(Saint Lucia Daily Post – June 6, 2025) Team Saint Lucia is ramping up its preparation for a crucial World Cup Qualifier against Curaçao later today (June 6, 2025). Saint Lucia currently sit 4th in Group C qualifiers on 1 point from 2 matches and a -1 goal difference. They face a Curaçao team coached by former Holland head coach Dick Advocat who sits atop the group on 6 points from 2 matches. Curaçao also sits 90th in the FIFA World Rankings and 15th in the CONCACAF Rankings as opposed to Saint Lucia who sit in 165th and 26th place respectively.
Though the numbers make the assignment seem daunting, Saint Lucia will be buoyed by the fact that this current Curaçao team is a familiar one. Saint Lucia pulled out a shock upset in Nations League, League B, Group B action on September 6, 2024 with a 2-1 scoreline, only to be humbled in the return leg 4-1 on November 18, 2024 and at one time threatening to win the group and Gold Cup qualification.
Fast forward to today, Saint Lucia has fielded a pretty young squad, including 9 players from the inaugural Semi Pro League, with several players making their senior team debut. Despite this, the mood in the camp remains positive and head coach Stern John is eager to see how his blend of youth and experience will fare against pretty solid opposition.
Leandro Baccuna will no doubt be the catalyst for all things good for Curaçao, the experienced midfielder is the engine and talisman of the team. But Saint Lucia also have the likes of Caniggia Elva, the leading scorer in the previous Nations League campaign, who by all indications may drop into his favoured number 10 role with the inclusion of attacking players like Mervin St. Romain and Keagan Caull who is expected to lift the scoring burden, albeit that they both are making their senior team debuts.
A win for Saint Lucia would vault them into third place and 1 point behind group leaders Curaçao, with a final group fixture to come against Barbados on Tuesday June 10, 2025. A seemingly daunting task indeed but not impossible.
Saint Lucia Full Squad reads:
Terrel Thomas (Captain)
Josh Solomon
Arkell Jude Boyd
Alvinus Mayers
Melvin Doxilly
Kurt Frederick
Donavon Jn Baptiste
Hamaiael Charlery
Saviola Elva
Bayan Aman
Ryan Charles
Ryan Remi
Caniggia Elva
Leaus Henville
Aaron Richard
Shaquan Nelson
Trent Alexander
Mervin St Romain
Keagan Caull
Troy Greenidge
Vino Barclett
Darren Donaie
Devone St Prix
