Cayman embraces underdog role against Montserrat

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 19 March 2019

Wesley Robinson (6) has been selected for all four CNL qualifiers.

As Cayman Islands senior national footballers get set for their final CONCACAF Nations League qualifier against Montserrat this Friday (22 March 2019), they’re eager to put in a good showing in front of a home crowd and deny their opponents a chance of booking a berth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Although Cayman started CNL qualifying a spot ahead of the fellow British Overseas Territory opponents in the FIFA World Rankings, Montserrat has leapfrogged them and are 200^th compared to their hosts at 203^rd going into the game at Ed Bush Sports Complex in West Bay. Montserrat is 15th in the CNL standings, with Cayman 26^th of 34 teams.

That’s due to Montserrat’s surprise showing with two wins and a narrow loss to El Salvador, while Cayman has been at the wrong end of blowouts against Jamaica and the Dominican Republic before picking up a point in a scoreless draw at home versus St Lucia in November.

Jonah Ebanks in Cayman’s last game: 0-0 vs St Lucia in November.

First choice keeper Ramon Sealy, who has captained the team through the first three games and is expected to wear the armband again on Friday, is not perturbed by the challenge of a team looking to finish in the top 10 of Nations League qualifying, which would see them also qualify for the Gold Cup.

“Hopefully, we can execute our game plan and minimise what they try to do,” Sealy told CaymanSportsBuzz.com after a recent training session. “One thing that we need to do is be clinical and take our chances, move the ball fast and hopefully, create the chance for us to score.”

After making the cut for the first two games, midfielder Lucas Christian missed out on the game against St Lucia in November. He’s eager to take the field on Friday. “We just have to fight hard, play what we know, use our natural talent [and] be confident.”

Lucas Christian is eager to suit up after sitting out the last game.

Christian said with the team training for the past six weeks and players benefitting from consistent play in the Cayman Premier League, he wants to show how the relatively young squad has built on previous experiences.

Poised to make his senior debut is winger Anton Nelson, who plays professionally with Welsh Premier League club Llanelli Town AFC. He said he could hardly take the smile off his face when the Cayman Islands Football Association asked him to come home to be part of the squad.

“That’s the dream. Everyone dreams of playing for their country, no matter how big or small,” he said. “There are also some quality players on our team. Montserrat is one win away from qualifying for the Gold Cup, so it’s going to be a massive game and a great one to be part of.”

Anton Nelson in action for Llanelli Town.

Meantime, Sealy who has had a pair of good games between the pipes against the Dominican Republic and St Lucia, cautions that while the plan is to go out there and try to get the win, that’s not the ultimate goal.

“It would be nice to get a win but this is a nice, young national team. We’re trying to build something here, so it’s not just about these results because we’re building for the future. The whole idea of the Nations League is for us to build.

“We definitely want the win but if we don’t get the win, then I’m sure that as long as we put in a good performance people would see what we’re trying to do and continue to support us,” Sealy said.

Sealy is looking at the bigger picture.

Benjamin Pugh, who has been working as an assistant with head coach Alex Gonzales, said he’s seen some progression with the squad since they picked back up training. “Work rate has been excellent and I think we’re in a good position going into the game. We have nothing to lose and we go in as the underdogs but we’re looking good,” he said.

“They are quite realistic. They know where we’re at. They know what our weaknesses are and we’ve worked on that. It’s a great opportunity for them to play on home soil and we’ll see what happens.”

The defence has been bolstered as three additional players, who have not featured in CNL qualifying are on the squad: Benjamin Cupid, Jameal Welcome and Ackeem Hyde.

Full squad: Lucas Christian, Benjamin Cupid, Romario Dixon, Jonah Ebanks, Mark Ebanks, Joshewa Frederick, Ackeem Hyde, Brian Martin, Michael Martin, Anton Nelson, Christopher Reeves, Wesley Robinson, Andres Ruiz, Kyle Santamaria, Ramon Sealy (GK), Colby Seymour, Karl Solomon, Matthew Suberan, Jameal Welcome, Shakur Welcome (GK).

Head Coach: Alex Gonzales

Assistant Coaches: Benjamin Pugh, Michael Johnson, Shailer Thomas.