A significant step forward.”
That’s how head coach of the Barbados Under-17 men’s football team Marlon Harte has described the team’s elevation in the latest Concacaf rankings.
Barbados has made a major move up the table, ascending seven places to 13th overall in the table, surpassing the likes of Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Guyana.
Jamaica, ranked at number 11, is the only English speaking Caribbean team ranked higher than Barbados, following a recent World Cup qualification campaign that saw Barbados narrowly miss out on advancing to the global final.
During that series of games, Barbados finished second in a tough group, after beating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0, before being defeated 4-1 by powerhouses and eventual group winners Mexico. Barbados also recorded wins over St Maarten 7-1 and Saint Maarten 6-1.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Harte was full of praise for the team, but cautioned that there is still much work to be done.
“Moving up seven places to 13th in the Concacaf U17 rankings reflects the commitment of the players, staff, and the wider football community.
It shows that we are making progress and closing the gap within the region, especially to be ranked ahead of teams like Trinidad and Tobago,” Harte said.
“At the same time, we see this as motivation, not a destination. Our focus remains on continued development, improving standards daily, and ensuring that this group is competitive at the highest level when it matters most.”
The U17 Concacaf table is headed by the United States, with Mexico second and Canada third. Panama and Costa Rica round out the top five.
(KH)
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