Dominica looked a far improved side in the first round of South Africa 2010 qualifying. But despite pushing Barbados over two legs, they tumbled out of contention at the first hurdle. After earning a sensational 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, they lost out agonisingly 1-0 in Bridgetown in late March to put an end to their brave fight.

The two matches looked a vast upswing in form and preparations from their previous campaign. In qualifying for Germany 2006, Dominica lost out 18-0 on the aggregate to Mexico. Their first attempt at qualifying came in 1998 and if the most recent run is anything to go by, the Dominicans are on the right track and aiming to become a competitor in the Caribbean zone.

The islanders, with a new sense of purpose and a hunger to become a name in the region, will now turn their attentions to the qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.