Costa Rica cruise past TT in CONCACAF U-15s

Costa Rica opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Manfred Ugalde, and doubled their lead in the 40th through captain Jose Tello with a powerful shot from a corner which gave goalkeeper Jaheim Wickham no chance. Also finding the target in the 70-minute match were Giancarlo Castro (44th) and Dereck Valentine (59th).

The United States defeated Canada 1-0 in the other Group B encounter played on the day.

TT had the first real chance of the game but Jean-Heim Mc Fee failed to make good of his opportunity in the opening minute of the game. The game was played in sweltering conditions and there was hydration breaks during both halves.

TT are one of the eight seeded teams in Division One which comprises of Groups A and B along with Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Panama, United States, Costa Rica and Canada.

The other 41 teams make up Division Two. The other 41 teams make up Divisions two and three. Only the top two teams from Groups A and B are eligible to go through to the championship semi-finals and final with the other group winners and runners-up competing for the remaining finishing spots.

TT coach Russell Latapy pointed out that the Costa Ricans managed the encounter better and proved to be the better team in terms of tactical awareness.

“I thought that the better team eventually won the game. We had a couple opportunities especially one in the first minute which we should have probably scored and the game would have been a different one if we were playing from the front.” Latapy continued, “The difference in the both teams wasn’t quality but instead tactical awareness. You can tell the Costa Rican players were playing at a high level and they were able to manage the game better at different stages. We are a team that is getting to that point which is where matches like these will serve us well going forward.” TT face US at 9am today with Canada meeting Costa Rica in the other encounter.