QUITO – Trinidad and Tobago women kept their hopes alive of reaching next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup when they frustrated hosts Ecuador in a goalless draw, in the first leg of the playoff tie Saturday night.
Neither team could find a way through over 90 minutes at the Atahualpa Stadium, leaving both sides with all to play for in the second leg in Port of Spain on December 2.
Head coach Randy Waldrum said he was pleased with his side’s efforts.
“They were all just warriors out there today. We came into this game wanting a positive result, to stay in the game as long as we could and we did everything for that to happen today. I’m extremely pleased with the way we kept it together out there,” Waldrum said.
“There were times in the game where they tried to break us down but we kept it strong and considering the conditions of this match, I have to really applaud the players for this great effort today.”
Trinidad and Tobago started the game strongly, dominating possession and using their pace to get beyond the Ecuadorian defenders. Despite this, they failed to get on the scoresheet as the hosts dropped deep and got bodies behind the ball.
Nil-all at half-time, both teams continued their battle afterward with the hosts having the better of the exchanges.
Andrea Pesantes fired wide in the 49th minute and Erika Vásquez, a 56th minute substitute, twice nearly punished Trinidad and Tobago after breaking down their back line.
With Trinidad and Tobago forced to defend, Pesantes fired over the crossbar in the 73rd minute and the pace picked up as the game neared an end, as Trinidad and Tobago fought back gallantly.
Waldrum said with Trinidad and Tobago head back home for the second leg, the support of the home crowd would be crucial.
“We’ve got to now ensure that the focus remains and I’m sure it will because these girls are keeping their eyes firmly on the prize which is qualification for Canada,” he pointed out.
“But we’ll also ensure that we do things right because playing at home now is different to what we’ve had in the recent part.
“I hope the supporters come out and back this team right down to the end. It’s a great opportunity now for the folks back in Trinidad to really show their love and support for this team.” (CMC)