Pivotal game will be played today; team finds itself in a precarious position
- Simba French
- 4 hrs ago
- 0
The Bahamas’ senior men’s national soccer team have a key rematch against Antigua and Barbuda in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League tomorrow in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda.
The League B Group D match gets underway at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s Center at 3 p.m. today, and is a key matchup for Team Bahamas as they look to get out of fourth place in the group after Antigua and Barbuda turned them back 4-1 at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Saturday.
“We need to stay focused and play our game. It is going to come to us but we have to be focused. The players have to be mentally ready for 90 minutes. We are going to make the adjustments,” Jean said. “We just must keep on talking to the players and encouraging them. We are going to make mistakes and this one is over, so we can only focus on the next game coming up. We are going to continue to give the guys the tools that they need to succeed.”
The Bahamas has yet to secure a point while Antigua and Barbuda has three points in the group. This is a pivotal game as The Bahamas looks to avoid a six-point deficit in the standings.
“Pressure is there,” Jean said. “We know we have the players and can do well. We have to limit our mistakes if we want to move forward.”
Antigua and Barbuda got the start they wanted in the last game with two goals in the first nine minutes. Antigua and Barbuda Head Coach Mikele Leigertwood is hoping that they get another fast start in today’s game.
“I am hoping that it will be a lot. We have players who thrive off confidence and momentum,” Leigertwood stated. “We have seen that we can score goals and create more chances. We are certainly looking forward to the trip going back to play at home in front of our home fans.”
The Bahamas’ lone goal scorer on Saturday, Wood Julmis, said that they need to trust Jean.
“We have to trust and believe when our coach gives us the free will to play. When our coach sets up the game plan, he gives us all the tools to go and perform to the best of our ability. We as players need to step up and trust our coach and execute the things that he wants us to do,” Julmis said.https://8ed088e6c6a1ed606d836989d5897e55.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
Midfielder for Antigua and Barbuda Keiron Richards is looking for them to pick up where they left off and keep going.
“We needed this result (Saturday), not only to build confidence but we as a small country know what we can do and our fans know what we can do,” Richards said. “I have no doubt that we will get the three points at home and take this competition to the wire because we are trying to get to world cup.”
This is the final game in this Nations League window for both teams. They will play the third and final window in November. The dates for the two games in the November window will be announced at a later date.