A 19-man team leaves the island today (Wednesday 3rd November) for the Dominican Republic to participate in the CONCACAF Under-20 Boys Qualifiers scheduled for Friday 5th to Sunday 14th November 2021.
Saint Lucia has been placed in Group B together with St. Martin, Belize, Anguilla and host nation the Dominican Republic.
Team Saint Lucia opens its campaign on Friday against St. Marteen at 4.00 p.m, followed by Belize on Sunday, Anguilla on Tuesday and the Dominican Republic on the 13th.
The 19 teams participating in the Qualifiers (all ranked 17 and below based on the current CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Ranking) have been divided into three groups of five and one group of four.
Following the conclusion of the Qualifiers, a total of 20 teams will participate at the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in the summer of 2022.
This will include the top four teams from the Qualifiers and the region’s top 16 ranked teams (based on the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Rankings) who receive a bye to the Championship.
Group A: Curacao, Grenada, Dominica, Sint Maarten, British Virgin Islands do battle.
Group C: Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Montserrat.
Group D: Nicaragua, Guyana, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands.
The Saint Lucia squad reads – Shaquan Nelson, Keygan Caull, Daneo Caroo, Brandon Sandiford, Canius Sandiford, Dante Fitz, Liam Bonaire, Darren Donaie, Donnell Braville, Steven Octave, Tyrell Julien, Nathaniel Deterville, Kendell Clarke, Neil Auguste, Ajani Hippolyte, Dahmanie Berthier, Keanu Felicien, Rashaad Eugene and Hamaiael Charlery.
According to the SLFA, Jahlil Evans had to pull out of the team because of injury.
The team will be accompanied by Michael Pierre – Team Manager, Emmanuel Bellas – Head Coach, Francis Lastic – Assistant Coach and Meraius James – Trainer.
Meanwhile, the Gros Islet Football League (GIFL) last Friday presented three of its players, namely Liam Bonaire, Darren Donaie and Jahil Evans who made the national team, with tokens of appreciation at a Ceremony held at the SLFA Inc. Office.
Also in attendance was the Parliamentary Representative for Gros Islet and Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir who also made a presentation to the players.