New York Caribbean Cup. 
ENY State Soccer Association.
Fish Eye Bar and Grill.
With John Melbourne
The largest crowd to attend a 2013 New York Caribbean Cup game this season witnessed a really marvelous end with the two top teams in the tournament, defending champions Team St. Lucia and Team Jamaica taking the championship game down to the wire. Tied at 0-0 after regulation the championship was decided by penalty shootout where Team Jamaica made no mistake this time winning 4-2. Meanwhile, unlike last year, Team Guyana was masters of their third place game defeating Team Haiti 4-2.
Team Guyana USA 4 Team Haiti 2
One can never be sure how a team responds following a heartbreaking defeat and so this afternoon the apprehension was high when Team Guyana USA took the field for the 2013 Caribbean Cup third place game following a heart breaking 5-4 loss to Team Jamaica last weekend.
When the referee’s whistle sent them going Team Guyana USA looked a bit disinterested as Team Haiti USA pressed looking for an advantage.
Ironically, however, it was the New York Golden Jaguars who opened the scoring much against the run of play. Marlon Benjamin picked up pass from his defense, dribbled down the right side and crossed the ball deep in the box. Team Haiti’s goalkeeper Pierre Louis Wings strayed too far off his line apparently anticipating the ball coming just outside his six yard box, but instead it was played inside the six and in an attempt to push the ball wide of his upright only succeeded in pushing the ball in the back of the goal.
Following the goal Team Guyana picked up their pace appreciably and it didn’t take long for them to double the score. Top striker Gregory Richardson picked a ball from Kevin Beaton, and after a couple of steps slotted the ball wide left of the goalkeeper.
Team Haiti was not going to be outdone, however, and continued to fight to get on the score sheet. Finally they pulled one back when Daout Abdias beat his marker down the right side and crossed to a waiting Alex Jr Christian to close the gap. There was no further scoring in the half as the New York Golden Jaguars went in with a 2-1 edge.
Team Guyana has proven to be a second half team all season and those of us who have watched them play expected fireworks in the second half, particularly too because Team Haiti was not playing their best game. Surprise however, it was Team Haiti who drew things even ten minutes after the whistle for the second half. Johnny Exantus latched on to a cross from Daout Abdias and beat Adrian Alfred easily.
Many of us were surprised to see Alfred in goal for Team Guyana because he has been carrying an injury for some time and appeared to be visibly limping around in goal. However, he had no chance with either strikes against him.
After the equalizer, the Jaguars took control of the game. Travis Grant put his team back in front from a goal front melee, while quite fittingly marksman Gregory Richardson drove in the final nail from just inside the box. Team Guyana 4 Team Haiti 2.
Team Jamaica USA 0 Team St. Lucia USA 0 (Team Jamaica 4-2 PSO)
The improvement exhibited by Team St. Lucia USA over the last several weeks made this year’s New York Caribbean Cup final a question mark game. Since their final preliminary round game against Team Panama, Team St. Lucia has played a more aggressive game that seemed to bother all the teams on their way to the final. So the question was, would they bring this aggressive play to Team Jamaica, and if they did how would team Jamaica react?
Before the largest New York Caribbean Cup crowd this season Team Jamaica pressed on the accelerator from the referee signaled the game to begin. Defending the Egan Street goal the New York Reggae Boyz had the pride of New York St. Lucians on their heels for much of the first fifteen minutes of action and it seemed like a matter of time before Team Jamaica scored.
Team Jamaica didn’t capitalize as the defending champions held strain and soon began to give as much as they were taking. Approaching the half both teams came close to scoring on a few occasions but faulty shooting was their downfall.
The game intensity seemed to deteriorate in the second stanza. Team St. Lucia made adjustments that seemed to knock Team Jamaica off their rhythm. Their precision passing was gone as several of their passes went to the opposing team. In fact, Team Jamaica looked a little desperate and was forced into a defensive posture and in fact I thought they were lucky to come away with a 0-0 tie at full-time.
Both teams seemed relieved when the final whistle blew as penalty shootout loomed.
Under New York Caribbean Cup rules championship or playoff games that end in a tie go directly into PSO, with each team getting five shots on goal initially and if the game is still tied, then sudden death is in order.
Irvino English, Javid Morris, Loxley Thomas and Alan Maragh all scored the first 4 kicks for Team Jamaica. Loxley Thomas did muff his shot initially but asked to re-take it because in the eyes of the referee goalkeeper Thaddeus Francis was in violation. For Team St. Lucia, Devon Haughton saved the first attempt by Trevor Daniel, Abdel James and Nyhine Gilbert scored while Fabian Joseph’s shot went wide. Team Jamaica 4 Team St. Lucia 2 (PSO).
Congratulations Team Jamaica USA 2013 New York Caribbean Cup Champions.
Several elected officials and Consulate General representatives were invited to this afternoon’s Caribbean Cup championship Sunday but only Guyana Consul General representative Ms. Molly Craig Berry and NYS Assemblyman Nick Perry attended. Also in attendance was mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio and NYC Council 46th District candidate , Brooklyn, Mercedes Narcisse .
2013 Caribbean Cup Awards
Champions – Team Jamaica USA
Runners-up – Team St. Lucia USA
Third Place – Team Guyana USA
Fourth Place – Team Haiti USA
MVP of the final – Asrick Samuels (Jamaica)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Devon Haughton (Jamaica)
Most Goals – Irvino English 9 goals (Jamaica)
With John Melbourne
The largest crowd to attend a 2013 New York Caribbean Cup game this season, were justly entertained with two terrific games. In the opener defending champions Team St. Lucia USA played like champions to get by Team Haiti USA 3-2, while Team Guyana USA down 4-0 early in the second half scared the wits out of Team Jamaica USA but came up just short 5-4.
Team St. Lucia USA 3 Team Haiti USA 2
Except for opening day and last week Sunday’s quarter finals the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament has been blessed with some great weather this season. And so it was no different this afternoon when St. Lucia kicking toward the Flatlands goal got the 2013 semi-finals underway in brilliant sunshine.
Almost immediately the defending champions signaled that they meant business and were taking no prisoners. Five minutes into the game Ramiel Felix crossed a ball deep in the box that beat goalkeeper Antonio Despinas and before he could recover Vernus Abbott closing quickly on the right side just knocked the ball home off the upright.
The cheering had hardly died when Nyhine Gilbert doubled the score and Lucian fans began to smell final. A long pass down the right flank that seemed to be going outside was chased down by Vernan Abbott and retrieved. Truly a marvelous effort and in retrieving the ball it bounced to a Haitian defender who misplayed and lost the ball to the hard working Abbott. Abbott played the ball toward goal only to see it cleared off the line by Haitian defender, Daout David Davis. Unfortunately for Team Haiti the ball dropped right at the feet of Nyhime Gilbert who made it Team St. Lucia 2 Team Haiti 0.
Once again Team Haiti players got to the park late so they took a while to settle down while St. Lucia got to the park early and was properly warmed up and ready to play.
However, just before the half, St. Lucia gave back a goal when Germal Valcin in trying to block a shot was whistled for handling the ball. Dieuphene DeLamour was asked to take the shot and beat net minder Thaddeus Francis to his right.
With half time approaching, Pernel Williams drew the wrath of the referee and was dismissed for swinging an elbow while trying to shield a ball. Perhaps the expulsion was well timed, close to the half so his team mates didn’t have too much time to think about playing a man down.
The red card didn’t appear to affect the Lucians as Romiel Felix, Vernan Abbott and Levi Gilbert lifted their game and Team St. Lucia out hustled Team Haiti for long periods in the game. In fact, shortly after the break the Lucians extended their lead that temporarily broke the Haitians backs. Nyhine Gilbert picked up a ball just below the half line, out raced the Haitian defense down the right side and unloaded a screamer from just outside the eighteen. Team St. Lucia 3 Team Haiti 1.
The score held until about ten minutes before time when the under-manned Team St. Lucia seemed to be tiring. Johnny Exantus brought the scores closer on what I thought was a soft goal evidenced by the disgust on Thaddeus Francis’ face as the ball slid under his body. With minutes to go in the game Team St. Lucia was able to hold off the marauding Haitians to the final whistle.
An absolutely thrilling semi-final that had fans screaming throughout the game.
Team Jamaica USA 5 Team Guyana USA 4
Once again after an impressive season Team Guyana USA faltered at the wire when they lost their Caribbean Cup semi-final to Team Jamaica USA this afternoon at Jefferson High School field.
This was a game of two halves and the Jamaican management team and fans must have breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle.
Gregory Richardson was a thorn in the sides of Team Jamaica all afternoon and, but for a missed penalty almost single handedly win a hard fought contest for the Golden Jaguars. Seven minutes into the game, kicking toward Egan Street, Team Guyana could have taken the lead but Richardson kicked wide from the spot as Jamaicans hearts skipped a beat.
Following the miss the game settled into end to end action with both teams attacking and counter attacking. At the thirtieth minute Jamaica opened the scoring courtesy of Dannie Shaw from an Irvino English corner.
A couple minutes later Denzil Watson, missing from the score card all season, got his name on the referee’s card with his first goal of the season. Javid Morris streamed down the right side turned deftly on the defender and crossed to Watson who drove home.
Suddenly the game tempo changed as the New York Reggae Boyz had the New York Golden Jaguars on their heels. No surprise therefore, when Team Jamaica scored goal number three. It came off clinical ball movement between Denzil Watson, Javid Morris and the finishing touch by Romario Campbell. Team Jamaica 3 Team Guyana 0. There was no further scoring as the referee called half-time.
The second stanza started quite innocently with Team Guyana kicking toward the Flatlands goal, but again it was Jamaica who wrote their name on the score sheet first when Javid Morris tickled the Egan Street net from a melee in front of the goal.
This is where the game changed, more because the Jamaican team management’s timing in making substitutions. Javid Morris was substituted for and within five minutes Gregory Richardson pulled Team Guyana within two goals on shots from close in. Team Jamaica was on their heels now.
Dannie Shaw gave his team some relief when he scored his second of the game to give Team Jamaica a three goal cushion. However, shortly after Dannie Shaw was substituted for and things just went downhill as the Golden Jaguars took over the game. However, I must give their team management credit to have the gonads to remove Theo Brown with the defense under extreme pressure.
Kayode McKinnon reduced the score line that lifted the spirits of all Guyanese because that goal gave them hope and then Gregory Richardson made Jamaicans sweat with his third goal of the game. Team Jamaica 5 Team Guyana 4.
Too little too late however for Team Guyana as time ran out.
The 2013 Caribbean Cup final is as follows:
Sunday September 01, 2013
All games are played at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands and Shepherd in Brooklyn.
With John Melbourne
Team Haiti USA and Team Jamaica USA moved closer to the 2013 Caribbean Cup championship game with contrasting wins at Jefferson High School Sports Complex this afternoon. While Team Haiti USA brushed aside Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA 3-0, Team Jamaica USA had a much easier passage by jumping on Team Panama USA before the game was prematurely called with Team Jamaica leading 3-0.
The bitter and the sweet of New York Caribbean Cup soccer occurred in this afternoon’s quarter final game. The disorganization and indiscipline of the Haitian organization came to fore when their players arrived at the park without their uniforms. Consequently the opening game was delayed for a considerable length of time.
Meanwhile, the Team Jamaica USA and Team Panama USA encounter was blown off before time when a vicious tackle escalated beyond pushing and shoving. Team Jamaica was leading 3-0 when the game was called.
Team Haiti USA 3 Team St. Kitts/Nevis 0
After losing their first two games this season Team St. Kitts/Nevis clawed their way into the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup quarter finals once more which was heartening to see particularly when they lost the services of arguably their best player Attis Hughes for their last couple of games.
The Kittitians were on the field early going through their warm-up paces as they awaited the arrival of Team Haiti. Psychologically, I think the delay affected Team St. Kitts/Nevis because the fire they played with in their last two preliminary round games wasn’t there this afternoon.
Because of uniform issues Team Haiti took the field not only with less than a full complement of players but also improperly dressed. Despite outnumbering Team Haiti, Team St. Kitts/Nevis never looked the part as Team Haiti defended stoutly until their troops arrived, including their starting goalkeeper Antonio Despinas.
For much of the first half the game was played within the eighteen yard boxes with neither goalkeeper severely threatened.
Team Haiti took control from the whistle for the second half and midway through the frame Sonthonax Alfred broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot from a melee in front of the goal. Shortly after, Robinson Alfred made it 2-0 when his twenty-five yard strike slid off the underside of the crossbar, hit the upright and skidded in the goal. That goal seemed to break the backs of the “Sugar Boyz”.
With the referee checking his watch as full-time drew near Johnny Exantus sealed the issue with a beautiful goal. He picked up a ball wide outside the box, outfoxed his marker, glided into the box and just pushed the ball pass an advancing Akil Byron.
“Le Rouge Et Bleu” moves on to next Sunday’s semi-final to play defending champions St. Lucia at 3:15pm.
Team Jamaica USA 3 Team Panama USA 0
Team Jamaica USA and Team Panama USA are no strangers now in New York Caribbean Cup playoffs. Last year Team Jamaica defeated Team Panama by a similar three goal margin in the quarter finals as history repeated itself in this afternoon’s encounter.
In overcast conditions the referee signaled the start of the game. It was one of those afternoons when you hoped the sun would force its way through to encourage fans to come and see what was expected to be an outstanding playoff game. But the sun didn’t cooperate and in fact every now and then there was a slight drizzle that forced the umbrellas to pop open.
Team Jamaica, as they have all season at the start of games, appeared sluggish. For this afternoon that may very well be understandable considering they were without Marvin Morgan who went off to Sweden for a professional tryout, Romeo Parkes who left for Finland, also for a professional tryout, Richard Edwards who has crossed the border up north to join the MLS Montreal club, Zane Gouldbourne, sitting out a red card and without Desmond Breakenridge who was late getting to the park and did not start.
Team Panama dominated the early exchanges and you could hear Team Jamaica’s goalkeeper Devon Haughton constantly barking out instructions to his defensive core on each Team Panama attack.
The “Reggae Boyz” eventually warmed to the task and drew first blood when Denzil Watson was brought down just outside the box on the right side of the pitch. There was no question as to who would take the free-kick, as up stepped Irvino English, and like he did in their first game this season, deposited the ball inside the far right post as goalkeeper Arturo Sealey stood motionless. Even with wings he could not have saved that one.
Following the goal Team Jamaica started playing with more urgency as Team Panama employed a more aggressive game. Perhaps the aggressiveness was to try and intimidate the physically smaller Jamaicans but the young Jamaicans reverted to what they do best, their bag of skill and that led to the second goal.
Javid Morris picked up a pass on the right side and as he moved into the box across there came David Carpenter to clean up. There was no question about the infraction as the referee spotted the ball. Up stepped Irvino English once again, Team Jamaica 2 Team Panama 0. Shortly after, Carpenter was yellow carded for an overly aggressive tackle on Denzil Watson, who seemed to be the target for the Panamanians this afternoon. There was no further scoring as the whistle sounded to end the half with Team Jamaica leading 2-0.
The second half got going with Team Panama kicking toward the Flatlands goal and Team Jamaica going uphill toward Egan Street. The shrill of the whistle had hardly waned when Denzil Watson was brought down again as he tried to weave his way through the Panamanian defense inside the box. Up steps Mr. Reliable Irvino English, team Jamaica 3 team Panama 0.
At this stage I thought the game was getting away from the referee and thought he missed a few calls along the way. Ahead 3-0 Team Jamaica began to put on a show, particularly in front of the stands, and that may have frustrated and embarrassed “Los Canaleros”. As a result when Dannie Shaw sold a Panamanian defender an “air pie” he was knocked down and punched, and as these things go the referee completely lost control of the game and blew it off with Team Jamaica leading 3-0.
Team Jamaica will face Team Guyana in Sunday’s semi-final at 5:30pm.
The 2013 Caribbean Cup semi-final schedule is as follows:
Sunday August 25, 2013 – 3:15pm Team St. Lucia USA vs Team Haiti USA
5:30pm Team Guyana USA vs Team Jamaica USA
Before the largest crowd of the season the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup soccer playoffs got off to an exhilarating start at Jefferson High School Sports Complex this afternoon. In the opening game Team Guyana USA scored early and held off a determined Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA, while in the nightcap defending champions Team St. Lucia USA and Team Grenada USA battled to a 0-0 draw in perhaps the best game of the season. Make no mistake this afternoon’s games were Caribbean Cup championship soccer at its very best.
Team Guyana USA 1 Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA 0
This afternoon’s Caribbean Cup double header had all the markings of a great afternoon of championship soccer playoffs. The sun was out in all its glory and that brought along the masses with their horns and bells and naturally the drums.
Team Guyana clad in black shorts and green tops got first touch of the ball kicking toward the Flatlands goal. Vincy defense was under pressure immediately. With a little more care the Golden Jaguars may have taken the lead with the game only a few minutes old but Marlon Benjamin’s shot went wide of the mark.
Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines appeared to be in a struggle to hold off the Jaguars attacks and so it was no surprise when they scored midway through the opening half. Gregory Richardson broke down the left side, deftly squared the ball across the middle for Travis Grant to drive home. While I think his vision was partially blocked by his defenders even if his vision was clear Marcus Williams would have had difficulty saving that one.
The goal seemed to wake up Team ST. Vincent and the Grenadines as they picked up the pace and actually outplayed Team Guyana to the half but just couldn’t find the equalizer.
Shortly after resumption, Orande Christopher drew a second caution that led to automatic expulsion from the game, yet despite being a man down Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines played their hearts out and had the better of play for long periods. There was actually a point in the game where they got four consecutive corners but just couldn’t get the equalizer.
Playing a man down eventually took its toll on Vincy and with five minutes to go in the game gave up goals to Rishawan Sandiford and Gregory Richardson for the final scoreline, Team Guyana 3 Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0.
Team St. Lucia USA 0 Team Grenada USA 0 (STL 4-3 PSO)
The Team St. Lucia and Team Grenada feature was vintage Caribbean Cup playoff soccer, and despite being very physical only four cautions were issued two on either side.
There weren’t any real scoring chances in the first thirty minutes of the game, however, things seemed to open up a bit as the whistle to signal the end of the first half approached with both teams attacking and counter attacking.
The second stanza was much a carbon copy of the opening stanza until Henson Cuffie dented the right upright from close in with a drive that that had goalkeeper Thaddeus Francis beaten all ends up. Grenada was in a zone now and had it been for better finishing by their forwards, particularly Marcus Julien, may have been preparing for the semi-finals in another two weeks. That was not to be and when the final whistle sounded the teams were dead locked at 0-0.
Team St. Lucia defended like true champions and if nothing else this afternoon showed they will be hard to beat in this twenty second New York Caribbean Cup championship season.
The 0-0 tie sent the game into penalty shootout and after the first five regulation attempts the score was tied at three apiece. Sudden death PSO would determine the winner now. Germal Valcin stepped up for the Lucians and buried his attempt and placed the pressure on the ‘spice team’. Up stepped Shannon Philip to pull things even but to his chagrin Thaddeus Francis read right and brought off a game winning save.
The defending New York Caribbean Cup champions await the winner of next week’s clash between Haiti and St. Kitts/Nevis.
Just prior to the PSO there was an incident that appeared to unsettle Team Grenada temporarily. Team St. Lucia requested to substitute their goalkeeper for the PSO because he hurt himself just before the final whistle in regulation. The ‘spice team’ contended that a substitution could not be made after the whistle to end regulation. The substitution was waived and St. Lucia had to use the injured Thaddeus Francis and as fate would have it he saved three of the penalties.
As far as the substitution goes, it is my understanding that according to FIFA rules St. Lucia could have substituted for their goalkeeper, only, because St. Lucia had used only three of their four eligible subs during regulation.
The 2013 Caribbean Cup playoffs schedule is as follows:
Sunday August 18, 2013 – 3:15pm Haiti vs St. Kitts/Nevis
5:30pm Jamaica vs Panama
All games are played at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands and Shepherd in Brooklyn.
The second edition of the New York Caribbean Cup Mid-Season Classic at Jefferson High School Sports Complex is behind us now, but what a wonderful afternoon of soccer it was.
The fest opened with an under-19 clash between the Brooklyn Lions and the Cambria Heights Tigers and saw the home team Brooklyn Lions edge ahead on goals by Justin Gordon and Bengin Kirwan to close the first half.
You would not believe it was the same two teams on the field in the second half. The Lions seemed to fall asleep while the Tigers came to life. When the final whistle blew Rohan Banton (2), Julian Omeally, Shackeem Campbell and Alex Dixon catapulted the Cambria Tigers to a come from behind 5-2 victory.
After the game I asked Tigers coach Arthur Hills what adjustments he made at the half to generate the second half explosion. Coach Hills said he talked to the players about discipline. He broke it down by position. To his defense to be more aware of their positioning, to his midfielders, to recognize their defensive responsibilities and told his forwards to be patient and goals would come. And so they did, five in forty minutes of action.
Jamaica Masters 5 Guyana Masters 4
The Masters encounter between Jamaica and Guyana was quite entertaining. Perhaps however, the offside rule should be waived in Masters games.
As expected neither team really dominated as the action swung back and forth. However, Jamaica actually looked more organized early and when Howard Kerr opened the scoring they looked like they were about to run away with game. All thoughts of a run-away game went by the wayside as Guyana tied it up almost immediately through Julian Thomas.
By now the sun and the running was taking its toll on the Masters. Kicking toward the Flatlands goal Jamaica went ahead 2-1 on a low hard drive by Lloyd Mathews. Didn’t take long for Guyana to respond once more, not only did they draw level but went ahead 3-2 on goals by Nicholas Thomson and Colin Goodridge.
The whistle sounded to give the masters a much needed break. Not sure they were happy to hear the whistle for the second half but Lloyd Matthews took advantage of a defensive lapse to draw Jamaica even at three.
Corey Morrison and Richard Green blew the lead to 5-3 before a penalty by Terrence Archer narrowed the margin to the final score, Jamaica Masters 5 Guyana Masters 4.
The Mid-Season Classic
The 2013 New York Caribbean Cup mid-season classic got going in a festive atmosphere marred only by a blaring sound system across the track that made the referee’s whistle difficult to hear. And while some of the All-Stars complained there was very little Caribbean Cup could do as they have no control over the surroundings.
The East All-Stars took control of the game early displaying a more willingness to pass the ball around, while the West tended to be more individualistic.
Goals, as is said, win matches and the East allowed numerous chances to go awry. Despite the contrast in styles the half ended 0-0.
Both teams came out on the hunt for the vital goal that would give them bragging rights to the Reynald Selman Challenge Trophy.
Finally the East broke through when Gregory Richardson, left unmarked, picked up a loose ball just outside the goalkeeper’s square and struck a pile driver into the roof of the goal. Devon Haughton had no chance. While he is not called on very often to save the day for Team Jamaica in the regular competition, this afternoon Devon Haughton was asked the question several times and except for the goal brought off some spectacular saves.
At the other end the more physically imposing Adrian Alfred, while not as active this afternoon, none the less blunted several attacking opportunities from the West. However, the West finally tied things up on a Shane Rennie goal.
Fans didn’t seem unhappy to hear the final whistle with the score tied as penalty shoot outs have become such a nail biting and exciting part of championship soccer games these days.
Like the 2012 inaugural All-Star game the East won again on PSO, this time 4-2.
It was good to have Councilman Jumaane Williams in the park. Only wish more of our Caribbean elected officials would pay more attention to the New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament celebrating 22 years this year.
As part of the Caribbean Cup Outreach Program, back packs with school supplies were given to families with their children attending the game.
The 2013 New York Caribbean Cup playoffs kick off next Sunday, August 11.
The final preliminary round of the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament ended at Jefferson High School Sports Complex this afternoon with wins for Team Haiti USA, Team St. Lucia USA and Team Jamaica USA.
Team Haiti USA 7 Team Trinidad And Tobago USA 0
Team Haiti came into this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup game knowing a win would be advantageous to their positioning going into the playoffs.
The referee got them going under a slight drizzle that soon dissipated itself. Plagued by the absence of some of their player Team TNT started positively moving the ball around while dominating the opening minutes. Eight against eleven will always be an uphill ask for the eight and so it was this afternoon. In the 4th minute of play Alex Christian latched on to a pass down the left side from Edson Milcar and Team Haiti was on their way.
Ten minutes later Team Haiti doubled the score when Johnny Exantus scored off a goal front melee.
It was obvious now that Team TNT was beginning to break under the pressure when Dieuphene DeLamour broke down the right side and crossed to Alex Christian for his second goal of the match. Soon after it was Haiti 4, the once proud Team TNT 0, as Edgar Bonhomme capitalized on a defensive error.
The second half was no different with the out-manned Soca Warriors showing little fight. Edson Milcar made it 5-0 Haiti with a drive from outside the box that caught goalkeeper Troy Lezama flatfooted.
Johnny Exantus, a 2013 West CCI All Star selectee got his second and Haiti’s 6th on a shot that Lezama could have done a better job of handling.
In the closing minutes of the game Edson Milcar scored perhaps the best goal of the match. Milcar outpaced the defense through the middle and fired a screamer from ten yards outside the box that made Lezama a spectator.
Team TNT has had a proud history in the New York Caribbean Cup tournament, but in recent years the ‘warriors’ have gone to bed and the ‘soca’ alone has not been able to get the job done.
Meanwhile, Team Haiti has played well all tournament long and will once again be a team to be reconned with in the playoffs.
Team St. Lucia USA 4 Team Panama USA 0
Defending Champions St. Lucia gave us a glimpse this afternoon of what to expect in the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament playoffs. They came out of the box playing aggressively and it appeared to intimidate Team Panama.
The slight drizzle was gone as the sun came out with the referee’s whistle. Team Panama tried to respond to the hard tackling, give no inch Lucians, but their efforts were more retaliatory that with purpose.
Goal number one was the result of a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Alexis Senhouse and his defense. A defender played a ball back to him as he left his line, but the pass was errant and just bounced over the keeper’s head into the goal.
It didn’t help Team Panama’s cause when minutes later Nyhine Gilbert hit a scorcher from some thirty five yards out that surprised Senhouse. He remained glued to the grass as the ball lodged in the far corner.
With the defending champions ahead 2-0 the whistle sent the teams to the break. Following the break Vernan Abbott beat Augustin Arthur down the left side just inside the box and just slid the ball home pass an advancing Alexis Senhouse who started in place of their number one man Arturo Sealey. Senhouse actually hurt his leg in trying to prevent the goal and Team Panama had to bring on Sealey.
Sealey was called on immediately to block what may have been goal number 4 for Team St. Lucia. The change to Sealey seemed to have a positive effect on the team as you could hear him barking instructions and encouraging his defense.
Team St. Lucia did get one more goal when Pernel Williams picked up a ball down the right flank and crossed to a waiting Vernan Abbott who made no mistake.
Both teams are headed to the playoffs now, however, the Lucians go the playoff with the knowledge that they have not given up a goal this season. They also gave us a glimpse this afternoon of why they have been a perennially tough team come playoff time.
Team Jamaica USA 2 Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA 1
The Team Jamaica/Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines game was always going to be a tactical affair which is the reason why both have won the most championships in the 22 years of the New York Caribbean Cup tournament.
Team Jamaica started without the injured Denzil Watson as they reverted to their slow marching, patient style that has become familiar to Cup fans over the years. However, after the first few exchanges it was evident that Vincy was not going to be outdone and had come to win a football game.
Just when it seemed the game would be a battle of midfield Jamaica got the break through, the result of miscommunication between goalkeeper Marcus Williams and his defense which gifted goal number five for Irvino English this season.
Following the goal it started to drizzle once more but soon stopped as the referee blew for half time. As has been their mantra this season Team Jamaica’s coaching staff got their players to assemble in a corner of the field for the half time chat while Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines went off to the dressing room.
Vincy came out in the second half determined to get the equalizer while Jamaica looked like they needed a wake-up call. The game seemed to be changing as Team Vincy appeared to be getting the better of the action. Obviously coach Arthur Mikes saw this too and decided to make changes. He replaced Roland Dean with Javid Morris, but the second change surprised many of us when he replaced Theo Brown with Christopher Banner. Coach Mikes may have been looking ahead to the playoffs when he also took Romario Campbell and Irvino English out of the game.
Anyway the changes seemed to favor Vincy, but it was Team Jamaica who got the vital goal number two allbeit by way of a penalty. A long pass through the right side forced Vincy defender Millon Prescott to come across and bring down Javid Morris inside the box. Vincy did not even protest as the referee spotted the ball. Irvino English stepped up and slid the ball just inside the right upright.
Shortly after Zane Gouldbourne returned the favor for Vincy bringing down Anselmo Cox deep inside the box, his second card of the game, and automatic expulsion. Rayvon Jack stepped up and put his name on the score sheet.
Team Jamaica survived the final minutes a man down but surprisingly were not out played.
Both teams move on to the playoffs and could very well meet again.
As for the playoffs the quarter finals schedule is as follows:
August 11, 2013 – 3:15pm Team Guyana vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines
5:30pm Team St. Lucia vs Team Grenada
August 18, 2013 – 3:15pm Team Haiti vs Team St. Kitts/Nevis
5:30pm Team Jamaica vs Team Panama
2013 Mid-Season All Star Classic
This Sunday, August 4, 2013, New Caribbean Cup soccer tournament will be celebrating their 22nd anniversary with their 2ND All Star Mid-Season classic.
1:30pm – Brooklyn Lions U-19 vs Cambria Heights Kickers U-19
3:30pm – Jamaica Masters vs Guyana Masters
5:30pm – CCI East All Stars vs CCI West All Stars
With John Melbourne
Both Team Guyana USA’s golden jaguars and Team Grenada USA’s Spice Boyz completed their preliminary round of New York Caribbean Cup games this afternoon with relatively easy victories. Team Guyana taking a 4-1 win over Team Barbados USA while Team Grenada dumped Team Antigua/Barbuda USA 13-0 in the feature.
Team Guyana USA 4 vs Team Barbados USA 1
It took a while for things to heat up in the Team Guyana/Team Barbados match but what an entertaining game it turned out to be. Team Barbados came into the game knowing that a good win would give them a mathematical chance of making the playoffs and it would be the first major upset of the season. On the other hand Team Guyana knew a win would consolidate their playoff position in this year’s competition.
Team Barbados marked their name on the register first and it came off a corner kick. A low corner came over from the right side and after a couple of miskicks Abdel Alleyne pounced on the ball and drove home.
The setback seemed to arouse the ‘golden jaguars’ and in the end poor goal keeping helped them get the equalizer five minutes later. Bajan net minder Greg Belle misjudged a ball through the middle left his line to try and clear it, but was beaten to the ball and could only watch Gregory Richardson push the ball over the goal line fire Bajan Pride into the lead.
Shortly after, kicking toward the Egan Street end, Kevin Beaton should have doubled the Team Guyana lead but in his anxiety to score only succeeded in driving the ball high and wide. Not long after he did make amends by finishing a cross from the right flank.
Team Guyana held their 2-1 advantage going into the break, however, soon after the resumption they extended their lead on the second goal of the match for Greg Richardson.
Goal number four was probably the best goal of the match. Marlon Benjamin outraced the defense down the right side and shot the ball. Goalkeeper Greg Belle failed to gather the scorcher cleanly and Benjamin was able to follow through head the ball home. It was all Team Guyana after this as they spent the last few minutes peppering the Bajan goal without adding to the score sheet.
Team Grenada USA 13 vs Team Antigua & Barbuda USA 0
It was another embarrassing display by Team Antigua/Barbuda this afternoon and after the game you could see the disappointment and frustration on the faces of the management team, and it all started with them showing for their game two players short. Matter of fact, if this were a boxing match it would have been ruled a ‘no contest’.
To succeed in life there must be commitment and this Team Antigua/Barbuda squad appeared to lack commitment this 2013 competition.
Team Antigua/Barbuda organization could not be happy with their performances this New York Caribbean Cup season, a season that saw 33 goals scored against them while scoring only twice. Even their fans must be extremely disappointed with their display after playing so well in the preliminary round in 2012.
Down two players at the opening whistle Team Antigua/Barbuda showed scant respect for defensive play and so paid the price. Two minutes into the game Ron Richardson opened the scoring for the ‘Spice Boyz’ and by the half Shane Rennie had a hat-trick and along with Marcus Julien, Kyle Joseph and Nickel Paul were riding a 7-0 advantage.
The second stanza was no easier for goalkeeper Omare Joseph as another 6 goals zipped by him and could have been more but for a few spectacular saves. Shane Rennie got his fourth, Kyle Joseph, Marcus Julien and Nickel Paul their second, while Cassim Lanjaigue and Henson Cuffie put their names on the score sheet.
The final whistle was a relief as Team Guyana went home with a bakers’ dozen.
Guyana Consulate representative Molly Craig Berry was in the park cheering her team on. Just wish more of our consulates would take a keener interest in the New York Caribbean Cup.
Next week Sunday, July 28, the preliminary round of the New York Caribbean Cup ends with three big games. 1:30pm Team Haiti USA play Team Trinidad and Tobago USA, 3:30pm Team St. Lucia USA play Team Panama USA and at 5:30pm a clash of former champions Team Jamaica USA and Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA.
With John Melbourne
Despite Team Antigua/Barbuda forfeiting the opening game of this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup game to Team Trinidad and Tobago it was another absolutely exciting Sunday afternoon of soccer in the park.
Team Antigua/Barbuda USA forfeits
It is not the first time that Team Antigua/Barbuda has failed in their commitment to their fans, Caribbean Cup and the New York Caribbean soccer community at large. You may recall last year they got to the playoffs and were no-shows.
The beneficiary of their lethargy is Team Trinidad and Tobago who now have a mathematical chance of getting into the playoffs next month. But that may very well be a tough ask because Team Grenada who is ahead of them in the standings play Team Antigua/Barbuda this Sunday.
Team Haiti USA 1 Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines USA 1
A Team Haiti vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines game is always one that is circled on your calendar because of the high level of play brought to the field by both teams and the anticipated competitiveness expected from both. These are never easy games because of their desire to win particularly so with many times champions St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And while Team Haiti have never won the Caribbean Cup they have perennially been a strong competitive team and always a hard nut to crack for any team.
At the opening whistle, Team Haiti looked the more organized passing the ball around smoothly while creating anxious moments defensively for Vincy Heat. Twenty minutes into the game Sonthonax Alfred played a ball down the right side to Colcinus Alcin who ran on to the ball and crossed to the waiting Sonthonax Alfred who had run into the box for the return pass. Vincy net minder Marcus Williams had no chance. Haiti 1 SVG 0.
There was no further scoring as the whistle sounded for half time.
As expected Vincy came out in the second half hungry for the equalizer but they just couldn’t crack Team Haiti’s defense. The tempo of the game however changed when the Vincy coaching staff replaced Garfield Cupid with Jowanza Jack. Jack’s introduction immediately caused problems for Team Haiti.
The tying goal came as a result of corner kick that Team Haiti failed to clear properly as the ball fell at the feet of Steve Henry and his volley shot rippled the net. Some say it maybe the best goal of this year’s Caribbean Cup but who knows, the bottom line Vincy had tied up the match with fifteen minutes left in the game.
Team Haiti was beginning to tire as Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines dominated those last fifteen minutes of action and but for faulty shooting should have come away with three points, but as the old soccer adage goes “goals win matches” and Vincy just couldn’t get that all important goal.
The only blemish to the game was Jowanza Jack being red carded seconds to the final whistle for a carless tackle.
Team St. Lucia USA 6 Team Dominica USA 0
Team Dominica USA is probably one of the happiest teams in this year’s New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament after completing their preliminary round schedule this afternoon. While they tend to be a bustling hard tackling team at times they have no concept of defensive alignment and it showed again this afternoon losing to defending champions Team St. Lucia 6-0. Was their lack of defensive proess responsible for the losing two goalkeepers to injury this season? Maybe.
The referee set them off with Team St. Lucia kicking toward Flatlands and before you could say ‘jack rabbit’ they were up 1-0. Chad Bennett out raced five Team Dominica defenders down the left side beat the advancing goalkeeper, who was apparently trying to cut off the angles, and just slotted home.
Right wing back Vernon James of Team Dominica had his hands full trying to defend against the attacks coming through his area and it didn’t help that he was right in front of the grand stand.
Despite Team St. Lucia’s dominance Team Dominica defended vigorously and that excited the fans. In one of their defensive moments Team Dominica’s goalkeeper hurt himself attempting a brilliant save and had to be replaced by Curtis Jno Baptiste who started in midfield. Shortly after his introduction between the sticks he gave up goal number two when he left his line too early and was beaten by Nyhine Gilbert.
Pernel Williams made it 3-0 and just before the whistle sounded to bring the half to a close Germal Valcin slotted home goal number 4 for Team St. Lucia.
The Lucians came out for the second stanza in a zone and it didn’t take long for goal number 5. Once again Baptiste’s inexperience in goal was evident as he left his line and was beaten by Vernan Abbott.
While you had to commend Curtis Jno Baptiste for his effort in goal the sixth and final goal of the afternoon was scored by Levi Gilbert in similar fashion to the fifth.
Indeed it was a one sided game but the Lucian decibels rose each time Team St. Lucia went on the attack which was most of the game. The win lifts the defending champions to the top of the Eastern Zone with ten points.
Next week Sunday, July 21, 2013, an Under-19 game kicks things off at 1:30pm followed by Team Guyanaa USA vs Team Barbados USA at 3:30pm, then Team Grenada USA take on Team Antigua/Barbuda USA at 5:30pm.
With John Melbourne
A big crowd was expected for this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup clash between Team Jamaica USA and Team Grenada USA at the Jefferson High School Sports Complex and the expectation was fulfilled in total. Matter of fact even the horns could be heard for the first time this season at a Caribbean Cup game.
Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA 2 Team Panama USA 1
With temperatures in the low nineties the referee signaled the start of the Team St. Kitts/Nevis and Team Panama game. Team Panama kicking toward Flatlands Avenue, Team St. Kitts/Nevis going uphill toward Egan Street.
Typically both teams are slow starters and it was no different this afternoon as both tried to find their footing. Eight minutes into the contest Panama’s goalkeeper Arturo Sealey brought off a spectacular save from point blank range, however, to his misfortune the ball rebounded to the feet of Alister Warner who drove the ball home giving the ‘sugar boyz’ a 1-0 advantage.
For the first time this afternoon Attis Hughes was absent from the Kittishian lineup but his absence didn’t seem to bother their flow as they moved the ball around quite nicely against a Panama team that looked sluggish all afternoon. In fact, those of us who have watched Team Panama play this season were waiting to see Eduardo McCalla and Oscar Eccleston get going but they just didn’t fire. In fact, it was so obvious that both were off their game that Eccleston was substituted in the second half. There was no further scoring in the half as the teams went in with Team St. Kitts/Nevis ahead by the odd goal.
The second half was pretty much a carbon copy of the first except now Team Panama was anxious to bring things on even terms. Instead it was Team St. Kitts/Nevis who extended their lead when Richard Francis finished off a rebound from a goal front melee.
Team Panama looked dead in the water, and hadn’t it been for Julian Bradshaw handling a ball deep inside his box Team Panama may not have scored today. Anyway glad for the opportunity to pull one back, Arturo McCalla stepped up to the spot and just sliced one inside the left upright to give Team Panama hope. As it turned out it was too little too late as the final whistle sounded.
Team Jamaica USA 2 Team Grenada USA 0
This was one of the games circled on the calendar when the schedules were finalized and this afternoon before the whistle blew to get this game going you could feel the air of anxiety in the atmosphere. Matter of fact, for the first time this season the horns returned to the park which is always a welcomed part of our Caribbean Cup tournament.
For those who have followed the New York Caribbean Cup tournament over the years Team Jamaica has always been a target and so when they play perhaps 65% of the fans in attendance come to see Team Jamaica beaten. Unfortunately, and like so many other times the Jeanie wasn’t kind to the 65% once more.
It was a great football game played at a high tempo with both teams attacking and counter attacking. The nonchalant slow paced Jamaica of previous games was forced into a higher gear by a Team Grenada not wanting to drop another game this season. Neither team was able to crack the nut as the whistle ended the half with the score at nil all.
As has been their habit Team Jamaica retired to a corner of the field for their half time briefing from coach Arthur Mikes, while Team Grenada went to their dressing room.
Team Jamaica looked a bit sluggish at the start of the second half, while the Spice Boyz looked sharp. Whatever their instructions were from coach Ziggy Felix it seemed to rejuvenate them until Marvin Morgan unlocked the defense by running on to a ball down the right side and ripped a right footer past a flat footed Ken Searles. Team Jamaica 1 Team Grenada 0.
Both teams were playing at a brisk pace but the goal seemed to raise the level a few decibels. Consequently it became a little more physical as the Spice Boyz hunted the equalizer. That equalizer never came instead it was Jamaica who doubled the lead when Richard Edwards blasted home from outside the box beating Ken Searles all ends up.
That second goal worked wonders for Team Jamaica as they dominated play the rest of the way.
Team Jamaica USA and Team Grenada USA could conceivably meet again in the playoffs and if that game comes anywhere close to this one, it’s a game worth going miles to see.
Over-40 Clash
Team Grenada Masters failed to show for their game against Team Jamaica Masters.
Next week Sunday, July 14, 2013 Team Trinidad and Tobago USA opens against Team Antigua/Barbuda USA at 1:30pm, Team Haiti USA vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA at 3:30pm and Team St. Lucia USA take on Team Dominica USA at 5:30pm.
With John Melbourne
What an afternoon! If you were the feint of heart then this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup games was not the place to be, but if you like excitement then you were in the right house. Seventeen goals in total were scored this afternoon, and like an old proverb said, “the best wine was served in the nightcap”. How fitting.
Team Haiti USA 4 Team Antigua/Barbuda USA 1
This season’s Team Antigua/Barbuda is a far cry from the squad that qualified for the 2012 playoffs and it was quite evident once more but this time against Team Haiti.
Surprisingly it was Team Antigua/Barbuda who drew first blood despite starting the game three men short. Under hazy skies and just two minutes into the contest the ‘Benna Boys” were awarded a free kick just outside the area to the left of the box. Akiem Thomas lined up the ball and placed his shot just inside the near post.
Shortly after that Team Antigua’s goalkeeper Antonio Despinas was called on to keep his team ahead. He anticipated a ball through the middle of his defense and left his line quickly to avert danger with Haitian strikers breathing down his neck, however, not long after Johnny Exantus brought Haiti back on even terms with a well placed strike.
By now Team Antigua/Barbuda was at full strength and matched Team Haiti pass for pass the remainder of the half.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half both teams attacked and counter attacked, before Colcinus Alcin broke the deadlock off a give and go with Dieuphene DeLamour. At this point the game was held up temporarily for Delbert Williams to receive some medical attention. He collided with the goalkeeper and received a gash over his forehead.
Team Antigua/Barbuda began showing signs of fatigue and in the 25th minute of the half Dieuphene DeLamour extended the Team Haiti lead to 3-1. Perhaps the best goal of the match was DeLamour’s second. He ran on to a pass through the middle and after dismissing Albert Michael and goalkeeper Omare Joseph, just tapped the ball home.
This was Team Haiti’s second win of the tournament.
One final word on this game. While it was disheartening to see Team Antigua/Barbuda start a Caribbean Cup game at less than their full complement of players, what surprised me even more was to see how nonchalantly the late comers strolled into the park knowing they were late for the game and their buddies needed help on the field.
Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA 2 Team Barbados USA 1
This afternoon’s win over Team Barbados has revived the playoff aspirations of Team St. Kitts/Nevis. This was a game either team wanted desperately.
Under a steady drizzle there was not much separating the teams over the first twenty minutes or so until Dahjal Kelly took a shot on goal only to see the ball beat goalkeeper Andre Wilkinson to his right.
Minutes later Carl Joseph silenced the St. Kitts/Nevis base with a goal of his own. His shot from the edge of the box just eluding the finger-tips of Akil Byron.
The first half was evenly played although had Team Barbados capitalize on their chances may very well have been up by two or three goals.
Very early in the second half Andre Wilkinson was called on to make a highlight reel save off an Attis Hughes drive. However, his brilliance was short lived when Hughes put the ‘sugar boyz’ on top from a cross over the middle.
As it is said “goals win matches” and on this day at the final whistle it was Team St. Kitts/Nevis 2 Team Barbados 1.
Team Guyana USA 9 Team Dominica USA 0
I don’t think Caribbean Cup fans were prepared for what they were about to witness when Team Guyana and Team Dominica took the field. Matter of fact I don’t think even Team Dominica was ready for what they were about to suffer.
The steady drizzle was gone, so were the umbrellas as the sun came out but Team Guyana rained goals on Team Dominica. Kevin Beaton scored the first of his 4 goals on a break-away through the heart of the Team Dominica defense. In fact, all his goals were scored in this fashion, either through the left side, down the middle or through the right side. Team Dominica just did not, or could not adjust their defense to stop these break-aways.
The scoreboard read Team Guyana 4 Team Dominica 0 inside the first fifteen minutes of the game, and should have been 5-0 but Travis Grant missed a sitter kicking the ball wide of the goal post.
Team Dominica could not get a reprieve and for the most part the game was being played inside their half of the field. Frustration was beginning to set in, perhaps even embarrassment and to add salt to their wound, thirty minutes into the half they lost Damien John when he physically brought down Gregory Richardson just outside the box.
Strikes by Jermaine Scott and Gregory Richardson saw Team Guyana to the half with a 6-0 lead.
At the resumption, Team Guyana sat down their number one goalkeeper Adrian Alfred and replaced him with Odil Allicock.
It didn’t take long for Team Guyana to add to their lead as Gregory Richardson waltzed past Curtis Jno Baptiste to make it Team Guyana 7 Team Dominica 0. Julian Cambridge made it 8-zip before Gregory Richardson closed the scoring with a curling right footer past Nikolai Augustine.
Unfortunately for Team Dominica they started the game without their number one goalkeeper Nikolai Augustine who hurt his leg in the game against St. Kitts/Nevis two weeks ago. He entered the game with Team Dominica down 4-0 and while he gave his team a gallant effort the damage had already been done.
Next week Sunday, July 7, 2013, Grenada and Jamaica Masters in a 1:30PM curtain raiser, followed by the 3:30PM Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA vs Team Panama USA Caribbean Cup game and the 5:30PM feature with Team Grenada USA and Team Jamaica USA.
With John Melbourne
Before the biggest New York Caribbean Cup crowd this year fans saw Team Jamaica USA win for the third time while Team Barbados USA/Team Panama USA and Team St. Lucia USA/Team Guyana USA entertained with exciting draws.
Team Barbados USA 1 Team Panama USA 1
Team Panama scored early, in fact very early, and based on their Caribbean Cup history of being slow starters one got the sense that Team Panama was about to win their third consecutive game. Kicking toward Flatlands Ave Team Panama was awarded a corner. The ball floated over just inside the goalkeeper’s square and anxiety apparently caused the Bajan defender to misplay the ball. Oscar Eccleston was a happy man to see the ball fall at his feet and he calmly tapped home.
Following the Panama score, Team Barbados began to assert themselves and made many forays into the Panama area but came up wanting at the business end. However, while Barbados picked up the pace, Oscar Eccleston and Eduardo McCalla continued to torment the Bajan defense. The half ended with Panama ahead by the odd goal.
The second half opened with Team Barbados desparately hunting the equalizer. Seven minutes into the half the upright denied Team Barbados the equalizer as a shot from Charles Critchlow rebounded into the grasp of Arturo Sealy. Not long after that, however, Critchlow delivered as he sacrificed his head from a goal front melee.
With the score tied and each team fighting for an advantage, the pace of the game picked up but there was no further scoring and the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Team Jamaica USA 3 Team Trinidad and Tobago USA 0
The Team Jamaica/Team Trinidad and Tobago game was a meeting of the teams that shared the first ever Caribbean Cup championship in 1992. That first championship season the light from the moon and stars was inadequate to allow the game to its natural conclusion and was blown off with the score tied.
There is always high anticipation in a Team Jamaica/Team Trinidad and Tobago New York Caribbean Cup game and this afternoon’s game was no different. Shortly before the whistle former Jamaica international star Neville Oxford in New York On vacation met with Team Jamaica to give them words of encouragement.
While Team Trinidad and Tobago is not the dashing skillful team of years past they still rely more on skill than the hard tackling of some teams. Today they were overmatched by the smooth passing Team Jamaica who I think play too casually and might hurt them in the later stages of the competition when the games become more competitive.
Anyway, today they were on song and ten minutes after the start Daniel Shaw sent Team Jamaica into the lead with a ripping right footer. Not long after Marvin Morgan got into the act when he beat his man down the right side and fired home just before the tackle came in.
There was no further scoring in the half as the teams went in with Jamaica ahead 2-0.
Team Trinidad and Tobago came out with a little more urgency in the second stanza looking to at least pull one back, while Team Jamaica played with the same nonchalant casual attitude. Despite how they looked their passing was accurate and transition out of defense smooth. In the twenty third minute of the half Marvin Morgan extended the lead to 3-0 with a drive that goalkeeper Troy Lezama didn’t handle cleanly and saw the ball slip off his fingers into the goal.
Following the third goal Sentwali Griffith failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity for Team TNT when Desmond Breakenridge slipped and fell moving for a tackle. Griffith hesitated just a bit and allowed Rohan McDonald to come across and avert danger. The final whistle sounded shortly after giving Jamaica a 3-0 win
Team St. Lucia USA 0 Team Guyana USA 0
Perhaps not the result the experts predicted but the Team St. Lucia/ Team Guyana clash was the most exciting game of the afternoon, and quite fittingly before the largest crowd this Caribbean Cup season.
Almost a thousand fans settled in to watch the defending champions Team St. Lucia take on Team Guyana. At stake leadership of the Eastern Zone, Team Guyana with their more bruising style of play against the counter attacking style of the defending champions. Usually at this point of the season teams begin to separate themselves from the pack as playoff positioning becomes the priority.
Early on in the encounter Gregory Richardson established himself as the danger man in the Team Guyana attack and with a little more accuracy may have given the Golden Cougars the lead. But this didn’t happen as the whistle sounded to end the half with the score knotted at zero. Just before the whistle Adrian Alfred was called on to make a spectacular save on a point blank shot that had goal written all over it.
Neither team was able to tickle the net in the second half. However, late in the half, danger man Gregory Richardson was brought down in the box but Isaac McPherson missed from the spot. This brought a sigh of relief to the defending champions who must have been happy to hear the final whistle.
This Sunday June 30, 2013 there are three Caribbean cup games scheduled. 1:30PM Team Antigua/Barbuda vs Team Haiti. 3:30PM Team Barbados vs Team St. Kitts/Nevis. 5:30PM Team Guyana vs Team Dominica. All Caribbean Cup games are played at Thomas Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands and Shepherd in Brooklyn.
Remember to mark August 4, 2013 on your calendar. Caribbean Cup will be holding their second annual Caribbean Cup All Star Classic. Don’t miss it.
With John Melbourne
The anticipation was tremendous for this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup games. Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA and Team Dominica USA in the opener, Team Jamaica USA and Team Antigua/Barbuda USA in the middle game and Team Grenada USA vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA in the feature and what a feature it was.
New York Caribbean Cup Father’s Day fans were treated to three tremendous soccer games. In the opener Team St. Kitts/Nevis grabbed their first win with a 5-0 thumping of Team Dominica. Team Jamaica swamped Team Antigua/Barbuda 9-0, while the feature between Team Grenada and Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Team St. Kitts/Nevis 5 Team Dominica 0
This was truly a game of contrasting halves. For most of the first half both teams fought to gain control of the midfield with the occasional flurry into the opposing teams’ area. The first real scoring chance went to the ‘sugar boyz’ but Donroy Liburd missed from close in. Soon after Curtis Jno Baptiste returned the favour when he got a sitter inside the box and rather than striking the ball one-time to goal made a pass that went astray.
The half ended 0-0 with neither team looking like they wanted to score, however, almost on the stroke of half-time Dominica’s goalkeeper Nikolai Augustine injured himself protecting his goal and it turned out to be a costly injury for Team Dominica.
Augustine came out for the second half with a visible limp and may have averted the first goal had he been one hundred percent sound. The first goal for the Kittitians came via a header from Dahjal Kelly two minutes into the half. The ball came over the middle from a corner that I thought Augustine should have collected or at least punched away but Kelly got there first and put it away. Shortly after the goal Nikolai Augustine left the field in obvious pain.
Team Dominica fought gallantly for a while but eventually wilted after losing their number one goal keeper. It was Kelly who doubled the score for St. Kitts when he beat the substitute keeper to a long ball through the middle and just tapped it over the advancing keeper’s head.
A better defensive effort may have prevented the third goal, but Alister Warner was allowed to run unchallenged down the right side and only had the goal keeper to beat.
Down 3 goals to nil Team Dominica was beginning to fall apart so it was no surprise when Irandy Byron made it 4-zip, while Shaquille Francis closed the scoring to send Team St. Kitts/Nevis home 5-0 winners.
Team Jamaica USA 9 Team Antigua/Barbuda USA 0
I don’t think the Father’s Day crowd was prepared for what they were about to see in the clash between Team Jamaica and Team Antigua/Barbuda.
The game kicked off quite innocently and for the first minute or so we thought we had a game as Team Antigua/Barbuda had Team Jamaica on their heels. In their first venture out of their defensive half Irvino English was brought down just outside the box. He squared up the freekick and dispatched the ball in the back of the net giving goalkeeper Omare Joseph no chance.
Three minutes later Marvin Morgan got into the act when he pounced on a cross from Denzil Watson and rippled the net.
Irvino English made it 3-0 shortly after, this time running on to a pass through the right side and driving home. Jamaica was now in full flow and at the fifteen minute mark Zane Goulbourne put his name on the score card with goal number 4.
Team Antigua/Barbuda mounted an attack after the fourth Team Jamaica goal and just missed pulling one back with Devon Haughton out of position. Soon after, however, goal number 5 came courtesy of Marvin Morgan who gave Omare Joseph little chance.
Irvino English made it 6-0 with his third goal of the match. Garfield Gillespie got number seven while Romario Campbell closed the half with goal number eight.
The only blemish of the half for the Reggae Boyz was Romario Campbell’s second yellow and subsequent dismissal for handling a ball.
Down a man Jamaica took their foot off the throttle in the second half, however, not before Javid Morris made it Team Jamaica 9 Team Antigua/Barbuda 0.
Team Grenada USA 0 Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0
The Team Grenada/Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines was a marvelous high energy game. Team Grenada could not afford to drop another game having already lost a point to forfeiture. A win by Team Grenada would bring them even on points with Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The game was hotly contested, end to end action. The first real chance came in the 35th minute when Grenada’s Cassin Languiene stole a ball, raced down the left flank and shot with the side of his foot instead of driving the ball with his instep. It was a poor finish to a great effort in dislodging the ball from the defender.
The second half started quite innocently as the game lost its venom, however, just as suddenly the game came to life again with both teams hunting the winner.
Eight yellow cards were issued during the game, four on each team, as the man in the middle fought valiantly to keep tempers even.
Despite the hard tackling and sometimes shoving and pushing, it was gratifying to see opposing players hugging and congratulating each other at the final whistle.
Next Sunday, June 23, 2013, Team Barbados USA open against Team Panama USA at 1:30pm, Team Jamaica USA vs Team Trinidad and Tobago USA at 3:30pm, while Team St. Lucia USA play Team Guyana USA in the 5:30pm feature.
With John Melbourne
Caribbean Cup soccer fans were treated to two exciting cup games this afternoon so much so that when the final whistle sounded to end the nightcap between champions St. Lucia and St. Kitts/Nevis’ “sugar boyz” it felt like the referee was on his whistle too early.
Team Panama USA 2 Team Guyana USA 1
Team Guyana USA got off to a flyer against Team Panama USA this afternoon in the opening New York Caribbean Cup game. Two minutes after the whistle Team Panama committed a cardinal sin by leaving Howard Lowe unmarked just inside the box and he capitalized on the error with only goalkeeper Arturo Sealey to beat.
The goal seemed to energize the Golden Jaguars even more as they picked up the pace and dominated the game for much of the early exchanges. On the other hand and typical to Panama they were sluggish in the early going but slowly got into their rhythm with Eduardo McCalla and Oscar Eccleston leading the charge. McCalla took a couple of screamers on goal but the shots whizzed past the upright. Matter of fact, wave after wave Panama focused their attack through the heart of the Guyanese defense and it was on one of these attacks that they pulled even. Guyana goalkeeper Adrian Alfred left his line to try clear one of these passes through the middle, however, he probably should have stayed at home as Oscar Eccleston beat him to the ball and tapped home. There was no further scoring as the whistle ended the half. Team Guyana 1 Team Panama 1.
At the half both teams remained on the field, Team Guyana at the Egan Street end, Team Panama at the Flatlands end. Los Canaleros were very loose, laughing and joking and just enjoying the break and it wasn’t until the whistle sounded for the second stanza that the coach called them together for final second half instructions.
Like the first half Team Guyana came out strong as the game got a little chippy. In the 22nd minute of the half, Regilio Clarke Wilson drew his second yellow card in the game and given his marching orders. Team Panama one man down.
The loss of Wilson brought Los Canaleros to life and two minutes after his exit got the go-ahead goal from Eduardo McCalla. Once again Adrian Alfred misjudged a long ball through the middle, and was caught in no-man’s land as McCalla tapped the ball over his head. That ended the scoring as Team Panama won their second game for the season while the Golden Jaguars dropped to one and one.
Team St. Lucia USA 2 Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA 0
This was probably the most exciting game of the afternoon, a game that had fans on their feet cheering wildly in the closing minutes of the game. Defending champions Team St. Lucia USA started strongly with a man advantage as only ten players took the field for Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA. However, the “Sugar Boyz” soon found their stride and the game was evenly contested until the 28th minute when Elicius Prospere guided a high ball over the defense into the back of the net. Despite the setback and one man short Team St. Kitts/Nevis was playing well but poor decisions inside the area denied them the equalizer. The half ended with the defending champions leading 1-0.
Before the shrill of the referee’s whistle died to start the second half, the Sugar Boyz with their backs to Egan St. gave up a second goal via a penalty. Nazie Hippolyte made no mistake.
Team St. Kitts/Nevis had their chances of at least pulling one back but poor decision making and faulty shooting denied them. In fact, on one particular occasion Attis Hughes received a pass just short of the penalty area and rather that shooting at goal with his first touch, pass the ball back. Play dead, opportunity lost.
In the final fifteen minutes or so you could see the pressure of playing one man short beginning to take its toll on St. Kitts/Nevis as the ball rarely left the “sugar boyz” defensive half and only poor finishing from St. Lucia prevented them from winning by a wider margin. The defending champions have now won their second game while St. Kitts/Nevis lost their second.
Guyana Masters 4 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Masters 1
The odor of linament and Bengay was all over the park this afternoon as a masters game between Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines got the Caribbean Cup afternoon after a great start. When the dust settled goals by Nigel Alleyne (2), Gary Nickle and Steve Bishop carried Guyana Masters to a 4-1 win over Vincy Masters. Roland Edwards scored for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This Sunday, June 16, 2013, Father’s Day, the Caribbean Cup continues at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands and Shepherd in Brooklyn. At 1:30 Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA “Sugar Boyz” open against Team Dominica USA. At 3:30pm Team Jamaica USA vs Team Antigua/Barbuda USA, 5:30pm Team Grenada USA vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA.
Good to see ASA College soccer coach Mike Grudge checking out the Caribbean Cup games this afternoon.
While watching all the action of the Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament, make sure you also try the fabulous Caribbean Cuisines available each weekend!
With John Melbourne
This afternoon’s Caribbean Cup soccer tournament games perhaps could best be described as close encounters of the third kind.
The opener saw Team Barbados USA grab a late winner from Team Dominica USA, while Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA and Team Trinidad and Tobago USA played in a 0-0 draw, while Team Grenada USA and Team Haiti USA fight to a 1-1 stalemate.
Team Barbados USA 3 Team Dominica USA 2
Team Dominica USA was forced to use their substitute goalkeeper in this afternoon’s Caribbean Cup opener against Team Barbados USA and as it turned out his inexperience as a net minder showed up on the Bajan;s first two goals.
Barbados settled into a nice rhythm early and five minutes after the whistle Opheus Jno Baptiste misplayed a ball over in the middle of his defense and allowed an alert Carl Joseph to capitalize on an out of position goalkeeper.
Dominica seemed to be having trouble getting into the game and it didn’t help when substitute goalkeeper Frederick misjudged a high ball that eluded him and allowed Abdel Alleyne to run by to double the score for Barbados.
The game deteriorated into a hard tackling affair and after one such tackle and amid protests from both sides the referee gave marching orders to Nira George of Team Dominica and Gabriel Rock of Team Barbados. The incident unsettled the Bajans while it energized Team Dominica as they fought their way back into the game on a brace from Kerille Bruno. The half ended with the score tied at 2-2.
The first twenty-five minutes of the second half was evenly played with both teams failing to take advantage of scoring chances. The half time talk by the Bajan coach seemed to be working as Team Barbados regained their composure. Barbados also made a tactical move by moving Carl Joseph from the right side to the left side and it paid dividends. In the twenty seventh minute Carl Joseph gave Team Barbados the all-important go ahead goal when his shot hit the cross bar and slid into the back of the net. Team Barbados 3 Team Dominica 2.
Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA 0 Team Trinidad and Tobago USA 0
Both Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA and Team Trinidad and Tobago USA have won or shared the New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament multiple times so this afternoon’s game was a clash of champions.
Team TNT showed a lot more patience in their ball movement but neither team was really able to take charge of the game.
It was much of the same in the second stanza until the thirty-second minute when Ricky Toussaint handled a cross in the box but was relieved when Mike Collis shot wide of the mark.
This game featured perhaps two of the better goalkeepers in the tournament in Marcus Williams for Vincy and Troy Lezama for the ‘soca warriors’, but fans of both teams must have been disappointed as neither were really tested. Particularly disappointed was St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Sports and Culture Ces McKie who attended his first New York Caribbean Cup game.
Team Grenada USA 1 Team Haiti USA 1
The feature game of the afternoon between Team Grenada USA and Team Haiti USA was action packed, Grenada with their more aggressive physical play, Haiti the more skillful sometimes almost ballerina style deftly passing the ball from man to man.
After losing to Jamaica last week Team Haiti could ill afford another setback and in the 15th minute off one of their several attacking movements, Johnny Exanius gave them a 1-0 lead after being left unmarked in the box. Not long after, Haiti’s defense gave it right back with an infringement inside the box. Shane Rennie stepped up and made no mistake. Team Haiti 1 Team Grenada 1.
With the scores knotted at one apiece both came out looking to seize the initiative. The game became increasingly physical as Haiti applied the pressure. But that goal didn’t come as time ran out with the scores tied at 1-1.
This Sunday, June 9, 2013, the Caribbean Cup continues at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands and Shepherd in Brooklyn. At 1:30 Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadies in a masters curtain raiser, followed by a Caribbean Cup doubleheader. At 3:30pm Team Guyana USA vs Team Panama USA, 5:30pm Team St. Lucia USA vs Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA.
By John Melbourne
Guyana USA 2 St. Kitts/Nevis USA 1
Much unlike opening day this afternoon Caribbean Cup was blessed with bright sunshine, though a bit windy.
With the winds at their backs Team Guyana USA, in full green got first touch kicking toward the Flatlands goal. Three minutes into the contest Team St. Kitts/Nevis USA lost their centre back Ryan Borcyk to injury and he was replaced by Richard Francis.
Following the injury timeout the game settled into a battle of midfield and while St. Kitts/Nevis seemed to be fulfilling coach Larry John’s prediction of an improved 2013 team it was Guyana who drew first blood. With seconds to go in the half Teon Sargeant pounced on a rebound off a defender and drove the ball home.
Down one goal the Kittishians came out in the second half with the winds at their favour striving to bring things on even terms. St. Kitts got the break when the veteran Allister Warner picked a cross out of the air, deftly brought it under control and drove the ball toward goal. The ball struck the cross bar bounded down and back into play, however, the assistant referee signalled to the man in the middle that the ball bounded inside the goal. Guyana 1 St. Kitts/ Nevis 1.
The Kittishians jubilation was short lived when their net-minder Kayam Benjamin came off his line to clear a ball and was red carded for unnecessary roughness. With a little more experience St. Kitts may have survived the remainder of the game but two minutes after the disqualification Guyana capitalized when Roger Cambridge tucked away a corner kick to regain the one goal advantage for his team.
Despite being down a man St. Kitts had their opportunities to equalize but wasted their chances with goal-mouth indifference.
Jamaica USA 1 Haiti USA 0
A Team Jamaica USA/Team Haiti USA New York Caribbean Cup match is never an easy affair and this afternoon’s clash was no different. No matter what the results are when they play other teams, Jamaica USA and Haiti USA never leaves you dissatisfied except of course you are a fan on the losing end. The last time these teams met, two years ago, Jamaica was lucky to come away with a 2-2 tie in a game I thought Haiti should have won.
The word around the New York Caribbean Cup circles is that to beat Jamaica play them hard and they become impatient and lose focus. That didn’t happen this afternoon as the Jamaicans stuck to their game plan. In fact, for the most part they remained composed despite the fact that the man in the middle may have missed some questionable tackles on the Jamaicans.
Regardless of the non-calls it was a rather chippy game with neither team letting up. Haiti missed their first real scoring chance when the shot beat Devon Haughton but bounded back into play off the crossbar. Meanwhile, but for faulty shooting, Jamaica may have gone into the half with a lead, but missed two golden scoring opportunities.
The whistle sounded to end the half with the scores knotted at zero. Interestingly neither team retired to the dressing rooms but stayed on the field to get half-time instructions from their respective coaches.
Jamaica didn’t look as organized in the first half as they usually do. The slick passing and counter attacking movement of the ball was not as smooth as in prior seasons. Haiti meanwhile looked good bringing the ball forward only to see their attacks breakdown when the ball got to their forwards. Despite all this it was Irvino English who dialed up for Jamaica scoring the only goal of the match in the sixteenth minute of the second half.
Jamaica coach Arthur Mikes was a relieved man when the final whistle sounded after watching Denzil Watson and Danny Shaw miss opportunities to extend Jamaica lead late in the game. He concurred that this was not a pretty game but happy for the 3-points.
Grenada USA 3 Trinidad and Tobago USA 0
The contrasting styles of Team Grenada USA and Team Trinidad and Tobago USA have always made this encounter one of high anticipation. Grenada USA play a sturdy more direct brand of football while Trinidad and Tobago USA come to the park with a history of being a slick passing skillful team.
Based on their history it was rather surprising to see Team Grenada take control of the match almost at the first whistle. They had Team TNT on their heels for much of the half so it was not surprising when Ron Richardson slide a deflection off the goalkeeper across the line to send Team Grenada ahead 1-0.
Just before the half Team TNT could have gone into the locker-room on even terms but Akil George saw his penalty kick go sailing over the crossbar.
Looking nothing like teams of the past Team TNT looked lethargic at times and were guilty of trying too much individual play and not passing the ball around. They paid for this when Marcus Julien doubled the “spice” lead on a cross from Ron Richardson. Then in the thirty-fifth minute Ike Thomas sealed the issue when he ran onto a corner kick and headed the ball down and away from the goalkeeper Troy Lazama.
It was a workmanlike effort by Team Grenada who seemed to be better prepared than Team TNT.
The competition continues on Sunday, June 02, 2013 at Thomas Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands Ave & Shepperd in Brooklyn. At 1:30pm Team Barbados USA open against Team Dominica USA, 3:30pm Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA take on Team Trinidad and Tobago USA, while at 5:30pm Team Grenada USA goes against Team Haiti USA.
Panama USA 3 Dominica USA 1
Two years ago Dominica fought their way into the New York Caribbean Cup playoffs. Last year they looked like a team searching to find themselves. Earlier this afternoon they opened the 2013 New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament with a 3-1 loss to Panama.
Speaking with coach Frederick prior to the game he recognized that Dominica had some work to do in the off-season and part of that work was bringing aboard some younger players to the team for this season. While they were outplayed by a superior Panama team Dominica did look a lot more organized in their game plan compared to 2013.
The first 15 minutes of the game was evenly balance but you could see Panama beginning to gain control in their build-ups. At about the 19 minute mark Panama kicking toward the Flatlands goal was awarded a corner and the Rogelio Clarke shot evaded goalkeeper Ian Bedminister and nestled in the back of the net. Panama 1 Dominica 0.
There was no further scoring in the half.
Under a slight drizzle most of the afternoon it was certainly not the best afternoon for a Caribbean Cup opener. The teams came out for the second half, Dominica looking for the vital equalizer, Panama looking to extend their lead. Dominica resisted the pressure until the 32 minute when Ian Bedminister opened the door for Panama. A high cross from the right flank slipped through his fingers and fell at the feet of the waiting Eduardo McCalla. Panama 2 Dominica 0. Forty seconds later Sadam Adames made it 3-0 the result of the defense caught napping only to see Adames punch the ball home.
Minutes from the end Damien John pulled one back for Dominica from a goal-mouth melee, but at that point it was too little too late.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines USA 5 Antigua/Barbuda USA 1
Many times New York Caribbean Cup champions St. Vincent and the Grenadines showed their intention in no uncertain terms this afternoon drubbing Antigua/Barbuda 5-1 under dreary skies.
From the opening whistle “Vincy” showed they were in a “no nonsense” mood. Twelve minutes into the half Mike Collis set Vincy on their way when his shot on goal was misplayed by a defender and the ball just rolled pass an out of position Omare Joseph. Joseph actually got hurt on the play and had to be replaced by Alex Knowles.
Shortly after the substitution, Rhenson Haynes doubled the score for St. Vincent and the Grenadines when he beat Knowles inside the box. There was no further scoring as the teams went to the half SVG 2 Antigua/Barbuda 0.
In the second half Antigua/Barbuda tried desparately to cut into the Vincy lead, but it was Vincy who extended their advantage when an alert Steve Henry pounced on a loose ball and knocked it home. SVG 3 Antigua/Barbuda 0.
Not long after Rhenson Haynes got his second goal of the afternoon. Haynes came through the middle under heavy pressure from a defender but he kept his composure long enough to hold off the defender and slip the ball pass an advancing Alex Knowles.
Perhaps the shot of the afternoon came from Steve Henry. Kicking toward Flatlands goal Henry raced down the right flank latched on to a through pass and fired from just outside the box. Knowles had no chance. Vincy 5 Antigua/Barbuda 0.
With the minutes ticking away Antigua/Barbuda got a consolation goal by way of Akeem Challenger.
St. Lucia USA 5 Barbados USA 0
Under heavy skies and a soft misty afternoon drizzle 2012 defending champions St. Lucia put on a display against Barbados truly worthy of a New York Caribbean Cup champion. Barbados didn’t play badly but starting the game a man down is always challenging and this afternoon it was no different.
St. Lucia pressed their advantage from the opening whistle. They took control of midfield immediately and 15 minutes into the half Vernus Abbott sent the defending champions on their way. Shortly after ELicius Prospere doubled the score for St. Lucia by outfoxing an advancing Andre Wilkinson and beating him to his right. There was no further scoring in the half with St. Lucia leading 2-0.
Two minutes into the 2nd stanza, Vernus Abbott got his second for St. Lucia on another Wilkinson error. The goal-keep left his line to clear a through pass only to be beaten to the ball by Abbott. By now the defending champions were in full control.
St. Lucia could have made it 4-0 but Andre Wilkinson brought the house to its feet with a remarkable save on a penalty shot. This didn’t dampen the Lucian attack as Germal Valcin got goal number 4 on a well-placed free kick a few minutes after. Actually Wilkinson almost brought off another spectacular save on the shot but he pushed the ball onto the upright and it bounded into the goal.
Daren Avril closed the scoring for St. Lucia when he finished off a give-and-go inside the box.
Despite the inclement weather it was a remarkable opening day for the New York Caribbean Cup soccer tournament in which fans saw 15 goals scored.
The competition continues on Sunday, May 26, 2012 at Thomas Jefferson High School Sports Complex, Flatlands Ave & Shepperd in Brooklyn. At 1:30pm Guyana USA plays St. Kitts/Nevis USA, 3:30pm Jamaica USA take on Haiti USA, while at 5:30pm Grenada USA goes against TNT USA.
Brooklyn NY USA, Caribbeancupsoccer.com, September 2nd, 2012: The largest crowd to attend a 2012 New York Caribbean Cup game this season was justly rewarded with two excellent but contrasting games. For the St. Lucia massive it was time to party as Team St. Lucia USA pulled off another sudden death penalty shoot-out win, this time over Team Grenada USA to secure their first Caribbean Cup championship in three tries. Meanwhile, Team Jamaica USA put on a soccer clinic in the opening game in defeating Team Guyana USA 8-0.
One can never be sure how a team responds following heartbreaking defeats and so this afternoon the apprehension was high as both Team Jamaica USA and Team Guyana USA took the field for the 2012 Caribbean Cup third place game. Last week Jamaica lost on sudden death penalty shootout to St. Lucia after dominating their semi-final clash, while a sluggish looking Guyana gave up three goals in being shut-out by Grenada in the other semi-final.
Team Guyana USA was two players short when the referee blew the whistle to signal the start of the game but the man advantage for Team Jamaica USA didn’t last long as additional troops arrived for Guyana.
From the opening whistle Jamaica ran through the Guyanese defense in raid after raid prompting fans to turn to the assistant referees for offside calls. Ironically the opening goal came indirectly off one of these raids as Jamaica was awarded a free kick just outside the box in the ninth minute. Romario Campbell stepped up and curled a beauty inside the near post giving the Guyana custodian Adrian Alfred no chance.
The Caribbean Cup’s leading goal scorer for 2012 Damion Williams doubled Jamaica’s lead when he latched on to a cross inside the box and deposited the ball to the far corner of the goal.
Despite being down 2-0, it was a very competitive game until the twenty minute mark when Romario Campbell in a give and go with Damion Williams inside the box made it 3-0. The free flowing passing game missing from last week’s semi-final against St. Lucia was back, as Jamaica settled into that sweet passing game like no other team can in the Caribbean Cup. Goal number four was sheer team work at work. Theo Brown took a pass from Romario Campbell down the right side and deftly crossed it to the trailing Damion Williams on the left side who made it Jamaica 4 Guyana 0.
It is difficult to decide whether goal number four or five was the better goal but on the basis of trickery I’d probably have to vote for goal number five. Romario Campbell back heeled a ball, while being heavily marked, to Damion Wiliiams who crossed to Denzil Watson running into the six yard box to drive home.
With Jamaica leading 5-0, Adrian Alfred must have been happy to hear the whistle for half time so he could recharge his batteries for the second half. In recent Caribbean Cup history after scoring so heavily in the first half, Jamaica tend to play a controlled second half I suppose not wanting to run up the score and embarrass the opposition. Ten minutes into the second half, however, Jamaica got an opportunity to go six goals up but Damion Williams missed the penalty as the ball rebounded off the upright.
Goal number six was not long in coming, however, as Romario Campbell got his third of the match when he beat his marker down the right side and tapped the ball home. Not long after Garfield Gillespie made it Jamaica 7 Guyana 0 when he picked up a cross from Romario Campbell and slotted home. Shortly after, kicking toward the Egan Street end, Damion Williams closed the scoring with his third goal of the game and Jamaica’s eighth goal of the match.
As the score line reflects Jamaica rebounded well from their semi-final defeat while Guyana played like they were still in a daze.
The Team St. Lucia USA versus Team Grenada USA game was a remarkable game and probably one of the best Caribbean Cup finals in recent times. Before the largest crowd this season the referee signaled the game to begin, Grenada defending the Flatlands goal, St. Lucia with their backs to Egan Street goal.
Grenada ceased the initiative early and raised the heartbeat of their fans with a few forays into the St. Lucia box, but the Lucians stood firm and soon settled and caused some problems of their own at the other end.
More than midway through the half Melvin Monrose ran onto a cross from the right side and without hesitation shot a rocket on goal that Grenada goalkeeper Ken Searles did well to get his hands to but the ball spun off his fingers into the back of the net. The goal quieted the ‘spice’ massive while raising the voices of the Lucians.
With half time approaching, Grenada was in a desperate hunt for the equalizer but two finger-tip swats by St. Lucia’s goalkeeper Chad Phillip kept the ‘spicemen’ at bay. At the sound of the whistle the crowd roared in approval of an outstanding first half. This was Caribbean Cup championship soccer at its best.
Immediately on resumption, Ricky Morris was cautioned for bringing down goal scorer Melvin Monrose. It was a professional tackle and perhaps a reminder to Monrose who was worrying to the ‘spice’ defense all afternoon.
The St. Lucia defense played their hearts out but as the game got late they appeared to be tiring a bit. Anxious moments for the Lucians now and it showed up in the thirty sixth minute when Grenada missed two golden opportunities for the equalizer, the second off a corner kick.
Shortly thereafter, Kyle Joseph rose to the occasion and showed his class once more by charging down the right side, turning on the ball, shot with his left foot, score tied, St. Lucia 1 Grenada 1. With the goal Grenada coach Alvin “Ziggy” Felix was dismissed by the referee for leaving the bench to celebrate with his team.
There was no further scoring when the final whistle went, Team St. Lucia USA 1 Team Grenada USA 1. Under Caribbean Cup rules the games goes directly into PSO, with each team getting five shots on goal if the game is still tied, then sudden death PSO.
After the first five shot the score was tied at 3-3 and the huge crowd going wild. In fact, hardly anyone had left the stadium and every one was on their feet. It was now sudden death and both teams scored on their sixth attempts.
Melvin Monrose stepped up for St. Lucia’s seventh penalty shot and made it. Now the pressure was on Grenada and St. Lucia goalkeeper Chad Phillip. The shot….saved….St. Lucia the 2012 Caribbean Cup champions after reaching their third final. They lost the 2003 and 2010 finals to Jamaica. Consul General Derrick James of Spice Island Grenada attend the caribbean cup soccer on Sunday, September 2nd 2012 for final as Grenada play.
Congratulations St. Lucia 2012 New York Caribbean Cup Champions.
2012 Champions Team St. Lucia USA
Runners-up – Grenada
3rd Place – Jamaica
4th Place – Guyana
MVP of the final – Chad Phillip (St. Lucia)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Chad Phillip (St. Lucia)
Most Goals – Damion Williams 10 goals (Jamaica)
Dedicated Participation in Caribbean Cup
Garfield Cupid (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
Shawn Alleyne (Barbados)
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