Saint Lucia National Under-17 Boys went past St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in a keen tussle to capture the Pride of the Caribbean Boys U-17 Football Championship, as the tournament concluded in Antigua and Barbuda, last Saturday (August, 27).
In a hot-billed finals, dubbed ‘the Battle of the Saints’, Team St. Lucia pulled out all their reserve energy to eliminate SVG 5-3 in a penalty tussle, following a 1-all draw at regulation time.
Lascell Fraquharson’s 28th min. strike put Team St Lucia ahead, but SVG fought back for the equalizer.
Interestingly, prior to this, St Lucia had defeated SVG 5-1 in their final preliminary round match of the tournament.
St Lucia finished undefeated in the contest, winning two and drawing one of their three matches.
Host team – Antigua and Barbuda took home the bronze medal as the curtains came down on the first ever Pride of the Caribbean Under-17 Boy’s Football Invitational, last Saturday.
The home team defeated Grenada 8-7 in a penalty shootout after drawing the game 2-2 at the ABFA Technical Center.
Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada participated in the tournament.
This is the second third-place finish for the twin-island nation in recent football competitions; as the Female Under-14 Football team placed third in the Jewels of the Caribbean tournament last week.
At the Post – Match Awards Presentation, two St Lucian players stood out for recognition;
Best Goal Keeper – D’ Andre Tisson (SLU),
Best Defender – Taye Peter (SLU),
Best Midfielder – Imani Miller (SVG).
Most Valuable Offensive Player – Isiah Charles (SVG).