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Cayman Island Media Monday, March 17th 2008
Cayman Islands national football team improves as March 30 the day of reckoning draws nearer. |
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The Cayman Islands national football team stood firmly last Sunday against Jamaica’s National Premier League team Portmore United going down by only two goals in front of a record attendance at the North Side playing field in a friendly international game preparing them for the return game against Bermuda on March 30.
With March 30 less than two weeks away Technical Director Carl Brown is very optimistic of the national team and last Sunday’s performance was a testimony of how he felt about the team.
“The Cayman National team played remarkably well during the second half. It was obvious that the team had jelled and all that is necessary now is the fine tuning to finalize the set plays.”
“Lack of exposure hid the talents of these young men over the years; however with these recent exposures to these Jamaican teams they have seen their true potentials now. The fitness level for the most part with the exception of about three players is at the highest standard. These three players are assets to the team therefore we are addressing their situation,” Brown commented.
Coach and former Reggae Boyz Linval Dixon had high praises for the Cayman National team pointing out that they had a fighting spirit and are well prepared; he added that he was sure from past experience that Coach Brown was fully aware of what he is doing.
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“They are a great crop of guys every player that took the field representing the Cayman National team showed purpose. I am impressed with their fitness level. It is up to standard they gave a good fight at home.”
“Definitely the signs are positive and Portmore United has accomplished their task here in applying the pressure on these players to get the best results from them. The Cayman team is a fantastic team, I wish them the best.”
The Cayman Islands needs a win or a 0-0 draw to advance to the next leg of the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers when they face Bermuda on March 30. The team is presently in the final stages of their preparations under the instructions of the Technical Director Carl Brown and his technical staff.
Portmore United last year’s Caribbean Cup holders and many times champions of the Jamaica National Premier League have peaked and are presently at the top of the point standings of the premier league competition.
Portmore United’s prolific goal scorer Roen Nelson who presently holds the record of netting the most goals in this competition was only able to put away one goal in the 21st minute of the game after former Jamaica national representative Anthony Bennett started the score sheet in the 3rd minute to end the first half 2-0.
A noticeably improved Cayman Islands national team settled down in the second interval and with a well organized backline led by Captain Tom Elliot held off the charging visitors.
Lurking up front for the hosts was ace forward Richard Grant the man who placed the Cayman Islands firmly back in contention against Bermuda in the first leg netting a goal in the 83rd minute to end that historic game 1-1.
The spirit of this international friendly was solid as the Caymanians regrouped and gave the Portmore United team a tough game ensuring that no more goals were netted in that segment of the game.
The Cayman Islands is a small Caribbean Island their dreams to advance from the first rounds of World Cup Qualifiers in the past has always been shattered by regional competitors, they have now seen a glimpse of hope of getting that far.
With the support of the Ministry of Sports, sponsors, stakeholders football fanatics, the general public and the team’s application with the same dimension of desperation applied in playing as they did on February 3 they will be going on to the second round in the history of the islands football.
With the home advantage and their eyes set on climbing out of the spell of defeat the Cayman Islands is expected to do their best come March 30 to advance to the next round to face the Soca Warriors Trinidad and Tobago in June.
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