分类： sports

The semifinal bracket for the JISA/Canopy Insurance National Under-12 Alberga Cup is now complete, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the youth football competition. Defending champions Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory have successfully kept their hopes alive for a remarkable double title achievement this season.

They are joined in the final four by a trio of formidable opponents: the consistently dominant Lannaman’s Prep, the ever-present Hillel Academy, and the impressive Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA). These teams secured their spots after a dramatic and action-packed quarterfinal group stage concluded on Saturday.

Emmanuel Christian Academy emerged as the most commanding team in the quarterfinals, achieving a flawless record. They swept all three of their Group B matches, amassing a perfect nine points to secure an automatic semifinal berth. The 2021 champions sealed their dominant run with a decisive 2-1 victory over Vaz Prep. The group’s other fixture saw Liberty Academy and Reach Academy play to a thrilling 3-3 draw, a result that eliminated both teams from contention for the best runner-up spot.

In another group, Lannaman’s Prep solidified their control with a powerful 5-0 triumph over St Andrew Prep, finishing atop their group with seven points. The battle for advancement, however, centered on the clash between Sts Peter and Paul and Christel House. Both teams needed a significant win to bolster their chances for the non-automatic qualifying position. The defending champions rose to the occasion, delivering a stunning 5-0 victory. This result gave them six points and a superior goal difference of +6, the best among all second-place finishers, thereby extending their title defense into the semifinals.

Meanwhile, 2023 finalists Hillel Academy secured top honors in Group C with a solid 2-0 win over St Hugh’s Prep. This outcome was complemented by Creative Kids’ 1-0 victory over Mona Prep, a loss that marks the end of Mona Prep’s long-standing streak of semifinal appearances.

The semifinal matches are scheduled for Wednesday at Liberty Academy. In a highly anticipated rematch of the Henriques Cup final, Lannaman’s Prep will face Sts Peter and Paul at 11:00 am. Immediately following at 12:30 pm, Emmanuel Christian Academy will square off against their neighbors, Hillel Academy. The tournament will culminate on Saturday at the American International School of Kingston (AISK) with the third-place play-off at 10:00 am and the championship final at 11:30 am.

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in Rabat amidst unprecedented controversy, with tournament officiating becoming the central narrative rather than the football itself. The final match between host nation Morocco and Senegal descended into chaos following a series of contentious decisions by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, culminating in a dramatic 20-minute delay as Senegalese players protested what they perceived as biased officiating.

The tournament’s defining moment occurred when Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the final moments of regular time, shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi. The disallowed goal, described by former French international referee Bruno Derrien as involving ‘very light contact,’ proved particularly controversial as video review might have validated the goal had play continued.

The penalty decision itself—awarded for El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz—was characterized by Derrien as questionable at a critical juncture when match tension was ‘enormous.’ Ndala’s management of the crisis drew criticism, particularly his passive response as Senegalese players left the pitch in protest, a violation of FIFA rules that could have resulted in multiple dismissals.

This final controversy capped three weeks of growing mistrust toward match officials. Earlier rounds saw Cameroon protest a overlooked penalty in their quarter-final defeat to Morocco, while Nigeria’s midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel labeled the refereeing in their semi-final ‘dreadful’ following questionable decisions.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui addressed the allegations of preferential treatment, stating: ‘Many people want to believe, or make others believe, that we get advantages from the referees. We are the team to beat, so people will try to find every possible reason to say that Morocco is favored.’

The aftermath has drawn response from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who condemned the behavior of some supporters and Senegalese staff while urging the Confederation of African Football to implement ‘appropriate measures.’ The controversies have notably tarnished a tournament otherwise praised for its organizational excellence, raising serious questions about refereeing standards in African football.

A pivotal Jamaica Premier League (JPL) double-header is set for Monday evening at Kingston’s Anthony Spaulding Complex, featuring four teams desperate to alter their fortunes in the second round of competition.

In the opening match at 5:30 pm, seventh-placed Tivoli Gardens confronts Molynes United, currently sitting 11th. This encounter presents a critical opportunity for Tivoli to re-enter the coveted top six with a victory. However, Molynes United enters the fixture with demonstrated resilience, having secured a 1-1 draw against Tivoli in their first-round meeting. Riding a wave of confidence from only one defeat in their previous seven outings, Molynes poses a significant threat to Tivoli’s ambitions.

The evening’s second clash at 7:30 pm pits Arnett Gardens against a struggling Waterhouse FC. Arnett arrives reeling from a demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Chapelton Maroons last week and is determined to orchestrate an immediate turnaround. Their campaign for redemption is bolstered by facing a Waterhouse squad they previously defeated 2-1 in the first round. Waterhouse FC, languishing in 10th place, faces a profound offensive crisis, having netted a mere six goals throughout their last eleven matches. Their path to climbing out of the bottom half of the table is unequivocally dependent on rediscovering their scoring form.

These simultaneous fixtures represent more than just points; they are tests of character and pivotal moments that could define the mid-season trajectory for each club involved.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — A constellation of Jamaican sprinting talent is poised to electrify the track at the upcoming BAUHAUS-galan Indoor meet this Thursday. The event, a prestigious stop on the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver circuit, will feature an impressive Jamaican contingent including world 100m silver medalist Kishane Thompson and the formidable Clayton twins, Tina and Tia.

The official start lists, released Monday, confirm the athletes’ participation, setting the stage for a high-caliber competition. The entry is headlined by Tia Clayton, who arrives in Stockholm boasting the current world-leading time in the 60m event. Clayton cemented her top status this past Saturday at the Anderson/Fuller meet held at GC Foster College in Jamaica, where she blazed to a new personal best of 7.02 seconds.

Her twin sister, Tina Clayton, a fellow World Championships silver medalist, adds further depth to the Jamaican delegation, promising a compelling narrative on the track.

On the men’s side, Kishane Thompson enters the competition in scintillating form. Fresh off a victory at the same Jamaican meet, Thompson clocked a time of 6.52 seconds in the 60m, a mark that currently ties him for the third-fastest time in the world this indoor season. This performance signals a strong return to form for the athlete, who experienced relay disappointment at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

The BAUHAUS-galan is now positioned as a critical early-season test for these elite athletes, offering a glimpse of their preparedness as the international athletics calendar progresses.

LONDON, United Kingdom — In a strategic move to address a critical defensive shortage, Manchester City Football Club has finalized the acquisition of English international Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The transfer, confirmed on Monday, involves a reported fee of £20 million (approximately $27 million) and commits the 26-cap England defender to a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

The signing arrives as a direct response to an ongoing injury crisis within City’s defensive lineup, which saw key center-backs John Stones, Rúben Dias, and Joško Gvardiol all absent during a recent 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. This marks the club’s second major signing of the January transfer window, following the £65 million procurement of Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Guehi, a product of Chelsea’s academy who captained Palace to their historic FA Cup victory against City last May, expressed profound enthusiasm regarding the transfer. ‘I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,’ he stated. ‘This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players.’

Manager Pep Guardiola lauded the club’s swift action in securing the highly sought-after defender, who was also a target for Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Guardiola emphasized the perfect timing of the acquisition, noting Guehi’s versatility and impending free-agent status at the season’s end. ‘A top central defender, playing for the national team… with the problems that we have in the back in the next few months it’s really, really important he’s here,’ Guardiola remarked.

The transfer effectively preempts a potential summer bidding war, as other suitors were reportedly planning approaches for Guehi upon the expiration of his Crystal Palace contract. This acquisition forms part of a broader, expensive squad rebuild overseen by Guardiola, following the departures of long-serving players like Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan. Currently positioned second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, City remains active in pursuit of silverware across the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s golf representatives, Zandre Roye and Oshae Haye, concluded their participation in the 11th Latin America Amateur Golf Championship (LAAC) in Lima, Peru, after failing to advance beyond the second-round cut threshold.

The championship culminated on Sunday with a thrilling finale that saw Argentina’s Mateo Pulcini (69, 68, 70, 68) and Venezuela’s Virgilio Paz Valdes (70, 73, 64, 68) finish tied at five under par 275—two strokes clear of their nearest competitor. The deadlock necessitated a dramatic playoff that extended to two holes before Pulcini secured victory, claiming the 2026 title before an enthusiastic audience.

Meanwhile, the Jamaican contenders faced considerable challenges throughout the competition. Roye commenced in 80th position after the initial round, with Haye positioned 101st. Both athletes struggled with the course’s demanding conditions, including unseasonably cold temperatures and the narrow fairways characteristic of the par-70 Lima Golf Club layout.

Roye finished with scores of 79 and 80 for a combined 19 over par 159, placing 96th overall. Haye recorded rounds of 83 and 80, totaling 23 over par 163, which positioned him 103rd. The cut was established at 56th place with a score of eight over par at the championship’s midpoint.

Despite the outcome, Roye expressed pride in representing Jamaica and optimism for future competitions. ‘I was performing well coming into the championship but didn’t execute as planned. The conditions were challenging, but I gained valuable experience and look forward to returning stronger next year,’ he remarked.

The tournament featured 107 golfers from 28 nations. This year’s champion earns an invitation to the Masters Tournament and exemptions into both The Open and the US Open.

BRIGHTON, United Kingdom — In a dramatic Premier League conclusion, Brighton & Hove Albion secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Monday evening after teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas delivered a spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time at Amex Stadium.

The match’s narrative was dominated by two pivotal moments: a controversial first-half penalty decision and a breathtaking equalizer. Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 32nd minute through Marcus Tavernier’s converted spot-kick, awarded after referee Paul Tierney reversed his initial decision to book Amine Adli for simulation following a VAR intervention.

The controversial sequence began when Tierney showed Adli a yellow card for an apparent dive after contact with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. VAR official Jarred Gillett instructed Tierney to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor, prompting the referee to rescind the booking and award a penalty instead. Tavernier calmly slotted home the resulting kick, igniting fury among Brighton supporters who directed chants of “you’re not fit to referee” at Tierney.

Bournemouth appeared destined to secure their first away victory in ten matches across all competitions until the 91st minute when Greek striker Kostoulas, aged 19 and signed from Olympiakos in July, produced a moment of pure brilliance. Connecting with Jan Paul van Hecke’s headed pass, Kostoulas executed a perfectly timed bicycle kick that soared into the top corner from 10 yards, leaving goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic helpless.

The result maintains Brighton’s three-point advantage over Bournemouth in the mid-table standings. For Bournemouth, it marked another frustrating concession late in a match—their 12th goal allowed in the final 15 minutes of second halves this season, the worst record in the Premier League.

Post-match reactions highlighted the emotional divide between the camps. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler expressed frustration with the penalty decision, stating: “It’s difficult to speak to the referees. They always have their own opinion. A touch and a contact is not enough, and that is what the referees said to us before the start of the season.”

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola lamented his team’s misfortune: “At the end, we are in that moment in the season when everything is against us. We don’t have this little bit of luck that you need. They scored an incredible goal, an overhead kick, top corner, and you finish with a point.”