World Cup Qualifiers
Photograph Essay: A 3-1 Loss, as Seen by Antigua & Barbuda
In June, James Montague had a behind-the-scenes take a look at Antigua & Barbuda’s preparations for the match in opposition to the US. He shared the journey with American Soccer Now.
BY
James Montague
Posted
October 11, 2012
7:21 AM
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Final July Antigua and Barbuda, a tiny assortment of islands within the Caribbean that had beforehand by no means achieved something in soccer, reached the semifinal spherical of 2014 World Cup qualification. First up: the U.S. The staff stayed on the IMG academy in Bradenton, Florida. The very first thing I noticed after arriving was the staff’s star striker Peter Byers fishing within the lake out again. Byers later cooked up half a dozen of them for himself and his teammates. (This is Montague’s article in The New York Occasions.)
Additionally fishing out again was Dexter Blackstock. While many of the staff comes from Antigua, enjoying for the Barracudas within the U.S. third division, most of the gamers had been born in England, the place there’s a sizeable Antiguan neighborhood. Blackstock performs for Nottingham Forest within the English second tier.
Arguably their finest participant is English-born Mikele Leigertwood. He at the moment performs for Studying FC within the English Premier League.
The person that has led Antigua to their highest place ever on the FIFA rankings is Tom Curtis, a younger English coach whose solely earlier expertise was on the College of Loughborough within the UK. He additionally coaches the Barracudas full time.
The staff coming off the pitch after coaching.
Earlier than and after each coaching session your entire staff prays collectively. A domestically based mostly lay preacher initially from South Africa led the staff’s prayers on this event.
The locker room on the Raymond James Stadium was so massive that the staff determined to coach there.
Earlier than the sport the following day, the gamers received prepared within the stadium’s enormous locker room.
On the day of the sport, followers of each groups excitedly arrive with tickets in hand.
For the U.S. followers, it’s a uncommon likelihood to be within the majority throughout a house recreation.
The match completed 3-1 to the U.S. The Antiguans would later draw with Jamaica 0-0 however slender losses in opposition to Guatemala house and away have nearly ended their World Cup journey. However victory in opposition to the U.S. would nonetheless ship shock waves the world over.
