In its first clash with a South American team since qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Under 17 World Championship, Trinidad and Tobago’s junior “Soca Warriors” suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Peru in the first of two warm ups at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Thursday.
A 45 minute goal by Christian La Torre was all that separated the teams as head coach Anton Corneal used a couple new faces, welcomed back Daniel Joseph into his attack and played without injured midfielder Chad De Freitas.
The early parts of the game showed no signs that T&T were far off their opponents as the two teams held the ball together in spurts, somewhat adopting a sparring approach without finding space to cause much hurt.
It was not until the 19th minute that T&T had its first try on goal, Stephen Knox being the player in the centre of the penalty box, trying for better positioning before dragging his shot wide of the left post.
And it took only four minutes after that before T&T goalie Glenroy Samuel had to make his first stop to a 25-yard floating attempt by Luis Trujillo.
Midfielder Leston Paul skippered the team and he marshaled his troops in the middle of the field as T&T matched the visitors in that area.
But it was obvious that T&T were still much into its strength program as the players appeared jaded at points of the match.
As the half hour approached, Paul’s spotted space and had enough time as he sent one goalwards which dipped just as it went over bar from 20 yards out.
But it would be the Peruvians who measured the space between the sticks better on the evening and they did it just before the dressing room period. It came after some sustained pressure around the T&T goal. A ball played in from the right bubbled off a T&T player before La Torre timed his left foot volley well, sending the ball to the left of Samuel from close range for a one nil lead.
T&T made changes in the second half with Sean De Silva, Daniel Cyrus and Kevin Molino all entering on 66 minutes and then new face Cory Cyrus and recalled Franz Husbands appearing seven minutes later.
The Peruvians held onto their lead though even as T&T maintained a good approach from the middle of the park, leaving all bets open for Saturday’s return at the Marvin Lee Stadium from 4pm.
Peru are in Trinidad for the two matches as they prepare for Group A action in the World Championship with hosts Korea, Togo and Costa Rica. T&T meantime are getting set for Germany, Ghana and Colombia.
Trinidad & Tobago: - Glenroy Samuel, Aubrey David (Corey Cyrus 73rd), Sheldon Bateau, Akeem Adams, Leston Paul (capt) (Sean De Silva 66th), Robert Primus, Jean Luc Rochford (Ryan O’Neal), Chike Sullivan (Kevin Molino 66th), Micah Lewis (Marcus Joseph 80th), Stephen Knox (Franz Husbands 73rd) Daniel Joseph (Daneil Cyrus 66th).
Peru: - Eder Hermoza, Juan Arce, Jairo Hernandez, Jrven Avila, Carlos Bazalar, Ernesto Salazar, Daniel Sanchez, Nestor Duarte (capt), Jersi Socola, Luis Trujillo, Christian La Torre.