The preparation of the country’s Senior National Football Team intensifies ahead of their June 13 World Cup assignment with Nicaragua. That’s the word from head coach Aide Shaw.
“We are hoping to get more warm- up matches before hopefully going into camp,” Shaw disclosed. {{more}}
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is slated to play another friendly away in St. Kitts this Sunday. Hopes are high, with the prospects of Team SVG hosting French neighbours Martinique May 30. English–based Rodney “Chang” Jack is expected home May 24, and should be the draw card in this crucial fixture.
Training sessions for the squad of players have been increased in recent weeks.
In addition, trainer Kevin Hornsby has been added to the staff. Reports are that three more coaches will be here next week to look at players in training.
“We like to look at a five-week final preparation at getting players to their peak,” Shaw stated.
Within this period Hornsby and his technical team are looking to all the overseas-based players available to gel with the locally based ones.
In their last warm-up match two weeks ago in Grenada, Team SVG had three of the overseas-based players. In for the Grenada match were Portuguese-based Wesley “Brisco” John, Kendall “Ken-I” Velox, who plays in Trinidad and Tobago, and Caswain “Polo” Mason who campaigns in Canada.
SVG and Grenada played to a 1-1 tie, which was this country’s third warm-up match.
Apart from these players, the technical staff is looking ahead to others joining the squad. Those who have yet to play with the team in this year’s preparation are Ezra Hendrickson and Jack. Both have played in previous World Cup qualifiers, with Hendrickson captaining the team in 2000. Jack was part of the team when this country made its debut at the World Cup level in 1992.
Another on the list is Nathan Abbey. Abbey, a goalkeeper, played with the team while they were in England last December on a two-week training stint.
Julian Joachim, the other player being sought after, is nursing an injury and is doubtful for the Nicaragua tie.
Optimism is high as the Nicaragua match nears. With this country failing to get past the group stage on three previous campaigns in 1992, 1996 and 2000, football pundits are confident that the team will perform better this time around, as preparation seems more organized.
SVG will host their South American counterparts Sunday, June 30.
Apart from the Senior National team, the Under–17, Under–20 and the Senior Females are all in training. The Under-19 Female team has scaled down its programme, but meets at least once per week, while the Under-13 programme is soon to be active.