Vincy Heat goes under to Mexico

St. Vincent and the Grenadines will have to depend more on permutations in Group C, along with their ability, to advance to the next round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

They face Mexico this Sunday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in the return leg, then travel to St. Kitts to face that country next Wednesday. {{more}}

After suffering a 7-0 defeat in Mexico last Wednesday, SVG will be hoping for an improved performance Sunday, while banking on St. Kitts to defeat Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

Anticipation of better results is hinged on the return of key players who were unavailable for the Mexico sojourn.

Those who should feature in the next two matches are Wesley Charles, Cornelius Huggins and Marlon James.

Last Wednesday’s heavy loss, pushed SVG’s qualification chances further away from reality.

After holding the Mexicans to 1-0, at half time, SVG crumbled to let in six other goals.

Sporting mainly locally based players, SVG held the powerful Mexicans at bay until the 30th minute when Jared Borgetti sneaked in on the far post following a dubious corner given by Canadian Referee Hu Liu. The header beat goalkeeper Melvin Andrews.

The second half was different. The Vincentians struggled to put passes together, while the Mexicans waltzed through the defence with ease and regularity.

Playing with ten men in the latter part of the match, the Vincentians looked befuddled more at the referee’s decisions than their play. The numerical inferiority came when Benford Joseph was sent off in the 69th after receiving two yellow cards for dangerous plays.

Liu also booked Rodney Jack. This booking led to Jaime Lozano scoring a free kick. Lozano hit another, while Borgetti registered three more in a 21-minute blitz, to record his beaver trick.

Mexico’s seventh goal came from Sergi Santana. The scoreline could have been larger had it not been for some acrobatics by Andrews. A visibly injured Andrews brought off some brilliant saves, but the die was already cast.

SVG’s best chance came late in the second half when 19-year old Darren Francis on debut, shot wide, after receiving a pass from substitute Shandell Samuel.

Francis had replaced Gonsalves in the first half, while Samuel came on for Alwyn Guy midway in the second half.

Also making his debut at the world cup qualifying level was Randy Francois. For the third time of this year’s campaign, Brent Samuel was substituted in the right back position. Francois took his place at the start of the second half.

SVG though came away with some pride granted the disparity in the rankings. Mexico currently stands at number 10, compared to SVG’S 146.

Vincentians at home had an opportunity for the first time to view their team live on local television.

It was the first match with new Coach Zoran Vranes at the helm.

Vranes, a Yugoslavian, replaced English man Adrian Shaw, who along with Technical Director Ces Podd was sacked following the St. Kitts, encounter here on September 10.

SVG’s last fixture is against Trinidad and Tobago November 17.

SVG starting XI: Melvin Andrews, Ezra Hendrickson, Burton Forde, Benford Joseph, Kenlyn Gonsalves, Kendall Velox, Howie Williams, Jamal Ballantyne, Alwyn Guy, and Rodney Jack.