Junior Tridents record historic World Cup win

History was created in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday as a Barbadian team won for the first time at a FIFA World Cup final.

Playing in Tier F of the U-15 World Cup, Barbados blanked the US Virgin Islands 5-0 thanks to a brace from Kaleb Catwell and a goal apiece from Raezario Roach, Jevonte Ward and Zion Greene.

The junior Tridents had earlier begun their Tier F campaign with a hard-fought 5-4 defeat on penalties to Caribbean neighbours Grenada.

Barbados had led that encounter on two occasions before Grenada scored a last-minute equaliser in extra time to leave the game locked at 2-2.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY from Baku, Barbados Football Association president Randy Harris described the inaugural win as a proud moment for local football.

“It’s a FIFA World Cup win, so I know the guys are very elated about it and I am happy to see the way that they played today in both games.”

Barbados Football Association President, Randy Harris (Submitted photo)

Harris, who is a Concacaf vice-president and former Caribbean Football Union president, described the major differences in the approach and culture of Caribbean teams and their international counterparts at the youth level.

“Most of those guys at the Under-15 level are really looking for a future in the game professionally, and I think that is the big difference. They’re playing football at an early age. They’re being groomed in football and …  you can see the big difference.

“The other thing is that their play and intensity are so different to us in the Caribbean that we have a long way to go to make a difference. But the talent of the players, I would say, is on an equal footing. We must deal with educating the guys in playing a team sport and being able to make quick decisions,” Harris added.

The Barbados team won its first game of the World Cup today (Submitted photo)

The FIFA Council member has described the ongoing World Cup, which is the first to see each member federation invited to participate, as a massive success.

“The atmosphere is awesome here. The teams are playing at one venue on 44 acres of football fields. This is one of the most beautiful things that can happen for youngsters in football.”

(KH)