Costa Rica U-19s whip TT 4-1

OTTAWA: Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica slipped to heavy defeats as the CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s football championship final round began on Friday evening. Mexico defeated Panama 5-1 and then Canada blanked Jamaica 4-0 in Group A at the Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, while at Molson Stadium in Montreal, Costa Rica beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1, and the USA posted a whopping 14-0 win over Dominican Republic. Forward Karla Villalobos had two goals and midfielders Amanda Esquivel and Kandy Mendoza each scored for the Costa Ricans in their 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Ahkeela Mollon got a lone 64th minute goal for Trinidad and Tobago, who were without Attin-Johnson who was sent off in the 22nd minute.

Costa Rica also had goalkeeper Silvia Arias ordered off in the 86th minute. Forward Monica Ocampo scored three times and midfielder Alexandra Mendoza and forward Carmenita Padilla each added another tally for the Mexicans’ victory, while two goals by forward Aysha Jamani and one each from forwards Josee Belanger and Kara Lang paced the Canadians to their comfortable win over Jamaica. In Group B, defender Kia McNeill had four goals and forwards Kerri Hanks and Megan Rapinoe each scored twice for the Americans as the Dominican Republic made it three defeats for Caribbean teams on the evening.

The Americans’ 14-0 win was one goal shy of tying their own CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s final round qualification record, a 15-0 win over Suriname in May 2002 in Trinidad and Tobago. The series continues today, with Group A action at the Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, with Jamaica facing Mexico and Canada hosting Panama, while in Group B play at Montreal’s Molson Stadium, Costa Rica take on Dominican Republic and the USA meet Trinidad and Tobago. The eight-team CONCACAF tournament will qualify two nations to the 2004 FIFA Under-19 World Championship in Thailand in November.

Teams: COSTA RICA: 1-Silvia Arias, 5-Monica Salazar, 6-Miriam Montes, 7-Kandy Mendoza (80): 4-Daniela Serrut), 9-Amara Wilson (82): 15-Amanda Esquivel), 10-Shirley Cruz, 11-Maciel Chacon (86): 18-Yirlania Arroyo) 13-Ivonne Rodriguez, 14-Jennifer Jimenez, 16-Karla Villalobos, 17-Laura Sanchez. Booked: none,
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 1-Ann Thomas, 2-Ayana Russell (71): 13-Afiya Castle) 3-Kia Rigsby, 5-Katrina Meyer, 6-Jemilia Mathlin, 8-Nadia James, 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson, 10-Dernelle Mascall (56): 7-Niasha Rayes), 11-Aveann Douglas, 12-Ahkeela Mollon, 16-Shurell Burton (82): 15-Kennya Cordner). Booked: N. James 41st
Referee: Jill Proctor (Canada).