Football fans celebrate the goal scored by the Virgin Islands against Cayman Islands in the CONCACAF Nations League at A.O. Shirley Ground on June 3, 2022. Photo: VINO

National coach Christopher M. Kiwomya, centre, gives a post-game talk. Photo: VINO

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), 2nd from right; Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), 5th from right; Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), 4th from right; and At Large Representative, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), 2nd from left, with officials of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA). Right is BVIFA President Andrew D. Bickerton. Photo: VINO

It was a goal that the home team was hunting for as a show of appreciation for the huge support that was shown from the bleachers during the game.

Caesar found the back of the nets in the 63rd minute and the Virgin Islands seemed set for a win when Cayman Islands substitute Sirus Connelly levelled matters in the 81st minute.

Despite the draw, it was the first point for the VI in the Nations League and it also snapped a 10-game losing streak.

‘Mixed feelings’

The end results brought mixed feelings for national coach and former Arsenal player Christopher M. Kiwomya, who said they went into the game to win and it was disheartening that the VI conceded a goal when one of its players was off the field through injury at the time.

Mr Kiwomya said; however, overall, he was happy with the boys.

”We wanted to try get the win but we got the point which is a start really. We need to now go back to the drawing board and see how we can get the win.

The VI play away to Cayman Islands on Monday, June 6, 2022.

‘I was really impressed’ with crowd support- Coach Kiwomya

Meanwhile, coach Kiwomya had appealed to the public to come out to support and that request was certainly granted.

“Listen, I was really impressed. They got behind the team, you could see a lot of pride out there and they wanted to score I said give them something to cheer for and they did it in the end. To hear them [crowd] chant ‘BVI, BVI’ was really good,” Kiwomya told Virgin Islands News Online after the game.

Premier’s assessment

Also taking in the game was Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who became a Tottenham Hotspur fan during his time living in the United Kingdom (UK).

Dr Wheatley gave his assessment of the game.

“They gave a tremendous effort. They moved the ball around, they fought the whole game, they were winning challenges, they were winning in the air.”

Dr Wheatley acknowledged that the Cayman Islands is a very good squad and they made a very good showing; however, the VI were able to create chances against them.

“I know we gave up the goal when our defender went down or else I felt we would have held on for the victory,” Premier Wheatley said.

‘The energy was amazing’- Hon de Castro

Also looking on was Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL).

“The game was amazing, the energy. We had over 600 persons and it speaks to the support that the team has. When the goal was scored the place erupted,” Hon de Castro commented.

The attendance at the game was given as 691.