The final group in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, group F, is the weakest group of the round with lots of compelling stories. This group is wide open and consists of the lowest-ranked top-seeded team in Haiti, a relatively unknown Caribbean team that has quietly produced some excellent results in Antigua and Barbuda, a team playing its first official FIFA matches in Curacao and a Cinderella story, the U.S. Virgin Islands. The winner of this group advances to group A in the next round, joining the USA, Jamaica, and the winner of group E in round two.
Anitgua and Barbuda
FIFA rank: 106
2010 qualifying result: Eliminated 8-3 on aggregate to Cuba in round two
Anitgua and Barbuda has quietly been one of the better national teams in the Caribbean over the past two years, despite not qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. At the 2010 Caribbean Cup the side made the group stage after entering the competition in the second preliminary stage of qualifying. A 2-1 win over a solid Suriname team and two draws against Dominica and Caribbean powerhouse Cuba were enough to finish second in the group and advance. In the group stage Antigua and Barbuda placed third, failing to make the semifinals, earning three points from a win against a good Guyana side and losses to Jamaica and Guadeloupe.
The only fixture Antigua and Barbuda has played this calendar year was a 2-2 draw against Gold Cup participant Grenada back at the end of May. Around that time the national team reached its highest ever FIFA rank at 100 and they just missed being placed in the first pot for the round two draw. Luckily, they caught a break and were placed with Haiti, who just beat them out for the last spot in pot one.
One of the major reasons for the improved performance by the national side has been the formation of Antigua Barracuda Football Club. The team was formed in 2010 and joined the USL Professional Division, the third tier of soccer in the United States. Out of the 20 players called for the Caribbean Cup, 12 came straight from the new professional team. In addition to the club, Anitgua and Barbuda does have its own domestic league, but only a few of these players are called into the national side.
A few members of the squad play their football in the lower divisions of England. Defender Marvin McCoy plays for Wycombe Wanderers in League One, midfielder Josh Parker plays for Oldham Athletic in the same league while fellow midfielder Kieran Murtagh plays in the Conference National for Cambridge United. The top goal-scorer for Antigua and Barbuda is Peter Byers who plays for the Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.
This is a great opportunity for the national team of Antigua and Barbuda to gain some worldwide recognition by winning this group. They have the talent to advance, they just need to be able to come through against Haiti.
Curaçao
FIFA rank: 157
2010 qualifying result (as Netherlands Antilles): Eliminated 1-0 on aggregate by Haiti in round two
Curaçao has never played an official match as a FIFA nation since the 1950s before they became known as the Netherlands Antilles. Once the Netherlands Antilles dissolved in late 2010, Curaçao inherited its record much in the same way Serbia has the official record of Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Those that have eligibility to play for Curaçao and have played for the Netherlands Antilles in the past are allow to continue their international careers with Curaçao.
As the Netherlands Antilles, the nation never reached a World Cup or a Gold Cup in its history. At the 2010 Caribbean Cup the side had a disappointing campaign, failing to advance out of the first preliminary qualifying phase. The team lost to Guyana and Suriname with its lone point against minnow Saint Lucia.
The Curaçao domestic league is called Sekshon Pagá and is one of the weakest in all of CONCACAF. Prior to the Netherlands Antilles dissolving, the top finisher in the league would play the winner of the Netherlands Antilles' league for the Netherlands Antilles Championship. Typically the winner of this game was the Curaçao team.
Most of the players that will likely be called up for qualifying do not play in the domestic league. Instead they play all over the world in countries such as Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Austria, Canada, Ukraine and Australia. However, a majority of the squad plays in the Netherlands, not surprising considering the ties this constituent country has to the Dutch.
Curaçao's strength is a great mystery considering they have not played an international since becoming a member of FIFA. The Netherlands Antilles was traditionally one of the above-average teams in the Caribbean, capable of a surprising result but not really a threat to win anything. However, this group is wide open and the team has a chance.
Haiti
FIFA rank: 117
2010 qualifying result: Eliminated in round three of qualifying with three points from six games
If Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean nation on the rise, Haiti is one on the decline. In the most recent FIFA world rankings, Haiti fell 28 spots. Last year was a major disappointment for Haiti due to a underwhelming performance at Caribbean Cup which prevented them from qualifying for the Gold Cup.
At the Caribbean Cup, Haiti was thrashed 4-0 by Trinidad and Tobago and was beaten on goal differential by Guyana for second place in the group. This failure to make the Gold Cup ended Haiti's streak of reaching the Gold Cup at two, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2009.
Haiti has qualified for a World Cup, way back in 1974. In its first game, it took a shock lead against Italy before the Italians stormed back for a 3-1 victory. Two other losses, 7-0 to Poland and 4-1 to Argentina, completed Haiti's appearance.
Haiti has only played one international this year, a 1-0 loss to group A favorite El Salvador in February. In November of 2010, the side did pick up a nice 1-0 victory in Qatar against the hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Haiti has called up 21 players for its first two matches in this round.
Haiti's squad play in leagues all over the world, but mainly in France and the United States. The most capped player on the roster is defender Jean-Jacques Pierre who has appeared 56 times and has scored 5 goals. Brunel Fucien and James Marcelin are the experienced midfielders while Jean Marc Alexandre of Real Salt Lake will be counted on to score goals.
Not winning this group would be a tremendous disappointment for Haiti. They are probably the most talented team in this group, but may have trouble with Antigua and Barbuda who have experience playing together as a team for both club and country.
U.S. Virgin Islands
FIFA rank: 149
2010 qualifying result: Eliminated 10-0 on aggregate to Grenada in round one
The USVI won its first qualifying games in history in the first round against the British Virgin Islands. A 2-0 and 2-1 wins were good enough for the USVI to advance to the second round for the first time in history. The two wins elevated the team up 44 spots in the FIFA rankings.
Prior to the two wins, World Cup qualifying consisted of many blowouts for the USVI. In 2010 qualifying the side lost 10-0 in one leg to Grenada. Back in 2006 qualifying they lost 11-0 on aggregate to Saint Kitts and Nevis. The first time they attempted to enter qualifying, for the 2002 World Cup, they lost 14-1 on aggregate to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The side only has three victories in its history, all against the British Virgin Islands. In addition to the qualifying wins, the USVI won its first international game 1-0 in 1998.
The side does not play many international games. It did not enter the Caribbean Cup and did not play any fixtures in 2009 and 2010. It did draw Anguilla 0-0 in June as preparation for its first round games. Most members of the squad play in the relatively weak and unknown domestic league while a couple of others play in America at colleges.
Midfielder Reid Klopp scored a goal in each leg in the first round. He was born in Salisbury, Maryland and played college soccer for Salisbury University before moving to the USVI. He now plays for Free Will Baptist, a club in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Qualifying has already been a great success for this minnow and any points in this round will be a huge surprise and accomplishment. For more on the USVI team, FIFA recently wrote an excellent feature on the team.
Prediction
This group will go down to the wire. Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti are two favorites to advance, but Curaçao is a dangerous sleeper team. Goal differential may come in to play, so the teams will be trying to put as many as possible past the USVI. In the end, I think Antigua and Barbuda just edges out Haiti for the top spot.
1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Haiti
3. Curaçao
4. U.S. Virgin Islands
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