BASSETERRE, St. Kitts— Following their resounding 5-0 loss to Puerto Rico in the opening match of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Qualifiers, Team St. Kitts-Nevis is eager to bounce back and keep their tournament hopes alive.
Poor ball handling, a lack of penetration, low footballing IQ, and other deficiencies were evident at the Technical Center in St. Peter’s. Coach Alexis Morris emphasized the need to address these areas before their crucial match against powerhouse Haiti this evening (Feb. 25).
Speaking to the media after the game, Morris acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We know the areas we need to work on."
Morris admitted that bouncing back against Haiti would be a daunting task given the quality of players in the squad.
In their previous match, the French-speaking team defeated the Cayman Islands 4-1, showcasing a dominant style of play that has local football enthusiasts intrigued. Haiti's footballing prowess across all levels continues to impress regionally.
"We must give our best and hope to perform better in the next match," Morris remarked ahead of the evening's game.
Despite the defeat to Puerto Rico, Morris highlighted goalkeeper Kai's performance as a positive aspect, despite some distribution issues. "Kai was solid in goal, although his distribution was a weakness tonight. Goalkeeping was a bright spot in our game," Morris noted.
Additionally, Morris commended several other players for their efforts on the pitch.
The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at the SKNFA Technical Center, following the earlier game between Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands at 4:00 p.m.
