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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #60 on: June 06, 2015, 09:49:37 AM »
Just realized Surinam faces Nicaragua in Nicaragua tomorrow. Any other games on?

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #61 on: June 07, 2015, 09:22:07 AM »
Matches this week, CONCACAF Second Round, 1st leg

Sunday, June 7

Ncaragua v. Surinam

Wednesday, June 10

Antigua & Barbuda v. St. Lucia
Aruba v. Barbados
Curacao v. Cuba
St. Vincent & The Grenadines v. Guyana

Thursday, June 11

Dominica v. Canada
Dominican Republic v. Belize
St. Kitts & Nevis v. El Salvador

Friday, June 12

Guatemala v. Bermuda
Puerto Rico v. Grenada

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #62 on: June 07, 2015, 09:28:40 AM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/tKcltCLYcCc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/tKcltCLYcCc</a>


Technical Director Confident But Cautious
Antigua and Barbuda Football Association.


St. John’s, Antigua – With just 5 days away from Antigua and Barbuda’s clash with St. Lucia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Technical Director Piotr Nowak along with English based defender Marvin McCoy and veteran goalie Molvin James spoke on ABFA Television partner ABS Touchline and gave the public his thoughts on the match ahead.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 09:24:47 PM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #63 on: June 07, 2015, 09:45:06 AM »
Welsh National League striker gets international call up for World Cup qualifiers
Dave Jones (Daily Post, Wales)



Brickfield Rangers's forward Brad Miguel named in the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines squad to face Guyana

Welsh National League football club Brickfield Rangers are still coming down to earth after one of their players received an unexpected international call-up.

Rangers striker Brad Miguel, 21, has been named in the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines squad to face Guyana in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers next week.

Miguel was born in Kingston, St Vincent, in the Caribbean before moving to England as a youngster.

He relocated to Wrexham a year ago to study business and accounting at Glyndwr University.

Formerly on Wycombe Wanderers’ books, he started off playing for the Glyndwr football and futsal teams.

Miguel then joined Brickfield’s futsal team and after a short spell with WNL Division One side Lex Glyndwr, he was signed by Rangers manager Peter Gabriel at the end of January.

The new recruit scored for the Brickie in a 3-1 defeat at Brymbo on April 18 and was part of the team which beat Rhos Aelwyd 2-1 a fortnight later - a result which kept Rangers in the Premier Division.

Miguel flew out to the Windward Islands this week to join up with the rest of the Vincentian squad, which also includes first-timer Gavin James, who plays for Buckingham-based Hellenic League club Flackwell Heath.

It is rare enough for a player operating at the top level in Wales, the Welsh Premier League, to win international honours while playing in the WPL.

Sammy Ayorinde (Bangor City and Nigeria) and David Artell (Bala Town and Gibraltar) are the only two have achieved this.


Brad Miguel in action

So it could well be a first for North Wales football that a player performing in tier-three of the pyramid has been chosen for his country at full international level.

“It feels good,” said Miguel, when asked about his selection.

“Every kid that plays football has that dream of playing in a World Cup for their country and to be able to say I’ve got the chance to represent mine is a dream come true.”

Miguel, who has also played in the USA for Cincinnati Bearcats, was introduced to Brickfield by goalkeeper and football director Andrew “Chopper” Ruscoe.

“They are a great bunch of lads down there,” added Miguel. “They’ve not had the best of seasons as a club, but with the guys there they should go far in the future.”

Oli Jones, who runs the Brickfield futsal team, expressed his delight at Miguel’s call-up.

“We are so pleased to have an international superstar among our camp,” said Jones.

“It is like something out of the PC game Football Manager, it’s surreal.

“The day that Chopper suggested bringing him into the fold you could see his ability. His footwork is immense. We wish Brad the best of luck and we look forward to seeing him back with us in September.”

Brickfield chairman Paul Hooson added: “We wish Brad all the best and everyone at the club will rooting for him.

“Brad will become our very first full international player at Brickfield Rangers whilst registered with the club and we thank him for that.”

Brickfield did also nurture the talents of future Wales midfielder Robbie Savage and Northern Ireland international brothers Jim and Jeff Whitley as youngsters.

The Vincentians take on Guyana in the first of their two-legged CONCACAF World Cup qualifier in the coastal town of Arnos Vale in St Vincent next Wednesday, June 10, (kick-off 8pm BST).

The return leg takes place in Georgetown, Guyana, on Monday, June 15, (12am start BST).

The winner progresses to round three of the CONCACAF qualifier for 2018 World Cup, set to be held in Russia.

Who are Saint Vincent and The Grenadines?

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines finished second in the Caribbean Cup in 1995, and participated at the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Its first FIFA World Cup qualification attempt was for the 1994 edition. It has entered every World Cup qualification since.

Nicknamed the Vincy Heat, the team is managed by Kingstown-born Cornelius Huggins, who won 96 caps for his country and formerly played for Kedah FA in the Malaysian Super League.

Among the competition Miguel faces to break into the side next week will be Oalex Anderson, a prolific marksman who plays for Seattle Sounders FC 2, a level three club in the USA football pyramid.

St Vincent and the Grenadines are currently ranked 112th in the world by the FIFA ranking system, lying above Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Malta.

Their first-choice colours are yellow shirts and blue shorts and in their last outing they beat the Dominican Republic 1-0.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 09:43:48 PM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #64 on: June 07, 2015, 09:54:38 AM »
Broome ready to give 100% to B’dos football team
Michael Phillips (Barbados Advocate)


Barbados could be very well sporting some new blood in the bars when they face Aruba next week in their upcoming round of games in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

With the ever-increasing focus on the importance of quality goalkeepers, an overseas custodian has made himself available for selection to the squad.

Of Barbadian parentage, 23-year-old Keasel Broome is currently in the local training camp ahead of the June 10 game which is to be played in Aruba. Broome, an American native, plays professionally for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League. Drafted out of Providence College – where he played every minute of every game for 2013 and 2014 – by the MLS (Major League Soccer) team San Jose Earthquakes, Broome opted to go to Cosmos.

Now back in Barbados for the first time since 2003, Broome took some time out to take in some of the action in the BICO/National Sports Council Primary Schools Football Competition. After meeting some of the young players he told the Barbados Advocate that he was stoked to be on island and was honoured at the opportunity to represent the country.

“This is my first international camp and hopefully I can get my first international cap with the Tridents, so I am excited about this opportunity and hopefully we can get two positive results and go to the next round,” he said.

Noting that his family hailed from St. Lucy, Broome said that Barbadians can expect him to give his all in the upcoming games, of which he said he would make himself available for any further rounds.

“They can expect me to play at 100% and give my all. I have high expectations going into both games and I know the team demands a lot out of me and I will demand a lot of the team, and with our teamwork and communication, I think we will get the job done,” Broome added.


New York Cosmos keeper Keasel Broome (centre-back) taking some time out to meet with the Wilkie Cumberbatch team.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2015, 09:56:58 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #65 on: June 07, 2015, 10:05:33 AM »


World Cup 2018: Colwyn Bay's Moss embarks on road to Russia
Aled Williams (BBC Wales Sport)


While Wales concentrate on an important Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel, a north Wales-based footballer is already setting his sights on the 2018 World Cup.

Colwyn Bay defender Louis Moss is in the Barbados squad to face the United States Virgin Isles over two legs in CONCACAF first round pre-qualifying.

So with the cheers that greeted Mario Gotze's extra-time winner for Germany against Argentina in last summer's World Cup final still ringing in our ears, a defender who plays in the Conference North is setting out on the road to Moscow.

Should Barbados, ranked 143rd by Fifa, overcome US Virgin Isles over two legs, they face Aruba in the second round in June and then two further rounds to reach the final six-team qualifying group known as the Hexagonal - a long and difficult road to reach the finals.



Louis Moss has also played for Wrexham and Vauxhall Motors

"Unfortunately, when you're ranked so low, that's what you've got to go through," said Moss.

"But from what I gather, everyone is feeling pretty confident about getting through to the next round.

"We've got a good squad and on paper we should beat the US Virgin Islands. I don't know what Aruba are like but I know they are ranked higher than us.

"Hopefully we can go as far as possible and play as many games as we can and be all the better for the experience."

Born in Chester, 22-year-old Moss qualifies for Barbados through his mother and played for the Caribbean island's Under-15 and Under-17 teams before winning his first senior cap in 2011 during his time at Wrexham, a club where father Geoff was chairman.

He won three caps during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup but then did not feature for three years until regional qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in late 2014, where he played against St Kitts and Nevis, Haiti and French Guiana.

Barbados finished bottom of their group, but Moss is pleased with the progress the side have made since he first became involved with the national side.

"The first time I went, when I was 18, I was a bit unsure about it," Moss said.

"They're very physical and in your face, very good at closing down and to try and stop you from playing. But the standard is a better than people think.

"It wasn't just the football that I enjoyed. It was the whole idea of going to another country and seeing the world in a different light.

"We played against good teams that potentially could have rolled us over but we gave a really good account of ourselves in all of the games.

Barbados side which faced St Kitts and Nevis

Louis Moss (back row on the right) pictured with the Barbados side which faced St Kitts and Nevis in 2014

"The standard from our point of view was pretty good and I did all right and they've called me back."

Moss is not the only British-based played to be included in the squad for the first leg in Bridgetown on 22 March and the return leg in Charlotte Amalie four days later.

Emmerson Boyce, Wigan Athletic's FA Cup-winning captain in 2013, has been capped seven times by Barbados and is the national team skipper.

Boyce, 35, is unavailable for the first leg - Wigan host Bolton Wanderers in the Championship the previous day - but the Barbados Football Association is hopeful he will join up for the second leg.

"It would be great for us if he could come out for the game," Moss said of Boyce.

"He's obviously played at a really high level in England and he's our captain and he's a great leader."

Moss is the first Colwyn Bay player since 1930 to win senior international honours and he will miss games against Harrogate Town and Brackley while on World Cup duty.
International Seagulls

John Neal in 1930 was the last Colwyn Bay player before Moss to be capped at senior international level. The Football League refused to allow clubs to release players for internationals if it clashed with a League game. Welsh selectors were forced to pick home based players, including Llandudno-born Neal. The team dubbed 'the Unknowns' and captained by Cardiff City's Fred Keenor gained a 1-1 draw against Scotland at Glasgow's Ibrox Park in October 1930. Neal won his second and final cap in the next match, a 4-0 defeat by England in Wrexham the following month.

Club versus country dilemmas are usually the preserve of top-flight players and Moss admits his international call-up has come at a difficult time with the north Wales side struggling in the Conference North.

"It's going to be hard leaving Colwyn Bay and missing two very important games," said Moss, who spent a four-month spell playing for Ventura County Fusion in the United States Premier Development League.

"We've struggled this year but we've got a good team and good team spirit and everyone at the club is still confident we can get ourselves out of trouble.

"But this was an opportunity I couldn't say no to. I'm at that point in my career where I can't afford to turn down these opportunities.

"Playing for Barbados is something that I really enjoy doing and I want to play as many games as I can and hopefully help the team as much as I can."

UPDATE: Moss will miss the two games after suffering an injury during training ahead of Sunday's first leg.

"The doctor has ruled me out for 4-6 weeks with a Achilles injury. That is football I'm afraid," Moss said.

US Virgin Islands won the first leg 1-0 in Bridgetown but Barbados won 4-0 to advance to the next round where they will face Aruba in June
« Last Edit: June 07, 2015, 10:07:52 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #66 on: June 07, 2015, 12:20:34 PM »
Coach Shabazz names squad for St Vincent World Cup qualifier
Guyana Chronicle


FOUR days before Guyana kick off their 2018 World Cup aspirations against St Vincent and The Grenadines, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz yesterday named his 21 man-squad that will tomorrow wing out to Kingstown.

The two teams will face off at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Wednesday June 10, then in the return fixture at the Guyana National Stadium four days later.

In a change to previous qualification tournaments, CONCACAF decided that the first three rounds will be played as knockout rounds, with both the fourth round and the final round (referred to as ‘The Hexagonal’) played as group stages.

Thirty eight players (38) were called by Shabazz and according to the Golden Jaguars coach, coming up with the final squad to travel for the first leg, was a difficult task.

Shabazz added that each player showed commitment and worked hard for the right to be selected.

Meanwhile, Shabazz pointed out that midfield maestro Clive Nobrega, who had picked up a Red Card in Guyana’s 1 – 0 International Friendly lost to Suriname in Paramaribo last month will miss the first leg of the qualifier due to the infraction .

Of the team that played in the 2014 qualifier that reached the penultimate round, Christopher Nurse, Ricky Shakes, goalkeeper Derrick Carter, Vurlon Mills, Collin Nelson, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Jamaal Smith and Dwaine Jacobs are the only returning players with Shabazz crafting a younger side.

The Squad: Akel Clarke and Derrick Carter (GK), Defenders: Matthew Briggs, Collin Nelson, Jamaal Smith, Adrian Butters, Samuel Cox and Dwain Jacobs. Midfield: Vurlon Mills, Ricky Shakes, Brandon Beresford, Christopher Nurse (Captain), Kanata Manning, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Eon Alleyne, Neil Danns. Forwards: Emery Welshman, Sheldon Holder, Marcel Barrington and Daniel Wilson.

Head Coach: Jamaal Shabazz
Asst. Coach: Wayne Dover
Goalkeeping Coach: Andrew Hazel
Equipment Manager: Trevor Burnett
Managers: Mark Xavier and Faizal Khan
Trainer: Anson Ambrose
Physiotherapist: Duane Saunders and Beverley Nelson
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 09:37:03 PM by asylumseeker »
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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #67 on: June 07, 2015, 04:26:20 PM »

The expected lineups for today's encounter.

Kick-off: 8:00pm T&T time.
Nicaragua: coached by Henry Duarte (Costa Rica)
Surinam: coached by Dean Gorre (Surinam)
Referee: Javier Santos (Puerto Rico)
Viewing: should be available at the usual links.

Nicaragua is trying to put forward a new face following the issues it had with match-fixing in recent years. One of its players is supposedly on the verge of becoming the first Nicaraguan to move from the local league to a European league (the skipper, Juan Barrera) with a signing by Austrian Bundesliga team,  Cashpoint SC Rheindorf Altach, who will be involved in the Europa League's third qualifying round commencing July 2015.

« Last Edit: June 10, 2015, 03:58:48 PM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #68 on: June 07, 2015, 07:24:31 PM »
Just tuned in. Nicaragua is up 1-0 at about 64 minutes.

http://www.rojadirecta.me/goto/azulyblanco.co/stream3.php

UPDATE: Final score Nicaragua 1 Surinam 0. Goal at 43' by Chavarria off a deflected cross. Surinam looked poor, offered nothing going forward, and were intent on resolving any Nicaraguan possession with rash interventions. Reports indicate Nicaragua should have been up by 2 or 3 goals.

The return leg will take place on Tuesday, June 16 in Paramaribo, Surinam.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2015, 08:14:29 PM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #69 on: June 09, 2015, 08:38:50 PM »
An unlikely hero for Belize
FIFA.com


Belize needed a new hero against the Cayman Islands. The biggest name in the nation’s football, jet-heeled striker Deon McCaulay, was absent. So the job fell to an unlikely campaigner.

The humble Elroy Kuylen, a sturdy veteran, stepped reluctantly into the shock of the spotlight. “When you’re chasing history, someone has to step up,” the 31-year-old midfield grafter told FIFA.com about Belize’s unsteady start to 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying.

Belize are outsiders compared to Central American neighbours Costa Rica and Honduras – and even Panama. But these minnows are on the march, steadily improving their football and climbing the CONCACAF pyramid on both club and country fronts. Their biggest star, McCaulay, wasn’t called up for the games against the Caymans, left instead in Atlanta, Georgia where he plays with the Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League, USA’s second professional tier.

No Deon, no goals

“Oh man, did we miss Deon,” said Kuylen, who played two years in Honduras before landing at local club giants Belmopan Bandits. “If we get him through five times, you know he’ll score at least two. That’s a guarantee."

McCaulay scored 11 goals in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers to finish top of the global strikers’ table above Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “You can’t teach his kind of composure,” Kuylen said, a clear respect for his country's all-time top scorer.

McCaulay is held in high esteem, but there was nothing he could do all those miles away in the USA. Without him, the goals dried up. The Caymans slammed the door shut and earned a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Belmopan. Jitters set in among McCaulay’s replacements in the frontline. Jarett Davis and Daniel Jimenez carved out chances, but never looked like scoring.

“The Caymans played defence the whole time,” said Kuylen, with a gentle voice and calm manner. “We created so many chances, but without Deon we couldn’t finish.” In the second leg, in George Town, Kuylen knew his side needed a goal. “That would probably be enough,” he said.

Kuylen is a midfielder without flash. “He’s a hard worker,” said Brazil-born Belize coach Jorge Nunez. “He’ll push until there’s nothing left.” He’s also the team’s free-kick specialist. He stays behind after training and curls his best efforts toward the corners. When Belize went down 1-0 after five minutes, the idea of set-pieces began to gather like a storm cloud in the midfielder’s mind.

“I practice them all the time; you can believe that,” said Kuylen, who hails from Orange Walk Town in the sugar-producing heart of Belize. "I take all the free-kicks for my club and for the national team too. My coaches make sure there’s time for me to take at least 30 or 40 after practice so I’ll be ready when the time comes.”

When the time did come, the pressure was on. Belize were on the verge of going out at the first hurdle; they were scoreless in 110 minutes of football. Kuylen stood over the ball 23 yards out on the right side of the box. He breathed deeply, remembering the twilight dead-ball sessions in Belmopan, by himself after training. How the balls curled, one after the other, into the net. He blocked out the noise of the cocky Cayman crowd.

“When the ball went in, I could breathe again,” he said of his wicked curler that went over the wall and low into the corner. Only his second goal for the national team, it sent Belize through to the next round on the slimmest margin of away goals. “I felt a wave of relief wash over me.”

Belize’s time

An outlier in Central America, the country formerly known as British Honduras has stepped up their game since putting their toes in the water of international competition in the middle 1990s. They are now a low-level contender, not to be taken lightly. An appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup of 2013 is a signal of that progress.

“History motivates us right now,” said Kuylen, part of a golden generation that includes goalkeeper Shane Orio and free-scoring McCaulay. “History lasts forever, you know, and we want to make it. We want to open doors for the young boys coming behind. It’s our time now in Belize,” he added sombrely, remembering when his country were easy-beats, walkovers.

Belize next face a stern test in the form of the Dominican Republic, another side on the up in the lower reaches of the CONCACAF pyramid. McCaulay will be back, a relief to all in the team. “We’re working on our system for the Dominican series,” Kuylen said, coyly.

That system will likely include feeding the ball through the channels to the clinical McCaulay. But quiet hero Kuylen will keep practicing his free-kicks in the fading sun of the Belmopan twilight, just in case. 

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #70 on: June 09, 2015, 08:49:32 PM »
Antigua and Barbuda: MLS great Nowak's new Caribbean calling
FIFA.com


Piotr Nowak isn’t often accused of being laid-back. As a player in his native Poland, then in Germany’s top flight, and later as one of MLS’ all-time greats, his grit bordered on ferocity. It makes the 50-year-old’s current coaching post, in the sun-soaked Caribbean, all the more curious.

“People have the wrong idea about me,” the former Poland captain told FIFA.com, the island breezes of Antigua and Barbuda whistling through the telephone receiver. “All that yelling, it’s just passion.”

Nowak played his football on the edge. He was a playmaker with a physical alter ego, and he fed off the intensity of a game-day. He grew up in the structure of the old Eastern Bloc and became the ultimate competitor. Nowak, with stern jaw and stocky build, was the consummate professional.

When he coached the USA’s Olympic team in Beijing in 2008 and MLS sides DC United and Philadelphia Union, he stalked the touchline like a man possessed. This bristly personality might have been the cue for aggravation when he arrived in Antigua and Barbuda last year.

Island time

“He had some guidelines, let’s just say,” said veteran Antigua and Barbuda goalkeeper Molvin James of his new coach, a smile in his voice. The hero of the Benna Boys side that knocked Haiti out of World Cup qualifying for Brazil 2014 speaks of Nowak with genuine affection. “He wants us in early and up early. Ten o’clock team breakfast means 10 o’clock– not 10:15! We all show up ten minutes early now!”

Nowak won’t deny laying down the law. “I noticed that time is a fluid thing here on the islands,” said the 1996 Polish player of the year. “I had to make some rules about it. Maybe not everyone loved that.”

But that’s where the collisions between Nowak and the local boys ended. It was less a culture shock and more a cultural exchange – a mutual respect between an old pro and a group of hopefuls from a place with little pedigree in the game. Nowak speaks of his players, mostly part-timers, with warmth and charity. “I want to show them the way, to help them understand that today you might be here in the leagues but tomorrow you can be at Real Madrid or Liverpool!”

“He’s a great guy,” said Javorn Stevens. At 17, he’s one of Antigua’s budding stars in attack, singled out for a bright future by Nowak. “I think maybe he sees something special in me, but I know he wants us all to do something with our lives and to know this is our time,” added Stevens, who will likely line up alongside all-time top scorer, Pete ‘Big Pete’ Byers, in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Your time

Nowak makes it clear that what’s going on in Antigua and Barbuda is not about him. “My career’s over,” he scoffed. “You don’t see the coach holding up the cup when a team wins something. It’s about the players!”

The Antiguans play their first Russia 2018 qualifier midweek against island neighbors St Lucia at home. What’s most important for Nowak is that his men recognise the opportunity before them.

“I don’t want a team of little Nowaks,” he said, eager to clarify the situation. “I am demanding, yes, but I don’t want to break the spirit of these players, I want them to express themselves. I want them to know this is their time, for themselves and their country.”

Nowak’s voice turns soft. “I admire the hell out of these guys,” he said of the local lads who train before and after work, or a long day of school. “They don’t have much to eat, but they never complain. ‘Let’s keep going’ they say at the end of training. It’s tough life, but they push through with a smile.”

A smattering of England-based players will join the squad before kick-off against St Lucia. It represents a small problem for Nowak. “I need them to know they can’t just waltz in and be the boss,” he said of the England-based players, most from the lower leagues. “They have to respect the team here, and respect what we’re doing.”

Discipline, for a wiser, older Nowak, is about playing the right way. “He doesn’t want us to bang the ball up the field and chase after it,” said James, the goalkeeper getting set to take part in his third FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. “And he’s actually a pretty relaxed guy. He comes right up to us to tell us what he wants – he doesn’t shout in front of everyone and try to embarrass us. We listen to what he says.”

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #71 on: June 09, 2015, 09:41:19 PM »
Playing for blood in St. Kitts
FIFA.com




Atiba Harris gets stopped when he walks the streets in Basseterre. People put arms around the man and snap selfies. “It’s a friendly place,” Harris told FIFA.com, eager to deflect the adulation he receives. But he’s the best footballer ever to hail from St. Kitts and Nevis. The tall, lean striker who wears an easy smile is a favourite football son.

Harris left the two-island nation, with a population of under 60,000, when he was just 17. When he went to play in Spain, it was his first time away from home, away from the parish of St Peter’s near Monkey Hill. He was the first – and still the only – Kittitian to play professionally in Spain. “I didn’t know anybody,” he said of his spell in Cadiz, admitting to missing the openness and good humour that suffuse his home.

“Everyone’s happy here,” said Harris, who now splits his time between Dallas, Texas, where he lines up for FC Dallas, and his native Basseterre. “I try to get back down at least once a year,” added the man who, unsurprisingly, captains his national team, the Sugar Boyz.

Home and away

While an icon on his home islands in the Caribbean, Harris is a journeyman in Major League Soccer, where he’s bounced around from club to club since 2005. He’s played for six teams in nine seasons, often as a utility man off the bench. His versatility makes him useful. Harris has the speed and sense to play out wide or up front as a No9. He’s a proper professional, but he’s no star in MLS. While he’s lived in six of its cities, Harris doesn’t get recognized much on the streets of America.

Currently in his second stint with FC Dallas, Harris is having a renaissance. He had his most successful season at the Texan club in 2009 when they reached their first MLS Cup. And when he was let go by San Jose Earthquakes last year, he was brought back to Dallas. Now 30, Harris has grabbed a starting role in the side that currently sit second in the Western Conference. He’s started five of six games in the young season, earning the faith of coach Oscar Pareja and shaking off the after-effects of a knee injury that saw him miss an entire season in 2011.

“I’m happy in Dallas,” he said, talking of his home away from home. “My family is happy there and we’re scoring and winning games.”

While Dallas may be the place where Harris earns his daily bread, St. Kitts and Nevis is his home. It’s the place where his heart finds peace. “St. Kitts is like a family,” said the skipper, who made his national team debut at the tender age of 15. “It’s different here. People smile more. You run into friends from when you were a kid.”

Last time Harris was home, in late March, he helped his national team progress to the next round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying with a commanding performance in a 6-2 win over neighbours Turks and Caicos Islands. But, ever the professional, he had gripes at the end. “The result was good for us,” said Harris, who scored the opening goal. “But we should have scored more and I don’t like that we conceded the two. I’m not too happy with that.”

Professional standards

Harris, who flew back to Dallas before the second leg (also won 6-2 – aggregate 12-4), clearly takes his responsibilities as captain of his country seriously. It’s unlikely that St. Kitts, who’ve never reached a World Cup or even a CONCACAF Gold Cup, will run too deep into the qualifying stages. But that’s not the point.

“When you’re playing for your country, especially when you’re captain, you’re not playing for money,” said Harris, who is first cousin to former England international Micah Richards. “You’re representing your mom and your dad, your grandma and granddad. There’s urgency. It’s all closer to your heart.”

And much like any other family, expectations are high at home. “In the stadium down here you can hear every shout,” he said with a chuckle. “You feel pressure. The people expect goals, no matter what,” added Harris. “They want us to entertain them and to win, no matter who we play – Turks and Caicos or USA.”

The next challenge for little St. Kitts and Nevis is a date with El Salvador in June. The Central Americans are giants by comparison, sitting 27 places above the Sugar Boyz in the world ranking and having played in the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1982. They recently stretched Argentina in a friendly too, losing only 2-0 to the 2014 World Cup runners-up. But when you’re playing for family, anything’s possible, according to captain Harris. “This is blood down here,” he said, pride welling. “You can’t let your family down."

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #72 on: June 10, 2015, 08:14:42 AM »
“It’s never easy playing against these little Caribbean countries. They’re unorthodox and you never know what to expect. We can’t play down to their level. We have to kill them off and that has to be our mindset.”

--- Canada midfielder Patrice Bernier, with roots in Haiti, on the Canucks’ opener with Dominica.

CONCACAF’s road to Russia continues
(fifa.com)


Russia 2018 qualifying continues in CONCACAF this week with a host of new combatants joining the fray to take on the winners of the previous round. Canada, El Salvador and Cuba, all FIFA World Cup™ participants from the past, will all be in action.

The big game
St. Kitts and Nevis – El Salvador, Warner Park, Basseterre
El Salvador enter qualifying with a team hoping to recapture the glory days of 1970 and 1982, when the Central Americans reached the finals of the World Cup. The current side, under coach Albert Roca, is full of budding talent and even managed a respectable 2-0 loss against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a recent friendly. But St. Kitts and Nevis are one of the Caribbean teams on the up. Led by captain and MLS veteran Atiba Harris, the Kittians play a speedy and attacking style. “El Salvador is tough, but so are we,” said Harris, who scored in the 12-4 aggregate win over Turks and Caicos. “There are a lot similarities between football in Central America and the Caribbean.”

In other action
Cuba travel to Willemstad to take on a Curacao side coached by former Netherlands and Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert. The Cubans warmed up with a friendly in Havana against New York Cosmos of the USA’s second tier NASL.

Their 4-1 defeat seems to indicate there’s some work to be done ahead of the opener, when captain Yeniel
Marquez will lead the Cubans in his fifth attempt at qualifying.

Antigua and Barbuda play both legs of their series against St. Lucia on home soil. Known as the Benna Boys, the Antiguans knocked out Haiti in Brazil 2014 qualifying and are hoping to repeat similar heroics this time out under new coach Piotr Nowak, a former Poland captain and MLS legend with Chicago Fire.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines take on Guyana while Aruba play their first game of the campaign against a
Barbados side known for their physical play, but who struggled against minnows US Virgin Islands in the first
round. The Barbadians will once again lean on the experience of captain and Wigan Athletic veteran Emmerson

Belize had a rough go of it against the Cayman Islands in their first-round series, but they are still favourites to get results against the Dominican Republic, especially with the return of their star man Deon McCaulay.

Canada begin their campaign with a tricky test against lowly ranked Dominica. A team made up exclusively of
professionals, the Canucks might feel the pressure against a group of island part-timers giving it their unorthodox all.

Central American hopefuls Guatemala take on Bermuda, who beat the Bahamas in their first round game, while Puerto Rico and Grenada clash to round out the field which opened on 7 June with Nicaragua edging out Suriname 1-0 at home in Managua

Player to watch
Most in the camp agreed on the reason why Belize struggled against the Cayman Islands: The absence of star
striker Deon McCaulay. He scored 11 goals in Brazil 2014 qualifying to finish above Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the official scorers’ table. “If we get him through five times, you know he’ll score at least two.

That’s a guarantee," said a relieved Elroy Kuylen, who bagged Belize’s only goal in the first round with a superb freekick.

Did you know?
Atiba Harris, St. Kitts and Nevis skipper and widely regarded as the islands’ best-ever player, has football running through his veins. England international Micah Richards is his first cousin, and the two played pick-up games together when the Fiorentina defender visited his ancestral home of St. Kitts as a young boy.

The number
17 - The number of players from club side Antigua Barracuda FC who played in the Antigua and Barbuda national team during Brazil 2014 qualifying. Now, though, that number is zero. Barracuda, who played in the lower leagues of the USA’s professional hierarchy and were plagued by a demanding travel schedule, disbanded after losing every game of their final season.

What they said
“It’s never easy playing against these little Caribbean countries. They’re unorthodox and you never know what to expect. We can’t play down to their level. We have to kill them off and that has to be our mindset.” Canada
midfielder Patrice Bernier, with roots in Haiti, on the Canucks’ opener with Dominica.

CONCACAF second round (first legs) for Russia 2018

7 June
Nicaragua 1-0 Suriname

10 June
St. Vincent and the Grenadines-Guyana
Antigua and Barbuda-St. Lucia
Curacao-Cuba
Aruba-Barbados

11 June
Dominican Republic-Belize
Dominica-Canada
St. Kitts and Nevis-El Salvador

12 June
Guatemala-Bermuda
Puerto Rico-Grenada

* Return legs of the second-round series will take place between 14 and 16 June
« Last Edit: June 10, 2015, 10:27:28 AM by E-man »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #73 on: June 10, 2015, 03:48:56 PM »
Bolton midfielder Neil Danns' World Cup dreams scuppered by passport problems
Matt Lewis (Mirror)


Four English-based footballers have had their World Cup dreams put on hold due to passport problems.

Bolton’s Neil Danns, former Millwall full-back Matthew Briggs, Leicester’s Marcel Barrington and Boreham Wood midfielder Sam Cox have been training with Guyana in the hope of making their competitive debuts.

The Golden Jaguars are due to play St Vincent and the Grenadines in a 2018 qualifier later today but the foursome were unable to travel to the islands with the rest of the squad after failing to acquire their citizenship in time.

Boss Jamaal Shabazz hopes the Guyanese FA and government can get passports issued for the quartet in time for the second leg on Sunday but has had to make late changes for the opener in the Caribbean.

Boreham Wood skipper Sam Cox confirmed: "Will not be at the game against St.Vincent today. Gutted & disappointed that the passport situation hasn't been sorted in time.

"Hopefully will be sorting out Passports in time for the 2nd leg."

Guyana, ranked 158th in the world by FIFA, were last in action in March when they beat Grenada 2-0 in a friendly.

Meanwhile, St Vincent and the Grenadines are currently 112th, lying above Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Malta.

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #74 on: June 10, 2015, 03:51:49 PM »
St. Vincent and The Grenadines and Guyana played to a 2-2 draw today in the first leg of CONCACAF Second Round qualifying.

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #75 on: June 10, 2015, 07:01:29 PM »
At the end of play, a few minutes ago, St. Lucia defeated Antigua and Barbuda in Antigua by a margin of three goals to one in the first leg of CONCACAF Second Round qualifying. Antigua and Barbuda 1 St. Lucia 3.

Meanwhile, at half time:

Aruba 0 Barbados 2

Curacao 0 Cuba 0

UPDATE: Both matches end as at the half. Players red-carded in both games (one from Barbados and one from Curacao).


The card issued to Gianluca Maria of Curacao.

« Last Edit: June 11, 2015, 05:59:43 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #76 on: June 11, 2015, 01:32:50 AM »
World Cup defeat for Marvin
VitalFootball.Co.UK


York City full-back Marvin McCoy started for Antigua & Barbuda in their World Cup Second Qualifying Round first-leg 3-1 defeat to St. Lucia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The 26-year-old Walthamstow-born defender was awarded his eighth international cap when being selected by his country for the first time in three years. However, it was Tevaughn Harriette giving the hosts the advantage midway through the opening half, although Tremain Paul swiftly equalised for St. Lucia five minutes later.

The Benna Boys certainly pushed hard to reclaim their lead after the break and missed a couple of excellent opportunities through goalscorer Harriette and Peter Byers before David Henry netted a second for the visitors against the run of play. And worse was to follow for Antigua & Barbuda with late substitute Troy Greenidge heading a crucial third away goal for the underdogs in added time.

The two sides meet again at the same venue in the return clash on Sunday for a place in the third round.

Antigua and Barbuda: Molvin James, McCoy, Peters, Murtagh (Brown 62), Jahraldo-Martin (Stevens 62), Harriette, Thomas (Romeo 76), Peter Byers, John, Akeem Thomas, Parker

subs (unused): Brentton Muhammad, Kieran Richards, Tumwa, Zaine Francis-Angol, Eugene Kirwan, McDonald, Burton, Beckles, Lockhart

Goals: Harriette (21)

St Lucia: Poloen, Joseph, Frederick, Paul, Charles (Mullarkey 90), Henry (Joseph 84), Edward, Joseph, Hunte, Polius (Greenidge 90), St. Prix

subs (unused): Thomas, Emmanuel, Altidore, Deterville, Louis, Reid

Goals: Paul (26), Charles (61), Greenidge (90)

Ref: K. Ward (St Kitts & Nevis)


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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #77 on: June 11, 2015, 08:09:57 AM »

Barbados celebrating its 2-0 victory in Aruba. Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic) scored both goals (18', 28').

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #78 on: June 11, 2015, 02:54:17 PM »

[b]Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier Wilson, Beresford score as Golden Jags and St Vincent draw
June 10,
2015[/b]

GUYANA, playing in their first Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier, drew 2-2 with St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, thanks to goals from Daniel Wilson and Brandon Beresford on either side of play. Beresford put the Golden Jaguars in the lead in the 26th minute when the young talented midfield player easily placed a well-placed shot past St Vincent custodian Winslow McDowall.
The Jaguars pressed forward, hunting another goal but luck was not on their side as they closed the half holding a 1-0 lead.
However, the home side equalised through their dapper forward Cornelius Stewart, who is well known to Guyana head coach Jamaal Shabazz, given the fact that the Vincentian had played with Caledonia AIA in the TT Pro-League.
The 25-year-old Stewart had troubled Guyana’s defence several times in the first half and finally got past Akel Clarke in the 51st minute to equalise for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Both sides were guilty of not capitalising on their chances on goal, but Guyana, in the 75th minute through Wilson got the icebreaker.
Wilson, who plays locally with Alpha United lashed on to ‘through ball’ and the 21-year-old forward calmly patted his effort past an outstretched McDowall.

With victory in sight, the Christopher Nurse-captained side were cautious in their play but the defence caved in after pressure from the ‘Vincy Heat’ whose second-half substitute Tevin Slater equalised, just before the end of regulation and full time, ending in a draw.
The result means that Guyana, in their return leg on Sunday, June 14 at the Guyana National Stadium, will only need a goalless or 1-1 result to advance to the next round of qualifiers, thanks to their two crucial away goals.
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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #79 on: June 11, 2015, 03:00:46 PM »

Dominica vs. Canada | World Cup Qualifying Match Preview
JUNE 9, 2015
Daniel Squizzato
MLSsoccer.com



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USA Today Sports Images
CANADA vs. DOMINICA
Thursday, June 11, 7 pm ET
Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
TV: none

Canada’s quest towards Russia 2018 is set to begin in the same way as its last few World Cup qualifying campaigns – in the early CONCACAF rounds, against an obscure and (almost certainly) overmatched opponent.

But Canadian fans are desperately hoping that this campaign will end a bit differently than the last few have.

It’s assumed that this home-and-away series (the second leg is at BMO Field on June 16) will be a cakewalk for Benito Floro’s side, with many observers already casting their gaze toward the semifinal round (Canada’s terminus in the last four qualifying cycles), set to kick off in November.

But Floro has been careful not to overlook this matchup with the tiny Caribbean island, currently ranked No. 168 in the world. He has named a nearly full-strength roster and said earlier this month that “we need to play both games with a lot of intensity and I hope my players understand the situation, because it would be very, very bad if we don’t play well.”

Get more CanMNT news here
Indeed it would, given that Canada—who’ve recently moved up to No. 109 in the world—has found ways to slip up against minnows in the past. Under Floro, however, the team appears to be more organized and confident than in the past, which has some fans wondering whether he might be the one to lead them to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying (aka “the Hex”) for the first time since the 1998 World Cup cycle.

Before any of that, however, there is Dominica—and, beyond Dominica, another home-and-away series in September.

Roster notes: Atiba Hutchinson has been ruled out of both legs against Dominica with a leg injury. Meanwhile, FC Edmonton defender Mallan Roberts has replaced Dejan Jakovic, who is also dealing with an injury.

Broadcast note: The game will not be broadcast on Canadian television. There is the possibility of a web stream, but the logistics will not be known until matchday. The Canadian Soccer Association will provide updates via Twitter, @CanadaSoccerEN.

HISTORY

In terms of history between the two teams, there is none. This series will be the first two matches between Canada and Dominica.

Now, if you’re talking World Cup history – well, there’s also close to none. Canada’s only appearance in the FIFA World Cup was in 1986, though they came agonizingly close to qualifying for USA ’94 (losing to Australia on penalty kicks in an intercontinental play-off). In their most recent qualifying campaign, heading into Brazil 2014… well, let’s just agree not to talk about that, shall we?

As for Dominica, this will be just their sixth World Cup qualifying campaign. The second round of CONCACAF qualifying is the farthest they’ve ever gone, posting an all-time record of three wins, four draws and 11 losses in World Cup qualifying.

READ: Orlando City's Larin coming into qualifiers with confidence
CANADA OUTLOOK

With a new cycle comes new hope. And while Canada has spent much of the last two and a half years fumbling in the wilderness, after unceremoniously crashing out of their last World Cup qualifying campaign, things actually appear to be coming together at the right time for Floro and company.

After an unconscionably abysmal 2013, in which Canada had zero wins and just one goal in 13 games, things began turning around in 2014, when Canada lost just once in five friendlies. So far in 2015, Canada has turned in a pair of creditable performances against Iceland (a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 loss) and posted victories over Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

If the Canadians can, as expected, earn two more wins against Dominica, they’ll ride into this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup on their first four-game winning streak since 2009. (Cosmic coincidence: Part of that streak came during the 2009 Gold Cup, in which Canada finished first in a group that included Costa Rica, Jamaica and El Salvador—the exact same teams they’ll be lined up against in the 2015 tournament).

Spirits have also been boosted by two fresh faces appearing on the roster: Will Johnson, who hasn’t been with the Canadian team in nearly two years, and Tesho Akindele, the Calgary-born FC Dallas striker who has just now committed to represent the nation of his birth.

READ: Predicting Canada's 23-man Gold Cup roster
DOMINICA OUTLOOK

Dominica—whose all-time high in the FIFA rankings was No. 128, back in February 2011—actually comes into this match with a bit of momentum.

After defeating the British Virgin Islands (ranked No. 194) 3-2 on aggregate in the first round of CONCACAF qualifying back in March, Dominica played a trio of friendlies against fellow Caribbean teams in order to prepare for the Canadian showdown. They ended up with a 2-1 win over Grenada (No. 160), a 1-1 draw with Saint Lucia (No. 136) and a 1-0 loss to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (No. 112).

All of this being said, the team’s outlook for World Cup qualification is exceedingly bleak; barring one of the most monumental upsets in soccer history, this is where the road will end for Dominica.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Canada – Tesho Akindele – Who else? The 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year bucked the trend and, when faced with a decision of whether to play for Canada or a higher-ranked country (in this case, the US), he actually chose Canada!

His commitment couldn’t have come at a better time, as the recent retirement of all-time leading scorer Dwayne De Rosario has opened the door for someone to step up and put the ball in the back of the net for Canada. Against Dominica, Akindele will get his first chance to show whether or not he’ll live up to the hype.

Get more international soccer news here
Dominica – Julian Wade – One of just two members of this roster to be playing professionally outside of Dominica at the moment, the 24-year-old striker has four goals in 12 appearances for his national team.

ROSTERS

Canada

GOALKEEPERS (3): Milan Borjan (Radnički Nis/Serbia); Lars Hirschfeld (Vålerenga/Norway); Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK/Sweden)

DEFENDERS (7): Nana Attakora (San Antonio Scorpions); Manjrekar James (Pécsi MFC/Hungary); Mallan Roberts (FC Edmonton); Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC); Karl W. Ouimette (New York Red Bulls); David Edgar (Birmingham City FC/England); Nik Ledgerwood (Energie Cottbus/Germany)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Adam Straith (Fredrikstad FK/Norway); Maxim Tissot (Impact de Montréal); Julian de Guzman (Ottawa Fury FC); Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas/Turkey); Will Johnson (Portland Timbers); Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC); Samuel Piette (Deportivo la Coruña; Spain); Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

FORWARDS (5):  Tosaint Ricketts (Hapoel Haifa/Israel); Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas); Randy Edwini-Bonsu (Stuttgarter Kickers/Germany); Marcus Haber (Crewe Alexandra/England); Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC)

Dominica

GOALKEEPERS (3): Glenson Prince (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinidad); Owen Oscar (Kensbro FC/Dominica); Raleighson Pascal (unattached)

DEFENDERS (8): Aldrin Lawrence (Portsmouth Bombers/Dominica); Darlton Bannis (unattached); Kervin Lawrence (unattached); Kurtney Mckenzie (unattached); Malcolm Joseph (Club Old Fort Road/Dominica); Malyan Philip (Southeast SC/Dominica); Hubert Prince (Centre Bath Estate/Dominica); Egbert Walsh (unattached)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Joslyn Prince (Southeast FC/Dominica); Naielle Lee (Centre Bath Estate/Dominica); Chad Bertrand (Dublanc FC/Dominica); Glensworth Elizee (Portsmouth Bombers/Dominica); Scottie Phillip (Southeast FC/Dominica); Sidney Lockhart (Southeast SC/Dominica); Travis Joseph (Dublanc FC/Dominica); Briel Thomas (Dublanc FC/Dominica); Anfernee Frederick (unattached)

FORWARDS (4): Mitchell Joseph (Centre Bath Estate/Dominica); Julian Wade (Slingerz FC/Guyana); Randolph Peltier (Pointe Michel FC/Dominica); Bert Casimir (unattached)
VITAMIN V...KEEPS THE LADIES HEALTHY...:-)

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #80 on: June 11, 2015, 04:16:27 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-j3HNRKKmrE#t=11" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-j3HNRKKmrE#t=11</a>

At the end of play today, Belize defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the first leg of CONCACAF Second Round qualifying.

Belize: Dean McCaulay (13', 88')

Dominican Republic: Lombardi (71')

EDIT: See this link for a transcript of the TV report on the game.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2015, 07:38:14 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #81 on: June 11, 2015, 07:39:15 PM »
Canada defeated the Dominica 2-0 in the first leg of CONCACAF Second Round qualifying played in Dominica.

Canada: Larin and Teibert (5' and 63'). Borjan was ejected for Canada at 82'.


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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #82 on: June 11, 2015, 07:41:33 PM »
In a telling turn of events, St. Kitts and Nevis presently lead El Salvador 2-1 with about 15 minutes left in regulation time ... after trailing 1-0.

UPDATE: 2-2 Final score.

El Salvador equalized through Bonilla at 88'. Other Salvadoran goal came at 40' via Herrera.

St Kitts and Nevis scored through Mitchum and Sawyers, 3 minutes within each other at 68' and 71'.
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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #83 on: June 12, 2015, 06:32:20 AM »
Canada defeats Dominica in men's 2018 World Cup qualifier
The Canadian Press.



Larin who opened the scoring in the fifth minute after receiving a through ball from Tosaint Ricketts in the right side of the box.

The Canadian men's soccer team downed Dominica 2-0 on Thursday in the first leg of a home-and-away series in the second CONCACAF preliminary round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Cyle Larin and Russell Teibert scored for Canada, which can advance to CONCACAF's third round of qualifying with a win, draw or one-goal loss in the second leg.

"I think we played a very good game," said Canadian head coach Benito Floro. "We proposed that we would be serious in this game and to play Dominica with a lot of respect. We developed a strong pressing game, and at the same time we had at least 12 or 13 scoring chances."

Larin opened the scoring in the fifth minute after receiving a through ball from Tosaint Ricketts in the right side of the box. Teibert doubled Canada's lead in the 64th minute on a penalty kick.

"It was very important to get an early goal and settle into the game and put them on the back foot early," said Larin. "It was good for us."

Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan was sent off in the 80th minute for deliberately handling a goal-bound shot outside the box after Jonathan de Guzman turned the ball over to give Dominica a breakaway. Borjan, who will be suspended for the second leg, was replaced in goal Kenny Stamatopolous.

Canada, ranked 109th in the world, hosts the second leg against the 168th ranked Dominicans in Toronto at BMO Field on June 16.

Should the Canadians advance after the second leg, they will move on to the third round of CONCACAF qualification. That stage will see 10 second-round winners join Jamaica and Haiti -- the seventh and eighth-seeded teams -- in six home-and-away series to be played Aug. 31 to Sept. 8.

The third-round winners will move on to the group stage -- a point the national team has failed to get past since the buildup to the 1998 World Cup.

"We'll prepare the same [for the game in Toronto] because this is the second half of the eliminatory, so we're going to play Dominica in front of our home support and we need to play very well," said Floro.

"We have to score enough goals to be happy and hopefully enough to give two or three players other chances to play, but it has to be a very good game for us."
« Last Edit: June 12, 2015, 06:36:25 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #84 on: June 12, 2015, 07:07:55 AM »


St. Kitts  Nevis has reinforced its technical staff with the recent addition of Jacques Passy Kahn from Mexico. Passy was at the helm yesterday along with Jeffrey Hazel (who ran things previously) in the draw versus El Salvador. According to my source, Passy is only the 4th Mexican coach to direct a foreign team. The others are Castillo, Javier Aguirre, Carlos de Los Cobos and Bora Milutinovic (a naturalized Mexican citizen).


The Kittians and Nevisians engaged in tactical prep for El Salvador.


Most of the technical staff.
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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #85 on: June 12, 2015, 08:38:22 AM »
Listen to and view the Belizeans pre-match tactical session and post-match reactions to the DR game between 5:55 and 14:38.

Coverage of the game continues from about 1:08:20 through the end. Provides an insight into the some common challenges across CONCACAF.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/130503347


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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #86 on: June 13, 2015, 08:43:59 AM »
‘Lights out’ Bermuda given fighting chance
By Stephen Wright (The Royal Gazette)


Guatemala 0 Bermuda 0

The second-round qualifier descended into chaos when the floodlights went off at the Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores in Guatemala City last night.

The blackout occurred in the 85th minute, with the players left standing around in the dark, bemused as to what had happened.

Both teams eventually headed to the dressing room before returning to the pitch about 15 minutes later — to play the final five minutes of the second half.

Bermuda had looked set for an impressive draw against a much fancied Guatemala before the floodlight failure, and continued their obstinate display when the match finally resumed.

The visiting side had Freddy Hall — the team’s captain, in the absence of the injured Nahki Wells — to thank, with the Bermuda goalkeeper pulling off a fine save late on.

Hall needed to be at his very best throughout against Guatemala, who unsurprisingly enjoyed the bulk of possession, missed a hatful of chances and had three goals disallowed.

Bermuda showed plenty of appetite for the battle, however, with Keishen Bean forcing a save from Ricardo Jerez, the Guatemala goalkeeper, with a free header that the midfielder probably should have done better with.

Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda coach, said before the game that it would be “beautiful” should his side return home with a fighting chance of advancing to the third round.

His battling players achieved far more than that last night, with an inspiring performance against a side ranked 33 positions above them in the Fifa world rankings, and can dare to dream of pulling off a major upset in the return leg at the National Stadium on Monday.

Bascome heaped praise upon his team for their unyielding defensive display but said his tactics would be far more expansive on home soil.

“I was very excited with the commitment and the guys stayed very organised,” Bascome said. “We kept our two blocks tight and we tried to make good use of the ball.

“Our objective was to prevent Guatemala from scoring and I have to praise the players for staying disciplined for the entire game.

“On Monday we will be in our conditions and our strategy will be a lot different.”

Mark Wade, the Bermuda Football Association vice-president, admitted that the team rode their luck at times but believed they had deserved the draw.

“The players were quietly confident that we could get something out of it,” said Wade, who attended last night’s game.

“The coach wanted the team to be hard to beat and we achieved that. We rode our luck at times but we are very happy to leave Guatemala with something.”

“Freddy [Hall] stepped up tonight and there were a lot performances that deserve praise.”

Wade said it was important the players to remained focused during the floodlight failure and admitted they had been hoping they would not come back on.

“It was quite confusing and, to be honest, we were hoping they did not come back on as [the result] would have stood.”

Monday’s match kicks off at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

Bermuda (4-5-1): F Hall — T Burgess (A Simmons, 76min), J Harvey, D Leverock, J Bather — D Ming, T Ming, R Lambe, K Bean, Z Lewis (sub: J Donawa, 61) — J Smith (sub: R Simons, 76). Substitutes not used: R Lee, D Bascome, D Eve, M Hill, L Simmons. Booked: T Ming, Burgess, Smith.

Guatemala (4-4-2): R Jerez — E Vasquez, W Lalin, M Hernández, J Márquez (sub: C Mejía, 68) — J Contreras (sub: K Herrarte, 75), M Papa, S Cincotta, M Avila (sub: M Lopez, 75) — C Ruiz, J Aparicio. Substitutes not used: V Ayala, R Morales, E Chinchilla, A Rodas, G Arias, Motta, X Castrillo, K Herrarte, D Lopez, B de Leon. Booked: Cincotta.

Referee: I Franco Sopegno (Cuba).
« Last Edit: June 13, 2015, 09:01:47 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #87 on: June 13, 2015, 08:59:49 AM »
Quote
Mark Wade, the Bermuda Football Association vice-president, admitted that the team rode their luck at times but believed they had deserved the draw.

I wonder if he was referring to the image below. The way the article reads you would think the game was played without controversy. However, that's not the way the Guatemalans see it. I wouldn't be surprised if the stadium lights went out through deliberate action.

"Goal" x Marco Pappa disallowed for seemingly no reason per the Guatemalans.


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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #88 on: June 13, 2015, 09:41:44 AM »


Puerto Rico beat Grenada 1-0 at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium with 4,500 spectators in attendance (among them Carmelo Anthony who is the owner of Puerto Rico FC, recently announced as a 2016 participant in the NASL).

Despite the loss, both Grenada coach Anthony Modeste and captain Marc Marshall feel that PR dropped the intensity in the second half and that Grenada is capable of overcoming the gap on home soil. The Puerto Ricans concede that they dropped the intensity, but also point out that Grenada has to chase the game at home, and in doing so will likely leave space to exploit in PR's favor.

Deniz Bozkurt @ 16' for his first international goal. Puerto Rico's first victory in three years. Puerto Rico incurred four (4) yellow cards going into next Tuesday's encounter at the National Cricket Stadium in St George's. Grenada none that I am aware of ...

UPDATE: View Puerto Rico's goal here
« Last Edit: June 13, 2015, 12:35:41 PM by asylumseeker »

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Re: 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Thread
« Reply #89 on: June 13, 2015, 10:31:11 AM »
Matches, CONCACAF Second Round, 2nd leg

Sunday, June 14

Barbados v. Aruba
Belize v. Dominican Republic
Cuba v. Curacao
Guyana v. St. Vincent & The Grenadines
St. Lucia v. Antigua & Barbuda

Monday, June 15

Bermuda v. Guatemala

Tuesday, June 16

Canada v. Dominica
Grenada v. Puerto Rico
El Salvador v. St. Kitts & Nevis
Surinam v. Nicaragua

 

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