
T&T gave a better second half showing with Asha James managing an attempt on goal while the T&T defense held firm to avoid conceding further.
With the win, Mexico now sit in first place in the group with six points through two matches, while Trinidad and Tobago remain on zero points after one game.
Mexico wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as Maria Sanchez scored for the second game in a row by stabbing home a cross from Scarlett Camberos before the three-minute mark for a 1-0 lead.
Greta Espinoza quickly doubled the advantage to 2-0 in the 10’ when Trinidad and Tobago GK Kimika Forbes spilled a long-range shot, allowing Espinoza to stroke home the rebound.
Mexico then made it 3-0 in the 19’ with a sparkling goal in transition that saw Alicia Cervantes polish off the counterattack with a right-footed laser into net.
A long-distance effort from Alexia Delgado that rolled off the fingertips of Forbes and into goal extended it to 4-0 in the 25’, followed by Charlyn Corral turning in a blocked shot in the 39’ for a 5-0 lead.
Corral was instrumental again in the 42’, sending in a cross that allowed that was tapped home by Cervantes to stretch it to 6-0.
With the six-goal advantage, Mexico could play to their liking and patiently wait to carve out any further scoring chances, however the Trinidad and Tobago defense held firm in the second 45, leading to the 6-0 final.
T&T next host Mexico at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on October 27th before meeting Puerto Rico (away) on December 1st and in Port of Spain on December 5th.
Post Game Comments
Richard Hood – Head Coach
This was absolutely a tough assignment tonight. I think that as a team we would have learnt a lot from the game, the players and staff alike. It was literally a baptism of fire for some of the girls who were playing at this level for the first time. As for us as a staff, we were able to identify some those players that demonstrated the type of fortitude that we are looking for. That discipline and fighting spirit. The girls were nervous and that’s understandable.
“Clearly we were a step behind the Mexicans so we have to improve our fitness levels as well as several aspects of our tactical setup. We had our plans for the game but we obviously failed to execute those plans effectively. We struggled to adapt to the atmospheric conditions. On the positive side, I think that we ended the game well, keeping the opponent scoreless in the second half. This ought to give the group some confidence going forward. We always knew that this was going to be the most difficult game and that qualification would be dependent on the games versus Puerto Rico. We simply have to beat them and we will prepare accordingly and get the players back into the right frame of mind for those encounters. Our next match is at home to Mexico and we have to also regroup and give it another shot.”
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Kimika Forbes (GK); 6.Chrissy Mitchell (19.Noamie Guerra 62), 8.Victoria Swift, 14.Karyn Forbes (captain), 20.Kedie Johnson; 17.Sarah De Gannes, 19.Christa Waterman; 11.Raenah Campbell (7.Alexcia Ali 62), 10.Asha James, 12.Marie-Frances Serrant; 15.Tsaianne Leander (13.Talia Martin 87).
Unused substitutes: 21.Simone Eligon (GK), 2.Crystal Molineaux, 3.Tamara Johnson, 4.Chelcy Ralph, 5.Renee Mike, 9.Jolie Sr Louis, 16.Brittney Williams, 23.Taliah Simon.
Head Coach: Richard Hood
Mexico (4-1-2-3): 21.Esthefanny Barreras (GK); 2.Kenti Robles (captain) (23.Araceli Torres 56), 4.Greta Espinoza, 16.Karla Nieto, 20.Nicolette Hernandez; 15.Kimberly Rodriguez (14.Karina Rodriguez 46); 6.Alexia Delgado, 7.Maria Sanchez (22.Mayra Pelayo 68); 11.Scarlett Camberos, 9.Alicia Cervantes (19.Maricarmen Reyes 56), 10.Charlyn Corral (17.Natalia Mauleon 78).
Unused substitutes: 1.Itzel Gonzalez (GK), 12.Alejandria Godinez (GK), 3.Crisrina Ferral, 5.Anika Rodriguez, 8.Carolina Jaramillo, 13.Joseline Montoya, 18.Reyna Reyes,
Head Coach: Pedro Lopez
Referee: Natalie Simon (USA)
