Team Finishes Second In World Cup Qualifiers
CONGRATULATORY messages are pouring in for the National Under – 20 men’s team on making it through to the Caribbean Football Union’s Under – 20 World Cup Qualifier group stage undefeated.
St. Lucia finished round one in second place behind host Trinidad and Tobago on 7 points with two wins and a drawn game also against the host.
On the square on day one after a scoreless first half St. Lucia scored twice after the break to seal a victory versus Turks and Caicos Islands. St. Lucia’s goals came from No.11 Antoine Wilfred in the 57th minute and No. 8 Nyrone Winter in the 70th.
St. Lucia claimed their second win in group 2 advancing to the final round after defeating Guadeloupe 1 – 0. The winning goal of the match would come right at the restart of the second half as through skipper No.15 Ryi Maryat in the 47th minute.
On day three host Trinidad and Tobago would come from behind and grab a point from St. Lucia who was also viewing for top spot in group 2. St. Lucia scored first in the 39th minute through No. 10 Casius Jospeh, taking their lead into the second half. Trinidad and Tobago equalized in the 63rd minute through Isaiah Hudson and the match ended 1 – 1 after full time.
Meanwhile, President of the St.Lucia Football Association, Lyndon Cooper has said the results make the current Under -20 men’s team the best youth team St. Lucia Football Association has produced in recent times, if not ever.
He added ” It clearly shows that our development plan is bearing fruit at the moment as this is the team of the future for St Lucia national senior men’s. We have worked hard to get where we are today”.
The St. Lucia squad is – Ryi Maryat (captain), Viannie George, Noah Didier, Vino Barcelette, Keeroy Lionel, Melvin Doxilly, Kerry Joseph, Dante Hippolyte, McCathur Louis, Nyrone Winter, Tev Lawerence, Alvinus Myers, Cherdam Seraphin, Selwyn Boyce, Antoine Wilfred, Zachernus Simon, Cassius Joseph, Albertini Philip, Jamie Prospere and Noah Nicholas.
Team St. Lucia now moves into the second round of the CFU Under -20 World Cup Qualifiers being the 2nd best team in the tournament as to date. Teams advancing from this competition will participate in the CONCACAF Men’s U20 Championship in 2017 and further in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Finals.