The journey to the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil is a long one. Only the elite national teams will advance to that ultimate stage. Thus far that level of success, has been quite elusive for members of the English-speaking Caribbean. Only Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been able to carry the Caribbean banner in the WC Finals.
The Bahamas has been struggling to be a significant presence in the region. It is very possible though that the time has arrived for Bahamian soccer to begin a surge into the Caribbean power block and beyond.
The present team might very well be the best ever put together by the Bahamas Football Association. It is indeed a solid cast, inclusive of players who have clearly demonstrated the ability to rise to the occasion.
Just this past Saturday, the Bahamian Nationals served up a delightful dish, a brilliant mix on offense and defense to defeat the Turks and Caicos Islands 4-0 in that country. Capturing the away game so easily was proof of the potential of the local squad.
It was the brightest showing in the history of Bahamian soccer. The victory marked a rousing beginning of the World Cup Preliminary Qualifying round in the Confederation of North and Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
Against the Turks and Caicos in Providenciales, the Bahamian Nationals took nothing for granted. They put a stranglehold of defense on the home team right away and the nifty offense throughout the match was too much for Turks/Caicos.
Nesley Jean pushed two balls into the net for The Bahamas while Cameron Hepple and Jackner Louis got the others. This coming Weekend, July 9, just one week after the stunning win, The Bahamas hosts Turks/Caicos right here at the Roscow Davies Field. Bahamians should flock to the Davies facility to show the local players that they are appreciated and fully supported.
There is little doubt that there will be a very good representation of the folks who make up the Bahamian/Haitian citizenry in New Providence. They will be out in solid numbers, yes, to pull for the players they feel more closely connected to, but also to cheer on Team Bahamas. For sure, the July 9 regional affair will be the forum that will indicate just how patriotic indigenous Bahamians really are.
The match should be an entertaining one. Turks and Caicos will be desperate. The Bahamas brought four away goals home and Turks/Caicos is in a deep hole on this tie. They will fight.
On the other hand, in a home game, the Bahamians will definitely want to emphasize their dominance over the visitors and prove that the first match was not a fluke.
This is our Independence period and boosting our nationals will be an excellent way to celebrate. The players going into battle under Head Coach Kevin Davies, are: Raynaldo Sturrup, Anton Sealey Jr., Dana Veth, Happy Hall, Dwayne Forbes, Mackenson Altidor, Demont Mitchell, Michael Bethel, Lesly St. Fleur, Nesley Jean, Cameron Hepple, Torin Ferguson, Jonathon Sykes, Christopher Larson, Andrew Pratt, Raymon Sturrup, Shemord Thompson and Jackner Louis.
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