Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 17 Women’s team began their three-match series against South Korea with an impressive 3-1 victory over the hosts at the National Football Centre in Paju on Monday.
But this goal woke up T&T as the visitors gradually settled into stride and began to pressure the hosts.
Their efforts paid off in the 22nd minute when Taylor was able to convert a free kick from 20 yards out for the equalizer.
Less than five minutes later the T&T girls were once again charging into the Korean defense and Lewis ran past at least three players before clinically placing the ball past the Korean goalkeeper to give T&T a 2-1 lead on 27 minutes.
The Koreans, already through to the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup, pressed for the equalizer but T&T held their own at the back and eventually got a third goal to seal the victory when Debesette completed an attack near the goal as she collected and hit home into the far corner.
Pellerud said today’s result provided a well needed confidence booster to his team.
“Defeating the Asian Champions is no small feat. We have sent a strong message to the Koreans and by extension the world, Trinidad and Tobago has a very competitive Women’s team and we will not roll over very quickly. Many of these girls arrived only yesterday but despite the setback we played our best and the best created our favorable result,” Pellerud told TTFF Media.
“I am not sure who was the most surprised team here in Seoul today. The first 15 minutes SK was all over us and we seemed to be greatly suffering from late arrival and major jet-lag issues.
FIFA Vice President and Special Advisor to the TTFF Jack Warner, who is also in Korea to attend a meeting with the Korean President , congratulated the team saying it is a sign of greater things to come for women’s football.
This team was able to beat the Champions of Asia, that in many areas is a herculean task. But despite the challenge our U-17 Women’s team was able to rise above it and declare a 3-1 victory This result serves as a testament to the success policies formulated for the women’s programmes in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Both teams will meet again in the second match on April 7.