Turks and Caicos team (left of feild) and St Lucia team (R)

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: Football World Cup 2010 in South Africa is on; the Turks and Caicos Islands football team scored 2:1 in their favour, sending the National Stadium of 2,200 spectators into roars of jubilation.

The draw, made late November 2007, saw the Turks and Caicos Islands being pitted against St Lucia in this historical event for the islands, as the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) hosted their first ever FIFA World Cup Qualifying contest on Providenciales Wednesday evening.

This is one the many qualifying rounds for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, commonly referred to as CONCACAF, where teams have begun playing this month.

At 8:15 pm, number 9, David Lowery, scored the first goal for TCI within the first thirty minutes of the game. This brought the crowd to its feet. Soon thereafter, at one hour exactly, at 9:15pm, TCI's own, a Grand Turk native, Gavin Glinton, number 10, scored the team's second goal for the evening.

The game, marred by inclement weather and light sprinkling of showers, only added to the drama. Nevertheless, the St Lucia team, not daunted by the strong offence, scored their one and only goal in the final thirty seconds of the three minutes stoppage time.

L to R: Premier's guest, Jane Fonda, Premier Michael Misick and Lisa-Raye McCoy Misick

The match-up, attended by the Premier Dr Michael Misick and Deputy Premier and Floyd Hall. Also at the game were Galmo Williams, Minister of Home Affairs and Governor Richard Tauwhare.

The evening was a momentous occasion, a milestone, not only for the TCIFA, but also for TCI to be hosting and taking part in this competition. The TCI team will now play off against St Lucia once more, this time in March in St Lucia.

The TCI Football Association has been developing and cultivating a love for football throughout the county, making it an even more popular sport than it already is. To this end, it is their intention to attract children, and youths of all ages, with the intent to have national teams for both local and international matches.

Further, the purpose of showcasing this match here was multi-purpose; as it allowed spectators see for themselves a first class event; showcase to the Turks and Caicos national players that they too can compete on a world stage; and to generate an interest and thust for a sport that is loved by millions around the globe.