Natalia Garcia

FLASHBACK: Honduras’ Natalia Garcia, left, tries to halt T&T’s Orielle Martin’s progress during their clash in a CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers match, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, in Couva, in January.

While realistically not expected to defeat six-time champions United States, a solid showing with tactical execution could boost Trinidad and Tobago’s chances of qualifying for their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

The “Soca Princesses” open their CONCACAF final-round campaign against the defending champions, who have dominated the competition, winning this federation’s U-17 Women’s Championship in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2024.

T&T will host Group C—which includes the USA, Honduras, and El Salvador.

With the Americans expected to top the group, the battle for qualification will likely depend on which team performs best against the tournament favourites.

T&T face the USA today from 7 p.m. at the Ato Boldon Stadium, followed by clashes against El Salvador on Wednesday and Honduras on Saturday, both also set to kick off at 7 p.m.

The final round of CONCACAF qualifiers feature 12 teams: Canada, Haiti, Mexico, USA, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The tournament is being played across Mexico, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, with three groups comprising four teams each.

With the U-17 Women’s World Cup expanding this year, CONCACAF has been granted an additional qualification spot, increasing the confederation’s berths from three to four.

T&T’s best chance of qualification lies in finishing among the top two in Group C.

At the end of the tournament, the three group winners, along with the best second-placed teams, will secure a spot at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

T&T SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Zaira Aimey, Kenisha Taylor, Alexia Dolland; MIDFIELDERS: Cherina Steele, Mia Lee Chong, Zyesha Potts, Ty’Kayai Dennis, Rori Gittens, Madison Campbell, Diem Sealy; DEFENDERS: Kaitlyn Darwent Kanika Rodriguez, Hackeemar Goodridge, Mikaela Yearwood, Jessica Nesbitt, Cherine Steele, Taya Williams; FORWARDS: Orielle Martin, Sanni Wilson, Giuliana Meyer, Rasheda Archer RESERVES: Jayda Herbert, Alyssa Singh, Daniella Paul

HEAD COACH: Ayanna Russell.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Venue:- Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva (Admission:$40)

(Today)

4 p.m. EL Salvador vs Honduras

7 p.m. T&T vs USA

CONCACAF WOMEN’S U-17 QUALIFIERS (FINAL ROUND GROUPS)

Group A (Mexico) Group B (Panama) Group C (T&T)

Mexico Canada USA

Haiti Puerto Rico El Salvador

Costa Rica Panama Honduras

Bermuda Nicaragua T&T

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