SVG to face Martinique this Sunday

The country’s senior football team will be going into this Sunday’s warm up match against Martinique, here, hoping for a moral boosting win.
This will be Team SVG’s final warm-up match, as they prepare to meet Nicaragua in Managua June 13. This will be SVG’s first leg of the 2006 World Cup qualifier.{{more}}
Team SVG faltered last Sunday in their preparation, going under to St. Kitts 2-3.
The Vincentians equalized twice after the Kittitians took the lead. A second half goal sealed the issue.
Team SVG’s goals came from Renson Haynes and Shandell Samuel.
Head coach of the local team, Aide Shaw, though ‘disappointed’ with last Sunday’s result, said that the match still had its “positives for us.”
He summarized the match as an encounter of ‘two poor defensive teams.’
He said that he now has a clearer picture in his mind of the team to face Nicaragua.
“Everybody has now gotten a chance to prove themselves,” Shaw stated.
“That match was the last for some people, as they have proven they are not ready for the World Cup qualifiers,” Shaw observed.
He sees Sunday’s friendly against Martinique as crucial, as the team, which will travel to Nicaragua, will be named soon after.
Several overseas-based players, including Rushden and Diamonds’ Rodney ‘Chang’ Jack, are expected to feature in the match.
Those who made the starting line-up in last Sunday’s fixture were Melvin Andrews (Goalkeeper), Defenders – Brent Samuel, Burton Forde, Randy Francois, Aquasi Audain, Midfielders – Caswain Mason, Lawrence Franklyn, Kenlyn Gonsalves and Howie Williams. Strikers – Shandell Samuel and Renson Haynes.
Those substituted were Greg Myers, Rudy Joseph, Marion Grant, Vincent John, Tyrone Prince, Jamal Ballantyne and Alwyn Guy.
The 19-member team and officials returned to the state Monday afternoon.
SVG will host Nicaragua in the return leg June 20.