PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago’s hopes of a spot in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup were dashed on Tuesday night when they went down 1-0 to Ecuador in the second leg of their play-off.

After a goal-less full time battle at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Monica Quinteros struck in the first minute of added extra time to secure passage for the South Americans and leave the hosts crestfallen.

The first leg of the play-off in Quito last month finished nil-all.

For most of the game, T&T showed real attacking intent without managing to convert any of their chances, and the result comes as a massive disappointment for the national side especially less than two weeks after the anniversary of the legendary Strike Force’s 1989 failure to reach the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

“We had more clear chances. It was almost a replay of 1989,” a downcast T&T head coach Randy Waldrum said afterward.

“I am really disappointed for the players. I want to congratulate Ecuador. Their plan was to sit in and counter. I am really proud of this group. This group touched so many people around the world.”

Urged on by a capacity crowd, T&T dominated the game for long periods without reward. They controlled the first half, with Kennya Cordner having the best chance when she flashed her header wide of the uprights following Tasha St Louis’s cross.

However, the half ended with Ecuador pushing forward, and goalkeeper Kimika Forbes having to keep out a shot from Erika Vasquez.

In the second half, T&T pressed for the winner, but were let down by their finishing. Cordner again came close just three minutes after the restart but her volley hit the crossbar, after she was set up by Ahkeela Mollon.

As the half wore on, T&T’s confidence increased but they watched as two chances went a begging. First, Cordner forced a low save out of Shirley Berruz with 12 minutes left on the clock and Mariah Shade was also denied moments later.

At the end of regular time, the momentum remained with T&T and hopes were still high of a home side win. However, completely against the run of play, Quinteros took advantage of poor marking in the box and the advancing Forbes who came off her line, to nod home in the decisive goal in the 91st minute.

The result ended a dream that began when the national side reached the final four at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in the United States in October.

Then, they twice missed out on automatic qualification, losing their semi-final on penalties to Costa Rica and the third place play-off to Mexico, in added extra time.

Fourth place, however, qualified them for the play-off against Ecuador who now enter the World Cup draw taking place this weekend in Ottawa.