The Saint Lucia men’s national football team opened up a five-point cushion at the top of their group in the Concacaf Nations League, after a win over Saint Martin on Friday night at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The Piton Boyz are now in pole position in League B, Group B, especially after a goalless draw between Grenada and Curaçao.
Saint Martin’s players fell to the ground as the final whistle went, whilst Saint Lucia’s wheeled away in celebration, knowing that they are now halfway to winning promotion to League A, and a first-time spot in next year’s Gold Cup.
Saint Lucia beat both Grenada and Curaçao 2-1 last month in Grenada, earning six points. Grenada and Curaçao both defeated Saint Martin, earning them each three points. Their draw in the early game on Friday night added one to each of their tallies.
The home team, then, needed to pour on the style against a team that was yet to produce a point or even a goal so far.
But both teams were much changed from the September window. The Frenchmen had brought in several players from mainland France. Saint Lucia made four alterations to the lineup that started the win against Grenada.
The Saint Swallows were on the front foot early on, and got the advantage after half an hour through GFA Rumilly-Vallières forward Axel Raga.
At the interval, head coach Stern John reshaped his team. Winger Ridel Stanislas replaced forward Dominic Poleon. Lester Joseph came on for Shaquan Nelson in midfield. After 63 minutes, he brought Joshua Solomon-Davies on for debutant Ryan Charles.
The substitutions and a new tactical approach reinvigorated the team, and in the 76th minute, Caniggia Elva notched his fourth goal in nine games for the national team to make it 1-1. Bayan Aman came on for his debut with eight minutes to go in regulation, but with the clock running down, and rain coming down, the 28-year-old Elva popping back up in the box.
“I think initially when I came to Saint Lucia, my thing was to build a squad, especially when you have back-to-back games, you need to build a squad,” said head coach Stern John. “That’s what we’re trying to do. The last couple of games we played I think our bench came on and they’ve done tremendously well. I think everyone collectively is playing as a team, they’re playing for Saint Lucia, and they’re playing for the badge, and that’s what you want.
Saint Lucia regroups to play Saint Martin at home again on Monday. Another win would leave them needing just two points from next month’s trip to Willemstad, where they will again face Grenada and Curaçao. The group winner will play in League A next year, and will compete in the Gold Cup. For Saint Lucia, this would be an historic feat.
(TF)
