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Trinidad and Tobago’s senior women’s football team will open a new chapter in their rebuilding journey when they face regional rivals Jamaica in an international friendly today at the Ato Boldon Stadium, in Couva, from 8 p.m. Co-head coach Damian Briggs, who leads the team alongside Densill Theobald, said the encounter will be a crucial test for the squad as they continue preparations for next month’s CONCACAF W qualifiers. “You always want to play teams of a higher level because that gives you a good opportunity to judge where you are,” said Briggs. “It’s a great opportunity for the team we’ve got now to go and show what they’ve got. We’ve been working together for three weeks, and it’s been a fantastic three weeks. We’ve seen massive improvement every day.” Briggs, a FIFA A-licensed coach with 15 years of experience in the UK at academies including Crystal Palace, Southend, Charlton, Norwich, and Ipswich, said he was honoured to serve his country and eager to bring his expertise home. “As a Trinidadian, it’s always good to give something back. I want to blend my experience with Densill’s and the local coaches, and we’ve already developed a really good working relationship. Coaching is about teamwork, combining departments, and helping players improve every day.” Today’s fixture will also serve as a showcase for several locally-based players, alongside a few returning overseas-based standouts-- Maria-Frances Serrant, Kadie Johnson, and one other player expected to join soon. Briggs said this mix offers a valuable chance to assess balance and chemistry before final squad selections for the qualifiers. “It’s a good opportunity to look at the local-based players and assess them. We’re trying to find the right blend between the local and overseas players, and between youth and experience. We want the senior players to help guide the younger ones.” Despite recent off-field developments, including the resignation of recently-appointed head coach Angus Eve and the exclusion of senior player Asha James, Briggs insisted the team remains unified and fully focused on the task at hand. “We’ve bonded and gelled together. Everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet. The players are excited and they all want the best for the country. We talk about starting to create a legacy in women’s football for Trinidad and Tobago, and hopefully tomorrow we show that progress and unity.” Briggs confirmed that Kennya “Yaya” Cordner will lead the team once again. “She’s a great communicator and mentor to the players. You need people like Yaya who can motivate in the tough times,” Briggs said. “She’s up for it, and like the rest of the team, she’s been working really hard.” While acknowledging that the Jamaicans are coming off active club seasons, Briggs believes the home side’s preparation and determination can help close any fitness gap. He said that while most of the T&T players have been dormant for a while, “they’ve been putting in the work individually and collectively. “We don’t just want to sit back. We want to play attractive football and we want people to get excited about this team again.” Jamaican concerns Meanwhile, Jamaica coach Hubert Busby said the players have had their minds on their home country and Hurricane Melissa which is expected to make landfall in Jamaica today. However, he said the players have shown “incredible resiliency and focus” ahead of the today’s encounter. “We’ve all got families back home...but they’ve been able to focus on the task at hand and make sure that the training sessions are up and in the standard that it needs to be,” he added. In team news, the Jamaicans confirmed on Sunday that first-choice goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, midfielder Atlanta Primus, and defenders Vyan Sampson and Shania Hayles will all miss today’s encounter. Mia Mitchell, midfielders Lola Nesbeth and Ricshya Walker, and defender Serena Mensa are their replacements. T&T-- Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, Tenesha Palmer, Jade Bekai, Kaitlyn Darwent, Karyn Forbes, Shaunalee Govia, Kedie Johnson, Chrissy Mitchell, Javana Moreno, Tamara Smart, Victoria Swift, Alexcia Ali, Maria-Frances Serrant, Naomie Guerra, Shurella Mendez, Shenieka Paul, Tori Paul, Chelcy Ralph, Kennya Cordner, Afiyah Cornwall, Nikita Gosine, Tyeisha Griffith, Aaliyah Prince. Jamaica-- Sydney Schneider, Tiffany Cameron, Gabrielle Gayle, Tianna Harris, Konya Plummer, Allyson Swaby, Chantelle Swaby, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Deniesha Blackwood, Israela Groves, Jaileah McPherson, Jody Brown, Njeri Butts, Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Kaylissa Van Zanten, Mia Mitchell, Lola Nesbeth, Ricshya Walker, Serena Mensa.
