Today, The Bahamas concludes the two-match World Cup Qualifying Preliminary Round against the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Roscoe A.L. Davies Field, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Bahamas will be coming off its best ever showing in World Cup qualifying action.
The 4-0 away win against the Turks & Caicos last Saturday was emphatic and the understanding is that there were several other good opportunities for goals. The present team has an excellent chance to be considered the best ever up to this point. A total of 11 of the players are 22 or younger and the future looks good for them as nationals.
However, they have to get it done on the field. The jury is out. They now have to prove that they are four goals better than the Turks & Caicos, consistently. Indeed, while moving on to the next qualifying round seems a very good possibility, the bigger challenge is for The Bahamas to look good doing so.
Overpowering performances for The Bahamas at the World Cup qualifying level was unchartered territory until last Saturday. Is the team that good? Are the players that much superior to their opponents? Is there a new Bahamian soccer attitude in evidence? Will the players rise to the occasion at home in a magnificent way? Will they suffer a letdown and just edge past the Turks & Caicos into the next round? Will the unthinkable happen?
Will the Turks & Caicos register a shocker?
Those are the questions that have surfaced following what must be considered a breakthrough performance for The Bahamas in an away game. The view here is that this group is really very good. Keep in mind though The Bahamas World Cup qualifying history has not been impressive.
In 2008, The Bahamas had 1-1 and 2-2 ties against the British Virgin Islands and then got pounded by Jamaica 0-7 and 0-6. Was last Saturday, the dawn of a new era in Bahamian soccer?
The moment is at hand and all of the questions will be answered today. The Bahamian delegation numbers 30. Included are Delegation Chief Bruce Pierre LaFleur, National Coach Kevin Davies, Assistant Coaches Stephen Bellot and Harvey Mullings, and Technical Director Paul James. The players are Raynaldo Sturrup (GK), Anton Sealey Jr. (D), Dana Veth (D), Happy Hall (D), Dwayane Forbes (D), Mackenson Altidor (D), Demont Mitchell (MF), Michael Bethel (MF), Nesley Jean (MF), Lesley St. Fleur (F), Cameron Hepple (MF), Torin Ferguson (GK), Jonathon Sykes (F), Christopher Larson (F), Andrew Pratt (MF), Raymon Sturrup (D), Shemord Thompson (D), Jackner Louis (F), Shari Clarke (GK), Duane Beneby (D), Perry Brookes (MF), Gavin Christie (D), and Cornor Sheehen (MF). The equipment managers are Wilson Bain and Darron Beneby.
Best wishes to them!
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at frobertsturrup@gmail.co
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