| October 8, 2003
Men's Soccer Player Called
Up For National Team Duty
Hartsville, SC - Coker
men's soccer player Andres Webb will return to the
Cayman Islands this week to play for his country in
its Olympic Qualifying match against Grenada on Sunday,
October 12. Webb will depart for the West Indies Wednesday
night, following the Cobras home CVAC match against
Belmont Abbey. Webb began playing with Cayman's Senior National Team
when he was 16 and has earned more Caps with the team
than he can remember. The junior plays center back
for Coker but anticipates playing in the defensive
midfield or at left back for his country in their important
match on Sunday.
The match is the second leg of a home and away series
with Grenada. Cayman was defeated 5-0 at Grenada in
early September, a contest which Webb did not return
for. The winner of the Grenada/Cayman Islands series
will advance to face Trinidad and Tobago, a strong
team in the CONCACAF region, which the United States
also plays in.
Webb also participated in Under 17 World Cup qualifying
in 2001 and says that the qualifying experience is
much more intense than Friendly matches he's played
in for Cayman. "I played in three matches in that tournament,
against Bermuda, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba," Webb
said. "They were all physical matches but our team
played well. We tied Bermuda, beat the Dominican Republic
but then lost to Cuba, who advanced out of the group."
Webb's coach with the National Team, Marcos Tinoco,
believes that his squad is prepared, saying "The team
is showing more concentration and commitment in training." He
pointed out that following a recent Sports Psychology
Seminar with renowned Sports Psychologist Dr. Keith
Bell from the USA the players now fully understand
the responsibility and privilege of representing their
country. He added that, "The team has put in a lot
of extra hours working on tactical abilities and formation."
Coker head coach Chris Ayer is thrilled for Webb and
extremely proud. "This is a great opportunity for Andres," Ayer
stated. "He gets to play for his country against the
best the CONCACAF has to offer. Playing for your National
Team is an achievement that soccer players worldwide
strive to experience. I know Andres will perform well
in his return to the Cayman Islands."
Webb will miss Coker's October 11 match against Erskine,
but will return in time for the team's October 18 match
against Lees-McRae.
Andres Webb
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