The team takes a group photo in front of the large crowd of 30,000 spectators.

By Mwangi Ngamate
mwangi@caymannetnews.com

The Technical Director of the U-17 Girls football team, Thiago Cunha, has broken his silence since the momentous return by the team on Saturday evening.

Speaking to Cayman Net News, Mr Cunha said the U-17 Girls World Cup qualifying was a excellent exposure; however, the team needed more experience, perhaps from friendly matches with other countries.

He noted that in starting, the girls team had to make do with what was available by playing against boys teams – Seven Mile F.C and Cayman Athletics Sports Club boys team in preparation for the Games.

He said that while this was an ingenious way of getting the girls started, they now needed more experience even though most of the players are still attending school and have other obligations with their time.

In congratulating his team, he said, “The fact that the team had a chance of holding the Haiti team and conceding only a one goal loss and beating Bahamas and well as thrashing the British Virgin Islands 13- nil is no mean task. Much appreciation needs to be given although a lot of work is ahead.”

“Just having the example of a football match, they have scored a goal in the fifth minute of the game, but there is 85 minutes remaining where your lead in the first five minutes can be overturned,” he said.

He also advised the players to cut short the celebratory mood and stick with the game plan, because the match has just began, noting that they would spend the months ahead correcting weaknesses and tighten the loose nuts.

In one way we have to congratulate them for their achievement, push them for what lies ahead, but above all encourage them because the school work should not be forgotten.

On his part, Mr Cunha thanked the Government, and the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) for giving them the opportunity to play the U17 World Cup Qualifying.

Noting that in football when teams lose, it is the coaching staff that is castigated and when they win it is players who are congratulated, Mr Cunha thanked Coach Bobby McLaren and all the staff for the hard work and commitment.

“We are humble and we have a long way to go. We need to train hard, appreciate those amazing feelings and improve our weaknesses,” he said talking of the long way ahead of them.

“We have to train even harder for the next step, Cayman Women’s Football have been doing excellent things for a long time, and the girls represented Cayman very well.”

“I hope that everybody shows up for the next game, people have to cheer and support us, “ he said speaking of the tremendous crowd support that the home team Haiti had, with some 30,000 spectators in the stands cheering.

“I hope see toeverybody else come for the games with red t-shirts and God will help us Qualify for Final Round in Costa Rica 2010,” Mr Cunha stated.