ORANJESTAD, Aruba; Monday, June 2nd 2014 – Turks & Caicos Islands Men’s National Football Team came up against a strong defense last evening in their bid to advance to the next stage of the 2014 Caribbean Cup. The team, in Aruba to compete in Group Two of the Preliminary Qualification Round of The 2014 Caribbean Cup will play in three game days that will see team TCI pair up with matches against Aruba, French Guiana and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Sunday June 1st saw the team play against French Guiana at the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium (Trinidad Stadium) in Oranjestad in Aruba. The TCI men fought valiantly in the first half, only for Guiana to score within the 27th minute of the game. Straight after the late half time, French Guiana scored five more goals. In the end, it was French Guiana with 6 goals to team TCI’s nil.
TCI vs French Guiana
Of the game, head coach Tamiko Davila said: “The game got away for the team. Its part of the learning curve. It’s about keeping the game tighter. I believe that the Aruba game (30.05.2014) took a lot out of us; the spring in our step; we didn’t come into this game with the same energy. The fact that Guiana had an easier first game (against BVI on 30.05.2014) benefited them. They were way more dynamic and seemed more energetic and, in addition to that – we ran into some seasoned veterans and pros that play across Europe. Our youth and inexperience showed. Our players will become a better team because of this experience.”
The next game for the TCI men is against BVI. With regard to this match up, Coach Davila said: “We have to put the Guiana game behind us and understand that we have a challenge ahead of us with BVI. Part of the problem is that, as players – it’s bouncing back with a third game in five days. It’s going to take character and grit and spirit to get to the other side to be successful. If we do the things we know how to do, we can get a victory and it would be a good way to finish off the trip.”
The TCI vs. BVI match will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 6PM EST. This game will be live streamed on www.avbaruba.aw.
For more information on the TCIFA and the TCI’s Men’s National Soccer Team, kindly contact Sonia Bien-Aime, Secretary General on 941-5532 or email .
END
ABOUT Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association - The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is a non-for-profit organization in the business of football development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The TCIFA has been in operation since 1996, and a member of FIFA, since 1998.
