Cayman Girls Win Big vs. BVI
November 10, 2009
By Beverly Melbourne
13-0 was the score line when the spirited Cayman Islands national Under 17 girls were finished with the British Virgin Islands team as action continued in the Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualifying tournament in the Sylvia Cator Stadium in Port AU Prince Haiti last Wednesday evening before over fourteen thousand spectators.
The girls face hosts Haiti on Friday in a do or die situation as they most have to win to advance comfortably to the next round or face Dominica Republic in a play off for a place in the next round.
In the other game played between Haiti and Bahamas, Haiti whipped the Bahamians 6-0.
The Cayman Islands national Under 17 fresh out of their first win were determined to make a statement in this event and were all over their opponents from the get go.
It was Ashani Francis who opened the score line in the 6th minute followed by the adroit Shanice Monteith who netted in the 8th ,31st, 54th and 56th minute, Brianna Hydes in the 15th and 90th, Ashleigh Shim in the 26th, 28th,73rd and 81st and Shenelle Frederick in the 43rd and 49th.
The performance of these young girls was overwhelming as they controlled the game from the first sound of the whistle having over eighty percent ball procession and advancing to goal constantly. At the end of the first half the score was 6-0.
The goal feast was not over yet as in the second half the girls came out with more confidence and went straight into the attack. British Virgin Islands goal keeper was sick of the treatment as the Caymanians continued to force their way into their opponent’s half pressuring goal keeper Prisney Pesers to make numerous saves for her team.
Four minutes into the second half the girls were on target again this time it was the frisky and determined Shenelle Frederick from the Cayman Brac who completed her double, Shanice Monteith and Ashleigh Shim scoring four goals each.
Throughout the game the team urged by the cheering spectators was on a high, not even the agility of the British Virgin Islands captain Jahirah Bascombe along with her defense line could keep the charging Cayman girls out of their goal area.
They played their hearts out; it was awesome to see the team spirit exhibited on the field. They were well prepared and showed no sign of fatigue. In a nut shell these girls were remarkable their determination was immeasurable given the limited international experience under their belts.
The girls are resting today focusing on their mental preparation for the crucial situation which faces them on Friday at 6:15pm at the Sylvia Cator Stadium.
The Delegation and the parents who came to support the team are in high spirits feeling proud of the girls and according to the head of Delegation Martha Godet the girls have a good chance to win the tournament if they play hard against Haiti.
“These girls are disciplined, as Head of Delegation I can proudly say that they have made my job so easy it’s unbelievable. They have committed themselves to training together for the past eight months. Unity means a lot to them and this will take them very far in the game.”
“They understand the game and have adhered to the instructions of the coaching staff and this has paid off for them. The two victories have motivated them and as far as I can see they have made up their minds to face Haiti with all they have learnt, their minds are made up and I expect that by the help of God they will be successful in this encounter with the hosts. I wish them all the best they are a great squad,” Godet stated.
