TT Under-20s footballers win warm-up match

The Brian Williams-coached team defeated Panama First Division club Leones de America Reserves 2-1 at the Maracana Stadium.

In the match played on artificial surface, TT got goals from captain Jabari Mitchell in the ninth minute and Kathon St Hillaire struck the winner in the 72nd minute.

Following the match, coach Williams credited his side for their efforts.

“It was a good test for us. We have been here for the past couple of days, settling in and really getting down to some solid work before we head over to Curacao,” Williams said.

“The conditions here are good for the preparations. Being able to play on the artificial surface at the Maracana is a big plus for us because our games in Curacao will be on a similar surface. And the venue here is pretty decent.

“The match itself turned out to be competitive. We got on the scoresheet early and then we were able to get the winner in the second half for a needed confidence booster.

The opposition gave us a good, competitive match which is welcomed at this time of our preparations,” Williams added.

Three North American-based members of the squad selected for the tournament will join the contingent in Curacao - Jacob Sooklal, Jarred Dass and Andrew Rullow.

TT will face off with Cuba in their opening match of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Final Round Under-20 World Cup qualification on October 22 in Curacao.

TT , the CFU defending champions, have been grouped with Haiti, Cuba and St Lucia in Group B which will be contested at the Ergilio Hato. Following their opening game with Cuba, TT then face St Lucia on October 24 and Haiti on October 26.

Group A comprises of hosts Curacao, Bermuda, St Kitts/Nevis and Antigua/Barbuda.

The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals as well as gain automatic passage to the CONCACAF Final Round which will be played in Costa Rica in February.

The semi-finals will be played on October 28 and the final and third place match will take place on October 30. The top five teams from the CFU Final Round will advance to the CONCACAF stage.