Proud: Coach Praises CFU U14s Performance

By Neto Baptiste

Head coach of the Antigua and Barbuda Boys Under-14 Football Team, Auchland Jarvis, said he is proud of what the team achieved in the recently held Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Under-14 Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic.

Antigua and Barbuda, following a flawless run in Tier II, Group C with three wins in three matches, were eliminated in the semifinals on August 21st, losing 3-1 to Suriname at the Cap Cana Sports City.

“Honestly, first half – I think the guys executed exactly what we wanted. If you realise the field has a little slope going down and defending going down the hill, in the first half, when we watched them we realised that they play three high. They don’t hold the ball in defence going down the hill, they kind of played long,” he said.

“We had adjusted to playing a man-mark, centre-back, one cover, like traditional old-school sweeper-back and I think the guys executed very, very well and I’m very proud of the guys. I think they gave everything they had and it’s a good start for them as 14-year-olds and under-14s. It’s up to us now as ABFA, us as coaches to go back and work with them, keep them improving and look forward to them having a brighter future,” he added.

Antigua and Barbuda opened their campaign with a 3-2 triumph over the Cayman Islands before beating Dominica 2-1 in their second outing. The young Benna Boys rounded off group play with a come from behind 3-1 triumph over the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Jarvis also recognized the work being done by the various football academies in Antigua, crediting them with ensuring the young players are equipped with the basic knowledge of the game.

“We didn’t have a long period of time with them and to come out and see them play like that, it must be something we’ve done in the academy that have them developing like that. My take away, for me personally, it’s good because two of the bigger performers in the tournament, Kaiique Martin and Tevon Henderson, Marcus Thomas, they played with me in Bullets. So, I commend everybody who’s working with these guys in the academy, that at this age, we could develop players that are technically sound,” he said.

The Tier II final between Guyana and Suriname and the Tier I final between Jamaica and Haiti were both scheduled for Sunday in Punta Cana.

 Antigua and Barbuda Men’s Under-14 Squad: Antonio Richmond (ASSS), Leyland Powell (SASS), Kawanie Atherly (PMS), Aaron Alfred (AGS), Jahquan Barthley (PMS), Allan Henry (PMS), Shamani Abrams (AGS), Kalvin Wilman (JSS), Uz-zi-ah Martin-Zachariah (AGS), Kaiique Martin (SNRA), T’Andre James (AGS), Zuriel Archibald (SJA), Zenworth Thomas (PMS), Kaliel Burnett (CHSS), Chas Garner (SASS), Tevon Henderson (CHSS), Jordon Murray (SNRA), William Dorsett Jr (SJA).

The team was coached by Auchland Jarvis. Rolston Phoenix was assistant coach and Oscar Lake, the goalkeeper coach. Physiotherapist was McLean Lawrence and Karanja Mack, the equipment coordinator. Safeguard officer was Karil Knight and Ian Bailey headed the delegation as team manager.