The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

TEAM Bahamas head coach Nesly Jean says they are looking forward to playing Nicaragua today at 5 pm in their first of two meetings in the FIFA Nations League Qualifier.

The match will be played at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium and will be the third in less than two weeks for Team Bahamas.

“Obviously, the game plan is to go out there and try to win,” said Jean, who is now into his fourth year as the head coach. “It will be a big boost to try and get on top of our group.

“Obviously, the guys have been doing very well for the last two games, although we didn’t get the result we were looking for in the last game, but hopefully we can turn it around and get it in this game.”

Jean was referring to Team Bahamas’ 1-0 loss to Trinidad and Tobago on Monday. The loss came after the team won by identical scores over St Vincent and the Grenadines the Friday before.

Back home, Jean feels some good old home cooking and the fans in the stands will make a huge difference in the game today.

“When the guys have their parents and friends and the whole country behind us, it actually gives us an extra boost,” Jean said.

And one of the key factors in being at home is the fact that the team has the luxury of substituting one of two players to get the maximum team performance.

Christopher Rahming, a midfielder/forward, said the match against Trinidad and Tobago turned out to be a confidence booster that they hope will carry over against Nicaragua.

“We realise that we could play with these fellows, and we could match up with them,” Rahming said.

“So going into this game, I want to carry on what I started and hopefully I can be more confident on the ball and try to make things happen.”

He noted that although they are a young team, they have a bright future ahead of them if they continue to develop.

William Bayles, a midfielder, was on the team that played here against St Vincent, but he didn’t make the trip to Trinidad. He said if selected to play in the game, he will be ready.

“I am optimistic about the team and I’m positive that we can get a win against Nicaragua,” he said.

“I’m confident that with the team and the players we have, we can do great things.”

Nicaragua’s head coach Marcos Figueroa said although they have never played against the Bahamas, they are looking forward to their initial meeting.

“The expectations is the same with all our matches,” he said. “We came to win, and we are going to play to win.”

Nicaragua is coming off a 1-1 tie against St Vincent and the Grenadines in their last match played on Monday in St Vincent.

In their opening match of the series, they beat Trinidad @ Tobago 2-1 in Nicaragua.

“The tie was tough for us,” Figueroa said. “We hope tomorrow is different with the Bahamas.”

Figueroa said it was difficult making the trip here.

But he said that they are looking forward to the match. Immediately after the match, both teams will head to Nicaragua on Saturday to play against each other in Nicaragua on Monday.

Nicaragua’s team captain Juan Barrera said they will be ready for the match. He said he hopes the team can get three points against the Bahamas.