Vincy Heat Posse: ROAD TO LONDON – NATIONAL U23 FOOTBALLERS BRACE FO...

Vincy Heat Posse: ROAD TO LONDON – NATIONAL U23 FOOTBALLERS BRACE FO...: "By: Jamal Browne ( http://www.vincyheatposse.blogspot.com/ ) National U23 Football Team players absorb the instructions of Assistant Coach..."

ROAD TO LONDON – NATIONAL U23 FOOTBALLERS BRACE FOR THE JOURNEY

By: Jamal Browne (http://www.vincyheatposse.blogspot.com/)

National U23 Football Team players absorb the instructions of Assistant Coach, Cornelius Huggins in their training session on Monday 27^th June, 2011.

Amidst all the turmoil surrounding world football – CFU, FIFA, Warner, Bin Hammam, Blatter and the likes – The National Under 23 football team of St. Vincent & the Grenadines forges on with one goal, one ambition.

On your marks, and off we go. The London 2012 Olympic Games might be an entire year away, but the journey of this small nation’s Olympic football team officially kicks off with three Group A matches running from August 3^rd to 7^th, 2011. Group A includes perennial Caribbean giants Jamaica, the ever competitive Cayman Islands, and host country Suriname, where the winner takes all – including a spot in the CFU final round among the winners of four sub-regional groups.

However, the challenge of facing sub-regional opponents might be considered negligible in comparison to that of hitting the pitch in competition with the confederation’s more established teams. The likes of Mexico, The USA, Honduras and Costa Rica, remain a thorn in the flesh for Vincentian national football teams. The statistics are truly unflattering. However, the question can very well be asked: Are we in for a change of fortune this time around?

By the estimation of many, including former National U20 coach, Mr. Kendale Mercury, The National U20 Team of 2008 missed an opportunity of a lifetime as it failed to qualify for the 2009 U20 World Cup held in Egypt. The teamed seemed well primed for an outstanding showing at the CFU final round. Unfortunately, the team’s 2 nil loss to a technically, tactically and physically strong Jamaican outfit forced the young lads into a playoff against Honduras on neutral ground in Central Trinidad. Having made an early tally in the game, St. Vincent led by one goal to nil until a questionable 72^nd minute booking of Captain Cornelius Stewart reduced the outfit to 10 men on the pitch. Honduras capitalized on this and snatched a 3 – 1 victory in the dying minutes of the game. Honduras also qualified for the 2009 finals in Egypt.

For many of the players on the current National U23 Team, it is their opportunity to recompense themselves and their country for what they have since considered “a missed opportunity”.

Former National U20 Captain, 21 year old Cornelius Stewart is expected to join the squad within the next two weeks. Stewart who is currently a part of the Residency Programme of the Vancouver Whitecaps of US Major League Soccer (MLS) is expected to play a key role in the squad, particularly upfront along with 18 year old Myron Samuel. Samuel who recently returned to the state having completed what many have considered a fruitful trial with the Seattle Sounders FC – also of the MLS – has had a phenomenal year with his local club, Avenues United. Both Stewart and Samuel have captained their respective National U20 teams – one can therefore expect a great amount of leadership upfront.

Also prepped to make his way into the squad within the next two weeks is 20 year old UK-Based defender Akil Howard. Howard is currently enrolled in the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) in the United Kingdom. He has represented St. Vincent & the Grenadines at the U20 level – both in 2008 and 2010 – and is poised to make a smooth transition into the U23 and Men’s Senior Teams.

The team recently journeyed across to Barbados for two friendly matches. The first match which was played against the Barbados National Senior Team ended in a stalemate. The second matchup saw the young lads coming up against the Bradley University Team out of the US – this also ended in a scoreless draw.

While the technical staff expressed their satisfaction with the team’s performance in the Barbados friendlies, it is accepted by all that such results would all prove futile unless they are translated into match winning performances when it truly matters.

The team has been in training since December 2010, but officially kicked off their preparations in March of this year under the direction of Mr. Colwyn Rowe – the newly appointed Technical Director of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Football Federation. Mr. Rowe’s official appointment was quickly followed by a series of changes which included the replacement of Mr. Kendale Mercury as interim Head Coach of the National Under 23 team, along with a number of official appointments. 

The team’s new technical staff includes Mr. Colwyn Rowe as Head Coach, Mr. Cornelius Huggins as Assistant Coach, Mr. Earl Paynter as Second Assistant Coach, and Goal Keeper Coach Mr. Kevin Richardson. The team is being managed by Mr. Othnell Douglas. Former national youth and senior footballer Mr. Theon Gordon is also expected to join the U23 team and other youth programmes in a technical/ developmental capacity. Gordon recently obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management and is expected to play a critical role in the advancement of a new youth football agenda for St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

So as this date with destiny approaches, let us rally around our National U23 Football Team. They need our support, they need our prayers, they need our best wishes, for the journey has just begun.