Saint Lucia is set to host a set of matches for the CONCACAF Nations League 2022 – 23 season at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds [DSCG], in June.
Preparations have been ongoing to get the venue ready and match certified which included a ‘fruitful visit’ by FIFA Venue Inspector, Mr. Christian Salas to the destination.
In addition, owing to the COVID-19 protocols, Barbados will play their home games, at the DSCG, in St. Lucia; with the first match vs. Antigua and Barbuda on June, 2 at 8.00 p.m., and then vs. Guadeloupe on June, 9 at 8.00 p.m.
Meanwhile, St. Lucia plays their first game in the tournament on June, 9 against Dominica in Dominica. This will be followed by their Home Game against Anguilla on June, 12 at 6.00 p.m.
The St. Lucia team has been in training for the past weeks under the watchful eyes of its Technical team spearheaded by Asst. Coach Francis Baba Lastic. The new national Head Coach, Trinidadian Stern John is set to join the team shortly.
In the meantime, the Barbados team is expected to arrive in St. Lucia to continue their preparation and it is anticipated that they will engage the St. Lucia team in a few friendlies.
According to an SLFA official, the local organising committee has been meeting regularly to fine-tune its plans for the staging of the three matches on the scheduled dates.
In the meantime, football returned to the Gros Islet Playing Field with the Gros Islet Football League’s Pre-Season Club Football tournament sponsored by parliamentary representative Kenson Casimir.
The tournament kicked off last Wednesday, May, 18.
Eight teams will be participating in two groups, competing in a single round robin format, following which the top two teams will move on to the semi-finals.
The groupings are as follows:
Group A- Northern United, Lancers FC, Gros Islet Youth and Dominators FC.
Group B – Monchy FC, 1987 All Stars, New Generation, and Gros Islet Veterans.
The opening fixture featured Northern United vs. Lancers FC and Monchy FC vs. 1987 All Stars.