分类： sports

In a nail-biting encounter at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 5, the West Indies clinched a narrow seven-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20 of their five-match series. Despite a valiant late surge from New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, who smashed an unbeaten 55 off just 28 balls, the West Indies held their nerve to secure the win. Sent in to bat first, the West Indies posted a competitive total of 164 for six, with Shai Hope leading the charge with a well-crafted 53 off 39 deliveries. Contributions from Rovman Powell (33 off 23) and Roston Chase (28 off 27) further bolstered the innings. The West Indies’ bowlers, spearheaded by Jayden Seales (3 for 32) and Man of the Match Roston Chase (3 for 26), initially dismantled the New Zealand batting lineup, reducing them to 107 for nine in the 17th over. However, Santner’s explosive hitting, including eight fours and two sixes, nearly turned the game on its head. Needing 20 runs off the final over, Santner managed a six off Romario Shepherd but fell short of the target as New Zealand finished on 157 for nine. This victory marked the West Indies’ first away win against New Zealand since 2008 and the lowest total successfully defended at Eden Park in T20 internationals. The second T20 is scheduled for November 6 at the same venue.

The TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) is considering adjustments to its third match day of the 2025/26 season to facilitate the national men’s football team’s preparations for the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Acting CEO Yale Antoine announced the potential changes in a memo to tier one clubs on November 3, following a request from national team coach Dwight Yorke. The proposed adjustments would see the national team engage in a practice match against a TTPFL select XI on November 7, while the league’s match day three fixtures are tentatively rescheduled for November 9. This move aims to provide the national team with crucial practice ahead of their qualifiers against Jamaica and Bermuda on November 13 and 18, respectively. The TTPFL has also been addressing logistical challenges, including flight delays that postponed the season’s opening match between Terminix La Horquetta Rangers and 1976 FC Phoenix. The league is working to finalize travel and accommodation arrangements for Phoenix, who are set to host MIC Central FC Reboot in Tobago. Antoine emphasized the importance of the qualifiers for Trinidad and Tobago’s football landscape, highlighting the opportunity to enhance the country’s standing on the regional and global stage. Further updates on the rescheduling and practice match are expected on November 4.

Dexter Ali, a 55-year-old endurance athlete, recently completed a grueling 130-kilometer run across Trinidad, from Galeota to Chaguaramas, in an impressive 20 hours and 36 minutes. The journey, which began on November 1 at 5:50 PM, tested Ali’s physical and mental limits, particularly during the challenging Manzanilla stretch, where he battled strong winds and fatigue. Despite moments of doubt and physical pain, Ali persevered, fueled by the unwavering support of his family, friends, and coach, Derrick Simon. His wife, Leah-Marie Ali, joined him for the final 30 kilometers, while his children and other supporters provided encouragement along the way. Ali’s success was also attributed to a well-organized support crew, which supplied essentials like water, Gatorade, and food, as well as Simon’s rigorous nine-month training program. However, the extreme effort took its toll, with Ali spending the night in the hospital for fluid replenishment. His coach emphasized that such an endeavor requires years of preparation and should not be attempted lightly. Ali, a veteran of two ironman events, remains passionate about pushing his limits, though his family hopes he will retire from such extreme challenges.

San Juan North Secondary School’s hopes of avoiding relegation in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division took a hit after a dramatic late equalizer from Signal Hill Secondary on November 4. The match, held at San Juan North’s home ground in Bourg Mulatresse, ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving San Juan perilously close to the relegation zone. San Juan had taken the lead in the 28th minute through Malique Marrast and seemed poised to secure a crucial victory. However, Immanuel Wright’s stoppage-time goal for Signal Hill dashed their hopes, leaving San Juan just one point above the bottom three. With the season nearing its conclusion, the bottom three teams will be demoted to the championship division. Signal Hill, currently tenth in the standings, still have seven matches remaining and could climb into the top five with a strong finish. The season has been challenging for Signal Hill, with many of their matches postponed due to transportation issues between Trinidad and Tobago. The standings show St Benedict’s leading the table with 33 points, while San Juan North languishes in 13th place with only 10 points.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force cricket team is poised to make history as they prepare to compete in the Bolivarian Games for the first time later this month in Peru. Led by captain Vikash Mohan and vice-captain Andrew Rambaran, the team will participate in the T20 cricket competition, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the region. Team manager Omar Khan emphasized the importance of this opportunity, describing it as both a proud moment and a golden chance to represent Trinidad and Tobago on the international stage. Khan also highlighted the potential long-term benefits, suggesting that this event could pave the way for future opportunities, including potential Olympic qualification when cricket returns to the Games in Los Angeles. The Bolivarian Games will feature a T20 format, with teams from the West Indies, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, and Anguilla, joining host nation Peru and possibly one of Argentina or Brazil. Khan noted the growing global interest in cricket, fueled by the rise of franchise leagues worldwide, which has created more opportunities for young players to showcase their talents. The Red Force squad, which includes head coach Earnil Ryan and assistant coaches Keston Harripesad and Adrian Ali, is set to depart for Peru on November 19 or 20. The team is eager to perform, knowing that their efforts could lay the foundation for the nation’s and the region’s future involvement on an Olympic stage.