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Road to Mexico 2013 starts in Trinidad!
The road of course will be far from easy for the inexperienced but determined team of youngsters, most of whom will be making their first appearances in the World Cup. Add into the mix that they are to face the power houses of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in the group from which only one can progress and the challenge seems even tougher.
Suriname is the fourth team the BVI will face and whilst they are a lesser known quantity, they have a reputation of playing fast skillful well organized football.
However, the team will leave here on Sunday well prepared and with definite tactics in mind as Coach Vincent Samuel explained, “the guys have been playing not only in the school league but also have equipped themselves well in friendly games against senior sides. They are a young team, the average age being 15, but we are travelling with confidence.”
Turnbull also stated that he was happy with the way the team was shaping up and was looking forward to a good tournament. “I don’t know much about the opposition we will be facing, but I’m confident.”Samuel explained that, “Trinidad are a sound team and much more physical than our guys as are Guyana, Suriname play very disciplined football but we have built our own systems to counter what we know, they may have a technical and tactical edge, but we won’t be sitting back and waiting to see what happens. We will look to hold them and then play our game and get a result. Turnbull is a very strong leader defensively and in the likes of Shamoy Thompson we have definite offensive weapons.”
Turnbull added, “the team has been practicing hard to be confidant on the ball and will be playing to win.”
President of the BVIFA, Andy Bickerton was also on hand to offer words of encouragement to the team “It's an exciting development for football in the Virgin Islands,” he explained. “ The guys have been training hard for a number of months, it’s a very difficult group, but it is a stepping stone for the BVI and a learning experience. These guys will be Ambassadors and opening the way for the other youngsters to take centre stage.”
Shereen Flax -Charles, newly elected to the role of BVIFA Vice President, urged them to hold their heads high and whatever happens to be proud of what they achieve.” Think of how proud you will be representing the BVI and work hard,” she said.
There are five Groups in the CONCACAF Region and the winners of each of the groups will head to Panama for a further round of qualifying. Then the top 3 from that round will qualify for the finals in Mexico.The BVI’s first game is on July 24, 2012 against the hosts Trinidad and Tobago followed by Suriname on the 26. The group concludes with the BVI facing Guyana on July 28.
The full squad is Kenzie Turnbull (Capt.), Kian Chalwell, Stephan Salmon, Robert Browne, William Green, Rowan Wheatley, Allon Williams ( vice Capt.), William Adamson, Shakur Woodley, Phillip Graham, Calden James, Kairon Branch Durante, Eddie Cupid, Jael Leonard, Shamoy Thompson, Trevor Jones, Omar Walker, Akeem Pope and Maxcell Dabreo. The Coach is Vincent Samuel, the Manager Hiliary Edwards, and Asst. Coaches, Jeffrey Demming, Nano Ottley and Morris Mark.
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