Domestic football in the Cayman Islands has taken on more significance now that there is no international football for the men.
Bodden Town claim the inaugural Cayman Islands Football Association President’s Cup, which replaced the Digicel Cup, is helping fill the void of not playing international senior games.
Bodden Town beat George Town 2-1 on Ash Wednesday to win the inaugural trophy and players from both teams say these types of domestic competitions net greater meaning now than in years past.
“We’re more focused on the league now since we don’t have a national team,” Bodden Town’s Theron Wood said. “I guess us older guys are just focused on the league and that’s where we have our fun.”
The Cayman Islands has not fielded a men’s senior national team since 2011. Cayman were dominated in World Cup qualifying action that year, finishing last in their group. Since then, CIFA administration’s focus has been on youth development.
“The downfall is that you don’t have something at a higher level to look forward to,” George Town’s skipper Ian Lindo, who was captain of the national side. He said, “The good part is, you know, we can concentrate on the league itself and … put our efforts into playing good football there.”
Cayman currently holds a FIFA World Ranking of 194. It’s believed to be the lowest Cayman has ever been ranked.
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