FORT LAUDERDALE, USA - DESPITE rain and a 20-minute stoppage of play, team St. Kitts and Nevis showed grit, determination and the will to win in a hard fought victory over French Guiana to qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
When the final whistle blew, the Sugar Boyz gained victory with a 4-2 penalty shootout over French Guiana after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time.
Playing in damp and soggy conditions at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the Sugar Boyz started the brighter of the two units, creating numerous chances, including an opportunity in the 9th minute that was not converted.
But French Guiana, a team of professional players, fought hard and also created opportunities of their own but they too could not capitalize on their chances.
With lightning, thunder and rain greeting the teams, the players were called off as play was suspended; but the action continued 20 minutes later and the Sugar Boyz continued from where they left off, pressing for the opening goal.
The deadlock was however broken in the 41st minute when a shot by Tiquanny Williams found the back of the net - his second international goal for St. Kitts-Nevis.
They went into the second half with the lead, but it was short-lived as a blunder opened the door for the South Americans to be awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute, which was converted by Arnold Abelinti.
St. Kitts and Nevis had created many more chances to seal the game but was unable to convert them, forcing the game to go into penalty shootout.
In the end, it was the goalkeeper whose second penalty save saw the Sugar Boyz securing a place in the main tournament.
