Five goals in the back of the nets and two red cards summed up Barbados senior national women’s team’s opening match against favourites Panama when commenced around 9 p.m. Thursday night at the Estadion de Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.
Placed in Group D, the 58th ranked Panama side showed just how experienced and capable they were with numerous attacking plays that had Lady Tridents goalkeeper and captain Kamilah Burke along with her defence team busy all night
Despite what the full-time score reflected Burke must be commended for her efforts having made some spectacular saves as she led by example given that Panama could have possibly scored as early as the ninth minute and on a few more occasions if it wasn’t for her capabilities with the gloves.
The Panamanian forwards were impressive, especially Karla Riley who was a constant threat in the final third. Her ability to create space and outpace the Barbadian defenders was superb to watch.
It was Riley’s speed that helped account for Panama’s first goal in the 41st minute when Tiffany White challenged for possession inside the area and referee Melissa Borjas made the call for a penalty.
Central defender Yomira Pinzon made no mistake when she hammered the ball low and to the right of a diving goalkeeper Burke who unfortunately was unable to make the save.
On the stroke of halftime, Riley added her name to the score sheet with a beauty. Showing her athleticism, Riley with enough room from the six-yards area was able to curl the ball in the back of the nets. However, it would not have been possible without a great right cross from Katherine Castillo that made a connection with the forehead of Lineth Cedeno who placed the ball in Riley’s path for the finish.
After the halftime break, Panama picked up from where they left off with a third goal in the 47th-minute compliments their star player Riley who completed a well-deserved brace.
Lady Tridents’ agony further continued when defender Alyssa Yard received her second yellow card of the night from referee Borjas during the 69th minute and placed the team at a numerical disadvantage.
Panama was once again in celebration mode because minutes later in the 82nd-minute referee Borjas who had herself a busy night awarded them a penalty after she deemed that substitute Daphne Watson-James handled the ball inside the area. Laurie Batista was given the honours and made no mistake as she drove the ball past goalkeeper Burke.
Katherine Castillo nailed a 30-yard shot that curled into the net and earned Panama their fifth goal to end the match.
Sadly, Lady Tridents ended the game on a sore note when Keinelle Johnson became the second player to be red-carded for a nasty tackle in the 95th minute.
Coached by former national captains Mario Harte and Emmerson Boyce, Barbados women’s team will hope to improve on those results in their next upcoming match scheduled for Tuesday, February 22nd against Aruba.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
