The BVI team

While it is not clear how the confusion over players eligibility were allowed to get to this point, the facts are the BVIFA has a long road ahead to make sure its development plans are successful and future national teams are better prepared, trained and organized. It is also important to remember that although this team was thrown together by adversity they showed real spirit and pride and were all BVI passport holders by right.

Dominica came into the match no doubt thinking they could better the previous days record breaking 17 – 0 mauling that the Dominican Republic had given the BVI. Those thoughts increased within just 26 seconds as they scored the Cup’s fastest ever goal. However showing great tenacity the BVI kept the scoreline respectable until half time.

Gregory James (white tee shirt) battles hard for the ball in the match against Dominica

Dominican Mitchel Joseph got the first of his three goals in the first half of the game.
In the second half as the BVI players began to tire under constant pressure the floodgates opened, Kunslson Benjamin, full of energy and enjoying the spaces that opened up, scored five goals and picked up the man of the match award. Chad Bertrand and Donald Javier completed the rout with one each.

Dominica now march on to face the Dominican Republic on Sunday afternoon with the winner having the honour of qualifying into Group G with Cuba, Antigua and one of the second placed teams from stage one.

The BVI will head home having played the least number of games in the tournament, conceded the most and the quickest goals, but with pride intact.

The Association, though, needs to take a long hard look at its plans, its coaching programmes and its policies to ensure all future teams are not thrown into the lion’s den without proper preparation.

As a Territory we should all understand the process will take time and there will be setbacks along the way, but if every sport can soon boast representative teams complete with BVI slanders and Belongers then the process and the pain will be well worth the wait. It won’t be easy and there’s no quick fix, but it will be well worth it!

Dominica: 1 Glenson Prince, 6 Colin Bernard, 2 Prince Austrie, 8 Jermome Thomas, 3 Edmond Derrick, 19 Rashid Bertrand, 14 Glenworth Elizee (9 Lester Langlais 46 mins), 16 Chad Bertrand (7 Wayne George 71 mins), 15 Kelrick Walter (13 Donald Javier 79 mins), 11 Kunslson Benjamin, 10 Mitchel Joseph.
Coach: Kirt Hector.

British Virgin Islands: 23 Gerard Vanterpool (1 D.Daly 74 mins), 14 A. Norford, 15 T. Caesar , 17 G. James, 7 J. Demming, 5 J. Samuel, 4 J. Fahie, 13 C. Russell (3 Christopher Telemache 48 mins ), 16 T. Peters, 6 J. Smith, 20 R. Robinson.
Coach: Avon Dale.