Trinidad and Tobago's under-15 girls' football team narrowly missed out on a spot in the League B final of the Concacaf Girls' Under-15 Championships, when they fell to a 1-0 loss to the Dominican Republic in a tense semifinal at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on August 9.
Both teams advanced to the semis after topping their respective groups in the 16-team League B tourney, and it took a brilliant late free kick from Dominican Republic skipper Kaylee Lainez to separate the teams in sweltering conditions after a 9 am kickoff.
The teams looked to be headed to the dreaded penalty shootout as fourth official Annays Rosario prepared to raise her board to show the number of stoppage-time minutes to be played.
But in the final minute of regulation time in the 70-minute contest, Lainez curled a majestic free kick around the TT wall and beyond goalkeeper Akeila Marryshow after a defender committed a needless foul on the edge of the area.
[caption id="attachment_1101489" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Captain duel: TT under-15 girls' football team skipper Shakila Hamilton (left) looks on as Dominican Republic captain Kaylee Lainez plays a pass during their League B semifinal in the Concacaf Girls' Under-15 Championships. - Photo courtesy TTFA[/caption]
Lainez's goal sparked wild celebrations from her teammates and a small group of Dominican Republic spectators who chanted, "Dominicana, Dominicana!"
TT standout Hackeemar Goodridge created a couple of nervy moments for the Dominican Republic defence in stoppage-time with a pair of deep free kicks, but a watchful Gionelis Perez was up to the task as she calmly preserved Dominican Republic's lead.
Earlier in the second half, Perez made a string of fine saves to thwart the hosts who had their bright moments in the attacking third.
In the 51st minute, Perez showed off her reflexes when she made a low save to stop a meaty drive from outside the area by TT substitute Alliyah Baptiste. Five minutes later, Perez showed her excellent reaction time again when she made a fingertip save to stop a thumping free kick from the edge of the area by Trendsetter Hawks' Goodridge. From the ensuing TT corner, Perez made a stop from close range to reject another effort by the busy Baptiste.
[caption id="attachment_1101496" align="alignnone" width="1024"] We are with you: These fans show their support for the Dominican Republic football team after their League B semi against TT in the Concacaf Girls' Under-15 Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on August 9. - Photo by Roneil Walcott[/caption]
Perez's form at one end paved the way for excellence at the other, and captain Lainez stepped up to answer the call when she denied the hosts a spot in the final with a peach of a set piece in the final minute of regulation.
The Dominican Republic will play either Guatemala or Honduras in the League B final in Mucurapo on August 11. The TT girls will contest the third-place playoff from 9 am at the same venue on August 11.
On August 8, Baptiste and Goodri
