Dominica’s hopes of qualifying for the next round of the Concacaf Nations League suffered a setback as the Nature Isle Boys were held to a 1-1 Draw with Anguilla in their League C, Group C match up at Warner Park in St Kitts on Sunday.
The National team got off to a great start with Julian Wade getting behind the Anguilla defense and calmly slotting the ball past Anguilla’s
goalkeeper Danniell Bailey in the fourth minute.
Dominica dominated possession and had the majority of shots on goal, but couldn’t add to their lead and took a 1-nil advantage heading into the second half.
The second half began at a breakneck pace. Darryl Longdon nearly doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, but Bailey made a strong save.
At the other end, Kieron Lake had a good rip from long range in the 53rd minute, but it was punched away by Dominica’s Goal Keeper Glenson Prince.
It was Guishard who finally found the equalizing goal in the 56th minute, blasting a right-footed effort past Prince from 12 yards out.
Dominica pushed hard for a winner, but the Anguillan defense held firm to earn a second consecutive draw.
Dominica will face St Lucia in their next match at Windsor Park on Thursday June 9th.
Below are two other photos from the match courtesy of the DFA
FIFA’s goal to ensure every nation theoretically has a chance to win the World Cup is nothing but a pipe dream. Truth is the Dominica national team would be obliterated by lower tier professional clubs across the UK, US, Europe and rest of the globe.
It is high time to stop the hype and face the reality of the limitations in fielding a competitive team from a nation of 72,000.
Though I fully appreciate the passion of the players, coaches and fans, I continue to have realistic low expectations every time the Dominican team takes the field.
This is the fall-out in a country where the government is not serious in the development of professional athletes, sports and the availabilty of quality recreation facilities.
What are we really good at as Dominicans? I know. We have lost our ability to discern what’s good from what’s right. We are dishonest to one another, we two faced people in whom there’s no trust. Our children follow in our footsteps and pay a higher penalty. How did we happened to drift such a far distance from where we once were? People I grew up with and knew have changed drastically. We seem to have adapted to a ferocious nature of beasts. We go out to conquer and we are conquered. We go out to win and we return losers with heads bowed in disbelief. We are as lost sheep unable to find our way. But the way is there. All we must do is ask for directions. We tend to attempt all things in our own power; never finding it necessary to pray and ask for Victory as the Israelites did before each battle. My beloved, the Bible says, “The people who do know their God, shall be strong and do exploits.” Without this knowledge we will remain weak and defeated every time. One prayer can change that
I have no time for misplaced emotion regarding sports in Dominica. Ever since the Labor cabal assumed office in the country sports never was a priority. They built a few concrete areas and put up posts and backboards claiming to be developing basketball. That’s not how a strategy to develop sports goes. No strategic planning and no mission being worked towards for the development of sports and the youth. Talk is really cheap. Where are the experienced coaches, the proper facilities, the budget, the scholarships etc. It’s all about building hotels and selling passports. Even that is clouded in secrecy and corruption. Sending a lot of young people to study overseas and who don’t return because of lack of opportunity is not a sound strategy because it results in brain drain. When last did Dominica win at any regional sporting events? The answer is few and far between with humiliation and defeat. I guess Labourites like it so. We used to win some in the past.
What, a draw again against such a miniscule country. Guys, I’m not following you again until at least you score a win. Waste of time honestly.