The Virgin Islands; however, had to battle hard against a resilient USVI, who seemed to be hardly shaken after reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute and it had to take penalties to determined who would advance to the second round to join Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Dominica in Group E.

Goalkeeper Frankie Beckles the hero!

The derby finished 4-2 following a penalty kick-out after regulation time had ended 0-0 and extra time also failed to produce a winner, although both teams had chances to find the back of the net.

Goalkeeper Frankie Beckles made two important saves in the penalty shootout while substitute forward Azarni Callwood buried the deciding penalty kick to spark wild celebrations pitch side as well as in the stands.

Historic win

The celebrations showed just how important the win was, including that it had opened up new doors for the Virgin Islands in its 28-year history in World Cup Qualifying.

Before Tuesday, the two teams had faced each other on 3 occasions in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, with the USVI being undefeated against the Virgin Islands with 2 victories and 1 draw.

Their first leg game in St Croix on March 22, 2024, had ended 1-1, setting up a classic battle at A.O. Shirley Ground.

VI's chances

The Virgin Islands nearly went to half-time leading 1-nil as Tyler Forbes sent a diving header wide of the post from a cross by Kristian Javier.

Chances also came by in the second half, including to Skipper Kavon Troy Caesar who missed one of his trademark headers from a corner kick by Tyler Forbes.

The USVI were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when defender Quinn Farell was red-carded for headbutting an opposing player.

The hero in the first leg clash with the USVI, Hugo Costa Liziario then came on in the 73rd minute and looked to have tired legs but he almost came up trumps when he received a ball on the right side but fired it powerfully into the side netting.

Caesar & Scarff a defensive wall!

Back and forth the two teams went in the second half; however, the defense stood solid.

The VI has especially to thank skipper Caesar and England-based central defender Taylor Scarff for their formidable presence in the back line.

Scarff was particularly on top of his game and denied the USVI any clear chances for goal.

Both Caesar and Scarff were also dominant when it came to battling for balls in the air.

Nifty Callwood

Callwood, who came on as a substitute, presented some challenges to the USVI defense with his nifty footwork but he had to wait until the penalty shootout to find the back of the nets.

“I told them — I told Mr [Kye M.] Rymer [the BVI Minister of Communications and Works] that I was going to win it for him...It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life and I’ve felt a lot of things. This is the best.

“When I came on, my impact was to change the game, not long talking. It’s so crazy to think of how far we have come in a short time. … We’re coming to fight. We aren’t coming to play,” Callwood told a local reporter after the game.

Among those who witnessed the VI advance to the Second Round of qualifying for the first time in their history were Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. DeCastro and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer.

The VI was coached by former Arsenal player Christopher M. Kiwomya.

Anguilla also created history