Despite the multiple obstacles that have plagued preparations, head coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Senior Men’s Football Team Vincy Heat, Kendale Mercury believes that there is enough in the players to overcome their opponents in the Concacaf Nations League.

Drawn in Group C of League B, alongside the Bahamas, Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago, Vincy Heat begins their quest for success today, June 3 against the Bahamas in the Bahamas.

Mercury who would be watching the match from a distance, having not travelled with the team to the Bahamas is confident that his charges can get the three points on the road.

Even in his optimism, Mercury however cautioned that, “It is not going to be an easy game , but I think we have enough experience in the team from the last Nations League …There is enough steel in the team to bring back three points … I don’t expect anything less than three points”.

Mercury has been forced to stay at home, having returned from Dominica last Monday May 30. He spent two weeks in mandatory quarantine in the Nature Isle after contracting COVID- 19 while St Vincent and the Grenadines was there for two friendly international matches versus the host on May 12 and 15.
The Vincy Heat head coach therefore reiterated that he did not want to risk being around the players, in preference to sticking to the five days period following his clearance.

Bishon John will serve at the team’s coach in the Bahamas.

Mercury, though will be at the helm when Vincy Heat faces Nicaragua at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Monday, June 6- Whit Monday.

“Don’t expect us to breeze through the Nicaraguans… It is a match that we have to fight tooth and nail for… From my research, I see that the Nicaraguans have kept seven players on their roster which give me the indications that they are going after the top position in the group”, Mercury reasoned.

When the two sides met in 2019 in the Nations League, Vincy Heat drew 1-1 with Nicaragua in Nicaragua, but came away 1-0 winners in the return fixture at home.

Mercury will be banking on the likes of Jamol Yorke, Oalex Anderson, Diel Spring, Brad Richards, and Azhino Solomon to bolster the team versus Nicaragua.

The quintet, who are regulars are not part of the opening match against the Bahamas.

Cognisant of all the off the field happenings, Mercury sees management of the players’ mental state as critical to the outcome of the matches.

“ We have to manage the players properly as some are not in the best mental state they ought to be, but there are players who have gone through trials and tribulations…Don’t matter what is thrown at them they are going to stand firm … They are going to focus on their tasks … They dream of making the Gold Cup directly and that is what should spur them”, Mercury said.

Nineteen players have been selected for today’s match against the Bahamas.

They include goal keepers: Josh Stowe, Jadiel Chance and Jahvan Peters. The defenders are Jahvin Sutherland, Kevin Francis, Mekeal Williams, Najima Burgin and Iruel Matthias. Making up the list of midfielders are Dorren Hamlett, Adden Charles, Nazir Mc Burnette, Kurtlon Williams, Garret Leigertwood, Terris Joseph and Matthew Jackson. The strikers are Malcolm Stewart, Cornelius Stewart, Kishorn Durham and Rondell Thomas.

The Management Team comprises assistant coach, Bishon John; Manager, Ronen Francis; goal keeping coach, Melvin Andrews; physiotherapist, Kevin Young; medical doctor,Michael Stowe and Media Officer, Junio Kelly.

Today’s match kicks 5:00 p.m and will be streamed via the Concacaf Facebook and Youtube Pages, as well as on FLOW Sports television.

Following today’s match and Monday’s fixture against Nicaragua, Vincy Heat will host Trinidad and Tobago on June 10; and the reverse match with Trinidad and Tobago takes place in Trinidad on June 13.

The next window of matches takes place in March, 2023.