GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC-Trinidad and Tobago’s dream of becoming the first team to represent the Caribbean at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup came to a bitter end in the Cayman Islands on Sunday.
The Trinidadians allowed a three-one advantage against Costa Rica to slip as the Central Americans romped to a 7-3 victory in extra time at Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
The four extra time goals against a tired Trinidad outfit spurred Costa Rica to come-from-behind in the third place play-off.
The T&T Soca Princesses led 3-1 at the half and seemed on course towards creating history after two first half goals from captain Anique Walker.
Midfielder Daphne Herera took advantage of Jonelle Warrick’s weak clearance to pull Costa Rica back in the match at 2-1 in the 34th minute.
After a period of Costa Rica domination, the tide shifted again when T&T midfielder Khadisha Debesette beat Mareiela Vasquez in the 42nd minute to make it 3-1 with a dipping volley from outside the penalty area.
Without taking too many risks, Costa Rica patiently capitalised against a tired looking T&T, who ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes of regulation time.
The Caribbean team was just five minutes away from qualifying for a FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
However Costa Rican substitute, Michelle Montero, capitalised on a defensive slip and put a low shot past T&T keeper Keri Myers in the 85th minute to end the regulation period in a 3-3 draw.
Substitutes Nicole Araya (94th, 96th) scored twice, Katheryn Arroyo (115th minute) got another and Mariana Benavidez (120th minute) struck a long-range free-kick, all in extra-time, as Costa Rica rallied to beat a dead tired Trinidad and Tobago team.
Costa Rica joined finalists, USA and Mexico as the teams to represent CONCACAF in August’s 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
