January 14 – With just one round of group games left, the semi-finalists in the CONCACAF Women’s Under 20 Championship are now known. The final group game, between Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago who have both qualified for the next round, is all about who will draw (or avoid) a powerful US team in the semis.
The US have dominated so far, storming through their three Group A games unbeaten, scoring 19 goals and not conceding. The reigning champions, the US are now on a 13 game unbeaten run in this competition.
Runner-up in Group A was Costa Rica, who edged ahead of a strong Jamaican side to take the semi-final place. In a nail-biting deciding game, the Costa Ricans hung on for a 1-1 draw against a disappointed Jamaica who had 27 shots at goal.
Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago go into their final game level on points with two wins each. The group winner will face Costa Rica in the semi-final – or perhaps more importantly will avoid the US. Meanwhile the Cayman Islands will battle for home pride as they conclude against Honduras at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
The eight team tournament taking place in Grand Cayman will qualify three teams for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
CONCACAF is a powerhouse of women’s football. As well as hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada this year, Costa Rica will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in March. Women’s football will again be focussed on Canada in 2015 for the Women’s World Cup.
At the launch of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Cayman Islands, President Jeffrey Webb proclaimed the confederation’s continued commitment to women’s football at a Thursday press conference, launching the.
The biennial competition kicks-off later in the day with a doubleheader at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
“We must raise standards so that we keep challenging teams in women’s football. This is how we progress and provide sustainability of programs…”
“The objective is to build exposure to women’s football in this region, so that a legacy remains. That’s why these competitions are so important.”
Webb continued: “We have to invest in the game, particularly in the long term development of women’s football.”
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