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Team Jamaica and Team Haiti Reach NY Caribbean Cup Final
This afternoon Team Jamaica easily defeated Team St. Kitts and Nevis 4-0 while Team Haiti tripped up former champions Team St. Lucia 2-0 to get to the Labor Day weekend New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament finals. Over the last three years Team Jamaica and Team Haiti have only met in the preliminary round of the Cup, they have not seen playoff action against each other. In 2012 Team Jamaica won 1-0, 2013 Team Haiti returned the favor and in 2014 it was Team Haiti again by a score of 3-2.
Team Jamaica (4) vs Team St. Kitts & Nevis (0)
It took a while for Team Jamaica to get untracked this afternoon against Team St. Kitts & Nevis and while they eventually won easily we have still not seen the slick smooth passing Jamaica of years past.
Just when the game seem headed for half time deadlocked at zero, Javid Morris picked up a ball on the right side, raced by his defender and crossed to a waiting Irvino English lurking just outside the eighteen. Goalkeeper Jamal Francis had no chance as English drove the ball home firmly to give Team Jamaica the lead.
Fans were hardly back in their seats for the second half when Denzil Watson doubled the advantage for the NY Reggae Boyz on a goal disputed by the Sugar Boys who thought he was caught in their offside trap. The officials ruled differently.
Three minutes later in the 52nd minute, Daemion Benjamin broke the hearts of Kittishian fans when he made no mistake on a cross from Irvino English.
Goal number 4 for Team Jamaica was basically a giveaway due to careless defensive work by the Sugar Boyz. Not sure what the defender was trying to do but he only succeeded in allowing Javid Morris to disposes him of the ball inside the six yard box and all Morris had to do was tap the ball home.
Team Jamaica was defensively solid throughout, except for a close-in shot that beat Devon Haughton late in the game and rebounded off the post.
Team Haiti (2) vs Team St. Lucia (0)
For those who have watched the New York Caribbean Cup through the years they have tagged Team St. Lucia as a ‘lucky’ team. This afternoon however, their luck ran out and perhaps by their own undoing.
Although Team Haiti may have had more of the possession the first half ended with clean sheets on either side of the board.
The second half was pretty much a carbon of the first with Marvens Dominique beating his defender repeatedly but without damage.
In hind sight Bradley Tisson must be kicking himself for St. Lucia’s demise. Shortly after he was red carded in the eighty first minute for picking up a second yellow card Abdias Daout roaming free just inside the eighteen gave Les Grenadiers a one goal lead. Until the red card the game seem headed for penalty shootout.
Team St. Lucia playing a man down, fought desperately to bring things back on even terms but to no avail, the goal had suddenly infused new life into Team Haiti who were playing now with consummate ease. With seconds to go in the game Marvens Dominique sealed the issue from a goal front scramble. Haiti 2 St. Lucia 0.
This will be Team Haiti’s first New York Caribbean Cup Championship final and no better opponent to match up against than Team Jamaica. It promises to be a great 2015 final.
New York Caribbean Cup Semi-Finals Set: It’s not unusual seeing large crowds at a New York Caribbean Cup Football game and this afternoon was no exception as fans were treated to an excellent double-header that saw Team Jamaica master Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the opening game while Team St. Lucia left it late to clip Team Guyana by the odd goal in the nightcap.
Team Jamaica (4) vs Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0)
Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been an unusually disorganized bunch this year and that disorganization showed its ugly head again in this afternoon’s quarter-final.
A Team Jamaica vs Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines NY Caribbean Cup clash is traditionally one for the ages but this afternoon it didn’t quite start that way.
It was disappointing to see Team Vincy, one of the corner stones of the NY Caribbean Cup football, starting a quarter-final game with less than a full complement of players. But this afternoon that was just the case and Team Jamaica made them pay early.
The game had hardly started when Romario Campbell turned back a ball to Irvino English on the left side and English picked out Garfield Gillespie running through the defense to tap home.
The NY Reggae Boyz controlled the action for the next 15 minutes or so before additional troops arrived for Vincy and then it became a football game, however, the half ended with Team Jamaica hanging on to a 1-0 advantage.
In seasons past down an odd goal was never a problem for Vincy because Coach Des Morris would make some tactical changes at the break that would impact immediately as the second half started. But that was another time and place, for while these NY Reggae Boyz weren’t on top of their game they were moving the ball around with consumate ease.
Goal number two came for Team Jamaica by way of striker Denzil Watson running on to a cross from Irvino English. Two minutes later Watson let the air out of the Vincy bubble when he tapped home a cross from Romario Campbell.
Denzil Watson was denied a hattrick in the dying seconds when his shot was blocked by a defender at the Egan Street end. However, to the chagrin of Vincy Heat the ball fell at the feet of substitute Dannie Shaw who drove home high in the roof of the goal.
Team Jamaica will meet Team St. Kitts and Nevis in next week Sunday’s (August 30) 3:15pm semi-final.
Team St. Lucia (1) vs Team Guyana (0)
If Geoffrey Holder was alive today he would have called this afternoon’s quarter-final clash between Team St. Lucia and Team Guyana, “MARVELOUS”.
Before the largest crowd of the season this was really an exciting game with both teams attacking and counter attacking with wild abandon throughout the first half. Just before the whistle to close the half Kersan Marcellin got a golden opportunity to put Team St. Lucia ahead but spent too much time trying to bring the ball under control and had it tackled away.
There was no scoring as the half ended 0-0.
The second half was much a carbon copy of the first with neither team gaining ascendancy. Twenty minutes into the half Team St. Lucia goalkeeper Thaddeus Francis hurt his leg in bringing off a remarkable save and was replaced by Chad Amari Phillip.
Lightning struck in the 67th minute when the NY Golden Jaguars’ defense failed to clear a ball cleanly and allowed Kevin Edwards to blast home from close in.
From here on the tempo of the game picked up considerably with Team Guyana searching for the equalizer but like so often this season fumbled their opportunities when they got into the 18-yard box. In fact one of those opportunities came very late in the game but Devon Millington misfired.
Next Sunday’s game will see Team Haiti taking on former champions St. Lucia in the 5:30pm semi-finals.
Sunday, August 30th, NY Caribbean Cup Semi Finals
3:15pm –Team St. Kitts and Nevis vs Team Jamaica
5:30pm –Team Haiti vs Team St. Lucia
All Matches Are Played at:
Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd
Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208
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
The New York Caribbean Cup West All-Stars put on a scintillating display of soccer to win their first Mid-Season Classic in four tries. Kudos to young Team Antigua and Barbuda striker Eugine Kirwan who led the West with a remarkable four goal tally.
West All Stars (4) vs East All Stars (2)
East All-Stars took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Louis Robenson and Dieujuste Angelo in the 12th and 18th minutes respectively and just when the East seemed destined to win their 4th All-Star game Eugine Kirwan pulled one back for the West when his shot deflected off a defender and caught goalkeeper Ian James moving in the wrong direction.
For much of the half the East looked quite menacing, however, there was no further scoring as the whistle sounded to end the half with the East holding a 2-1 advantage.
When play resumed it didn’t take long for the West to level the scores with a Quame Holder strike in the 47th minute. Shortly after it was Kirwan at it again when he scored from a goal front melee to put the West ahead 3-2.
Denzil Watson, who had been rather ineffective all afternoon suddenly came to life and gave the East life with a game tying goal in the 56th minute.
With the scores even East coach Arthur ‘Jetty’ Mikes made a change that changed the game when he took central defender Asrick Samuels out to give his non-starters a chance to play. Almost immediately the East gave up their 4th goal when Kirwan latched on to a loose ball and had Ian James at his mercy.
Then with the clock ticking down the West was awarded a penalty which Kirwan converted to give the West All-Stars their first win.
Cambria Heights Panthers Girls SC (1) vs Nehemiah International Girls SC (1)
In the curtain raiser, Cambria Heights Panthers Girls SC and Nehemiah International Girls SC played to an exciting 1-1 stalemate. Ebony Birch tallied for the Panthers while Iyesha Ollivierre scored for Nehemiah International.
U-23 Men - Brooklyn Soca Lions (5) vs Hota Bavaria SC (2)
In the men U-23 encounter goals by Victor Ogunwale (3), Ryan Creace and Paul Thompson helped Brooklyn Soca Lions defeat Hota Bavaria SC 5-2. Zack Sathasidam and Elvis Aguiluz scored for Hota.
Certainly the beneficiary of the afternoon’s events were the kiddies who received back-packs with school supplies as part of the Caribbean Cup’s Community Outreach Program.
Also, Caribbean Cup wishes to thank Tower Isle’s Frozen Foods for their contribution to give-aways to fans during the afternoon.
NY Caribbean Cup Quarter Finals
The 2015 New York Caribbean Cup quarter-finals kick off next Sunday, August 16
3:15pm – Team Haiti VS Team Trinidad & Tobago
5:30pm - Team St. Kitts & Nevis VS Team Dominica
All Matches Are Played at:
Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd
Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208
The largest crowd of the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer season was enthralled as they watched Team St. Kitts and Nevis and Team Guyana win to bring the Tournament’s preliminary round to an exciting end this afternoon.
Next Sunday, August 9, the New York Caribbean Cup All Stars take the field for the annual Mid-Season Classic when the East meets the West. On that day Caribbean Cup gives away back-packs with school supplies to children under-12 years old, in addition, on that day there will be prizes and surprises for fans attending the game.
Team St. Kitts and Nevis 4 vs Team Dominica 0
Team St. Kitts and Nevis clearly dominated the action against Team Dominica and while it took them awhile to get untracked, when they did score they were a joy to watch.
A defensive error set up the opening goal in the 25th minute as Dajhal Kelly pounced on a defensive miskick through the heart of the Dominican defense to send the Sugar Boys up 1-0. Two minutes later it was almost instant replay only this time it was Julian Bradshaw who beat a central defender and goalkeeper Dean Ettienne to the loose ball and just bundled it home.
The action was fast and furious, so much so that when the whistle sounded to end the half it felt as if the game official had cheated us of minutes but when we checked our watches he was spot on.
If Team Dominica had thoughts of getting back into the game those thoughts were allayed early in the second half as Julian Bradshaw got his second goal of the game on a shot that seemed to catch the Dominican custodian napping.
Following the third goal the Sugar Boys put on a football clinic by playing ball possession and in the 67th minute scored the final goal of the game. Jolson Whatley headed a cross from the right side that had goal written all over it, however, Alister Warner was credited with the goal as he ran in to make sure the ball crossed the line.
Ironically, these teams will meet again August 16, 2015 in the first round of the playoffs but already members of Team Dominica have expressed the belief that, that will be a different game, and they expect to win.
Anyway congratulations to Team St. Kitts and Nevis as the win vaulted them to the New York Caribbean Cup Eastern zone champions.
Team Guyana 2 Team St. Lucia 0
Although Team St. Lucia had already won the Western Zone, this afternoon’s game against Team Guyana was a pre-playoff test wherein coaches could evaluate their charges going into the playoffs.
The first half was evenly matched with both teams having their attacking moments. In the 28th minute Kevin Edwards got a golden opportunity to send St. Lucia into the lead but Guyana goalkeeper Richard Reynolds came up big to guide the ball around the upright. Anyway the half ended with both teams drawing blanks.
Early in the second half St. Lucia’s goalkeeper Taddeus Francis showed why he’s been selected to the All Star team when he brought off a remarkable save on a Devon Millington free kick.
Late in the half Taj Marcellin once more drew the ire of the referee and was issued a second yellow card which meant marching orders.
Despite being down a man, St. Lucia continued to play well, however, in the 77th minute the Golden Jaguars were awarded a free kick to the left of the 18-yard box. Up stepped Devon Millington who made amends for his earlier miss.
Just before the final whistle, goal number two was gifted when Taddeus Francis left his line to intercept a pass but misplayed the ball allowing Jahall Greaves to waltz toward the goal and push home the ball.
Week 12, Sunday, August 9th, 2015
Next Sunday, August 9, is the annual New York Caribbean Cup Mid-Season Classic. There are three games scheduled.
All Matches Are Played at:
Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd
Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208
Team St Lucia 4 vs Team Dominica 0
St Lucia put 4 goals in the back of the net against Dominica to claim the top of the Western Zone Table.
Team Jamaica 0 vs Team Haiti 1
What can only be considered as a major upset occured in the feature game with Haiti beating former champions Jamaica 1-0 to move to the top of the Eastern Zone Table!
Week 11, Sunday, Sunday, July 26th, 2015
3:15 PM - Dominica vs St. Kitts & Nevis
5:30 PM - Guyana vs St. Lucia
All Matches Are Played at:
Thomas Jefferson High School Field
12508 Flatlands Ave (& Shepherd
Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11208
Team Guyana threw a knockout punch at Team Panama in their crucial New York Caribbean Cup game this afternoon to vault into the playoffs, while Team Trinidad & Tobago had to forfeit their game to Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines when several of their key players failed to show.
Team Guyana 4 Team Panama 1
This afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup curtain raiser between Team Guyana and Team Panama had playoff implications written all over it. While a draw would leave Team Panama to sweat out the outcome of Team Guyana’s final game against Team St. Lucia, a win and Los Canaleros would zoom into the playoffs.
The teams played evenly for much of the first half but the Golden Jaguars got several clear chances to go ahead but failed partly because of an apparent hesitancy to shoot and partly because of players making the extra pass instead of shooting at goal. One player in particular guilty of this was Devon Millington, had he taken his shots Team Guyana may have been 2 or 3 goals up by half time.
With the referee looking at his watch constantly as half time approached, Team Guyana was awarded a free kick at the top of the eighteen. In his anxiety to block the shot Team Panama’s central defender Agustin Arthur handled the ball and the Golden Jaguars were awarded a penalty. Up stepped 2014 marksman Anthony Abrams who dispatched the ball to the left of the goal keeper to put Team Guyana in front.
For the first ten minutes or so of the second half Team Guyana seemed disinterested as Team Panama pressed for the equalizer. However, in the sixty-third minute, Devon Millington picked up a ball raced down the right side and beat the advancing goalkeeper who left his line to cut the angles.
The dust had hardly settled when a defensive error allowed Eduardo McCalla to pull one back for Los Canaleros from a goal mouth tap in.
While that goal seemed to have inspired Team Panama the Golden Jaguars were beginning to assert themselves and ten minutes later, in the 73rd minute Jahall Greaves laid off a beautiful pass to Anthony Abrams who restored the Golden Jaguars’ two goal cushion. Five minutes later Devon Millington whose shooting boots were shined up now made it 4-1 from close in.
The Golden Jaguars have played better with each successive game and while the win vaulted them into the 2015 playoffs, it was also good to see them scoring goals.
Team Trinidad and Tobago Forfeits
Not sure what impact the Soca Warriors’ Gold Cup game in New Jersey had on the Soca Ballers’ New York Caribbean Cup game at Jefferson High School, but it was, to say the least disappointing that key players didn’t show up for their assignment. Disappointing for fans who showed up to see them play, and disappointing to coach Henry who has bent over backwards in an attempt to put back pride in the Team Trinidad and Tobago unit.
Because they were short-handed, the Soca Ballers had to forfeit the game to Vincy Heat. So it goes as a Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 win.
Week 10, Sunday, July 26, 2015
3:30pm – Team St. Lucia vs Team Dominica
(A St. Lucia win and they are the Western Zone Champs)
5:30pm – Team Jamaica vs Team Haiti
(the winner of this game wins the Eastern Zone)
Team Dominica continues to ride the wave defeating Team Antigua and Barbuda to consolidate their playoff push, while Team Jamaica survived some anxious moments before cruising against Team Panama.
Team Dominica 1 vs Team Antigua and Barbuda 0
With some new management people in place Team Dominica has reborn and have played their best soccer in years.
For the first time this season Team Antigua and Barbuda came to the park with a full complement of players and while their goalkeeper was called on several times to make point blank saves, one wonders if they brought this enthusiasm to the park from game one they may very well have been in playoff contention this season. Unfortunately they have played out all their preliminary round games without gaining a point.
In the 18th minute Team Dominica could have gone ahead but for poor finishing by Curtis Jno Baptiste from a long throw deep in the Benna Boys’ defensive third. Baptiste seemed surprised when the ball fell at his feet and slipped in his effort to push the ball home. Minutes later Shirmar Henry’s volley kick just inside the eighteen went high and wide.
The Dominicans finally capitalized when Andel Bardouille picked up a cross from Henry, advanced a couple steps toward goal then fired the ball home.
The Benna Boys goalkeeper Kurt Odanahue had a teriffic game, particularly in the second half when he was called on to save a barrage of close in shots.
Team Dominica is certainly riding a wave this New York Caribbean Cup season for although they have two games remaining in the preliminary round they have already qualified for the playoffs which is absolutely remarkable for them.
Team Jamaica 5 Team Panama 1
This was an important game for Team Panama, if you will, a ‘must win’ game and certainly they gave Team Jamaica all they could handle with their long ball tactics in the first half.
It didn’t take long for Team Jamaica to score, however, as a Jermaine Hue free kick rebounded off a defender and the ball fell at the feet of Alan Maragh who rippled the net without hesitation.
The long ball tactics of Los Canaleros paid dividends three minutes later when Devon Haughton left his line to clean up a defensive error but an alert Oscar Eccleston lobbed the ball over his head and into the goal.
There was no further scoring as the teams went to the half tied at 1-apiece.
Team Jamaica showed signs of breaking the game open but stalled their progress with too much fancy footwork or as some call it ‘gallery football’. Particularly guilty was Romario Campbell whom I thought should have gotten rid of the ball earlier rather than trying to disarm two or three defenders. He is too good a footballer to be trying to show how good he is. Romario just need to play ball, look for the first pass ‘ala’ Jermaine Hue.
Anyway the NY Reggae Boyz got their second goal when Javid Morris caught Los Canaleros defense napping on a shot through the middle.
Shortly after the goal Romario Campbell was injured in a tackle and was replaced and Team Jamaica looked a different bunch. They completely took over the game and in the space of four minutes marksman Denzil Watson got a brace to give the Boyz a three goal cushion. However, the second of his two goals was a beauty to behold. Watson scoring after some deft passing between Daemion Benjamin, Jermaine Hue and Andre McFarlane that left the Panamanian defense dumbfounded.
Frustration more than anything else led to goal number five when Andre Mcfarlane was brought down inside the eighteen and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped O’Neil Thompson who buried the penalty shot to close the scoring.
Although Team Panama was just over matched with coach Arthur “Jetty” Mikes back at the helm for Team Jamaica, they looked a much sharper team.
Week 9 Games, Sunday, July 19, 2015
3:30 PM - Guyana vs Panama
5:30 PM - St. Vincent & The Grenadines vs Trinidad & Tobago
All games played at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, 125-08 Flatlands Ave
(at Shepherd Ave) in Brooklyn.
Team St. Kitts and Nevis continued their outstanding play this New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament defeating Team Guyana in a thriller, while Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines had their hides tanned by Team St. Lucia.
Team St. Kitts & Nevis 2 vs Team Guyana 0
The 2015 New York Caribbean Cup season has not been kind to Team Guyana and this afternoon was no different. Goals on either side of the half by Team St. Kitts & Nevis proved their undoing this afternoon.
Play was pretty even for the first twenty minutes or so with both sides attacking and counter attacking. However, the New York Golden Jaguars seemed to be more organized around midfield as they apparently tried to control the game tempo.
Things suddenly changed in the 23rd minute when Alister Warner broke in on goalkeeper Dominic Saul and was brought down in the 18 yard box. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Orlando Mitchum stepped up and buried the penalty.
Following the goal Team Guyana had several opportunities to equalize but faulty passing, shooting and a hesitancy to shoot denied them of bringing things even. There was no further scoring as the teams went to the break with Sugar Boys holding on to a 1-0 advantage.
The New York Golden Jaguars opened the second half like a house on fire, however, in the 49th minute the Sugar Boys doubled the score on a decisive counter attack. The Guyanese were in charge when a long ball through the heart of their defense caught them out of position and allowed Jolson Whatley to race through the middle for goal number two.
Team Guyana remains goalless after three games and this afternoon they were guilty of making the unnecessary extra pass in front of goal. It was almost as if they were afraid to shoot the ball. If they hope to make the 2015 playoff round it will have to done in their next two games.
St. Lucia 8 vs St. Vincent & the Grenadines 0
I can’t recall in recent memory a Vincentian team beaten so badly in the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament. However, the final score was not unexpected. When you turn up for a game with less than your full complement of players, and not your best players to boot, you usually don’t win ball games.
Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines showed up for their Western Zone clash against Team St. Lucia with only eight players this afternoon as some of their players reportedly were playing in competition elsewhere. And as it turned out you can’t have your cake and eat it, as reportedly they also lost the other game.
Impatience denied the Lucians from scoring for much of the half. In fact were not able to tickle the net until the 39th minute when Carlton Daniel made Vincy pay for a defensive error.
This was being billed as the game of the afternoon, and may very well have been had Vincy showed up with a full team. Credit their players however for holding Team St. Lucia to one goal before the whistle for the break.
It would have taken a yeoman’s effort to continue to hold off the Lucians in the second half particularly when Vincy was beginning to show signs of tiredness. Just after resumption Kersan Marcellin latched on to a cross from John Perry Joseph to give team St. Lucia a two goal advantage. In the 48th minute it was Marcellin again, this time racing through the middle and slotting home pass stand-in goalkeeper Michael Simmons.
At this point Vincy Heat made some defensive adjustments that held the tide for awhile, but in the 67th minute John Perry Joseph made it 4-0 on a header inside the six yard box and then the flood gates opened.
Bradley Nestor got the first of two goals, Daran Fedee got one and John Perry Joseph got his second for the final score, Team St. Lucia 8 Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines 0.
Certainly a disappointing display by Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines one of the corner stones of the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament over the years, last year’s beaten finalist and except for Team Jamaica have won the tournament more times than any other team. More than that, a slap in the face of their fans who show up to watch them play.
Week 8 Games, Sunday, July 12, 2015
3:30pm – Team Antigua & Barbuda vs Team Dominica
5:30pm – Team Jamaica vs Team Panama
All games played at Jefferson High School Sports Complex, 125-08 Flatlands Ave
(at Shepherd Ave) in Brooklyn.
Another exciting afternoon of New York Caribbean Cup Championship soccer saw Team Trinidad and Tobago rough up Team Antigua & Barbuda, Team St. Kitts & Nevis upset Team Haiti, while Team Panama play even- stevens with 2014 New York Caribbean Cup runners up Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Team Trinidad & Tobago 11 vs Team Antigua & Barbuda 0
If this were a boxing match the referee would have stopped the fight by the third round. Team Trinidad and Tobago opened the contest in overcast skies playing Soca Ballers football and it didn’t take long for them to begin the carnage. The shrill of the referee’s whistle had hardly died when Keston George lofted a ball over the middle to the waiting Jamal Samaroo who made no mistake. Minutes later Samaroo was at it again, this time dribbling through an inept Team Antigua & Barbuda defense before slotting the ball pass an advancing Rowan Laviscount.
Jamal Samaroo got his third goal of the contest in the sixteenth minute when Kirt Dorsett beat his man down the right side and clinically crossed to Samaroo to drive home.
Following goal number three the short-handed Benna Boys appeared to have closed ranks defensively and regrouped but with the clock running down to half time gave up goals to Keston George and Tarik Beckles to close the half down 5-0.
Just after Kristoff John made it 6-0 following the break, the Benna Boys had additional troops join them for a full complement of eleven players on the field. And if you were expecting them give the Soca Ballers stiffer opposition it didn’t happen. Jamal Samaroo appeared to have scored his fourth and Team Trinidad & Tobago’s seventh, but the referee ruled it an own goal.
The route was on with Tarik Beckles scoring the eighth, Jamal Samaroo getting his fourth and Kristoff John scoring twice more for a hat-trick.
Team St. Kitts & Nevis 2 vs Team Haiti 0
Based on prior years performances Team St. Kitts & Nevis’ 2-0 win over Team Haiti would ordinarily be regarded as a major upset, but based on 2015 performance it’s probably only a mild upset.
The Sugar Boyz under coach Roy Charles has been a breath of fresh air in this year’s New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament. Despite losing 1-0 to defending champions Team Jamaica in their opening game they gave notice that they maybe a handful this year as they matched the NY Reggae Boyz stroke for stroke. Then they confirmed their 2015 intentions by dropping Team Panama 4-1 in the following game.
It was obvious from the opening whistle that this would not be an easy contest for Team Haiti this afternoon.
For the first twenty five minutes or so, while Les Grenadiers attacked the Sugar Boyz counter attacked swiftly catching the Haitian defensive line out of position on several occasions. Just after Kittishian custodian Ian James was called on to make a brilliant save on a Marvens Dominique shot the Sugar Boyz scored on a counter attack when Orlando Mitchum opened the scoring from close in.
The setback didn’t appear to affect the Haitians as one got the feeling that they might equalize at any moment. However, this did not happen and it was the Sugar Boyz who doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Team Haiti’s defense reacted slowly to a throw in and watched helplessly as Alister Warner bundled the ball into the goal from a goal front scramble.
Team St. Kitts & Nevis were riding a cloud now and the first half scores held up as Team Haiti was unable to crack a well-organized Sugar Boyz defense.
Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines 1 vs Team Panama 1
Team Panama showed only one addition to their squad for this afternoon’s game and came out a much more purposeful team than in previous games this season. On the other hand, Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines looked sluggish and paid the price in the 26th minute when Irahil Soto crossed s ball to Jaime Bennett who stroked the ball on the volley to put Los Canaleros ahead 1-0 lead.
There was no further scoring in the half as Team Panama took a 1-0 lead to half time.
Vincy came out in the second half looking a bit more organized but still not with the sharpness we have come accustomed to with this team. It took a while for the equalizer to come, but in the 66th minute Ricardo Clarke latched on to a free kick and slid the ball pass a helpless goalkeeper Michael Ashby.
With that score the game suddenly came to life with both teams attacking and counter attacking, however, there was no further scoring and the game ended with the teams sharing the points.
Week 7 Games, July 5th, 2015
Independence week-end and Caribbean Cup Soccer
3:30pm – Team Guyana vs Team St. Kitts & Nevis
5:30pm – Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs Team St. Lucia
All games played at Jefferson High School Field, 12508 Flatlands Ave (at Shepherd) in Brooklyn.
Team Dominica may have opened up the Western Zone of the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament by scoring first and last to hold many times champions Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines to a 2-2 draw this afternoon. While a 60th minute strike by Team Jamaica was the difference against a far improved Team Guyana.
Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines 2 vs Team Dominica 2
Team Dominica produced a gutsy performance this afternoon to hold former champions Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines to an exciting 2-2 draw.
Kicking toward the Egan Street goal, Vincy actually dominated the first 30 minutes or so but all their shots toward goal were misdirected. Team Dominica on the other hand had their moments into the Vincy defensive third and it was from one of these sporadic attacks that they set back the former champions 1-0.
With the clock winding down toward half time the Dominicans won a throw-in deep in the Vincy Heat area. The throw was headed into the six yards box to a waiting Curtis Baptiste, who had moved up from his defensive midfield position for the throw, and who headed the ball down into the goal.
There was no further scoring as the teams went to the break with Team Dominica leading by the odd goal.
The first order of business for Vincy Heat in the second stanza was to bring the game back on even terms, but that didn’t happen until the 59th minute when Rhenson Haynes headed home a ball from a corner kick.
Following the goal Team Dominica seemed to lose their focus and three minutes later Seinard Bowens caught the Dominica defense napping as he dribbled through the heart of their defense and drove the ball pass the goalkeeper.
Vincy seemed to have the game locked up and cruising toward full time, but in the 80th minute the team from the land of the Sisserou Parrot tied the game at 2-2 from a long throw in that bounced off Kieran Francis into the goal.
For Team Dominica who have not won or drawn a game in the last two years, a triumph of sorts while for Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a mild upset.
Team Jamaica Escape 1-0 Over Team Guyana
Team Jamaica and Team Guyana game turned out to be as predicted, the skill of the New York Reggae Boyz against the bruising style of the New York Golden Jaguars.
Both teams showed personnel changes from their opening game. For Team Jamaica O’Neil Thompson was back in the middle of their defense, while Jermaine Hue replaced Andre McFarlane in midfield early in the first half and Christopher Banner coming on in the second half for defensive purposes. Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars showed seven changes to their line up from the team that lost their opening game to Team Haiti two Sundays ago.
As have been their habit, Team Jamaica started sluggishly and had a few anxious moments as Team Guyana played a more alert game, getting to the ball quicker and making crisper passes. Team Jamaica compounded their effort by arguing with the referee on several calls or non-calls throughout the game. In fact, following the game even Team Guyana expressed dissatisfaction with official’s handling of the game.
In an effort to try and get the lethargy out of his team, interim coach Radjpaul made a critical change for Team Jamaica in the 30th minute by replacing Andre McFarlane with Jermaine Hue. That decision almost paid dividends immediately. Kicking toward the Flatlands goal, a shot from Denzel Watson seemed to have crossed the goal line but ruled no-goal by the referee. The shot on goal happened so quickly that the assistant official may not have been in position to see that the defensive player was inside his goal when the shot was blocked.
Both teams had their moments but the scores remained even when the whistle sounded to end the half.
Ten minutes into the second half thunder showers predicted by the weatherman arrived and during the 15 minute downpour the New York Reggae Boyz came to life and it was during this period that Irvino English stepped up for a free kick and curved the ball over the defensive wall into the back of the net.
Shortly after the score, English who was on a yellow card and who had his disagreement with the official throughout was dismissed on a second yellow card forcing his team to play one player short for the last 15 minutes of the game.
There was happiness and sadness on week four of the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament as Team St. Kitts & Nevis skinned Team Panama 4-1, Team Haiti over Team Antigua & Barbuda 2-0, while Team St. Lucia and Team Trinidad & Tobago played to an exciting 1-1 draw.
Kittishians Skin Team Panama
In a delightful display of soccer Team St. Kitts and Nevis undressed Team Panama 4-1 in this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup opening game.
Very early in the game the “Sugar Boyz” was denied going one up through faulty finishing and to ‘add salt to injury’ gave up a penalty on the other end on the Team Panama counter attack. Donroy Liburd brought down Eduardo McCalla just inside the eighteen yard box and called on to take the spot kick, McCalla stepped up and gave Los Canaleros a one goal to zip advantage in the 4th minute.
Despite being a goal down Team St. Kitts and Nevis took control of the game and in the 21st minute got the equalizer when Kassall Greene hit the mark from a goal front melee. Then seconds before the clock ran out for half time Joeski Williams sent his fans in wild celebration once more when his shot just outside the area found the back of the net.
The second half saw the ‘Sugar Boyz’ kicking toward the Flatlands goal and looking to extend their advantage. In the 48th minute Joeski Williams outran the defense to a ball down the right side and crossed to a wide open Alister Warner who made no mistake. Team St. Kitts & Nevis 3 Team Panama 1. Four minutes later Delon Ferdinan found Donroy Liburd from a corner kick for the final goal of the afternoon.
Unfortunately there was a blight to the “Sugar Boyz” win when Kadeem Innis had to be assisted from the field after suffering an injured shoulder.
Team Antigua & Barbuda Disappoints Fans Again
Discipline and commitment have always played its part on the road to success and over the years the most disciplined teams in the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament are generally the teams you see in the playoffs year after year.
This afternoon Team Antigua and Barbuda demonstrated once more why perennially they have been one of the less successful teams in the tournament.
Last week in their game against Team St. Lucia they started with less than their full complement of players. This afternoon it was even worse. They started the game with the required minimum of seven players and after Jean Kismy Francois and Alfred Sonthonax had given Team Haiti a 2-0 lead Benna Boy Shirville Jarvis walked off the field leaving his teammates stranded. The game was only twelve minutes old but with less than the required seven players on the field for Team Antigua and Barbuda the referee had no alternative but to blow off the game to the disappointment of their fans.
Team St. Lucia & Team Trinidad and Tobago In Spectacular 1-1 Draw
Except for a goalkeeping error this afternoon, Team Trinidad and Tobago seem to be advertising themselves once more as a force in the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament and any team that has visions of being crowned 2015 champions will have to come through them. Perhaps the new life exhibited by the Soca Ballers could also be attributed to coach Tony Henry who handles his youngsters with patience and calm.
The opening goal in this afternoon’s Team St. Lucia and Team Trinidad & Tobago contest was much against the run of play and a goal-keeping error. Soca Ballers goalkeeper Marcus Maurice in attempting to kick the ball down field only succeeded in miskicking and watched the ball land at the feet of Taj Marcellin just outside the area. Marcellin seeing that Maurice had drifted a bit too far off his line shot the ball and Maurice slipped as he made a vain attempt to get to the ball. You could see the disgust on the TNT’s goalkeeper’s face with the game only seven minutes old.
It didn’t take the Soca Ballers long to equalize. In fact, five minutes later, and kicking toward Egan Street, Conrad Smith latched onto a ball just inside the eighteen and deftly slid the ball pass an advancing Chad Amari Phillip for the equalizer.
Following the break the game settled into a battle of midfield with very little forays into the opponent’s defensive eighteen yard boxes. However, in the last ten minutes or so as either team broke down their opponent’s defenses the decibels of the appreciative crowd grew louder as they became more demonstrative.
Before the largest crowd of the young season, fans were treated to goals galore in this afternoon’s New York Caribbean Cup championship games. Team St. Lucia opened with a 5-0 win over Team Antigua and Barbuda, Team Haiti dumped team Guyana 3-0, while Team Jamaica tripped up Team Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a wonderful display of soccer from both teams.
Team St. Lucia 5 vs Team Antigua & Barbuda 0
Team St. Lucia opened their 2015 New York Caribbean Cup championship bid with a 5-0 whipping of Team Antigua & Barbuda.
It was evident that the ‘Benna Boys’ were in trouble from the opening whistle when they started the game a man short and without a regular goalkeeper. And playing against a team that is a former NY Caribbean Cup champion certainly didn’t help.
It didn’t take long for the Lucians to get on the board as Tana Weekes’ 9th minute strike from close in sent them on their way. Four minutes later Carlton Daniel doubled the score when he beat substitute goalkeeper Jamero Quan Aaron on a drive from just outside the area.
Playing against a short-handed team that lacked intensity the Lucians totally dominated play and in the 27th minute Kersan Marcellin widened the score on a goal front melee.
Marcus Adams took over as the ‘Benna Boys’ goalkeeper in the second half and in the 49th minute he was caught out of position and looked on helplessly as Daran Fedee, who came on as a second half substitute, drove the ball into an empty net.
Taj Marcellin closed the scoring with the best goal of the game when he brought down a cross from Daran Fedee and promptly curled a right footed shot just inside the left top square of the goal.
Team Antigua & Barbuda need to introduce younger players into their squad who may help to make them a much more competitive team.
Final, Team St. Lucia 5 Team Antigua & Barbuda 0.
Team Haiti 3 vs Team Guyana 0
This afternoon’s Team Haiti vs Team Guyana game was the first big highly anticipated game of the 2015 New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament.
Team Guyana playing in their opening game didn’t look as sharp as Team Haiti who played on opening day. And this was evident in the first half hour or so as ‘Les Grenadiers’ had the ‘Golden Jaguars’ on their heels for most of the period.
Finally Marvens Dominique struck for ‘Les Grenadiers’ when his right footed poke wiggled pass a defensive player and just slid inside the right post. That was all the scoring in the first half as the teams went to the break with Team Haiti ahead 1-0.
Shortly after the break marksman Alfred Sonthonax sent Team Haiti ahead 2-0 when he brought down a cross with his chest, beat his defensive player and shot the ball home.
The third and final goal was even easier as in the 60th minute an unmarked Alfred Sonthonax waltzed in on Marc Donald Mervil and easily beat him to his left. Early season yet but ‘Les Grenadiers’ look to be in midseason form.
Team Jamaica 2 vs Tteam Trinidad & Tobago 0
The Team Jamaica and Team Trinidad & Tobago game was the first inter zone game of the season, a new wrinkle in the 2015 New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament.
While both teams had close encounters in their opening games, like any clash between these teams including the inaugural New York Caribbean Cup final in 1992 this game was expected to be close.
Team Jamaica looked a more alert team at the opening whistle and that actually may be attributed to Romario Campbell who was a lot busier in the middle than his usual nonchalant self and it was good to see him in this role.
TNT fans breathed a sigh of relief when custodian Marcus Maurice rose to the occasion to block Denzil Watson’s close in pile driver. Five minutes later it was Watson again from close in only to see his shot go wide of the post.
Finally, in the 28th minute, Irvino English’s corner kick found the head of Daemion Benjamin to give the NY Reggae Boyz a 1-0 advantage.
Following the break the ‘Soca Ballers’ kicking toward the Flatlands goal came out looking for the equalizer and while they had their moments it was Denzil Watson who doubled the lead for the ‘Reggae Boyz’ in the 49th minute.
With a 2-0 lead, not sure why Team Jamaica went defensive but I thought it was too early as the ‘Soca Ballers’ seemed to catch a second wind and threatened with the introduction of Kevon Haynes and Conrad Smith.
Actually, Team TNT looked quite organized and suggests they will be a force to recon with as the season progresses.
Team Trinidad and Tobago introduced some young players to the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament and escaped with a 2-1 win over Team Dominica. Meanwhile, the Duckworth/Lewis method of football, flash flood and lightening, saw Team Jamaica open with a 1-0 win over Team St. Kitts and Nevis.
Team Trinidad and Tobago 2 vs Team Dominica 1
The weatherman forecasted flash floods about 6pm, but the Team Trinidad and Tobago/Team Dominica game kicked off in blue skies and bright sunshine with really no sign of rain. However, quite without warning some umbrellas came out while the blessings from heaven temporarily sent some fans scrambling for cover.
At the sound of the whistle Team Dominica in their usual yellow shorts and green tops kicked off toward Flatlands Avenue. Immediately you could see the intentions of the ‘Soca Ballers’ who tried to take control of the midfield by playing ball possession. However, on numerous occasions their passes either went astray or were intercepted by an alert Team Dominica.
In the 20th minute Quame Holder picked up long pass on the right side and after trying to do too much with the ball was able to beat his man and drive the ball pass Arminex Carbon to give Team TNT a 1-0 lead.
Team Dominica never really looked threatening but the ‘Soca Ballers’ lead was short lived when Kerille Bruno received a pass just pass half line, looked up and shot a curling right footer that caught Marcus Maurice in no-man’s land as he drifted too far off his line. The teams went to the half with the scores tied at 1-1.
Team Dominica came out more purposeful in the second stanza but it was Jamoul Francois who missed a sitter that would have put his ‘Soca Ballers’ in front as they continued to struggle with their passing game.
Just when the teams seemed destined to sharing the points, in the 74th minute Quame Holder picked up a ball just outside the box, drifted inside and beat his marker before sending a left footed screamer pass Arminex Carbon to make the final score Team TNT 2 Team Dominica 1.
Team Jamaica 1 vs Team St. Kitts and Nevis 0
New York Caribbean Cup soccer fans got their first look at the 2015 version of Team Jamaica, the defending champions. As have been their history in seasons past, the NY ‘Reggae Boyz’ started tentatively and in the third minute Carlos Wright’s wreckless tackle saw Team Jamaica facing a penalty kick.
Team Jamaica goalkeeper Devon Haughton blocked the shot only to hear the referees whistle for an infraction on the penalty shot. In the opinion of the referee a ‘Sugar Boy’ moved into the box too early. On the re-kick, and to the relief of Jamaican fans who sprinkled the park, Alister Warner shot wide right of the upright.
A steady drizzle developed just after the start as the ‘Sugar Boyz’ matched the ‘Reggae Boyz’ stride for stride. Actually, the Kittians, with a couple teenagers in their lineup looked quite smooth in their buildups and caused some anxious moments for the Jamaicans.
The steady drizzle had become a heavy drizzle now and after several attempts to find Denzil Watson through the middle the ‘Sugar Boyz’ were caught in a defensive error as Watson tapped to Dannie Shaw who drove the ball home.
The skies opened up as the second half got rolling. Eighteen minutes into the half when lightening accompanied the down pour and thunder, the referee called a halt to the game. After a fifteen minute delay and with weather conditions deteriorating even further the referee called the game.
It was a disappointing end to a game that was shaping up to come to an interesting conclusion. Anyway, as a result of the game being called after the completed first half by the referee because of inclement weather conditions, the score at the stoppage is the final score. Therefore defending champions Team Jamaica open with a 1-0 win over Team St. Kitts and Nevis.
2015 New York Caribbean Cup Kicks Off
Despite the off season hick-ups the 2015 New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament kicked off this afternoon at Thomas Jefferson High School Sports Complex in balmy but pleasant weather.
In the opening game of the double header Team Haiti defeated Team Panama 4-0, while in the feature the 3-0 score line showed the superiority of Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines over Team Antigua & Barbuda.
Team Haiti versus Team Panama
With Grenada Ambassador Derrick James and Community Relations Officer from the Consulate of Jamaica, L. Christopher Castriota in the stands Team Panama got things going at the sound of the whistle.
For the first ten minutes or so the game was evenly balanced with Team Haiti perhaps dominating the possession. The game changed dramatically in the 15th minute when Alfred Sonthonax caught the Antiguans napping as he dribbled through the middle of their defense, cut right and then shot home to celebrate the first goal of the 2015 New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Tournament.
In the 24th minute more celebration from “Les Grenadiers”, as Chris Pierre guided the ball home from close range to double Team Haiti’s lead. Just before the break, Panama’s substitute goalkeeper Arthur Augustin brought off a spectacular save of a close range Sonthonax shot that had goal written all over it.
Four minutes after the break an unmarked Alfred Sonthonax glided down the left flank and slipped ball pass a helpless Arturo Sealey who replaced the injured Arthur Augustin to start the 2nd half. Team Haiti 3 Team Panama 0.
Down 3-0 you would think the Team Panama effort would diminish, instead they went on the hunt in an effort to pull one back. It was not to be and in the 54th minute Alfred Sonthonax got his third goal of the game, and the final goal of the game, when he capitalized on a cross from Exantus Johnny.
Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines versus Team Antigua & Barbuda
2014 New York Caribbean Cup runners-up Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines nattily dressed took the field against a rugged looking Team Antigua & Barbuda in the feature game of the opening day double header.
Kicking toward Egan Street, almost immediately Vincy took control, patiently passing the ball around as the Benna Boys scrambled defensively to close ranks. Faulty finishing, however, denied Vincy from breaking through the Antiguans defense.
Just when the teams seemed headed to the half with clean sheets Renson Haynes broke through for Vincy from a goal front melee.
As have been their modus operandi, half time instructions by Vincy coach Des Morris was immediately evident as the second half kicked off. With the half eight minutes old it was Renson Haynes again, this time collecting a pass through heart of the Antigua defense to put Vincy up 2-0 with a clinical finish.
The Benna Boys have always been a tough team to beat and this afternoon was no different but after giving up the second goal seemed to be tiring. This was even more evident when Rayvon Jack fought off a defender just inside the box and drove home a powerful right footer for the final goal of the afternoon.
Team St. Vincent & the Grenadines 3 Team Antigua & Barbuda 0.
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