Women's Football POST MATCH COMMENTS - PELLERUD PLEASED BUT WARNS TWO TOUGH ONES TO COME
Even Pellerud congratulated the history making Trinidad and Tobago's Women's U-17 team again on their return journey to the Crowne Plaza hotel following this country's impressive debut at the Women's World Cup level with an inspiring 2-1 win over chile at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday evening. He told the girls that it was a fantastic win but "we must keep our feet on the ground."
He continued with the girls that "We have to be prepared methodically and mentally for the game on Tuesday" and expects that they increase the level of pressure placed on their opponents on the field.
The winning ladies were handed their 'caps' during dinner and were additionally rewarded for their special performance with special dessert. (with reporting by T&T Team media liaison Charisse Broome) _________________________________________
TTFF Media: What does this win mean for you and the team?
Coach Pellerud: The T&T Women's Programme is a proud programme today. Not only did we win the opening game in World Cup Finals - we also made history by winning the first ever World Cup match for this tiny country!
We are proud and very happy. We also know that the match was a tough one. The team could only in short spells perform at our highest level. For too long a time we lacked defensive aggression and the ability to connect with one when in possession.
We have created a great foundation for the balance of the group stage, and are committed to play even better in our next game against the formidable opponent - Nigeria. These next two games will not be easy by any means.
Skipper Lauren Schmidt - We are so happy but it was a lot of hard work. I am so proud of my team. It's a great feeling to start the tournament with a win. We are proud to do it for the country and we are all very thankful for the support. It was an amazing feeling to see all the fans and I feel happy that we rewarded them with the victory. Now it's on to the next two matches. We got a great start and now we must maintain this run.
Goalscorer Diarra Simmons - I couldn't believe it when the ball entered the net. It's a feeling I cannot describe ... when that goal was scored. I wanted to play a part and I believe I did that. I'm so proud to be part of this team and to be able to represent Trinidad and Tobago. The game was not an easy one for us. Chile fought right down until the end but we kept focused and we never stopped playing. I'm proud of our accomplishments today
Goalkeeper Linfah Jones - What a great day it is for us and for women's football in our country. It was a thrilling start to the tournament for us but the tournament has only just started and we have two more games in this group stage so we must try to keep the momentum and go for two more wins. I will do my best to keep the goals out and help the team move forward.
(Sept 5,2010. Image FIFA/Getty Images)
