Earlier today Walsall Football Club attacking midfielder Romaine Sawyers collected another international cap as his St Kitts and Nevis side took on El Salvador in the second leg of their latest stage of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.The first leg took place last week and ended two-all with neither side able to gain an advantage heading into today's game, which was played at Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador.
The second leg started at a terrific pace and El Salvador put themselves ahead after just three minutes, Darwin Cerén striking past 'keeper Archibald following a poorly cleared corner, the stopper will feel he could have done better although the box was packed as La Selecta piled on the pressure early on.
After ten minutes of play, and much possession for the hosts, St Kitts and Nevis had a penalty claim rejected by referee Oscar Davilia, Leicester City's Harrison Panayiotou looked to have been felled in the box but the challenge was deemed to have been fair.
St Kitts struggled to mount much offence during the first half but did muster a corner after the twenty-three minute mark, this was wasted as Atiba Harris failed to control the long ball.
The Sugar Boyz began to enjoy a spell of possession and earned another corner shortly after as a deep free kick was deflected well wide of goal. El Salvador stood strong and avoided conceding an equaliser despite a good cross from former Saddler Febian Brandy and a series of corners being awarded to the opposition.
With thirty-two minutes gone a dangerous Panayiotou run almost resulted in a goal for St Kitts and Nevis as he burst through the defence and had a shot on goal, 'keeper Carrillo was alert to the danger and gathered the ball.
Panayiotou continued to be heavily involved for the Sugar Boyz and was awarded two free kicks in dangerous positions, neither of which were used particularly well as La Selecta held onto their one goal advantage.
After forty-three minutes El Salvador looked to double their lead and had a couple of corners cleared, the first had the 'keeper flapping but was ultimately dealt with by the defence.
The half ended 1-0 to El Salvador, giving them a one-goal aggregate advantage.
CONCACAF - 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION - ROUND 2
HT: EL SALVADOR 1 - 0 St KITTS & NEVIS
(AGG: 3-2)
GOAL: Cerén (3')
St Kitts and Nevis enjoyed a spell of possession following the start of the second half but couldn't create a real opening, the hosts also had a corner cleared as they failed to add to their slight lead.
Soon after St Kitts and Nevis goalkeeper Archibald was called into action as he saved well from a Nelson Bonilla header.
La Selecta would double their lead from the resulting corner, Bonilla bundling home after Milton Molina header was initially saved, a little unlucky for St Kitts as El Salvador stretched away.
With an hour of action gone El Salvador were awarded a penalty, St Kitts and Nevis captain Atiba Harris adjudged to have fouled his man.
Goalkeeper Archibald saved the initial penalty but was helpless as Arturo Alvarez, who had taken the initial spot kick, followed up to send the ball home, the hosts giving themselves a convincing lead with under half an hour to go.
With just over twenty minutes of the game remaining St Kitts and Nevis had a couple of corners, the second of which they scored from, Atiba Harris sending a well placed header past the 'keeper.
Following the goal El Salvador looked to slow the game down and force their opponents back, the Sugar Boyz did create an attack and won another corner, however this failed to come to anything as a goal kick was awarded.
El Salvador once again entered a spell of patient passing, with a misplaced long ball into the box at the end of the move, they were content to fill the midfield and slow the pace.
With just over ten minutes remaining, a defensive mistake allowed El Salvador back in on goal as Bonilla converted a Pablo Punyed cross, the defenders unable to recover in time.
As the game reached it's final five minutes St Kitts and Nevis won another corner, but failed to make any use of it as El Salvador stood strong.
The Sugar Boyz were awarded a free kick with two minutes of the game remaining, the choice was made to have a go at goal, 'keeper Carrillo wasn't tested as the ball sailed over the bar.
The match ended 4-1 to El Salvador, a disappointing end to the Sugar Boyz' World Cup hopes, but an experience that is sure to help them in future tournaments.
CONCACAF - 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION - ROUND 2
FT: EL SALVADOR 4 - 1 St KITTS & NEVIS
(AGG: 6-3)
GOALS: Cerén (3'), Bonilla (54' & 80'), Alvarez (62') -- Harris (69')