Vincy Heat to battle Kittitians this afternoon
St.Vincent and the Grenadines and St.Kitts will both be trying to notch up points in Group C of the CONCACAF Zone of the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers.
They battle each other this afternoon from 3 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.{{more}}
Beaten by Trinidad and Tobago in their opening fixtures, both will be looking to rebound from these losses.
Postponed from last Wednesday owing to the passage of Hurricane Ivan, which disrupted life on the island for the earlier part of the week, todayâs match carries significance. Another loss will virtually put them out of the running.
The mental toughness of both teams will be tested, as the events of the week may have affected their poise.
The situation has been compounded for the hosts who had to abort their journey to Mexico last week, when Hurricane Frances was bearing down on Florida.
This postponement should be a blessing for the Vincentians, as their date with the Central American giants has been deferred to November, and playing against a CFU team, should be a more comfortable proposition.
Packed with all the available talent at their disposal, the local footballersâ goal will be to give the home crowd some mental respite, with a win.
For the first time in this yearâs campaign, the Technical staff of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines team, has all overseas professionals to choose from.
Two players who were not on the teamâs roster for the intended Mexican leg, are now included.
Malaysian based defender Cornelius Huggins and striker Marlon James return to the squad.
The Kittitians are promising an âexcitingâ match, according to coach former Leewards off spinner Lenny Lake.
Like the home team, St.Kitts/Nevis are banking heavily on their professionals: prolific goal-scorer Ian Lake and midfielder Keith Gumbs.
Coach Lake will also be looking to inspirational playmaker âYellowmanâ Isaacs to compete against the formidable hosts.
First timers to the second round stage dubbed âthe Sugar Boys,â suffered a 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago last Saturday night in Basseterre.
The Vincentians, yet to make an impression at this stage, are in their fourth consecutive second round berth. They are still to record a point having been beaten in 19 matches.
Football pundits are hoping for a positive showing from the home teamâs midfield, which has been a weak link in the three previous matches, against Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago.
Both teams have had similar lapses. They are guilty of conceding goals in the last fifteen minutes of the game.
Trinidad and Tobago head Group C with six points from their two wins. The other team in the group, Mexico gained their first points when they whipped Trinidad last Wednesday 3-1,at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
In other CONCACAF activity on Wednesday, the USA eked out 1-1 tie against Panama in Panama City, while Jamaica blasted El Salvador 3-0 in San Salvador.
The CONCACAF region takes a break until next month.
Group C action set for October 10, sees St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosting Mexico and St.Kitts away to Trinidad and Tobago.
St.Vincent and the Grenadines meet St. Kitts October 13. On that same day, Mexico hosts Trinidad and Tobago.
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