KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a thrilling encounter at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao emerged victorious with a 2–0 win against Jamaica in the final round of the Concacaf World Cup qualification Group B. The match, held on Friday, showcased intense competition and skill from both sides. Curacao’s head coach, Dick Advocaat, lauded the efforts of both teams, emphasizing the high level of play throughout the game. Advocaat highlighted Curacao’s strong start and Jamaica’s resilient second-half performance, describing the match as a testament to the quality of both teams. He acknowledged that timing was crucial in securing the win, stating, ‘We were lucky at the right time to score 2–0.’ Additionally, Advocaat expressed his satisfaction with the enthusiastic fan support, which added to the electric atmosphere of the game.
分类： sports
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Malabar Youngstars, Maloney maintain unbeaten records in EFA
The Eastern Football Association (EFA) 2025 season continues to showcase thrilling performances, with Malabar Youngstars leading the charge. On October 5, the defending champions delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Heatwave FC at the Arima Velodrome, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches. Midfielder Abraham Martin starred with a brace, supported by goals from Kendell Borneo, Jeromy Joseph, and veteran striker Ricardo John. Youngstars now sit comfortably atop Group A with 19 points, four points clear of CPC Athletic International Academy, who made a statement of their own with a 7-0 thrashing of SKHY FC. Malachi Woodley’s hat-trick led CPC’s dominant display, complemented by Isaiah Isaac’s brace and contributions from Koby Morin and Damon Sankar. Meanwhile, Athletic United secured a 6-1 win over La Horquetta XF, with Jeneke Danzell netting a hat-trick. In Group B, FC Maloney maintained their perfect record with a narrow win over Wallerfield United, while Eastern Connect FC stumbled with a 2-2 draw against Trincity Nationals. FC Porto Arima and CG Poseidon also secured victories, setting the stage for the upcoming “Big 8” knockout stage starting October 26. The EFA final on November 9 will crown the champions, who will take home a $15,000 prize.
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Three players hit fifites, but rain spoils party in Super50 trials
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force hopefuls faced a setback in their preparations for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament as rain disrupted the National Senior 50-Overs Cup matches on October 8. At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, the Scarlet Blazers were in a strong position against the Cocrico Warriors, posting 271 for five in 43.3 overs before the weather intervened. Key contributions came from Jeremy Solozano, who scored a solid 76 off 81 balls, and captain Joshua Da Silva, who retired hurt after a brisk 57 off 46 deliveries. Vikash Mohan also impressed with a half-century, scoring 51 off 50 balls. However, the Blazers’ innings was cut short, leaving their momentum incomplete. Meanwhile, at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, the match between the Soca Strikers and Steelpan Titans was entirely washed out. Both teams had previously secured victories on the opening day of the tournament on October 4. The final preliminary round matches are now scheduled for October 15, with the Titans set to face the Warriors at the NCC and the Blazers taking on the Strikers at the BLCA. These matches serve as crucial preparation for players aiming to secure spots in the Red Force squad for the upcoming Super50 tournament.
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Chairman of selectors : Red Force can win Super50 Cup
Rajendra Mangalie, the newly appointed chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s national selectors, has expressed confidence in the TT Red Force’s ability to clinch the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG United Super50 Cup title. The tournament is set to commence in Trinidad this November, and Mangalie, a former opening batsman for Trinidad and Tobago, is optimistic about the team’s chances, particularly given their home advantage. Mangalie, who is joined on the selection committee by Frank Simmons, David Mohammed, Ricardo Paty, and head coach Rayad Emrit, emphasized the importance of assembling a balanced team to continue their proud record in the competition. The Red Force are the defending champions, having won the title in 2023 after a controversial finish last year saw the final forfeited by both Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions. Mangalie highlighted the strong performances in the ongoing trial matches, noting the impressive contributions from players like Abdul-Raheem Toppin, Shaaron Lewis, and Tion Webster, who have already made their mark. He also praised the mix of youth and experience in the squad, which he believes will be crucial in maintaining their dominance in the limited-overs format. Despite the abundance of talent, Mangalie acknowledged the challenges of selecting the final squad but remains focused on giving Trinidad and Tobago the best chance to lift the trophy once more.
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RBC Royal Slam Basketball tips off
The inaugural RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament officially launched last weekend with a dynamic opening ceremony at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. This landmark event represents a significant investment in youth sports and education across the region, aiming to elevate school basketball and nurture athletic talent. Organized in collaboration with Next Level Performance (NLP) and the TT Schools Basketball Association (TTSBA), the tournament features seven top college basketball programs competing over four weekends. Key stakeholders, including Garvin Warwick of NLP, Allison Bastian of TTSBA, and Marc Jardine of RBC, attended the ceremony. Jardine emphasized RBC’s commitment to fostering excellence and community development through sports, stating, ‘This tournament is a direct investment in the future leaders and athletes of TT.’ Warwick highlighted the event’s broader mission to showcase top talent and provide collegiate pathways for athletes. The opening day saw thrilling matchups, with St Mary’s College narrowly defeating Presentation 94-91, led by Nkobi Ince’s 33 points, and Fatima College dominating Holy Cross College 118-72, powered by Idriis Martin’s 26 points. The tournament continues with doubleheaders on October 11 and 12.
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Dutch-born Payne ready to rumble with Trinidad and Tobago
Dutch-born right-back Deron Payne is set to make his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago as the team prepares for a pivotal FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bermuda on October 10. The match, scheduled for 6 PM at the Bermuda National Stadium in Devonshire, marks a significant moment for Payne, who has chosen to represent the country of his father’s birth.
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Yorke: Time for Trinidad and Tobago to deliver
Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team, led by coach Dwight Yorke, is gearing up for a crucial match against Bermuda in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US on the horizon, Yorke is confident his squad is ready to elevate their game and secure a spot in the prestigious tournament. Currently, TT sits third in Group B with one point, trailing Jamaica (six points) and Curacao (four points). The team is eager to claim their first victory and goals in the final round when they face Bermuda on October 10 at the Bermuda National Stadium. Yorke, who assumed the coaching role in November 2024, emphasized the intense competition within the squad and expressed optimism about their progress. ‘This is my squad now,’ he stated, highlighting the team’s growing confidence and cohesion. The 26-man roster includes standout players like captain Kevin Molino, goalkeeper Denzil Smith, and forward Levi Garcia, alongside new additions such as Slovakia-based midfielder Molik Jesse Khan and Dutch-born right-back Deron Payne. Yorke stressed the importance of securing three points against Bermuda, acknowledging the challenges ahead but remaining focused on the immediate task. The team arrived in Bermuda on October 8 after an intense training camp in Miami, where Yorke and his staff worked diligently to prepare the squad for the upcoming matches. With the group stage’s top three teams automatically qualifying for the World Cup, TT is determined to make their mark and advance to the next stage of the competition.
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Beach soccer makes big return in Barbados
After a prolonged hiatus, beach soccer made a spectacular comeback in Barbados with the launch of the inaugural Barbados Beach Soccer Championship last Sunday. Organized by the Sports Development Unit under the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, the tournament commenced at Brighton Beach and is set to continue until November 16. The championship will feature 28 teams competing across three iconic beaches—Brighton, Brandons, and Browne’s—with over $20,000 in prizes up for grabs, including a grand $10,000 cash reward for the champions. The opening day delivered an electrifying start, with six action-packed matches showcasing skill, intensity, and breathtaking goals. Among the standout performances, the Sundown Ballers dominated Trident Spurs with a commanding 9-2 victory, thanks to braces from Eric Joseph and Duan Best, along with contributions from Clairmonte Callender and Jayden Mayers. The Beach Blitzers also impressed, overpowering Island Fusion 7-3, with Rashad Smith scoring four goals. Other notable matches included the Sunset Chasers’ 6-2 triumph over Soca Stormers, Full Volley’s 6-1 rout of Crop Over Kings, and a nail-biting penalty shootout victory by the Tiki Tacklers over Bajan Heat. The championship promises to be a thrilling showcase of beach soccer talent and passion.
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CWI restarts coaching courses in Leeward Islands and SVG
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has reignited its commitment to nurturing a robust pool of high-quality cricket coaches across the Caribbean by launching the second round of its Foundation Level and Refreshers Coaching Courses. This initiative, which began in Antigua and Barbuda on October 2 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, is strategically timed to align with the anticipated restart of primary schools and community-based grassroots cricket programs. The sessions are scheduled to continue in Montserrat, the British and US Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, and conclude in St Vincent on October 30.
Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, ‘The continuation of these courses underscores CWI’s dedication to enhancing coaching talent and fortifying cricketing infrastructure throughout the region. By investing in coaching education at this foundational stage, we are laying the groundwork for the sustainable growth and future success of cricket in the Caribbean.’
Bascombe further highlighted the broader impact of this effort, noting that well-trained coaches are essential for flagship programs like the Republic Bank Limited (RBL) Five for Fun Cricket and the Girls Under-16/19 Territorial Cricket Hub initiatives. These programs are pivotal in inspiring the next generation of cricketers and fostering mass participation in the sport.
The coaching courses are led by Brendon Ramlal and Keshava Ramphal, both Level 3 certified coaches with extensive experience in age-group cricket development and education systems in Trinidad and Tobago. Their expertise spans critical areas such as child protection, analytics, tactical awareness, physical fitness, and effective communication.
In a move to prioritize the safety and well-being of young players, all participants are required to complete the UNICEF Child Protection Course and attend a virtual Cricket Safeguarding and Child Protection Workshop before commencing the program. These measures ensure that coaches are equipped to create a secure and supportive environment for player development.
Previously, CWI successfully conducted these courses in Dominica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Grenada (including Carriacou), Jamaica, and Barbados, engaging over 150 participants. These efforts are designed to empower current and aspiring coaches with the skills necessary to cultivate young talent and drive the growth of cricket at the grassroots level.
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Column: Binnen handbereik!
Suriname’s national football team, Natio, is on the brink of two pivotal matches in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers. Surprisingly leading the group with 4 points from 2 matches, Natio has become the team to beat, bringing immense pressure. Previous opponents underestimated Suriname, labeling them as an easy adversary, but the tables have turned. Now, every effort will be made to thwart Natio’s advance to the coveted final round. The upcoming matches will be decisive for both the group leader and regional football powers in the race for the World Cup ticket. Securing at least 4 points in this window would bring the World Cup within reach, but the pressure to perform is undoubtedly immense for Natio.
As athletes approach critical moments, the pressure to perform is normal, but its intensity varies with the stakes. The key is to manage this pressure effectively to achieve the desired performance. If players cannot handle the pressure appropriately, it may lead to disappointing results. Natio’s management must focus on the mental well-being of the players to ensure they are not overwhelmed but can cope optimally. Although they are professionals, the prospect of playing for a ticket to the world’s most significant football event is new to them, and emotions could play a significant role. The growing belief among fans could also unsettle the players.
Natio is currently stronger than ever. Not only has the team added more professionals since the start of this journey, but the staff has also seen a remarkable quality boost with the arrival of Henk Fraser. Progress has been evident since the Gold Cup for those who look beyond just the results. Even players who were initially skeptical about joining the project now see their chance to contribute and reap the rewards. The players are undoubtedly eager to complete the task and add a World Cup participation to their achievements.
Opponents’ fear of Natio is evident from their behavior and statements on and off the field. Natio was unfairly treated in El Salvador, and Guatemalan representatives made derogatory remarks on social media after a scouting visit. Naive self-proclaimed presenters gave journalists from opposing teams a platform to reveal Natio’s team composition and key players. While many believe they are contributing in their own ways, caution is advised with such revelations made by individuals linked to the opponents. Natio’s staff should focus on their own strengths and deliver solid performances to secure the necessary results.