St Kitts and Nevis looking forward to 'top opportunity' in India

The Island nation will take part in the Champions Cup starting on Thursday in Mumbai...

Caribbean island nation St. Kitts and Nevis are on their way to India to take part in the 3-nation Champions Cup also involving India and Mauritius. For the Caribbean outfit this is a surprise invitation and they are looking forward to the opportunity.

Coached by Mexican Jacques Passey, St Kitts and Nevis will be participating in such an invitational tournament for the first time. “For the first time in the history of football in St. Kitts and Nevis, we have been invited to be part of an international tournament with our senior national team. This is a invitational tournament and because of our 2016 ranking that we achieved, because of the way we are approaching football, because of the association’s tremendous approach to international football, to allow us to compete all over the world, St. Kitts and Nevis was chosen by the AIFF.”

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Sugar Boyz as they are popularly nicknamed will be traveling to India with the right blend of youth and experience. While they will be providing an opportunity to many of the local players, the team will also have the presence of senior national team players.

Carlos Bertie the 21-year-old forward who currently plies his trade in El Salvador will be traveling with the team. Boosting the attack further will be another young talent, Tahir Hanley, the 20-year-old striker had a great outing in the U-20 CONCACAF Championships. The team’s defence though will be led by their stalwart Thrizen Leader. 33-year-old Leader has represented St Kitts and Nevis 46 times in his career so far.

“I’m going to take this opportunity to truly provide individual opportunities for many young local players who have been fighting, truly asking for top opportunities in the national team,” head coach Passey was quoted as saying while addressing the media ahead of their India trip.

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For India though St Kitts and Nevis may pose a tough challenge as their fortunes against Caribbean teams haven’t been that great. The Stephen Constantine coached team are yet to win against a West Indian team since 1984.

Year	Vs Team	Scoreline	Venue
2002	Jamaica	3-0 (Lost)	England
2002	Jamaica	0-0 (Draw)	England
2011	Trinidad & Tabago	3-0 (Lost)	Trinidad
2011	Guyana	2-1 (Lost)	Guyana

 India's record against teams from the Caribbean

Mexican Jacques Passey who has done his coaching education from Mexico, Peru and Netherlands have announced a 24 member squad that will be travelling to Mumbai –

Playing Squad- Jamal Jeffers, Adolpus Bentos, Dennis Flemming, Clyde Mitcham, Thrizen Leader, Petrez Williams, Xavier French, Errol Oloughlin, Joash Leader, Delano Hodge, Tiran Hanley, Kimaree Rogers, Gvaune Amory, Javaughn Brookes, Dionis Stephens, Evanceroy Barnes, Carlos Bertie, Vinceroy Nelson, Jayan Duncan, Kevin Benjamin, Zeleon Morton, Tahir Hanley, Yohannes Mitcham and Raheem Somersall.

Coaching Staff– Jacques Passey (Head Coach), Jeffrey Hazel, George Isaac, Kenneth Douglas and Roger Hendricks.

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