SVG jumps 44 places up FIFA ranking

St Vincent and the Grenadines jumped 44 places to 85th in the last FIFA ranking. That’s according to the Tuesday October 24 listing.

President of local federation St Claire Leacock was pleased with the new ranking. He attributed the improvement to “collective effort of all of us in administration.”

For Leacock, it is an important adjustment. But he thinks, “we have to sustain our progress.” SVG is fourth among Caribbean countries, behind Jamaica who progressed 20 places to be 57th, Cuba up one spot at 68th, Trinidad and Tobago down 24 places to 80, and Haiti, 35 places up at 83. {{more}}

Barbados jumped 52 places to 100 in the sixth position for regional teams, while Guyana up 14 places was seventh at position 106. Antigua and Barbuda increased their position by 18 spots to take the 8th position, St Lucia ninth at 121, and St Kitts 10th at 118th.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, dubbed Vincy Heat as a marketing brand, advanced to the second round of the Digicel Caribbean Cup when they upset defending title holders Jamaica to earn their spot in Group D.

As a prelude to their Barbados mission, Vincy Heat drew with French neighbour Martinique 1-1 in a friendly here two Sunday’s ago.

Quizzed about the result of that encounter, and the team’s performances in recent encounters, Leacock was not too overly concerned. He commended the coach for his role. “He didn’t play the top players. He allowed more exposure to younger players,” Leacock disclosed.

The Vincentians prepared for their second round clash with a clash against Grenada last Wednesday. They would be in action against Antigua/Barbuda November 5, in the Independence Cup. The two visiting teams meet in the tri-nation competition tonight November 3.

Vincy Heat plays hosts Barbados, Bermuda and Bahamas in Group G scheduled November 19 to 23.

The President is looking forward to the arrival of several overseas based players for the Barbados sojourn. Also expected to be in the Vincy line up is former captain Ezra Hendrickson.

He would be rejoining forces with persons like Wesley ‘Butu’ Charles, Wesley ‘Brisco’ John, Kendal Velox and Renson Haynes.

Vincy Heat lost a friendly to Trinidad and Tobago in perhaps an ambush match soon after accomplishing their astounding performance against Jamaica.

The contingent to Trinidad and Tobago was without the overseas based players.

Martinique hosts Group I in the second round with Suriname, Haiti and Cuba vying for places to advance. That would be November 8 to 12.

Group H features host Guyana and includes Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda and Guadeloupe. Their battle for final spots takes place November 24 to 28.

The two top teams from each group progress, with the best third place team joining hosts Trinidad and Tobago in the eight team final slated January 31 to February 11.The three top teams from this competition earn places in the CONCACAF Gold Cup carded for the USA in July 2007.