BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE eagerly-awaited match of the FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil Qualifiers between St. Kitts-Nevis and Puerto Rico ended in a goalless draw on Friday (Sept. 2), leaving both teams with the burning desire to overpower the other when they meet again.
Playing before hundreds of fans at the Warner Park Football Stadium, the Group D teams hit the field with St. Kitts-Nevis in the first half not demonstrating the zeal and coordination they displayed in the First Round matches played on home soil.
Several squandered scoring opportunities evoked outbursts from the football enthusiasts and rounds of applause were given when players displayed their skill with brilliant passes and steals by members of both teams.
Scoring opportunities however were not as many as anticipated by some fans as the first half concluded with neither side inching above the other.
The second half appeared to carry more promise for team St. Kitts-Nevis, as it offensive strategy and tactics coming more into play with several attempts to get the ball past Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper’s far-reaching grasp.
Yellow cards were given to Mudassa Howe of team St. Kitts-Nevis and John Krause of team Puerto Rico, both in the 49th minute of the game.
Puerto Rico’s Scott Jones and St. Kitts-Nevis’ Keith ‘Kayamba’ Gumbs were also given yellow cards in the 76th minute of the match.
The other countries in Group D are Canada and St. Lucia and, according to the fixture, each team will play a total of six matches in this, the second round - three on their competitors’ soil and three on their home turf.
The next match for St. Kitts-Nevis World Cup team is scheduled for September 6, where it will tackle St. Lucia in that country.
