Vincy Heat heads to St Lucia for Group Two of the CFU Cup

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ senior men’s football team — Vincy Heat — head to St Lucia today, Friday — to participate in Group Two of the Caribbean Football Union Cup, which kicks off this Sunday at the Beausejour Stadium.{{more}}

And, coach of the Vincentian team, Cornelius Huggins, is brimming with confidence as his charges engage Guyana, Curacao and St Lucia.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field, Huggins said his team is prepared.

“The preparations went well, except for the days when the players had to play in the club championships. But it was good for them, as it made them match fit,” Huggins said.

Vincy Heat will face off with Guyana’s Golden Jaguars on Sunday from 5 p.m.

“… having seen the Guyanese play, they will be the main threat … it is a difficult group,” Huggins said.

Despite this, Huggins believes the 19 players will advance to the next phase of competition.

Wesley Charles, who has been defending for 16 years, will captain the SVG team.

Charles, 36, last captained Vincy Heat in 2010 in the Caribbean Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

The team comprises Kenyon Lynch, Dwayne Sandy, Roy Richards, Reginald Richardson, Odanza Dennie, Shemmol Trimmingham, Oscar Nero, Devon Browne and Darren Hamlett, Theon Gordon, Emerald George, Wendell Cuffy, Cornelius Stewart, Myron Samuel, Shandell Samuel, Nicol Stephens, Zenroy Lee, and Azhino Solomon.

The rest of the management team comprise, Tyrone Barrow — assistant coach; Othneil Douglas — manager, Kevin Richardson — goal keeper coach, Denis Byam —physiotherapist and Alnif Williams — kit manager.

Vincy Heat plays St Lucia from 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Curacao and Guyana play from 6 p.m.

The Vincentians round up their campaign when they engage Curacao from 6 p.m. on Thursday. The group closes off with Guyana meeting St Lucia from 8:30 p.m.

In the second round, Grenada will host Group six Guadeloupe will stage Group Seven while Trinidad and Tobago will host Group Eight.

The top two teams from each second-round group will advance to the finals, December 3 to 16, in Antigua and Barbuda.

The host and defending champion, Jamaica are automatic qualifiers to the finals.

The four semi-finalists will gain berths to the 2012 CONCACAF gold cup in the USA. (RT)