By-Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA-SPORTS-David Perez, head coach of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), said his team is “ready” for the action against Dominica.
Dominica and BVI will clash in a final group game on June 4, 2025. “The team is ready for the game, and we aim to capture the much-needed three points. The most important thing is that we are going to compete 200 percent during the 90 minutes,” he said.
“We plan to play normal football and come up with a win, remember it’s 11 versus 11. We are ready, we had some preparation games against St. Vincent and Anguilla…it’s also very important that we enjoy the game, and that way we will be competitive,” Perez stated.
He explained that although he has only been the coach of the BVI team for three months, he has high hopes for his team. “You will appreciate that this is a very short time to prepare a team, but we have a job to do and we are going out to get it done,” he remarked.
Ellington Sabin is the coach of the Dominica team, he says the team is in good shape and ready for the task ahead. “We are asking the fans to come out in numbers to support the team, it’s our final game on home soil and final on home soil for Glenson Prince, but we aim to make the fans proud,” Coach Sabin stated.
“Our long-standing captain (Glenson Prince) is on his way out, and it is all about going out and enjoying the game and getting some points since we can no longer qualify. We aim to finish clinically, score goals, and be victorious,” he stated.
For Prince, it is now a feeling of “mixed emotions” as he departs, but he will remain in football.
“I am blessed and honoured to have represented my country for 20 years. I got the captaincy at the age of 20, I have grown and become a better person, and gotten good help and support from all,” he stated.
“Yes, we have had lots of ups and downs…I will miss the feeling of representing my country and having my family and friends around, listening to the national anthem play. Still, the time is right, Dominica is in good hands, we have good and competent goalkeepers, they need that experience,” he said.
“I still can go on until I am 45, I am just approaching 38 years, but the time is right and I am happy, I have tried my best for my team and country and I can’t stay longer to keep the others from growing, I want to be remembered as being consistent and will always be there to assist whenever I am needed, I am a team person.”
