Team SVG to take on Nicaragua

Aide Shaw, head coach of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Football team, is banking on home support when the World Cup return leg is played this Sunday.
Shaw hopes that the Vincentian public can mirror the support received by the Nicaraguans on the away leg last Sunday. {{more}}
“I hope the fans turn up in the thousands like the Nicaraguans did and really create a big atmosphere. Our players will respond to that!” Shaw said.
When St. Vincent and the Grenadines faced Nicaragua last weekend, close to 8,000 Nicaraguans turned out at the Ciciques Diariagen Stadium, cheering on their team.
They did so with firecrackers, noisemakers, streamers, confetti, drums and in any way possible.
This vocal support for the home team provided the impetus to come from behind twice after the Vincentians had taken the lead. That match ended 2-2.
However, this support at times was intimidating for the visitors as the Vincentians were pelted with water bags, mango seeds and pieces of ice, but stood their ground in the volatile atmosphere.
In addition, Team SVG had to contend with some questionable decisions made by the Cuban match officials, referee Roberto Delgado and assistants Julio Collazo and Juan Ramon Diago.
According to Shaw, this was a plus for the lads who at no time showed any dissent amidst the adverse conditions. He felt that the 2-2 result was “good” in the circumstances, considering it was an away game for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ goals came from Renson Haynes in the tenth minute and Shandell Samuel in the 44th minute. Shaw thinks that these two away goals were vital going into the return leg.
The Nicaraguan equalizers came in the 38th minute through Emilio Palacios and in the 80th minute from Rudel Calero respectively.
Not understanding the ability of the Nicaraguans, Shaw believes that St. Vincent and the Grenadines have within its arsenal the necessary artillery to defeat their opponents here on Sunday and advance to the next round.
The match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at the Arnos Vale Playing.