The dream of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an abrupt end on November 13, as the national team played to a 1-1 draw against Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The result left TT with no chance of advancing, leaving approximately 20,000 fans disappointed and distraught. The match, part of the Concacaf World Cup qualifying Group B, saw TT finish with six points, unable to secure a top-two spot in the group. Curacao leads the group with 11 points, followed by Jamaica with ten. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed team enters an intercontinental play-off. Jamaica took the lead in the 53rd minute through Renaldo Cephas, but substitute Kevin Molino equalized in the 86th minute, briefly reigniting hope for the home crowd. However, TT’s inability to secure a second goal sealed their fate. Under the guidance of head coach Dwight Yorke, a legendary TT footballer, the team had shown promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. Yorke’s tenure brought renewed interest in local football, with packed stadiums and increased sponsorship. However, his frequent changes to the starting lineup and the exclusion of several experienced players drew criticism. The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with TT creating chances but failing to capitalize. Despite the late equalizer, the team’s World Cup aspirations were extinguished, leaving players and fans alike in despair as they exited the stadium into the cold Port of Spain night.
分类： sports
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Reggae Boyz ratings vs T&T: High marks for Cephas, but 4 and 5s awarded after poor showing
In a tense Concacaf World Cup qualifier on Thursday, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago. The result saw Jamaica relinquish their group lead to Curacao, setting the stage for a decisive clash in Tuesday’s finale. Renaldo Cephas broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a stunning solo effort, but Kevin Molino equalized for Trinidad & Tobago with a low drive in the 85th minute. The match, closely followed by Observer Online, highlighted both individual brilliance and missed opportunities. Goalkeeper Andre Blake made five crucial saves but was powerless to stop Molino’s strike. Ethan Pinnock and Isaac Hayden stood out with solid defensive and midfield contributions, while Bobby Reid’s lackluster performance raised questions about his role. Cephas, named Man of the Match, shone with his goal and relentless attacking efforts. Substitutes Dujuan Richards and Tyreece Campbell made notable impacts, but defensive lapses ultimately cost Jamaica the win. The Reggae Boyz now face a must-win scenario against Curacao to reclaim their position in the group.
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U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.
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Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser
The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.
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West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1
New Zealand clinched a decisive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the final T20 international on November 12, securing a series win in front of a lively crowd at the University Oval in Dunedin. Unlike the closely contested earlier matches in the five-game series, this encounter was one-sided, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a fiercely competitive battle between the two teams. The West Indies, needing a win to level the series after a rain-affected fourth game, struggled from the outset. They lost four wickets during the powerplay and were reeling at 48-5 before Roston Chase and Jason Holder staged a brief recovery with a 42-run partnership. However, their efforts were insufficient as the team was eventually bowled out for 140, thanks to a late flourish from Romario Shepherd, who scored 36 off 22 balls. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4-35. In response, the Black Caps chased down the target with ease, powered by Devon Conway’s 47 and Tim Robinson’s 45, sealing the win in just 16 overs. West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay, but praised the lower-order resilience. He emphasized the need for better mental preparation ahead of the upcoming One Day International series, which begins on Saturday.
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Captain looks to end series on high note
As the West Indies prepare to face New Zealand in the decisive fifth T20I on Thursday, captain Shai Hope has emphasized the need for a comprehensive team performance to secure a series draw. The Caribbean side began the series on a high note, clinching the opener by seven runs. However, narrow defeats in the subsequent two matches—by three and nine runs, respectively—left them trailing 2-1. The fourth T20I was abandoned due to rain, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all finale.
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CAS-tribunaal doet binnenkort uitspraak over Danilho Doekhi en Natio
As the Surinamese national football team gears up for crucial World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Guatemala, the Surinamese Football Association (SVB) is embroiled in a legal battle with FIFA. The dispute centers on the eligibility of Danilho Doekhi, a 27-year-old center-back for Union Berlin, to represent Suriname. The case, which has been ongoing for over a year, was recently brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent tribunal that resolves international sports disputes. A ruling is expected next week.
Doekhi’s request to play for Suriname was initially submitted to FIFA in mid-2022 but has been repeatedly denied. The defender, who recently scored twice in Union Berlin’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, ending the latter’s unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, could significantly bolster Suriname’s squad. However, FIFA’s approval is required due to Doekhi’s prior appearances for the Dutch youth team, Jong Oranje.
Brian Tevreden, General Manager of Suriname’s national teams, expressed optimism about the CAS ruling, citing a precedent involving Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who was granted permission to play for Indonesia. Tevreden criticized the prolonged delay in Doekhi’s case, stating, ‘It’s incomprehensible… It shows that Suriname is not taken seriously as a footballing nation.’
If the CAS rules in favor of the SVB, Doekhi will join the national team after the upcoming qualifiers. He has already expressed his willingness to play for Suriname, potentially participating in the World Cup finals or the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2024 in Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their spots in the playoffs, with other possible opponents including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
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Seaforth Wins IFBB Masters World Title in Malta
Melissa Seaforth, a celebrated IFBB Pro Bikini Fitness athlete and ambassador from Antigua, has triumphed at the IFBB Pro Masters World Championships in Malta, clinching the Masters Bikini title. This victory marks a significant addition to her already impressive 2025 season. Seaforth, who recently garnered gold in the Bikini Pro Masters Division and silver in the Bikini Pro Open Division at the IFBB Pro Grand Gala in Italy, described the win as an emotional and career-defining moment. “Winning a World Championship title at the Masters level is a tremendous honor,” she remarked. “It’s not only a historic achievement for Antigua and Barbuda but also a pivotal milestone in my professional bodybuilding journey.” Seaforth outperformed competitors from Russia, Spain, and Poland, securing her place at the top. Her next challenge will be at the IFBB Pro Bikini Fitness World Championships in Spain, where she will make her sixth consecutive appearance. With a bronze medal from the IFBB Grand Prix PEPA PRO in the Czech Republic on October 25, Seaforth is also a strong contender for Antigua and Barbuda’s Sportswoman of the Year.
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Shaneil Buckley transfers to FSU in NCAA
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican soccer sensation Shaneil Buckley has officially joined the prestigious Florida State University (FSU) women’s soccer team, a powerhouse in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in Buckley’s burgeoning career. Buckley, a former standout at Excelsior High, has already made waves in collegiate soccer during her time at Daytona State College. There, she earned the title of junior college All-American and clinched the winning goal in the 2024 national championship game. Over two seasons, Buckley showcased her exceptional talent by playing in 38 games, starting all but one, and amassing an impressive record of 38 goals and 17 assists, totaling 93 points. At just 20 years old, Buckley has also represented Frazsier Whip FC, a three-time national women’s club champion. Her move to FSU follows in the footsteps of fellow Jamaican Reggae Girl Jody Brown, who enjoyed a successful four-year stint at the Tallahassee-based university. Buckley’s transition to FSU is expected to further elevate her career and contribute to the team’s continued success in NCAA women’s soccer.
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Bunny Shaw nominated for Marta Award for best goal of 2024
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the captain of Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz, has been nominated for the prestigious Marta Award for her exceptional goal in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Hammarby in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on November 21, 2024. Shaw’s remarkable performance included two goals, one of which has been recognized as a contender for the award celebrating the most aesthetically significant goal of the year. The match was marred by an incident where Shaw appeared to be struck by an object, prompting UEFA to launch an investigation. Her nominated goal showcased her technical brilliance as she received a pass just outside the penalty area, skillfully evaded two defenders, and fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the net. The Marta Award, established in 2024, honors Brazilian football legend Marta, widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time. Shaw, 28, is Jamaica’s all-time leading scorer across both male and female categories with 57 goals and Manchester City’s top scorer with 67 goals. The award’s nominees include other standout players such as Jordyn Bugg, Mariona Caldentey, and Marta herself, who was nominated for the inaugural award. Meanwhile, the male equivalent, the Puskas Award, also announced its 11 nominees, featuring players like Declan Rice and Lamine Yamal. The winners will be determined through a voting process.