分类： sports

The 2025 First Citizens ‘Big 5’ championship division playoffs kicked off with a bang on October 29, as Hillview College and Mucurapo West Secondary School delivered commanding performances in their respective matches. Hillview College, the east zone champions, made a resounding statement with a 7-0 thrashing of central champions Presentation College (Chaguanas). Olando La Fleur emerged as the star of the match, securing a hat-trick and leading his team to a dominant victory. Hillview’s relentless attack saw them score three goals in the first half, followed by four more in the second, extending their unbeaten streak this season. Meanwhile, Mucurapo West Secondary School overcame an early deficit to defeat southern champions Palo Seco Secondary 3-1. After trailing in the opening minutes, Mucurapo rallied with goals from Caleb Jacob and Eli Williams, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess. Both teams now look forward to their highly anticipated clash on November 1, which promises to be a thrilling encounter. The ‘Big 5’ playoffs determine the top three teams that will advance to the 2026 premier division season, adding high stakes to every match.

Trinidad and Tobago’s golf team showcased exceptional talent at the Caribbean Golf Association Four-Ball Championships, held at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The team secured an impressive haul of three gold and two bronze medals, marking a triumphant performance on the regional stage. The Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association (TTGA) expressed profound gratitude to its sponsors, whose support was instrumental in this achievement. In the women’s 25 and over division, Victoria Seenath and Tori De Freitas-Baptiste clinched gold, successfully defending their title against strong contenders from Jamaica and Bermuda. Gabriel Vanososte and Ryan Gomez, despite slipping to second place on the final day, claimed the overall gold in the mid-amateur men’s category, outperforming teams from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Wayne Baptiste and Richard “Pecos” Camacho also secured gold in the super senior men’s division, despite relinquishing their lead on the final day. Ingrid Seeberan and Emilie Ramsahai earned bronze in the women’s 45 and over category, while Clint Alfred and John Rampersad tied for third with Barbados in the senior men’s division. However, the men’s 70 and over team faced stiff competition and finished at the bottom of their category. The TTGA acknowledged the vital role of sponsors, including the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, SportTT, TSTT, and others, in ensuring the team’s success. Their contributions enabled the athletes to compete with pride and precision, underscoring Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to sporting excellence.

The stage is set for the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Men’s Qualifiers, with the draw scheduled for November 6. Trinidad and Tobago (TT) are among the 32 teams vying for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup. The qualifiers, set to take place from February 23 to March 4, 2026, will see teams divided into six groups based on their rankings as of August 5, 2025. TT finds itself in Pot 2, alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Suriname, while Pot 1 features powerhouses like Canada, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. The qualifiers will be hosted across venues in Costa Rica, Curacao, and Nicaragua, with the top team from each group advancing to the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in July 2026. There, they will join six pre-qualified teams: Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. The championships will feature 12 teams divided into three groups, with the top two from each group and the two best third-placed teams progressing to the quarterfinals. At the 2024 Concacaf Under-20 Championships, Mexico triumphed over the US in the final, while Cuba and Panama secured third and fourth places, respectively. However, both Mexico and the US were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, with Morocco claiming the title. TT’s journey in the 2024 qualifiers ended in disappointment after a loss to Canada. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Randolph Boyce, TT is hopeful for a favorable draw and a strong performance in the upcoming qualifiers.

The West Indies clinched a decisive 14-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20 match on October 29, 2025, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The win, achieved at the Bir Shreshta Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, was largely attributed to the team’s disciplined bowling performance, which restricted the hosts to 135/8 after posting a modest 149/9.

The TT Red Force coaching staff, led by Rayad Emrit, faces a challenging task in finalizing their squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament following an intense trial match at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, on October 28. The match, which showcased exceptional performances from multiple players, ended in a nail-biting finish with the Bryan Charles XI edging out the Vikash Mohan XI by a mere one run.

The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) women’s football team faced a challenging return to the pitch after a year-long hiatus, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against Jamaica in a friendly match at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva, on October 28. Despite the loss, co-coach Damian Briggs emphasized the positive takeaways, viewing the game as a crucial step in their preparation for the upcoming Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The match marked TT’s first competitive outing in over a year, and the team showed glimpses of potential, particularly in the first half when Nikita Gosine equalized with a stunning strike after Jody Brown had given Jamaica an early lead. However, Jamaica dominated the second half, scoring three unanswered goals, including a fortuitous second for Brown in the closing minutes. Briggs praised his team’s energy and adaptability, highlighting the importance of learning from the experience as they aim to rebuild and refine their style of play. The TT squad, featuring a mix of local and overseas-based players, will next face Barbados on November 30 in their opening Concacaf qualifier. Briggs remains optimistic, stressing the need for continuous improvement and fitness as they navigate a challenging qualifying campaign.

The West Indies cricket team clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20 series against Bangladesh with a 14-run victory in the second game, held on October 29 in Chattogram. Fast bowler Romario Shepherd was awarded Player of the Match for his stellar performance, taking 3/29, as the visitors defended their total of 149/9. The Windies’ innings was anchored by half-centuries from skipper Shai Hope (55) and Alick Athanaze (52), who built a solid 105-run partnership for the second wicket. Despite a valiant effort from Bangladesh’s opener Tanzid Hasan (61), the hosts fell short, managing only 135/8 in their chase. The West Indies’ bowling attack, led by Akeal Hosein (3/22), Shepherd, and Jason Holder (2/20), proved decisive in restricting Bangladesh. The final T20 of the series is scheduled for October 31.