Puerto Rico opened the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under 17 competition with a commanding 7-0 victory over the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) in the first game of the tournament, staged at the Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Port-au- Prince, Haiti.
Puerto Rico opened the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under 17 competition with a commanding 7-0 victory over the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) in the first game of the tournament, staged at the Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Port-au- Prince, Haiti.
Puerto Rico took the lead of Group A along with a healthy goal difference. Fabiola Miranda scored a hat-trick in the first half with goals coming in the 2nd, 28th and 41st minute to give Puerto Rico a comfortable 3-0 lead as she made light work of the USVI defence which was erratic at times.
Two of her goals were shots just inside the 18 yard box as she showcased her accuracy and power; while her third was after a series of saves by USVI goalkeeper Levania Lawrence, her defenders failed to clear the ball resulting in an easy tap in.
The USVI employed a strategy of using one striker (Chmoya Buchanan) with four midfielders but their defence never allowed the midfield to work in unison as Puerto Rico continued to press forward.
The second half was more of the same relentless Puerto Rico pressure as captain Marjorie Martinez scored a brace in the 60th and 69th minute to really put the game out of the USVI’s reach; while Adriana Tirad made amends for her penalty miss in the first half by converting in the 70th minute and second half substitute Juliana Templeman provided the seventh goal in the 85th minute.
Puerto Rico now face Antigua on September 22nd at 4 p.m. where they will be seeking a maximum three points and assured themselves of qualifying for the semi-finals.
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