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.
分类： sports
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Windies look to rebound in ODIs against New Zealand
The West Indies cricket team is set to face New Zealand in the first of a three-match ODI series at Hagley Oval on November 15, starting at 9 pm TT time. This encounter follows a disappointing 3-1 loss in the T20 series against the Black Caps. The Caribbean squad is eager to turn their fortunes around in the 50-over format, despite a recent 2-1 ODI series defeat to Bangladesh in late October. This series marks the penultimate engagement for the West Indies in the 2025 season, with a three-match Test series against New Zealand scheduled for December to conclude their multi-format tour. The team has bolstered their lineup with the return of opener John Campbell after a six-year hiatus, along with the inclusion of fast bowlers Johann Layne and Shamar Springer, both making their ODI debuts. All-rounder Matthew Forde also rejoins the squad following a shoulder injury sustained during the T20 series. The Windies last tasted ODI success in August with a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in the Caribbean, following a 3-0 loss to England in May. A series win against New Zealand would mean the West Indies have secured two out of their four ODI series this year. The squad, led by captain Shai Hope, includes a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, all aiming to make a significant impact in the upcoming matches.
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THE RIGHT CHOICE
In a tense FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica’s head coach Steve McClaren faced scrutiny following a 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). The result, which left Jamaican supporters frustrated, raised questions about McClaren’s tactical decisions, particularly his starting lineup. McClaren opted to start Rumarn Burrell over Shamar Nicholson, a striker known for his crucial goals against Caribbean opponents. Burrell struggled to make an impact, partly due to limited midfield support, while Nicholson remained on the bench. Additionally, Mason Holgate was deployed at right back instead of Dexter Lembikisa, a decision that backfired as Holgate was repeatedly tested by T&T’s Tyrese Spicer. McClaren defended his choices, citing the need to protect players with yellow cards ahead of their decisive home game against Curaçao. He expressed confidence in his team’s resilience, despite T&T’s late equalizer. Meanwhile, T&T head coach Dwight Yorke criticized Jamaica’s cautious approach, suggesting they relied on gamesmanship rather than their usual aggressive style. The draw leaves Jamaica needing a victory over group leaders Curaçao to secure automatic qualification from Group B.
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Windies Under-19s ready for Youth ODI series versus England
The West Indies Under-19 men’s cricket team is set to intensify their preparations for the 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup with a seven-match Youth One-Day International (ODI) series against England’s Under-19 squad. The series will take place from November 16 to December 1 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. This encounter marks a pivotal step in the young Windies’ journey as they aim to fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of the global tournament. The 16-member squad features two standout Trinidadian players, Aadian Racha and Brendan Boodoo, the latter having recently clinched the TT Cricket Board’s Best Youth Player of the Year award. The team also welcomes back DeShawn James from injury, alongside newcomers Tanez Francis and Kunal Tilokani, who earned their spots following stellar performances in the regional Under-17 tournament. While Afraz Ali Buhdoo, Micah Greenidge, and Pajay Nelson will miss this series, they remain part of a broader player pool from which the final World Cup squad will be selected. Additionally, the talented duo of batsman Jewel Andrew and leg-spinner Micah McKenzie, both selected for the Leewards Islands Hurricanes in the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament, are expected to bolster the Windies’ future prospects. Coach Rohan Nurse highlighted the team’s resilience during their recent 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka, emphasizing the importance of maintaining intensity in batting, bowling, and fielding. He stressed the need for players to convert starts into substantial scores and to clearly define their roles within the team. The series against England promises to be a critical test for the young Windies as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
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Youth Transformation and Rehab Centre make basketball return
The Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTRC) marked a significant milestone with their return to competitive school basketball at the Elevate 3×3 Secondary Schools Basketball Championship. The event, held at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua on November 14, saw YTRC re-enter the fray after years of absence from formal competition. Historically a dominant force in the East Zone Secondary Schools Basketball League, YTRC has previously clinched multiple zonal titles and represented the zone at national championships. Their participation in this year’s tournament underscores their commitment to using sports as a transformative tool for youth development. In recent years, YTRC has integrated 3×3 basketball into its rehabilitative framework, organizing events like the R³ 3×3 Invitational tournament to foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership among its residents. The Elevate 3×3 Championship, a national tournament, features top young talent across four divisions: Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 male, and open female. YTRC will compete in the Under-20 and female categories, showcasing players from their active basketball programmes. The TT Prison Service, which oversees YTRC, continues to emphasize the role of structured sports and education in rehabilitation, viewing athletics as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and societal reintegration.
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Football giants indeed
The San Fernando Giants, one of the longest-surviving active football clubs, recently celebrated their 75th anniversary with a series of commemorative events. The celebrations included a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church and an awards ceremony held in the church hall on November 1. This milestone highlights the club’s remarkable journey, sustained by community spirit and volunteerism rather than corporate sponsorship.
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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.