New York Caribbean Cup. 
ENY State Soccer Association.
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A goal at the death by Exantus Johnny lifted Team Haiti to a 2-1 win over Team Trinidad & Tobago this afternoon, while Team St. Kitts and Nevis glided by Team Dominica 4-0.
Team Haiti (2) vs Team Trinidad & Tobago (1)
Early afternoon showers failed to damper the spirits of NY Caribbean Cup fans this afternoon and while the footing on the pitch was a bit slippery early the late afternoon sun soon dried it out and footing improved.
It’s not unusual that Team Haiti started the game with less than their full complement of players and as usual amid the seeming confusion managed to hold their own against a young but inexperienced Trinidad & Tobago squad.
The Soca Ballers eventually managed to take advantage of the undermanned Les Grenadiers when Jumol Harewood opened the scoring on a header from a right side cross.
Just before the half Team Haiti apparently tied things up only to see the goal waived off by the referee for an infringement against Soca Baller Kevon Haynes in the six yard box.
During the break additional troops arrived for Team Haiti and they came out hunting the equalizer in the second half but that didn’t come immediately. However, in the 61st minute
Evans Jean rose above the defense to nod home a corner from the left side.
Following the equalizer the Soca Ballers seemed to lose their rhythm and aggressiveness, compounded by the fact that their goalkeeper, Marcus Maurice, wasn’t handling the wet balls cleanly which eventually contributed to their downfall.
With the clock heading toward full time the game suddenly came alive perhaps because neither team wanted to go to penalty shootout. Kevon Haynes got his chance for glory but his shot from just inside the eighteen slid just wide of the right post.
Recognizing that time was almost up Les Grenadiers swiftly got the ball in play. Goalkeeper Marcus Maurice mishandled a pass through the middle and found himself in no-man’s land as the ball fell to the feet of Exantus Johnny who just pushed the ball across the line.
Team Trinidad & Tobago had no time to mount a comeback as the referee blew off the game right after the restart. Team Haiti awaits the winner of next Sunday’s Team St. Lucia and Team Guyana game.
Team St. Kitts & Nevis (4) vs Team Dominica (0)
When these teams met on the last day of the preliminary round the Kittishians dominated and won easily 4-0. Following that game and knowing they would meet again in the quarter-finals Team Dominica promised a different outcome. And while they didn’t keep their promise in terms of the outcome, this was really a very good playoff game.
Team St. Kitts and Nevis went to work immediately and may have taken an early lead but for misguided finishing. About the twentieth minute, however, Tyquan Terrell pounced on a cross to give the Sugar Boys a 1-0 lead. Then on the stroke of half time Team Dominica goalkeeper Dean Ettienne brought off a spectacular save to deny Team St. Kitts & Nevis a second goal.
At this stage of the game you just can’t figure football because while the Sugar Boys were more organized and playing well, the Dominicans were certainly holding their own and with a little luck may have tied the game. It was at this point however that the game changed.
About the sixty ninth minute goalkeeper Dean Ettienne left his line to intercept a loose ball being chased by Joeski Williams. It appeared that Ettienne had enough room and time to gather the ball cleanly instead of his man and ball approach which left the referee no alternative but to spot the ball. Marksman Alister Warner stepped up to double the score for the Sugar Boys.
Goal number three came as a result of a defensive error. Alister Warner was roughly ridden off a ball down the left side and perhaps the defenders thought it might be a foul and didn’t react to the loose ball bouncing in front of the goal and allowed Travis Merritt to get his first goal of the tournament. Not long after Merritt was “Johnny on the spot” once more when he capitalized on a rebound off the post for his second and final goal of the match.
Under the guidance of coach Roy Charles, The Kittishians have played very well this tournament and will surely be tested by next Sunday’s Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Team Jamaica winner.
Sunday, August 23, NY Caribbean Cup Quarter Finals - Round 2
3:15pm – Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs Team Jamaica
5:30pm – Team St. Lucia vs Team Guyana
All Matches Are Played at:
Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd
Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208
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