The Windsor Park Sports Stadium will be hosting two days of football action as Dominica goes up against the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
“The game is expected to start today (Thursday), the first of two games,” President of the Dominica Football Association Glen Etienne told DNO. “This first game is the BVI home game but they could not host it in their country because of some logistics pertaining to ground, so we are doing both games in Dominica.”
He noted that the games starts the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2018 competition in Russia.
“That’s the first leg of the game and the next leg is hopefully in June and which other team wins this leg, they will go on to meet Canada,” Etienne said.
Thursday’s game will begin at 7:00 pm and the second game, on Sunday, will start at 5:00 pm.
Etienne said hosting the games in Dominica will benefit everyone.
“It’s a World Cup qualifying game and a number of scouts might be on island looking for talented players, who can gain some spots in various clubs internationally,” he stated. “It is an advantage for not only Dominica but for the BVI too and all other countries. It is an advantage for the players, their whole lifestyle can change.”
The DFA’s President said with the advantage that the Dominican team has, they have the ability to win.
“I think the players have a high spirit and I think they can move to the next leg,” an optimistic Etienne said. “The game is in Dominica, which is on home ground, so that in itself is an advantage, you have your crowd support and persons behind you all you have to do is to come and win the game.”
He mentioned that the Dominican team has been “training vigorously” and “they have the ability to win the game or they should win the game.”
“That would just solidify their moving to the next round against Canada. Their coaches have been working hard with them. The team is a very, very good team,” he said.
Meanwhile, coach for Dominica’s team, Shane Marshall, said the players are ready.
“We are ready but is not under estimating the BVI .. our guys are on a high and ready for action, ” he remarked.
Tickets for both games are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
Dominica is rated at No. 181 in FIFA’s latest ranking.
181 in the world? Only 17 countries are ranked lower and they are mainly small island pacific states I guess with little or no space to place football.
http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
Who made the squad?