Trinidad and Tobago's Under-23 footballers kept alive their hopes of progressing to the Pan American Games semi-finals when they held Ecuador to a 1-1 draw yesterday at the Omnilife Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico.
But the T&T hockey women lost their final match of the group phase against Canada 2-1 despite taking the early lead at the Pan Am Hockey Stadium.
It took the "Soca Stickwomen" just seven minutes to get on the scoresheet, Arielle Ramchand- Du Quesnay doing the job from the field, an advantage they took to the break.
But T&T had just three shots at goal to the Canadians' 24 attempts and that pressure told in the end, as Brienne Stairs (61st minute) and Katherine Gillis (68th) scored late field goals to hand the North Americans victory.
For the young "Soca Warriors", second half-substitute Trevin Caesar spanked a volley beyond Ecuador goalkeeper Sebastian Jaramillo off a pass by Jamal Gay in the 69th minute, just one minute after being introduced by coach Angus Eve.
Before that goal, Trinidad and Tobago were 1-0 down to the South Americans, who took the lead in the 17th minute through Michael Jackson Quinonez.
The result means that Ecuador are out of the tournament and T&T now need victory against Uruguay tomorrow in order to advance to the final four.
Mexico lead T&T's group with four points from two matches after a 1-1 draw with T&T and a 2-1 win over Ecuador. Uruguay beat Ecuador 1-0 and were scheduled to face Mexico late yesterday.
Caesar was happy with the team's performance after getting a point against Ecuador.
"Today we showed again that we could compete and we have a fighting spirit in the team. The coach gave us instructions and we went out there and tried to deliver," the young forward told T&T Football Federation media officer Shaun Fuentes.
"Scoring here in Mexico to help us get a point is a marvellous feeling for me," Caesar added, "but it's a reward for the whole team effort."
As he waited on the ball from Gay, Caesar said he just tried to keep calm and place the ball well. That shot keeps T&T's fate in their own hands and the striker is looking forward to the next match.
"We have everything to play for in the next game," he added, "and we can do it."
Today, Trinidad and Tobago's hockey men meet Chile with a spot in the final four on the line. T&T previously lost 7-2 to Canada, but thumped Barbados 11-1.
T&T football squad vs Ecuador: Andre Marchan, Kareem Moses (Jeromie Williams), Aquil Selby, Joevin Jones, Leslie Russell, Mekeil Williams, Sheldon Bateau, Jayson Joseph, Kevin Molino, Micah Lewis (Trevin Caesar, 68th), Jamal Gay (Marcus Joseph, 79th).
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com