Celebrations of full-fledged pride were on display following a dramatic finish on Saturday as Cayman took on visiting Antigua and Barbuda in a World Cup CONCACAF qualifier.
A last-minute header by 18-year-old super-sub Joshwa Campbell secured a 1-0 win – marking the first time ever that Cayman’s senior men claimed victory in a World Cup qualifying fixture.
Campbell was subbed in for Jacobbi Tugman 67 minutes into the game. His historic goal came one minute into injury time.
“I don’t think it has settled in as yet,” Campbell told the Compass after the match. “When the ball hit the net, I just wanted to be with my teammates … and it felt really good.”
Spectators at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex erupted once the game was called. Fans, family and players alike – many of whom were visibly emotional – stormed the field, showering Campbell with praise for his heroic efforts.
For Campbell, the most meaningful part of the night was the embrace from his mother – who was responsible for pushing him to chase his dreams in the sport he loves.
“My mother means everything to me,” Campbell said, with a tear in his eye. “The amount of support that she gives us, not just me and my two brothers, but this sport. She trusts us, she spends a lot of money on us overseas, the sacrifices she made for us.”
Although Campbell was no doubt the hero for his country on the night, his goal was a result of his teammates holding the fort in a very competitive showing against Antigua and Barbuda.
Campbell’s older brother, Jabari, and Cayman’s captain, D’Andre Rowe, made key defensive plays in a sequence that looked to be problematic for Cayman goalkeeper Lachlin Lambert.
When put to the test, though, Lambert kept his team in the game with several saves, to the appreciation of the home fans.
Cayman’s new men’s head coach, Joey Jap Tjong, told the Compass that despite the weather, which delayed the game, his team stuck to the plan and executed it fully.
“The game plan went exactly how we wanted [it to go],” Jap Tjong said. “I am very proud of the boys. I just gave the instructions and they did it. I give them all the credit. We have a great future.”
Jap Tjong said he read the article published by the Compass – The rise and fall of football as Cayman’s national sport – just before the game, noting that it had no effect on the players but instead served as motivation.
“This is a new era,” he said. It’s good pressure on us, but I cannot look in the future of course. I can only follow [the] plan we have.”
When asked what the goal for the national team is, Jap Tjong responded, “Just give us the trust, give us the support and give us good comments.
“Other than that, all I can say is watch us.”
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