Anguilla’s under-15 boys football team scored a total of 14 goals and secured a victory over the US Virgin Islands at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.
The team also drew 3-3 with the Maldives and held Vanuatu to a goalless draw before losing on penalties, as they faced opponents from around the world over seven days.
The tournament ran from 24 to 30 October, with nearly 1,000 matches played. Group stage games took place at the Hövsan Competition Complex, while the tier finals were held at Crystal Hall.
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During the first three days, Anguilla’s young players competed in Group A against five other teams – Estonia, France, Kosovo, the Maldives and South Africa.
They lost 8-1 to France on 24 October, followed by defeats against Estonia (7-0) and South Africa (13-1) the next day. The team drew 3-3 with the Maldives on 26 October before losing 3-1 to Kosovo.
The team then went on to play the Tier F finals against Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.
Anguilla drew 0-0 with Vanuatu on 28 October but lost 5-3 on penalties. The team also lost 4-3 to Bhutan that day, before beating the US Virgin Islands 3-0 on 29 October.
Further defeats followed against Cambodia (4-1) and Brunei Darussalam (2-1), on 29 and 30 October.
In a Facebook post on 1 November, the Anguilla Football Association (AFA) described the team’s participation in the competition as “a journey bigger than the scoreboard”.
“Across 10 matches, our boys were tested by teams from around the world, often playing day after day and, at times, twice in one day. It demanded quick recovery, focus, discipline and heart,” AFA said.
The association praised goal scorers Jaeron John, Jacob Fleming, Spawndel Pogson and other players, but added that “what makes us proudest goes beyond the scores”.
“These young players travelled thousands of miles from home and competed on an international stage against different countries, styles and levels of football,” AFA said.
“Even after difficult results, they kept showing up, learning, adjusting and competing.”
AFA praised head coach Ben Gooden and the wider support staff for their dedication, saying they worked throughout the tournament to prepare, motivate and guide the players.
