There was a bit of luck for T&T near the end, though, when Jamaican striker Teshian Thomas turned a penalty kick wide two minutes from the final whistle after defender Taylor Mims had taken down an opponent from behind.

Both teams finished with seven points, but the Soca Princesses were champions  on goal difference.

After a war of attrition, Jamaica took the lead in the 65th when a defensive breakdown allowed Semone Honeghan the chance to put her shot away from T&T keeper Kimika Forbes.

Suddenly, a large contingent of Jamaican soldiers were singing a tune by late reggae legend Bob Marley.

’One love, one heart. Let’s get together and be alright.’

But, as they had done all night, the Princesses fought back everytime and after just failing to equalise in the 67th, when Iyesha Ollivierre hit a low shot which deflected off the foot of the goal, English girl Karissa Rodney got the tying goal in the 85th when turning in Karyn Forbes free kick.

It was great reward for the home team, who were well supported, as were the Jamaican girls by the soldiers here for this weekend’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

They played out a tough first half, when they matched each other over every inch of artificial turf.

Trinidad and Tobago had the first shout in the 11th when it appeared that the Soca Princesses had scored with a free kick from hard-kicking central midfielder Karyn Forbes, who drilled her shot into the side netting.

The Trini fans jumped for joy and the Jamaican supporters booed. Two minutes later it was Jamaica’s turn when Teshian Thomas forced keeper Forbes to push a header onto the crossbar.

Karyn Forbes went close again in the 21st with a free kick which keeper Shena Wint touched over. Then in the 23rd, the T&T keeper also had to push out Semone Honeghan’s dipping free kick.

However, it was the home team who finished the half best, despite losing their captain and main striker Mariah Shade to injury in the 43rd minute. She was replaced by New York-born striker Candice Seaton.

Jamaica began the second half with a real chance to score when a wide pass picked out striker Kamesha Woodfine. But as she composed herself to shoot, goalie Forbes shot out like a bullet to smother her shot. Kaylor Taylor then hit from long range in the 52nd, only for the Jamaican keeper to push her shot onto the crossbar.

Fittingly, the game ended in a draw.

The tournament’s top three teams--T&T, Jamaica and Cuba--qualified for the CONCACAF Final Round Tournament to be held in Guatemala in January for qualification for the next FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.