St. Vincent & the Grenadines midfielder Seinard Bowens (pictured) looks to dribble up the field against the host USA in a World Cup qualifier on November 13, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent & the Grenadines – It is nearing “must-win” time for St Vincent & the Grenadines in World Cup Qualifying for Russia 2018.
Having suffered defeats in its opening two games, SVG occupies last place in Group C without a point and only one goal.
Desperate for a reversal of form, the Vincentians are targeting their third game against visiting Trinidad & Tobago on Friday at the Arnos Vale Stadium as the chance to acquire at least a point.
“This game here we have to get something out of it to try and get back to where we want to go because we have lost two games already,” head coach Cornelius Huggins told CONCACAF.com. “We’re bottom of the table, so we really need a positive result against Trinidad. The players are in high spirits. I think they are ready. I think they relish the challenge of coming up against the mighty Trinidad & Tobago.”
The Vincy Heat fell 6-1 at the United States and was blanked 4-0 by visiting Guatemala in its opening fourth-round qualifies last November.
Huggins said those two defeats had dented the team’s confidence, but the addition of England-based duo Aaron Crouch and David Pitt have offered hope for an improved showing.
“Their confidence has been down since they lost the two games, but we’re making some changes to the team itself,” he noted. “We have the players coming in from England and we hope they can bring something to the table so we want to get the right combination of the players from England and our local players.
“We need to look at them because sometimes they come and they may not be fit and coming from England. The climate can be a factor, so they may need a little more time. We will assess them to see if they can fit in or not.”
The Vincentian players have been in camp for the last two weeks. Despite its qualifying form and the strong nature of the opposition, Huggins does not expect SVG to roll over against T&T.
“Anything is possible. Football plays on the day. It’s who shows up on the day and who wants it the most,” the 41-year-old stressed. “Gone are the days when a big team shows up and you lose [before the game has started].”
