Week 2 - New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Marches On...

The inclement weather promised by the weatherman this afternoon didn’t materialize until late in the final game of the afternoon. In fact, late into the afternoon there was a feeling that the weatherman was wrong again. Anyway, the sparse crowd witnessed two exciting New York Caribbean Cup games and while eight goals were scored in the opening game between Team Trinidad and Tobago and Team Dominica, the nightcap between Team Haiti and Team St. Lucia was a different affair. Only two goals were scored but perhaps an even more exciting game than the opener.

---

Team Trinidad & Tobago (5) vs (3) Team Dominica

Game one between Team Trinidad and Tobago and Team Dominica kicked off under a hazy cloud cover touched by a gentle breeze blowing across the park.

The Soca Ballers got things going kicking toward Egan Street and five minutes into the game Afton Molino slotted home a cross from the right side to put his team one up. Minutes later, however, Team Dominica won a corner kick from the left side. Prer Rosevelt stepped up and floated the ball just inside the six yard box. Goalkeeper Orie Larode mishandled the ball and it fell to the feet of Dillon Isidore who made no mistake driving the ball home for the equalizer.

In the eighteenth minute Team Dominica thought they got goal number two when a long throw from the left side beat everyone including goalkeeper Orie Larode as the ball settled in the back of the net, but the ball wasn’t touched so no goal.

Najta Forbes gave the Soca Ballers a 2-1 advantage just before the half ended tapping home a loose ball from close in. Team Trinidad and Tobago should probably have extended their lead further going into the half but denied because of hesitant shooting.

While the Soca Ballers seemed to be having the better of play, defensively they appeared suspect and were hurt three minutes into resumption when Glenroy Defoe knotted things up for Team Dominica rising above the defenders to head home a corner kick. Shortly after, Najta Forbes was called for handling a ball inside the box that gifted Team Dominica their third goal and a 3-2 lead as Dillon Isidore stepped up to the spot and banged the ball home.

However, Afton Molino came to the rescue of the Soca Bllers once more heading home a cross from the right side to knot things up at 3-apiece.

It didn’t take long for the Soca Ballers to regain the lead when Tarik Beckles easily dribbled by Uriah George down the left side and drove the ball pass Ian Bedminister. A winded Uriah George had his hands full on the left side and was the victim of the Soca Ballers’ fifth goal when Ruimy Holder circled him and had no problem beating Bedminister once more. In the dying minutes Bedminister made the save of the afternoon that denied Team Trinidad and Tobago a sixth goal.

 

---

Team Haiti (1) vs (1) Team St Lucia

The nightcap between 2015 NY Caribbean Cup finalist Team Haiti and former champions Team St. Lucia was as exciting as we will probably see this season with end to end action.

Team Haiti got things going kicking toward the Flatlands goal and for much of the first thirty minutes or so there was end to end action with the game evenly matched. At the thirtieth minute Kerwin Edwin threw a ball to Daran Fedee who found Marcellin Leigh who gave the Lucians a 1-0 lead.

There was no further scoring as Team Lucia went to the half with a 1-0 lead.

Les Grenadier came out hunting for the equalizer in the second half but Team St. Lucia played heads up football holding Team Haiti at bay.

With about twenty minutes to the final whistle it started to drizzle and just about there the game changed. Kerwin Edwin was shown a second yellow card for a wreckless tackle and was given his marching orders by the referee.

Team Haiti immediately recognized their advantage and attacked Team St. Lucia like vultures with wave after wave of attacks as St. Lucia defended stoutly. The Lucians saw their three points evaporate with the referee looking at his watch when Abdias Daout bundled home the ball from a goal front melee.

The final whistle came seconds after, but you could not have asked for a better game.

---

Sunday, June 12th, NY Caribbean Cup - Round 3

1:30pm – Team Trinidad & Tobago vs Team Grenada
3:30pm – Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs Team St. Kitts & Nevis
5:30pm – Team Jamaica vs Team Antigua & Barbuda

All Matches Are Played at:

Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208