BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts and Nevis senior football team is set to battle against Latin American giants El Salvador in the World Cup Qualifications, which many are describing as the most important game in the Federation’s football.
Speaking at a press conference today (Jun. 10) at Football House, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Anthony Johnson highlighted the importance of this game to football in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I believe that this game is extremely important for the development of football in St. Kitts and Nevis. In that our aim, first of all, is to advance beyond this round of the World Cup Qualifying Tournament, and in order to do so it is critical that we defeat El Salvador.”
He then underscored some of the benefits of defeating El Salvador.
“In doing so, there will be a number of benefits to St. Kitts and Nevis football. One, I expect our international rankings on the FIFA list will improve to the extent that it will drop below 100 mark. That is significant because for us to get players into the European Market the ranking would have to be at least below 75.’
“It is also important because this game is being streamed throughout the world. We have with us media houses not just from El Salvador, but we have with us Traffic Sports who is televising this game.”
Johnson urged the general public to attend the game tomorrow and provide passionate support to the team.
“For those reasons we are asking the general public in both St. Kitts and Nevis to come out to Warner Park at 8:00 p.m. to see the Sugar Boyz take on El Salvador.
“It will be the first time we will be taking on a team in St. Kitts and Nevis, a team from Central America. We believe our supporters should come with their passionate exuberance…come with all our passion all your vigour because that 12th man is important and the 12th man is the support from the general public.”
Head Coach of the St. Kitts and Nevis team, Jacque Passy indicated that the team has worked to create history in such a big event.
“We are going to play most likely the biggest game in St. Kitts and Nevis history. This is the first time St. Kitts and Nevis will be playing an opponent like El Salvador.
“We know El Salvador quite well, I know my team quite well, and it is going to be a huge experience tomorrow. It is our goal to create one of the most important games in the history of St. Kitts and Nevis. We have worked for that and we hope that tomorrow we can find a fantastic spectacle in the game.”
Passy is confident, noting that when the game kicks off the team’s rankings would no longer matter and that the players have gelled well in the 10 days they have been together.
Juan Pablo Rodas, physical trainer of the El Salvador team, stated that he is expecting a well fought game. He commended the Federation, indicating that it is good that St. Kitts and Nevis are trying to improve their FIFA ranking and are looking forward to the game.
Rodas also indicated that they have studied St. Kitts and Nevis and know that the team could perform very well.
He said too that the team is enjoying the hospitality of St. Kitts and Nevis.
St. Kitts and Nevis will battle El Salvador at Warner Park tomorrow evening at 8:00 p.m. with the second leg taking place in El Salvador next week Tuesday.
