Vincy Heat finishes Nations League qualifiers in triumph

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Vincy Heat had to come from a goal down to defeat Bonaire 2-1, last Thursday, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in the CONCACAF Nations League qualifiers.

In front of a partisan Vincentian crowd, Bonaire silenced the local supporters, when Jurven Koffy turned the ball past goalkeeper Cklon Mc Kie in the 37th minute.

This was much against the run of play, as the host had made several forays on the Bonaire goal, but came up empty handed.

Vincy Heat goal scorers – Chavel Cunningham (left) Cornelius Stewart (right)

With the clock ticking, and with a tiring Bonaire defence, the wait for the eruption of applause came in the 77th minute, when Vincentian captain Cornelius Stewart got past the Bonaire defence to put St Vincent and the Grenadines on the score sheet.

Two minutes later, Vincy Heat supporters were again on their feet, as Chavel Cunningham got the go-ahead goal and eventual winner, bundling the ball over the line.

St Vincent and the Grenadines ended the qualifiers with a 2:2 win/loss ratio.

Before the win against Bonaire, St Vincent and the Grenadines had lost to Nicaragua 2-0, but rebounded to edge out French Guiana 1-0.

The Vincentians’ roller-coaster campaign saw them beaten by the Turks and Caicos Islands, 3-2.

St Vincent and the Grenadines thus ended the 34-team qualifiers in position 20th.

This means that they will contest tier B of the tournament, which begins in September.