October 26, 2014 (Chester, PA) – On a beautiful day in Chester, PA, Mexico faced Trinidad and Tobago with nothing less than qualification to next year’s Women’s World Cup festivities on the line.
Coming into this match one had to favor Mexico, as Trinidad and Tobago really didn’t have much in the way of attack. But through the first 15 mminutes of the match, the Soca Ladies forced Mexico into absorbing pressure. Keeper Kimika Forbes was the netminder not having to turn away an onslaught. All that changed, however, when Sandra Stephany Mayor put a right footed ball passed Forbes to put Mexico on the board.
CONCACAF: Mexico Qualifies for Canada 2015 With Extra Time Thriller
After that, TnT had trouble getting out of their own end, playing the majority of the remainder of the first half on their heels. Starting at the 30′, it seemed that the play turned a bit chippier, as Trinidad and Tobago became more and more frustrated at the Mexican side that seemed energized after the goal. Forwards Mariah Shade and Kennya Cordner just couldn’t seem to find a decent rhythm with their midfield, and rarely found the ball in dangerous spaces. It showed on the stat sheet, with Trinidad and Tobago unable to manage a single shot on goal.
The second half of the match was a totally different story. Trinidad and Tobago pulled ahead on goals from Kennya Cordner and Mariah Shade. Mexico would net an equalizer from Monica Ocampo put this match into extra time. At that point it became all Mexico.
Veronica Charlyn Corral was the willing and happy recipient of a beautiful Robles cross, bringing it down and poking it passed Forbes to put Mexico in the drivers seat, as the first extra time period came to a close. Then as the curtain opened on the final 15 minutes, Corral would score again to put the Mexican women up 4-2. After that, it was more of the same, Mexico’s attack just proved too much for a TnT back four that relied too much on Kimika Forbes’ uncanny ability to keep the Soca Ladies in the match for much longer than they may have deserved in the end.
Despite Corral scoring an extra time brace, the player of the match has to go to Kimika Forbes, who has made a name in this tournament for her heroics against an American attack that is the most explosive in the world. In this match, she turned away many chances simply with her instincts and aggressive play.
Mexico goes on to qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada next year. We still may see more from Trinidad and Tobago, though, as they will play a two match series vs Ecuador in the coming weeks. The winner of that match will earn the final berth in the region.
photo credit: Marc Fiorilli
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