PM SPENCER CONGRATULATES NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM ON FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER VICTORY Monday 14th November 2011
Prime Minister the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer has sent a message of congratulations to the National Football team on their victory on Friday night against Haiti in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
The Antigua and Barbuda team scored the lone goal of the game to advance to the Semi-Finals in Group A where they will meet Jamaica, Guatemala and the USA in June of 2012. Antigua and Barbuda amassed 15 points in Group F having played and won five matches. The other teams in Group F are Haiti, Curacao and the US Virgin Islands.
“Congratulations to Team Antigua Barbuda. You have made every man, woman and child in Antigua and Barbuda exceedingly proud and I am personally exceptionally elated. There is no stopping now from further creating history,” said Prime Minister Spencer who was on hand with the thousands of nationals and residents at the converted Cricket Stadium named after Antigua and Barbuda National Hero Sir Vivian Richards.
The country’s leader also congratulated the goal scorer striker Kerry “Arab” Skepple noting that his superb delivery into the back of the net propelled Antigua and Barbuda into the History books, the first time the team is advancing to a FIFA Semi-Finals round.
“This historic goal will translate to maximum exposure for Antigua and Barbuda when we meet the teams in Group A in June of next year. This type of exposure for our country is more than any tourism promotion dollar can bring to our nation at a time when our economy is struggling form the effects of a global recession,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
The country’s leader also had words of congratulations and appreciation to the thousands of nationals and residents who heeded the call to come out and support the Antigua and Barbuda team. This he said is a demonstration that Antiguans and Barbudans can rise to the occasion when we are called upon to act in the interest of our nation. “Our support for the team I am sure boosted their confidence and resulted in victory.
“Congratulations must also go to the Management and Coaching staff who worked tirelessly in preparing the team for the Haiti match. Much harder work is ahead of you, but all of Antigua and Barbuda stands ready to give you the moral support needed,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
It is estimated that over ten thousand Antiguans and Barbudans witnessed the game at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on Friday night. It is said to be the largest crowd at any sporting event in Antigua and Barbuda in recent history.
Editor’s Note: The other teams in the North, Central America and Caribbean grouping that have so far advanced to Round 3 are Guyana and Canada. Guyana beat Trinidad and Tobago 2:1
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