TCI competes at home in the Concacaf Nations League Qualifiers
Turks & Caicos Islands Starting 11
Guyana Starting 11
Head Coach, Matt Barnes, believes in ‘winning any day you show up’. But, as for team Turks & Caicos, It was more than just about that. “I think we talk quite often about focusing on the work, and not the results. We have a lot of work to do here before we start talking about winning. We are one hundred percent focused on that, and I’m very happy with the work that the team has been putting in. Once we get that solidified, and once we get more opportunities to play and more experience, then we’ll start having a different discussion,” expressed Barnes in a pre-game interview.
The starting point of Barnes’ strategy involves setting small achievable benchmarks for the young team. “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves in the Cuba game, and we let the game get away from us very quickly. So we clearly want to make sure we get off to a good start.” He went on to say, “We’ve made some significant strides over the last 30 days, in between games”.
Prior to contesting Guyana on October 13th, The Turks & Caicos Islands National Football Team fell 11-0 to Cuba in its first match. Amongst changes made to the team plan since then were additional players invited to the National Team camp for training and reassessment. This resulted in a more refined blend for the match against Guyana. The team also saw the return of Captain Billy Forbes who along with Marc Fenelus (who captained the first match) plays at a professional level abroad.
A crowd of over 850 spectators painted the TCIFA National Academy in bright colours this past Saturday, October 13, 2018 as they danced, cheered, and waved their country flags with pride. Amongst the many was Concacaf General Secretary, Philippe Moggio who travelled to Turks and Caicos Islands for the game. This is the first time that the General Secretary of the Regional Governing Football body attended a home game in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In recognition of the occasion, Mr. Moggio, presented TCIFA President Sonia Fulford with a commemorative pennant during half-time. This was a highlight for all.
Turks & Caicos continued to fight good and hard, and thus showed overall progress in its level of fitness, cohesiveness, and game strategy. The team succumbed to an 8-0 home defeat against Guyana, but stood tall in their achievements under Barnes’ administration. Currently, Turks and Caicos Islands sit at 35th place on the Concacaf Men’s National Team Ranking, with hopes of climbing the ladder. The Turks & Caicos Team will be back in action for its third qualifying match against St. Vincent & The Grenadines on Sunday, November 18th at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales.
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford and Concacaf General Secretary philippe Moggio
Premier - Hon. Sharlen Cartwright-Robinson, Minister of Sports - Hon. Edwin Astwood, and Director of Sports - Jarette Forbes greet the Turks & Caicos Islands National Team.
THANK YOU
We value our partners. We are forever grateful for your support to the TCIFA and Turks & Caicos Islands Men’s National Football Team.
To all who volunteered, we say a very special thank you. The Concacaf Nations League match, TCI vs. GUY, would not have ran as smoothly as it did without you. Together, we make a difference in our community!
Olympia Destination Management Company, Hartling Group, Mango Reef Restaurant, Simone’s Bar and Grill, T&C Sanitation, TCI Red Cross, TCI Emergency Medical Services and The Royal TCI Police Force.
