Oh, what a night!

STVINCENT AND THE Grenadines recorded it biggest win in its footballing history, when last Sunday, October 13, 2024, the Senior Men’s National Team, Vincy Heat, defeated El Salvador, 2-1 in the Concacaf Nations League (CNL).

Sunday’s win came 20 years after, also at the same Arnos Vale venue, October 10, 2004, to be precise, when St Vincent and the Grenadines earned that honourable one- nil defeat to Mexico in a World Cup match.

The scenes were different last Sunday night, as it was joy unspeakable, as the win brought big smiles to the faces of Vincentians, those who were present, as well as the thousands who followed on the various platforms.

That is the power that sporting events like Football bring, as the ambassadors on the pitch on that memorable night, delivered in front of over 6000 adoring patrons.

No commendation is too much for the showing by Vincentians last Sunday night, given that three days prior, they were disappointed with the outcome, as the home side was beaten 3-2, in a heart break, squandering a 2-1 lead.

But, to put things into perspective, the win was phenomenal, as El Salvador is currently ranked 80th on the latest FIFA list, whilst St Vincent and the Grenadines is 174th . That is a 94 places differential between the two countries.

Before last Sunday, St Vincent and the Grenadines had never beaten the Salvadorians in four previous match ups, dating back to 2000.

The margins were 7-1; 2-1; 3-1, all in World Cup matches, and the 3-2 on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the CNL. Indeed, much must be lauded on the players, the coaching staff and all who contributed to the success that not only started with that historic win over El Salvador. People who follow sports will acknowledge and know that the law of averages will point that such results will come at some stage to an underdog team.

Therefore, the best we can do is savour the fortunes of October 13, 2024, a red- letter day, not a lucky night!

The win though does not mean that St Vincent and the Grenadines’ football has reached its zenith. Neither does it suggest that we are once again the force we were back in the late 1970s to mid-2000s, when others in the region saw St Vincent and the Grenadines as formidable.

Caution must also be applied as in the fervour and ecstasy on the current mood emanating from last Sunday’s experience, and the hope in the three previous matches of the CNL, it must acknowledged that there are flaws in the national outfit. Hence, the Ezra Hendrickson – led technical staff of the Senior Men’s Team, has to be cognizant of what needs to be done to maintain that level of consistency and high energy output and self- belief that has been exhibited thus far.

Hendrickson too, has to show his man management skills, depth of understanding of the human mind, and reactions in situations where players become disheartened by some of his decisions.

Also, the Otashie Springled executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation has to step up with their end of the bargain, as the players are keeping theirs. In other words, players who are in training and who are finally selected must be their priority and must be given all the support, albeit within the financial limitations of the national Football budget.

Likewise, players have to earn their keep and show that they are deserving of the demands they put on the bargaining table.

Winning brings life, winning inspires, winning shows what can be achieved if the right chemistry, will, desire and tenacity are applied.

Moreso, as the Men’s National Football Team showed on Sunday, a sense of national pride and joy was borne out of the victory. Evidently, Vincentians’ spirits were lifted in the moment, amidst the glum and despondency, caused by social issues that have descended on the land.

Let not what unfolded last Sunday night be the few and far between. Vincentians, Football and other sporting disciplines can do well with more similar experiences on a more frequent basis.