Watch the highlights: USVI 2 Cayman 2
The Cayman Islands came from a goal down to notch their first point in the opening game of the CONCACAF Nations League tournament in the US Virgin Islands Thursday.
Searching for their first win almost four years, Cayman got off to a flying start when Jonah Ebanks scored direct from a free kick in the 16th minute.
Ebanks top-corner finish silenced a noisy home crowd at the Bethlehem Stadium in St. Croix. But the home contingent soon had cause to celebrate when Cayman player Casey McLaughlin turned into his own net after a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
The US Virgin Islands took the lead just before half-time with Jimson St Louis allowed too much space in the penalty area before firing home.
But Cayman rebounded strongly after the break, with Ebanks coming close to adding a second goal before Cameron Grey headed home from close range to make it 2-2.
“I am pretty sure that everyone at home was expecting a win,” Dion Brandon, second vice president of CIFA told the Compass. “However, I am satisfied with the result. We walked away with a point. The boys displayed great improvement from their previous games and strong character to come back from being down 2-1.
“They were able to show their class by stringing together passes, sticking to their game plan and keeping their composure even under pressure. We just need to act with more conviction when around the goal mouth. Hats off to the coaching staff, all players that played and those who supported from the bench.”
The result means Cayman starts with a point in its first game, before Monday’s match-up with Aruba on home soil.
Cayman is competing in Group B, League C, of the Nations League – a global tournament which pits international countries against regional neighbours that are on or around the same level.
Victory in the group would move Cayman up a level in the multi-league system. They will play Aruba and USVI home and away as part of the tournament.
“We play Aruba on Monday, 11 Sept., in Cayman at the Truman Bodden Complex at 3:45pm and we would love to have all of the people from the 345 there in our country colours cheering and supporting our boys,” Brandon added.
A handful of key players did not travel with the Cayman squad for the opening match. leaving the islands with a relatively inexperienced team.
“We would like to have all of them available but some of them have circumstances that are out of our control,” head coach Cláudio Garcia told the Compass prior to making the trip.
Additional reporting by Seaford Russell Jr.
Related Videos
