A Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation traditionally obsessed with baseball, the Dominican Republic were always going to be up against it when they met near neighbours Puerto Rico in the first round of qualifying for South Africa 2010.

The Puerto Ricans are no footballing powerhouse in the region, but a recent upturn in fortunes, a new coach and a raft of USA-based players have the side looking real contenders for a change. As such, the Dominicans were sent packing in their one-off qualifier in Bayamon. Despite being eliminated, they left the competition with their dignity intact - the Puerto Ricans needed extra time to win out 1-0.

Although a first-round exit was not what Dominican football fans were hoping for, the fight they put in bodes well as they set their sights on qualifying for the finals in Brazil in 2014.