“SOCA PRINCESSES” narrowly missed out on a spot in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Finals with a 1-0 loss to the Dominican Republic at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal on Saturday.
This victory, courtesy of a 51st minute Betzaida Ubri goal, sent the hosts through to the finals in an exciting finale to an entertaining group.
Despite thumping Bermuda 5-1 on Tuesday and a 14-1 thrashing of Dominca on Thursday, the “Soca Princesses” ended their tournament in second place with six points after this defeat. Their skipper, Kenyna Cordner, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with ten goals, nine of which were exquisitely scored in the Dominica mauling. The Dominican Republic topped Group B with a maximum, yet disciplined, nine points from three games, with no goals conceded. Ubri also scored on Thursday to give the hosts a 1-0 win over Bermuda.
In the earlier Group B game, Bermuda capitalised on a Cheyra Bell double en route to a 5-0 victory over Dominica.
Haiti and Cuba both finished on seven points in Group A with Haiti winning the group due to goal difference. Both teams will now be joined by the Dominican Republic, as the three Caribbean representatives, that will encounter the three North American qualifiers — host Canada, the United States and Mexico. They will also face two Central American teams in the CONCACAF Qualifying Finals that will run from January 19th-21st.
Teams -
TT: Kimika Forbes, Tiana Bateau, Rhea Belgrave, Arin King, Anastacia Prescott, Karyn Forbes (Yellow Card, 40th min), Janine Francois, Patrice Campbell (Jo-Marie Lewis, 65th min), Khadidra Debesette, Kennya Cordner, Candance Edwards.
Coach: Richard Hood.
Dominican Republic: Heidy Salazar, Lissy Sanchez (Yellow Card, 30th min), Sencion Lopez, Denny Vargas, Oliva Cuevas, Leonela Mojica, Ana Frias (Loida de Jesus, 88th min), Yaqueisi Nunez, Johanna Santelis (Yellow Card, 20th and 61st min; Red Card, 61st min) Betzaida Ubri (Diana Santana, 40th min), Giselle Polanco.