Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) made a clean sweep at this year’s Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) women’s football tournament when they came out firing on all cylinders to register an emphatic 4 – 0 win over Dominica in their final match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds (DSCG) on Saturday evening.
The three day event organized by the Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA) in collaboration with WIFA resulted in SVG being crowned Champions of the 2019 Tournament.
On the night, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with 3 points from two matches in comparison to Saint Lucia with 6 points also from two matches, knew that their only hope of securing the championship was to ensure a massive victory against their opponents, and this they did in grand style.
From the first whistle the Vincentians commenced the game in attacking mode and soon nosed ahead in the 11th minute with a goal from the boots of Ericka Hooper. Before the dust could settle, it was soon 2 – 0 as Hooper scored SVG’s second goal in the 45th minute to signal the end of the first half.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Dominica team mounting some form of resistance which was negated by the determination of SVG who extended their lead in the 77th minute with a goal by Chryslin Brown.
With all eyes firmly set on the Championship, Brown scored her second goal in the 85th minute to place SVG firmly in the driver’s seat with an emphatic 4 – 0 victory.
Saint Lucia having witnessed the stunning display by team Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, knew that they had to pull out all the stops to defeat defending champions Grenada in order to secure the title.
On the other hand, Grenada entered their final fixture playing for pride and this they achieved.
In an all-out attack from the opening whistle they surged into the lead with a goal by Carena Noel in the 5th minute of play.
Despite Saint Lucia’s attempts at gaining the equalizer it would be Grenada who would extend their lead with a Shaniah Johnson goal in the 25th minute.
No further goals were scored as the half ended 2 – 0.
The resumption saw team Saint Lucia fighting desperately to get on the score sheet, but a determined Grenada team wouldn’t allow it, and despite the pendulum swinging back and forth Grenada managed to cling on to their 2 – 0 advantage.
At the final whistle the Saint Lucia team had no choice but to settle for second place, up one notch from their performance in 2018.
Scores in the tournament: Day 1: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1; Grenada 0; Saint Lucia 3; Dominica 2. Day 2: Grenada 1; Dominica 1; Saint Lucia 1; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0. Day 3: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4; Dominica 0; Grenada 2; Saint Lucia 0.
Goals For (GF) and Goals Against (GA): SVG (GF 5) – (GA 1); Saint Lucia (GF 4) – (GA 4); Grenada (GF 3) – (GA 2) and Dominica (GF 3) – (GA 7).
Following the action on the pitch, the Award Ceremony got underway. Winners included:
Best Defender – Zeanna Charles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Best Midfielder – Merissa Charles, Grenada; Best Goal Keeper – Atticia Benn, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; M. V. P. of the Tournament – Atticia Benn, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Championship trophy and gold medals went to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the second place trophy and silver medals to Saint Lucia, and the third place trophy and bronze medals to Grenada.
