Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Column: Vochtige ogen

    Column: Vochtige ogen

    On the eve of the World Cup qualifier against El Salvador, Suriname’s national team, led by coach Stanley Menzo, held a press conference. While such events often yield little new information, the focus was on the team’s readiness and strategy. Captain Shaquille Pinas, a veteran with 34 international caps, addressed the media, emphasizing his approach to the match: ‘I don’t feel extra pressure. I step onto the field to win, just like any other game.’ He highlighted the players’ awareness of their fans’ emotions, stating, ‘We play for our families, friends, and the people of our country. It’s a great honor to contribute to that.’

    The following evening, the Essed Stadium was packed well before kickoff, showcasing the nation’s fervent support. Defender Myenty Abena led a passionate pre-game prayer, setting the tone for the match. Despite a shaky first half with inaccurate passes and a reliance on long balls, Suriname managed to take a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a penalty converted by Tjaronn Chery.

    The second half saw a transformed Surinamese team. With fluid combinations and dynamic wingbacks Djavan Anderson and Ridgeciano Haps, they dismantled El Salvador’s defense. Richonell Margaret scored twice, and substitute Dhoraso Klas added a fourth goal, sealing a 4-0 victory. The crowd erupted in celebration, singing the national anthem twice.

    Post-match, the team and staff remained on the field, basking in the adoration of their supporters. Goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen showcased his quirky dance moves, while other players expressed their joy in various ways. Coach Menzo, overwhelmed with emotion, retreated to the technical room, reflecting on his journey and the significance of the win. During the subsequent press conference, he expressed immense pride in his team and the country of his birth, though he admitted that the celebrations would be modest. ‘The years are catching up with me,’ he joked, ‘but I know the boys will celebrate tonight.’

    Looking ahead, Suriname faces Guatemala in their final qualifying match. Menzo stressed the importance of focus and preparation, even as the team savors their recent triumph. The Surinamese sports press gave Menzo a standing ovation, marking a memorable night for the nation’s footballing aspirations.

  • Trinidad and Tobago eliminated in draw with Jamaica

    Trinidad and Tobago eliminated in draw with Jamaica

    The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup witnessed a thrilling encounter between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, ending in a 1-1 draw on Thursday at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The match, part of Group B, saw both teams battling fiercely for a chance to advance in the tournament. The first half remained goalless, with both sides struggling to break through the defenses. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute when Renaldo Cephas of Jamaica capitalized on a swift counterattack down the left flank. Cutting inside, Cephas expertly placed the ball into the bottom right corner, giving Jamaica the lead. Rumarn Burrell was credited with the assist. Trinidad and Tobago responded in the 85th minute, with Kevin Molino delivering a precise right-footed strike from close range to level the score. The draw leaves Jamaica in second place in the group with 10 points and a 3-1-1 record, keeping their hopes alive for direct qualification. They are set to host Curaçao in their next match. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dashed with this result. The Soca Warriors will conclude their campaign with a visit to Bermuda.

  • Suriname inches closer to World Cup dream, El Salvador eliminated

    Suriname inches closer to World Cup dream, El Salvador eliminated

    In a decisive match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Suriname delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over El Salvador on Thursday at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion in Paramaribo. This triumph not only solidified Suriname’s position at the top of Group A but also brought the nation closer to securing its first-ever World Cup appearance. The team’s record now stands at 2 wins, 3 draws, and 0 losses. The scoring began in the 44th minute when Tjaronn Chery converted a penalty after being fouled by El Salvador’s Julio Sibrián. Suriname extended its lead in the 74th minute with Richonell Margaret capitalizing on a deflected clearance. Margaret struck again just two minutes later, finishing a cross from Ridgeciano Haps. The final goal came in the 83rd minute when substitute Dhoraso Klas tapped in a cross shortly after entering the game. With this loss, El Salvador has been eliminated from contention for the 2026 World Cup. Suriname will face Guatemala in their final qualifying match on Tuesday, while El Salvador will conclude their campaign against Panama.

  • West Indies U-19s set for England

    West Indies U-19s set for England

    The West Indies Under-19 cricket team is set to face England in a pivotal seven-match Youth One Day International (ODI) series, commencing this Sunday in Grenada. This series marks a critical juncture in their preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled for early next year. Head coach Rohan Nurse expressed optimism about the team’s development, emphasizing the importance of this series in refining skills and strategies. The squad, buoyed by a recent 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka, aims to build on that momentum as they take on another formidable opponent. The team has seen some adjustments since their last outing, with three players returning or earning their spots based on standout performances. DeShawn James rejoins after recovering from injury, while Kunal Tilokani and Tanez Francis secured their places following impressive showings at the regional Under-17 tournament. Meanwhile, players like Afraz Ali Buhdoo, Micah Greenidge, and Pajay Nelson will miss this series but remain in contention for the final World Cup squad. Nurse highlighted the team’s resilience and fighting spirit during the Sri Lanka series, noting that these qualities are essential for success. He also stressed the need for consistency and focus across all departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—to gain a competitive edge. With the World Cup looming, this series against England is a vital step in shaping a cohesive and competitive unit capable of excelling on the international stage. The team management, including assistant coaches Jerome Taylor and Nikita Miller, is focused on fostering a performance-driven environment while instilling professionalism and clarity of roles among the players.

  • Mixed fortunes for Saint Lucia in ECVA volleyball

    Mixed fortunes for Saint Lucia in ECVA volleyball

    In a gripping showdown at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship on Thursday, November 13, hosts Antigua & Barbuda staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Saint Lucia in a five-set thriller. The match, held at the YMCA in St John’s, showcased resilience and tactical brilliance as Antigua & Barbuda overturned a two-set deficit to clinch the victory with scores of 22-25, 16-25, 27-25, 25-21, 15-12.

    Saint Lucia had entered the match with momentum, having earlier defeated Anguilla in straight sets (27-25, 25-17, 25-12). Their star player, outside hitter and team captain Daniel Myers-James, delivered a standout performance with 15 points against Anguilla and later led his team with 24 points in the clash against Antigua & Barbuda. Middle blocker Peter Emmanuel also contributed significantly with 12 points.

    Despite Saint Lucia’s dominance at the net, recording 14 blocks compared to Antigua & Barbuda’s five, the hosts excelled in attack points, scoring 57 against their opponents’ 41. This offensive prowess proved decisive in turning the tide of the match.

    Saint Lucia’s head coach, Levi Leonce, acknowledged the challenges faced during the game. “A loss is always unfortunate, but Antigua came to fight today. We struggled with service errors and execution breakdowns. However, each match offers valuable lessons, and we will make the necessary adjustments to come back stronger tomorrow,” he stated.

    The championship continues with Saint Lucia set to face Grenada on Friday and Dominica on Saturday, both at 4 p.m. Dominica remains unbeaten after three games, while Antigua & Barbuda have secured victories in both their fixtures so far.

  • Nestor guides Mean Green to historic 3-0 start

    Nestor guides Mean Green to historic 3-0 start

    The University of North Texas (UNT) women’s basketball team celebrated a historic milestone on Thursday, November 13, as they secured their third consecutive victory, marking their first 3-0 start since 2002. The Mean Green dominated Nelson University with a resounding 102-50 win, extending their home winning streak at The Super Pit to 14 games.

    Megan Nestor, the senior center from Saint Lucia, delivered another stellar performance, recording her third straight double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nestor, who is averaging 14.3 points and 11.7 rebounds this season, made her mark in just 19 minutes of play, shooting 8-16 from the field and 4-7 from the free-throw line. This game also marked her season-high in scoring.

    Despite an early 12-4 lead by Nelson, UNT quickly regained control after a timeout called by head coach Jason Burton. The Mean Green unleashed a 19-0 run in the final 5:52 of the first quarter, which eventually extended to 23-0 before Nelson managed to score again. UNT’s relentless defensive pressure forced 30 turnovers, including 23 steals, just one shy of the program’s single-game record.

    Burton emphasized that the team’s focus was on disrupting Nelson’s rhythm rather than forcing turnovers. ‘We thought from a game plan standpoint that if we applied pressure, we could create some turnovers, and the times we did that, we did a great job,’ he said.

    Andi Schissler played a crucial role in the first half, scoring 10 of her 17 points during the decisive run. Schissler was the second-leading scorer for the night, while three other UNT players also reached double figures. Notably, all 11 available players contributed to the scoreboard for the second consecutive game, showcasing the team’s depth and cohesion.

  • ISSA to host college try-outs for graduating players

    ISSA to host college try-outs for graduating players

    The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) is exploring the possibility of organizing early tryouts in 2026 to provide graduating high school footballers with another opportunity to showcase their talents to overseas college scouts. This initiative comes in response to the suspension of the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup competitions at the round of 16 stage due to Hurricane Melissa, which raised concerns about potential scholarship losses for these athletes. ISSA President Keith Wellington confirmed that discussions are underway to address this issue. ‘We are considering these options in our current deliberations,’ he stated. Annually, private groups host tryouts, primarily in January, attracting US college scouts. Additionally, college coaches and scouts often attend late-season games, particularly the semi-finals and finals, to identify talented players for their programs. Earlier this week, ISSA announced plans to resume the competitions later this month, with the Ben Francis and Walker Cup competitions also scheduled, and the ISSA Presidents Cup set for January.

  • Coach Dwight Yorke: I want to complete what I’ve started

    Coach Dwight Yorke: I want to complete what I’ve started

    Despite Trinidad and Tobago’s (TT) men’s football team being eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, head coach Dwight Yorke has expressed his desire to remain in the role. Yorke, who took charge of the team in November 2022, emphasized his commitment to building a stronger foundation for TT football, even as the team fell short of their World Cup aspirations. The TTFA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association) will now decide whether to extend his contract beyond the qualifiers. Yorke’s tenure has been marked by progress, but the team’s inability to secure crucial victories in the final round of qualifiers ultimately sealed their fate. TT’s hopes were dashed after a 1-1 draw with Jamaica on November 13, leaving them third in Group B of the Concacaf qualifiers. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, TT struggled with finishing, a recurring issue throughout the campaign. Yorke, visibly disappointed but proud of his players, acknowledged the challenges and called for long-term planning to improve TT’s chances in future tournaments. With the 2030 World Cup in sight, Yorke urged the TTFA to implement structural changes and support systems to elevate the team’s performance. He remains focused on the upcoming match against Bermuda, aiming to end the qualifiers on a positive note.

  • Football giants indeed

    Football giants indeed

    The San Fernando Giants, a football club with a rich history spanning 75 years, recently celebrated its milestone anniversary with a series of commemorative events. Established as one of the longest-surviving active football clubs, the Giants have evolved from their origins as the Lantern Giants to their current incarnation, rooted in the heart of San Fernando. The celebrations included a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church and an awards ceremony held in the church hall on November 1. Notably, the club has thrived without significant sponsorship, relying instead on the dedication of volunteers and the unwavering support of the local community. This grassroots approach has ensured not only the club’s survival but also its continued relevance in fostering youth development and community spirit. Senator David Nakhid, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, attended the awards ceremony, highlighting the club’s enduring legacy and the long-term commitment of its members. The San Fernando Giants stand as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in sports, offering a model for other clubs to emulate in an era where such structures are increasingly rare. As the club continues its youth programs, it remains a beacon of grassroots development and a source of pride for the city.

  • Alcaraz secures ATP Finals showdown with great rival Sinner

    Alcaraz secures ATP Finals showdown with great rival Sinner

    In a highly anticipated clash, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will battle for the ATP Finals title in Turin, Italy, after both players secured their spots in the final with commanding performances on Saturday. Alcaraz, the newly crowned year-end world number one, dominated Felix Auger-Aliassime with a 6-2, 6-4 victory, showcasing his relentless form. Meanwhile, Sinner, the Italian sensation, triumphed over Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, continuing his impressive streak at the tournament. This final marks the culmination of a thrilling rivalry between the two young stars, who have shared the Grand Slam titles this season. Alcaraz holds a slight edge in their head-to-head encounters, winning 10 of their 15 matches, including four of their five meetings this year. However, Sinner’s historic Wimbledon victory over Alcaraz adds an extra layer of intrigue to this showdown. Both players have been in scintillating form, with Alcaraz recently clinching the US Open and Roland Garros titles, while Sinner has won his last 18 sets in Turin and boasts a 30-match winning streak on indoor hard courts. The final promises to be a captivating contest, as Alcaraz aims to cement his dominance, while Sinner seeks to cap off a remarkable year with a prestigious title.