Vincy Heat waltz to Reggae Boyz

Vincy Heat, this country’s senior national football team, will be hoping for better results when they face Cuba this Sunday, in Havana, in another international friendly, as they prepare to take on Canada here on Sunday, June 15, in the first leg of the second round of the CONCACAF Zone of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.{{more}}

Vincy Heat was humbled 5-1 last Tuesday night at the Jamaica National Stadium by the Reggae Boyz. The Jamaica’s goals came from a brace by Marlon King in the 27th and 42nd minutes, Demar Phillips in the 17th, Deon Burton in the 74th and captain Ricardo Gardner in the 88th minute.

Vincy Heat’s lone goal was scored by Marlon James in the 57th minute.

Manager of Vincy Heat Roxell John told SEARCHLIGHT from the team’s hotel on Tuesday night that he was disappointed with the result.

He believed that the team lost the match in the first half.

“We played poorly in the first half. The guys were tense and tight and allowed the Jamaicans to dictate the match”, John said.

“Many of the players were scared at the occasion as some were playing some positions for the first time”, John added.

He also singled out a few lapses in the defence and by goal keeper Melvin Andrews as being costly to the score line.

Having lost Technical Director Stewart John Hall through an ejection from the bench, John said the team had an improved second half.

“I must say that we had a much better second half”, John stated.

“Despite the result, we still were very organized and kept our shape”, he opined.

He believed, though, that the experience was fruitful for the team’s immediate assignment against Cuba.

The Vincentians left Jamaica early Wednesday morning for the Spanish speaking Caribbean country.

The last time the two teams met, St. Vincent and the Grenadines beat Jamaica in their last official match 2-1 in the Digicel Caribbean Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium. That defeat eliminated the Boyz from the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition.

The four world cup encounters were all victories for the Jamaicans, while two other matches in the Andre Kamperveen Cup in 1992 both ended in draws.

It has been wretched year of preparation in international outings. Before last Tuesday, Vincy Heat lost to Guyana, 0-1, Grenada 1-2 and Barbados 0-2. The upside saw a 2-2 tie in a return match versus Guyana and a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe.

The team on tour is Cornelius Huggins, Randolph Williams, Oscar Nero, Roy Richards, Daren Hamlet, Benford Joseph, Alwyn Guy, Melvin Andrews, Winslow Mac Dowald, Richard Hayde, Shandel Samuel, Kendal Velox, Darren Francis, Emerald George, Troy Jeffers, Marlon James, Theon Gordon, Sean Glynn, Millon Prescott and Cornelius Stewart.

The officials are Stewart John Hall – Technical Director, Roxell John – Manager, Roger Gurley – Coach, Kevin Richardson – Assistant Coach. The team’s doctor, Dr Farique Cordice, is a Vincentian based in Jamaica.(RT)