Shabazz excited by CFU Challenge Series test as W/Warriors square off against Suriname

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team start their final dress rehearsal for the France 2019 World Cup qualifying series from 6:30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 25) when they face Suriname in the first of three CFU Challenge Series fixtures at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

The match is the second game of a double-header which kicks off at 4pm with Guyana versus Grenada.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain and attacker Tasha St Louis (left) curls a free kick towards goal during international friendly action against Venezuela at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 29 March 2017.
Venezuela won 3-1.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The Women Soca Warriors will also be in action on 27 and 29 April.

Head coach Jamaal Shabazz described the schedule as perfect preparation for next month’s Caribbean qualifying leg for the France World Cup.

“We are excited for the tournament because it gives us the ideal dress rehearsal for our World Cup qualifiers in May,” said Shabazz. “[…] We are trying to do a little more work on how we get behind the defence. I’m pretty comfortable in how we operate in terms of winning the ball back and being compact.

“But now the transition to penetrate [and] to get behind the defence is causing some concern and this is what we’re working on to hopefully get it right tomorrow.”

The team will be led by veteran attacker Tasha St Louis and also includes Ayanna Russell, Liana Hinds, Karyn Forbes, Patrice Superville and Mariah Shade, who all featured prominently in Trinidad and Tobago’s last World Cup qualifying series—when the Women Warriors came within one result of the Canada 2015 World Cup.

Teenaged flanker Kedie Johnson is one of five National Under-20 players who are also included in the squad along with Shaunalee Govia, Shenieka Paul, Laurelle Theodore and Aaliyah Prince.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Laurelle Theodore (left) pressures Canada right-back Emma Regan during CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship action at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on 20 January 2018.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

(Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Team)

Goalkeepers: Saundra Baron, Nicolette Craig;

Defenders: Ayana Russell, Anastasia Prescott, Jenelle Cunningham, Jonelle Cato, Liana Hinds, Shaunalee Govia, Kedie Johnson;

Midfielders: Tasha St Louis, Karyn Forbes, Janine Francois, Naomie Guerra, Shanelle Arjoon, Patrice Superville, Shenieka Paul;


Forwards: Mariah Shade, Laurelle Theodore, Aaliyah Prince, Natasha St Louis.

Head coach: Jamaal Shabazz

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