Canada merciless in 11-0 win over Cayman Islands

| 31/03/2021 | 91 Comments
CI goalkeeper in match against Canada

(CNS): Monday evening’s defeat for the Cayman Islands against Canada in the World Cup qualifiers was always a foregone conclusion, but the eleven-nil scoreline reflected a merciless hammering by the team ranked 73rd by FIFA, 120 places above our national team. Nevertheless, the local squad was provided with a rare chance to play against top-class international footballers, most of whom play in the European premier leagues and who certainly did not go easy on them. The match took place in Bradenton, Florida. Although it should have been a home game for Cayman, COVID-19 protocols here made it impossible to play on their home turf.

The game was clearly disappointing following the team’s success under Ben Pugh in 2019, when they won four of six League C matches in the CONCACAF Nations League, including a 3-2 victory over Barbados. But this team included a number of players from its youth sides and “a handful of players that we called experienced”, according to Alfredo Whittaker, president of the Cayman Islands Football Association.

According to match statistics, the Canadian team controlled the ball more than three-quarters of the match and made around 44 shots on goal, so the Cayman Islands goalie had a busy time. But given the talent he was up against, he has nothing to be ashamed of and even managed a fantastic double save to deny one penalty shot, only to have it potted past him on the rebound.

The crushing defeat follows a 3-0 loss to Suriname in Cayman’s first match in the qualifying group, dashing any hopes of Cayman advancing any further to Quatar 2022. The national team now sits at the bottom of Group B, with the next round of matches in June against Aruba and Bermuda.


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Comments (91)

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  1. Bertie : B says:

    There are few Canadians on the Canadian soccer teams . Canadians are more into hockey and football . The soccer team in Canada does not do well every year . Did the boys get a chance to skate on the rideau canal and chow down of Beaver Tails ? Hmmm good stuff , beats turtle . Maybe Next year , at least you guys got the opportunity to try , Next year could bring different results . Congratulations for the game .

  2. Anonymous says:

    There is good reason for why Cayman is only recognized for money stashing and vessel registration!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Now that is what you call an Old Fashioned A$$ Whooping!

  4. Anonymous says:

    What a waste of money!

  5. Anonymous says:

    To 4/4/21: 522pm. Clearly you have never played proper football and never had proper training so I’ll educate you a little on the 3 touch rule in defense: control the ball, take an extra touch to allow you a couple secs to look around and then pass to your own player.. It’s called computer when on the ball and not blasting it out every second

    • Anonymous says:

      Clearly you were not coached at a high level.
      Try this… look see where your team mate is before receiving the ball and know exactly where you will be making your pass. Control 1st touch out in front of you , body behind the ball in the direction you have will be playing that pass. 2nd touch —pass the ball, support team mate. “Take an extra touch to allow you a few seconds to find a team mate “ my ass..

  6. Say it like it is says:

    We should never have had to play Canada in the first qualifying round, we should be playing against other Caribbean Islands. Our team was outplayed only because the qualification system is flawed.

    • Anonymous says:

      Always an excuse. Your team sucks, how about that? Will you now complain if your team doesn’t get a participation trophy?

  7. Anonymous says:

    Not sure what else you would have expected. Ranking of 190th explains it all. We have a small pool of players, and most of them are not up to scratch. There’s no money in Cayman football, so why would occasional players give up school or miss work, to attend training for a pittance (if anything). You only have to see training sessions a day or 2 ahead of a home match in Cayman. Those who expect to be picked, don’t turn up to train. And with no money available over the decades (with or without Jeff Webb and his cronies), we can’t afford to have players sent away to hone their skills, or recruit several coaches to come here and do that.

    Whether diverting funds away from other mismanaged enterprises (Turtle Farm, Cayman Airways, Of Reg etc) would see any better results, that’s unlikely. In any event, football doesn’t get politicians any votes.

    Dats what yu get. Thanks the gods that it wasn’t 18-0.

  8. CI Premier League name; A Myth says:

    An embarrassment is an understatement. These so call premier players I’m told won’t even train unless they’re paid. Call it what it is and stop with the excuses of chalking it down to good experience. Canada is not that good to humiliate us 11-0 and having watched the game it could have easily been 18-0. The central defenders were shambolic and blasting the ball out every time in possession to a Canadian player. They have no clue of the 3 touch defense rule. The GK kept blasting it upfield at every spot kick. The full backs got no support from their wingers. The team could have dropped back and sat with 9 behind the ball and played counter attack football. The coaching didn’t exist and we were happy to allow Canada to play as if they are good. Any decent footballer knows that to play properly there are 3 principles: think like a pro, train like a pro and you will play like a professional. We looked like a Sunday morning kick around team and it looked as though the level of training reflected this.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Haven’t played football for 20 years, but if you need a midfield left footed player I’m available.

    Can’t be worse than you already have

  10. Anonymous says:

    I am still very proud of the efforts made by all the players and coaches and staff.
    They sent a very young team knowing how tough it would be . It is no surprise with the small group of players we have that show potential to choose from. they did all they could.
    I’m sure Canada have hundreds of professional players they can pick and choose from for the different age groups.
    Judge them on the next two games against opposition closer to our standards.
    Well done Cayman! ! Keep going .

    • Anonymous says:

      What a great experience for all involved. Hold your heads high and be proud. Most all who play sports will never turn professional and make big money doing it or have it be their career. Enjoy what you are doing. Enjoy the time with the team. Enjoy the travel. If young, still concentrate on your studies/academics. Ignore the naysayers- most of those with negative comments could not run once down a field or kick a ball. High five to all of you!

    • Anonymous says:

      You are correct. The efforts and courage of all those who made themselves available for the trip and play the games be should acknowledged. Once again we take a young group of players as many of our “best” more mature players do not make themselves available for different reasons. These remains an outstanding issue for CIFA, how to keep the best players involved?
      That said CIFA is making great progress in the football development, as stated we will see in the next games against more level competition. The likes of Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, etc are well beyond our reach for now. CIFA youth programs are being run very well, however, it will take a few years for results. So let’s keep going…

  11. Drew says:

    Fiasco! This match was a WORLD CUP qualifier. CIFA knew about it for months yet CIFA Management did not see fit to ensure its best MEN were ready and available to play for Cayman in the series. No financial compensation offered to some of our best players in Cayman and overseas who would have played in the game if they did not have to lose 4-6 WEEKS of income (depending on quarantine times in the country they return to). Mysterious policies quoted why we can’t bring in some of our pro player…at the last minute we send players from Cayman the day before the first scheduled match, and bam suddenly we have to delay the first match. Coach made the right call ups but CIFA overruled the best players WHY? Was it a pay off? We did not even have our players names on the jerseys. It was the Amateur Hour on the World Cup stage and CIFA should be embarrassed and resignations should be handed in. What does CIFA even do with the money they get from FIFA??!!!!
    Train all you want, have all the talent but CIFA management will let you down every time.

    • Anonymous says:

      You are spot on! To further expand on your statement about CIFA!The football fraternity know what’s taking place with this current CIFA executive body and it’s various committes which is made up of many former members of Webb administration. Tremendous conflict of interest is taking place especially when it comes to National Team selection right across all of the different National Teams age groups! Clubs just like in the days of Webb get their members stragestically place on CIFA various committees so their few individual clubs can benefit from all the non transparent football favors that is taking place at the expense of the majority of football fraternity that is keeping the game alive locally! Example! All of this recent outcry is a result of our recent National Football Team performance. This team for the most part was a reactionary picked team due to the fact that a percentage of senior players felt they were not given and accorded the respect and acknowledgement just after doing so well in the Nations League plus not given assurance about their economical welfare due to their committment to the senior national program! So as in the past! CIFA used certain clubs players who are in bed with them to fill the void and undermine the national senior players who refused to play under the current CIFA national team conditions. As we can all see their ploy of using unprepared very low developed, inexperienced and naived players in this latest football exercise only again justifies what we all know about football in Cayman. It’s only a means to an end for a very small group of people!Look and see the many excuses CIFA makes to justify this performance.

      • Anonymous says:

        We’ve had decades of self-important leaders of CIFA, treading the circuit of paid-for travel and meetings (and you all know who they are), while the volunteers and players face difficulty and disrespect. Then if/when any leaders are questioned, funds and favours are placed strategically amongst voters (in this case, certain clubs), to ensure the status quo gets re-elected. Seems no different from Cayman politics. And the quality of football, finances and organisation are no better than when Renard Moxam was a player and Charles Branch was a ref. Shame.

    • Anonymous says:

      So much for the honor to represent your country in something.

  12. Serious says:

    Disband the team and start afresh…with imported players
    Serious!

  13. Stryker Cayman says:

    Cayman will never know just how much damage Jeff Webb and his pirates have done to hurt Cayman Islands football and it’s future .And yet his prodigies are still running around the place in the clubs and CiFA believing they are a Gods gift to football. Really Sad !and just like the much need change in our government so too a change is desperately needed at CIFA. Please vote for change Cayman on the 14th of April 2021 our future depends on it!

    • Gray Matter says:

      Please do not give Pirates a bad name. Jeff Webb and Conava Watson and cronies are just thieves who can’t swim.

    • Anonymous says:

      When Mac and UDP are back in power , Canover will be forgiven, and Webb can return as the Prodigal son.

  14. Anonymous says:

    please explain expats seem to hate cayman and caymanians so why is it once they get here they dont want to leave. Or is it only certain ones make nasty comments

  15. Anonymous says:

    We should send our team of cabinet members next time and see how we do, if only for the added entertainment value.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Call Jeff Webb

  17. YOBO Ranger GT says:

    Look at our rinky dink facilities and our leftover leadership and don’t forget those Disgraceful corrupt scumbags who destroyed Cayman football and it’s future so they could live like kings they need to rot in jail and their minions need to be removed from CIFA ranks. No excuses and better and fairer treatment for our ladies soccer teams who currently get mediocre reception from most clubs senior management which is a real farce and disrespectful to efforts.Cayman we can do better than this and please for God sake stop the rampant drug use and abuse by all concern it’s damaging Cayman Islands football as a whole and clubs need to stop ignoring it and address the problem.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Canada are very good at poutine the ball in the back of the net.

    They must have plaid very well to log such a good result. I think they moose only pick their best players.

  19. Anonymous says:

    maybe canadian players heard how canadian expats are treated here…esp since covid. eg. alden:…’go home’

  20. Anonymous says:

    If only it was rugby.
    We are number 57 in the world and at least its a resl sport.

  21. anonymous says:

    This is exactly why expats are needed here. The place is just too small to produce the talent in ANY serious business/sport. It’s not even the size of a small town in places like the US/UK yet locals think theg should be handed up jobs that they simply cannot handle.

    • Anonymous says:

      Laughable

    • Anonymous says:

      I do not agree that expat player talent is needed for Cayman do better in any sport. There is more than enough talent here that is not developed properly Technical capacity, leadership and organization (some of which would be expat)and more facilities are needed. Swimming and track and field has produced Olympic finals class athletes from our little population. In football once we were feared in the region against much large foes but we lost our way during the Webb era. How many expats were on the team when we beat Jamaica who went on to compete well in the world cup? In fact one of the Jamaican players in that squad use to play in Cayman’s domestic league and was not a significant standout at that time in my opinion. With effective technical leadership and administration in any sport here, and more opportunities to compete against the better countries, rather than putting together a national team with two weeks of preparation every two years, we may not win against the large countries like Canada, but it certainly should not be the type of scoreline we saw. Want to bet on who would win between Iceland and Canada and soccer? Iceland population 340,000.

    • Anonymous says:

      I call BS. Talent has always been here.

      Funding, resources, and facilities for full-time training is what is lacking.

      These prerequisites are standard for the best national teams. Telling not asking.

  22. Anonymous says:

    More like go home and stop playing.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Damn but I dont understand because we treat Canadians very well here loll this defiantly personally

  24. Anonymous says:

    The players just need to be properly trained, just like in the business sector.

    • Anonymous says:

      Um, no. The talent has to be there in the first place. Cayman is simply too small to create it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Um, no. Fallacious statement. Expats often come here and have to learn to do the work because they’re not sufficiently qualified or experienced. Cayman has a lot of talent for a small population.

      • Anonymous says:

        You don’t create talent you develop it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Especially when you consider how many of the already small population actually qualifies to represent Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        They can hate on Jamaicans all they want and criticize our crime levels and our dollar but at least we produce people with actual talent in all areas.

        • Anonymous says:

          Lol from a populus of millions of folks right? Do you know anything about ‘propability’ then??

  25. Anonymous says:

    You cannot expect a world class team out of such a tiny population. Cayman’s time and money is wasted trying to compete on these levels.

  26. Anonymous says:

    1-11. Ouch!

    They’re lucky they even got to play seeing as they didn’t do the required Covid pre-tests before arriving in the US!

  27. Anonymous says:

    “most of whom play in the European premier leagues and who certainly did not go easy on them.. 120 places above our team”

    Low morale once it was clear a loss was imminent in the first half. I don’t even play anymore, but I’d feel discouraged against elites. This sorta happened in Brazil with their 1-7 loss against Germany. Only, Brazil was more equally ranked.

    After the 2nd half the Germans noticed the decline in morale from the Brazilians, and held back out of respect for both the team and sport to have a half decent game.

    • Anonymous says:

      That example is terrible. This was nothing like Germany v Brazil. For starters Brazil had a chance to win going into the game. Cayman had 0 chance. They knew they would lose before the game, they tried to avoid playing it by forfeiting over “forgotten tests” Not much to do here, can’t expect Cayman to compete with Canada given the population difference. But comparing it to the Brazil Germany game is ridiculous.

      • Anonymous says:

        That’s complete BS. Stop spouting nonsense.

      • Anonymous says:

        To 5.30pm “they tried to avoid playing it by forfeiting over “forgotten tests”. Outright lie. They missed the scheduled test times due to flight delays. BTW the tests missed were for entry into the game venue and not entry into the USA.

      • Anonymous says:

        so, exactly as 5:02 said? “Low morale”

  28. Count your blessings says:

    Lucky they were’t playing Japan, could have been worse.

    • Anonymous says:

      Alright we lost pretty bad. But please tell me we all saw that massive salads on the best left back in the world?

  29. Anonymous says:

    Hard luck guys…build on the experience

  30. Anonymous says:

    Maybe we should send the best players? So much politics in CIFA it’s embarrassing

  31. Anonymous says:

    Does he not have hands? Surprised it wasn’t worse!

    • Anonymous says:

      Whomever you are “maybe if you put you hands where your mouth is then you should apply for the position”! Get a taste of the ball.

  32. Eh? says:

    Canada must be seriously crap if they have to qualify against minnows like the Caymans. Of course the top ten sports in Canada all involve hockey.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah there’s ice hockey, field hockey, hockey hockey (each player has two sticks). Fun times

    • Anonymous says:

      Jamaica, our next door neighbours will destroy when they meet up later on this year.

      • Anonymous says:

        Jamaica is barely in the top 50 in the World rankings so probably a good game with Canada.

        If Jamaica played Cayman I’m sure the score would be worse that 11-0 as they would really really enjoy putting the boots to us.

    • Anonymous says:

      Canada hasn’t been to the World Cup since 1986.

      Couple decent runs in the Gold Cup over the years but other than that it hasn’t been great until the last few years. They are a side on the way up with great young players but still nowhere near an elite program.

      However there will be some ugly games in the CONCACAF Qualification Tournament. Due to COVID-19 this year in CONCACAF the top 5 teams get a bye to the 3rd round the remaining 30 teams are seeded into 6 groups of 5. That means in the first round you get sides like Canada, El Salvador & Panama playing teams 100 or more places below them. It isn’t a recipe for quality football. However only the group winner advances and it looks like Goal Differential could be a tie-breaker.

    • Anonymous says:

      Every team except the host nation HAS to qualify. Early games are usually between teams of very different levels, e.g. Faroe Islands vs England/Germany.

      • Anonymous says:

        Literally no one in Canada cares about soccer.
        No one watches it or cares about it.
        Same with rugby.
        Canada only has them for people too scared to play hockey.

  33. Anonymous says:

    National sports programme – like any other place in the world that’s serious about sports. Not the part-time approach dependent on men or women practising or playing after work, etc.

    It’ll take a lot of investment, but sooo much is being wasted or stolen ….. turtle farm, airport, DEH, OfReg, RCIPS, Coast Guard, on, on, & on…

    Get a grip on public wastage and corruption and spend it on the youth, education & sports!!

    • Elvis for Premier says:

      Yeah but that’s what you get when JuJu is the minister for youth, education, and sports.

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