The Cayman Islands, after defeating the British Virgin Islands 1-0 on Saturday, 12 Oct., in the CONCACAF Nations League, will now turn their attention to group favourites, St. Kitts and Nevis, hoping to gain a measure of retribution after a previous drubbing.
Cayman Compass sports editor Seaford Russell Jr and St. Kitts-based radio sports broadcasting host Troy Mills break down the match between the two squads, coming away with competing predictions on the outcome of the fixture.
The last time the two teams met, on 7 Sept. at Truman Bodden Sports Complex, the Cayman men suffered a 4-1 beating at home, though some argued that controversial officiating played a role in the score. Now St. Kitts will have home advantage and will look to capitalise.
Cayman will take on St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, 15 Oct., at the Warner Park Football Stadium, beginning at 3:30pm Cayman time.
Mills’ take
Let us try to put things in perspective from the start. SKN ranks: 141 in the latest FIFA rankings (19 Sept. 2024), 15 in CONCACAF and 6 in CFU. Cayman Islands: 195 in FIFA, 30 in CONCACAF and 21 in CFU.
Both teams would obviously have seen each other play and also played against each other, thus the coaches have analysed the respective strengths and weaknesses, [and] are in a better position to better plan and prepare.
[I] expect the SKN team to win. However, in terms of the number of goals that will be scored for and against by each team, and thus the margin, I think the SKN team will win again. Score: 4-0.
Russell’s take
The teams definitely have tape on one another, but they aren’t really well acquainted; certainly not at a senior level. The first time they played was in 1991, when they drew 1-all, and the last match – in September – was only the second time they had met.
Watching the game last month, I thought Cayman took too long to put their collective foot on the gas, but credit is due to the St. Kitts team; they did what they came to do.
Cayman will be missing a few key players, who have overseas commitments as per usual, but the youngsters on the team sheet have shown great determination lately. They will have to fight and fight hard to beat St. Kitts, and I believe they will do just that. Score: 2-1.
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