Club Sando and host team Defence Force advanced to the final of the Women Warriors Wellness invitational football tournament after getting contrasting semifinal wins at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on July 17.
In the first game of a double-header, the Army/Coast Guard combination weathered a bright start by the TT Football Association (TTFA) High Performance team and struck twice in quick succession in the first half en route to getting a 2-0 win.
The High Performance team, which includes a combination of under-17 and under-20 players, thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when attacker Tyeisha Griffith bundled her shot past goalie Nicolette Craig from close range following a header from Daneelya Salandy. Griffith's celebrations were short-lived, though, as the goal was chalked off for offside.
To rub salt in the wounds of the High Performance team, Defence Force captain Shanelle Arjoon gave her team the lead in the 17th minute with a header at the back following a right side free kick.
[caption id="attachment_1097057" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Club Sando's Renee Mike looks for a pass against Grenada during the Defence Force Women Warriors Wellness football tournament at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on July 17, 2024 in Port of Spain. - DANIEL PRENTICE[/caption]
Just 11 minutes later, Defence Force doubled their advantage when Women Soca Warriors attacker Asha James confidently converted from the penalty spot after the tricky Tamika Isaac was brought down in the area.
Just before the hour mark, James almost added a spectacular item when she blazed a long-range shot just over Mikeala Yearwood's bar.
The High Performance team created few clear-cut chances in the second half, and Craig ensured there was no late drama when she made a fine point-blank save to thwart a near-post effort by attacking midfielder Orielle Martin.
Defence Force may have had things under control in their semifinal win, but Club Sando endured a rollercoaster ride in their 3-2 win over the Grenada national team in the second semi.
Club Sando, the 2023 TT Women's League Football (WoLF) champions, jumped out to a 2-0 advantage inside 20 minutes after a stunning Dernelle Mascall free kick and a Chelcy Ralph item. The game's momentum shifted, though, as Grenada attacker Ronniellia Bubb got the visitors on the board with a 24th-minute header, before Club Sando goalie Keri Myers was shown a straight red card in the 41st minute for a reckless foul outside the area.
Though down to ten players, Club Sando were intent on restoring their two-goal advantage and they looked the brighter of the two teams at the start of the second half.
In the 51st minute, Player of the Match Nikita Gosine was stopped by a fine Keona Salandy save, with Mascall just curling a left-footed free kick off the bar in the 56th minute – almost repeating her wonder strike from the first half.
Club Sando got their third goal in the 62nd minute, and it came in the shape of a stunner from central midfielder Renee Mike who rifled a rig
