ST VINCENT AND THE Grenadines were handed easy points in the opening match on Saturday versus Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF Under- 20 Qualifiers in the Dominican Republic.

This, after Puerto Rico failed to produce the required COVID-19 PCR tests in compliance with the regulations for the competition.

As per the competition regulations, the match was declared a forfeit, with a 3-0 score line in favour of St Vincent and the Grenadines The Vincentians were set to meet Bermuda last evening in their second match. Bermuda beat Barbados, 3-2 in Saturday’s other Group C match-up. St Vincent and the Grenadines play Barbados on Wednesday in their final fixture.

The winner of the Group advances to the next phase of the qualifiers.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is fielding a depleted squad after several of the first-choice players were unable to travel because of COVID-19 issues, The team of players who travelled to the Dominican Republic last Saturday reads: Goalkeepers – Jermaine Jarvis and Nickron Laidlow. The defenders

are Kirk Jr Joshua Hamlet, Jazi Laborde, Anthonio Charles, Zalpheus Medica, Raysean Matthias, Tristan Marshall, TKAI Jshan Bibby and Tyrese Bute. Making up the midfield department are Keshaun Alexander, Dakarai Ben Hector, Saviola Blake, Bishon Richards and Swashaun Browne And, the forwards are Jequan Adams, Jamary Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Steven Pierre and Oryan Velox.

The travelling delegation also includes Debson Cruickshank team manager; Bishon Williams head coach; Hugh Carton Dennie and Christopher Harry assistant coaches; Shandel Samuel striker coach; and Melvin Andrews goalkeeper coach; physiotherapist Kevin Young, Nurse Nelycer Billingy-Jack, completes the delegation.