History was made in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago as the Soca Princesses defeated rivals Jamaica to claim the inaugural CFU's Women's Caribbean Cup with a 1-0 victory.
It was a carnival like atmosphere in the Hasely Crawford Stadium as hundreds of supporters came out to witness history. Both teams started off the match with a high tempo as Jamaica threatened their opponents goal almost immediately.
Tournament MVP Mariah Shade who scored in the 8th minute, who would be the difference between the two teams. The host nation throughout the first half would keep a high tempo as this seem to be too much for the Jamaican team.
But the Reggae Girls were no pushovers during the match as they also provided a stern test, as they kept Trinidad's defense occupied as they attacked relentlessly looking for an equalizer. In the second half Jamaica continued to ask questions of the Trinidad's defense but defender Arin King and her team, who were yet to concede a goal during the tournament were simply too organized.
Jamaica came close to finding an equalizer in the 90th minute, when a dangerous cross was sent into Donna-Kay Henry but her shot was put wide of the mark. Soon after the final whistle blew and Trinidad & Tobago were crowned Champions of the Inaugural Women's Caribbean Cup 2014.
Earlier in the 3rd place match Haiti overcame Martinique with a 5-1 victory. Haiti opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Wilsin Dolce added the second goal of the half in the 45th.
Martinique replied with goal from Kelly Brena in the 64th minute. Haiti's Manoucheka Pierre-Louis added a third goal in the 70th and Kensie BOBO finished the scoring in the 72th minute.
Next up, T&T will focus on the CONCACAF Final Qualifying Round in the United States from October 15th-26th.
The tournament features eight countries divided into two groups of four with the top two finishers in each group after round-robin play moving on to the semifinals.
The two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will qualify directly for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. The fourth-place team will enter a playoff with a South American country for a final berth.
Teams
Trinidad and Tobago: 1.Kimika Forbes; 15.Patrice Superville (17.Taylor Mims 80th), 4.Rhea Belgrave, 5.Arin King, 12.Lauryn Hutchinson; 9.Maylee Attin-Johnson (capt), 14.Karyn Forbes; 11.Janine Francois (7.Dernelle Mascall 69th); 3.Mariah Shade (13.Shenelle Henry 74th), 10.Tasha St Louis, 19.Kennya Cordner.
Unused substitutes: 21.Tinesha Palmer (GK), 8.Afiyah Matthias, 18.Annalis Cummings.
Coach: Randy Waldrum
Jamaica: 13.Nicole McClure; 12.Sashana Campbell, 18.Sherona Forrester, 6.Alicia Wilson (capt), 3.Monique Pryce; 17.Nicole Campbell-Green, 20.Jodi-Ann McGregor; 8.Kenesha Reid (15.Shaneka Gordon 56th), 11.Christina Murray (7.Venecia Reid 69th), 4.Donnakay Henry; 9.Shakira Duncan (5.Mitsy Facey 78th).
Unused substitutes: 23.Olivia Reid (GK), 10.Trudian Mills, 14.Alexa Allen, 16.Yolanda Hamilton, 19.Myjnairii Perkins, 22.Khedine Salmon.
Coach: Merron Gordon
Referee: Irazema Aguilera (Cuba)