In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Defence Force captain Kevin Molino and central midfielder Cassim Kellar have been named to the Best XI for the group stage of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup. The dynamic duo played pivotal roles in securing their team’s advancement to the semifinals, showcasing their talent in a fiercely competitive Group B that included reigning champions Cavalier FC and 2024 runners-up Cibao FC. Defence Force finished second in the group, trailing only Cibao FC. The team’s journey to the semifinals was marked by a crucial 2-0 victory over Cibao on October 1, where both Molino and Kellar found the back of the net. Molino, 35, opened the scoring with a stunning long-range effort in the second minute, while Kellar, 29, sealed the win with a deflected free kick in the second half. Molino also scored the decisive goal in Defence Force’s 1-0 victory over Haiti’s Juventus des Cayes in August. According to Concacaf’s October 14 report, Molino completed 220 passes and registered six shots, four of which were on target, during the group stage. Kellar, known for his tenacity, made 190 passes, seven interceptions, and six successful tackles. Defence Force is set to face Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy in the first leg of the semifinals on October 22 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Mount Pleasant, who dominated Group A with four consecutive wins, also had three players named to the Best XI, alongside three from Cibao FC and two from Universidad O&M FC.
