分类： sports

The two-time ICC T20 World Cup champions, West Indies, have been placed in a challenging group for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Group C includes formidable opponents such as Bangladesh and fellow two-time champions England, alongside Nepal and first-time qualifiers Italy. The tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will see the Windies kick off their campaign against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 7. They will then face England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 11, followed by matches against Nepal on February 15 and Italy on February 19, both in Kolkata. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eights phase, starting February 21. The 2026 edition will feature 20 teams, with co-hosts India and Sri Lanka leading their respective groups. India, the reigning champions, will face arch-rivals Pakistan in Group A, while Group B includes Australia and Sri Lanka. Group D features 2024 runners-up South Africa, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE. The West Indies, coached by Daren Sammy, had a strong group stage in the 2024 tournament but struggled in the Super Eights. Currently on a tour in New Zealand, the Windies have faced mixed results, losing the T20 and ODI series but securing a commanding T20 win in Bangladesh. Their recent encounters with Bangladesh and Nepal will be crucial as they prepare for the World Cup. Before the tournament, the Windies will play a three-match T20 series against Afghanistan in January. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta and chairman Jay Shah have promised a thrilling spectacle, highlighting the tournament’s competitive nature and global appeal.

In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Defence Force FC triumphed over Cibao FC with a decisive 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup third-place playoff. The match, held on November 25 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, saw Defence Force’s seasoned players, Sheldon Bateau and captain Kevin Molino, lead the charge. This win positions the Trinidadian club favorably as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The return leg is scheduled for December 2 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, where Cibao FC will attempt to overturn the deficit. The game was marked by contentious refereeing decisions, including a disallowed goal for Cibao in stoppage time, which added to the visitors’ frustrations. Defence Force’s goalkeeper, Isaiah Williams, delivered a stellar performance, ensuring a clean sheet with several crucial saves. The team’s tactical approach, leveraging deep midfield passes and clinical finishing, proved effective against Cibao’s defense. Molino’s leadership was evident as he contributed both a penalty goal and an assist, while Bateau’s early header set the tone for the match. Despite Cibao’s efforts, Defence Force’s defensive solidity and efficient midfield play ensured their dominance throughout the game.

In a thrilling conclusion to the TT Hockey Board’s (TTHB) National Indoor tournament, Defence Force emerged victorious in a nail-biting shootout against Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) in the men’s open division final. The match, held at the Woodbrook Youth Facility on November 22, was a spectacle of skill, determination, and high drama. Defence Force secured the title after a marathon shootout that saw ten shots, with national player Mickel Pierre delivering the decisive goal past goalkeeper Reiza Hosein. The game had ended regulation time tied at 5-5, setting the stage for the intense shootout. Defence Force had initially dominated, racing to a 4-0 lead by the 18th minute, thanks to goals from David Coker, Sheldon De Lisle, Tarrell Singh, and Shaquille Daniel. However, QPCC fought back valiantly, with Jordan Vieira leading the charge. Vieira’s two late goals, including his 29th of the division, tied the game and forced the shootout. Despite Vieira’s heroics, Defence Force’s Zeon Hamilton and Hosein proved formidable in goal, ultimately sealing the win for their team. This victory avenged Defence Force’s loss to QPCC in the men’s knockout final on November 16. In other tournament action, Police claimed third place in the men’s open division with a commanding 10-4 win over Paragon, while QPCC triumphed in the mixed vets final with a 7-5 victory over Police, powered by Shawn Lee Quay’s four-goal performance. Notre Dame dominated the men’s Trinity division final, with Nicholas Whiteman scoring six goals in a 10-4 win over SHAPE, and Magnolia secured the women’s Trinity division title with a 5-1 victory over Police, thanks to Natania Rowe’s brace.

Defence Force’s interim coach, Devorn Jorsling, emphasized the importance of securing a positive result in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup third-place playoff against Cibao FC from the Dominican Republic. The match, scheduled for November 25 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, holds significant stakes, as the winner will secure a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Caribbean Cup finalists, Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Universidad O&M FC, have already qualified for the Champions Cup and will play their first leg on the same day. The return legs for both the third-place playoff and the final are set for December 2. Defence Force, coming off a 5-1 defeat against Mount Pleasant in the semifinals’ first leg, showed resilience by winning the second leg 1-0. Jorsling acknowledged the need for a strategic shift in their approach, stating, ‘We’re not going to park the bus, but the approach will be different.’ He reiterated the team’s primary goal of qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup, a target that remains achievable. Veteran defender Sheldon Bateau, who joined the team in September, highlighted the challenges of adapting to local football after a decade in Europe. He expressed his commitment to mentoring younger players and elevating the team’s performance. The 21-man squad includes notable players like Kevin Molino, Kevon Goddard, and Shaquille Bertrand, who will be crucial in their quest for victory.

Prisons FC extended their flawless run in the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at the St James Police Barracks on November 23. Despite a less-than-polished performance, a decisive 70th-minute header by substitute Ricardo John propelled Prisons back to the top of the 12-team league table, displacing Club Sando to second place. The match, part of a double-header at the barracks, began with both teams aggressively seeking an early advantage. However, the game’s momentum shifted in the 31st minute when Rangers defender Abdul Lezama received a second yellow card for a needless handball, reducing his team to ten men. Rangers managed to hold off Prisons’ attacks until halftime, with winger Jeremiah Vidale’s close-range effort saved and his follow-up shot hitting the crossbar. The second half saw Rangers adopt a defensive stance, while Prisons relentlessly pressed forward. Despite several missed opportunities, including a disallowed goal for offside and two squandered chances by John, the breakthrough came in the 70th minute when John headed in a cross from Israel Williams. Rangers’ late substitution, Tyrique Sutherland, nearly equalized in the 89th minute, but his powerful strike narrowly missed the target. Prisons now face a stern test against MIC Central FC Reboot on November 29 at the Arima Velodrome. In the day’s earlier match, 2023/24 champions AC Port of Spain rallied to defeat Point Fortin Civic 2-1, moving up to fifth in the standings. Meanwhile, Defence Force secured a late 2-1 victory over 1976 FC Phoenix, and Police FC surged to a 4-2 win against FC Eagles, solidifying their third-place position.