分类： sports

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Youth Football League (YFL) Junior Cup Under-11 rural competition concluded successfully at the Kirkvine Sports Complex on Saturday, defying the threat of rain. El Instituto de Mandevilla emerged victorious, securing their fourth consecutive rural championship and solidifying their dominance in the region. The event showcased the growing enthusiasm for grassroots football, with first-time participants Bartons Primary and Fullerswood Primary adding to the competitive spirit. Coach Andrew Ellison of Fullerswood Primary commended the event’s organization and emphasized the importance of sports in fostering teamwork and academic growth among children. Despite last-minute withdrawals from Howard Cooke Primary and Corinaldi Avenue Primary, the tournament proceeded smoothly, thanks to the efforts of organizer Paula Pinnock and her team. A highlight of the day was the Gears for Greatness initiative, which provided football gear to underprivileged players, ensuring their full participation. The all-island finals are set for October 18, 2025, at the Constant Spring football field, with an admission fee of $1,000 for adults and $500 for children. The award ceremony for the urban, rural, and all-island competitions will follow the finals.

In a remarkable display of resilience, West Indies opener John Campbell and Shai Hope delivered centuries to revive their team’s fortunes in the second Test against India at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Campbell, scoring his maiden Test century with 115 runs, partnered with Hope, who contributed 103, to forge a crucial 177-run stand. This effort came after India enforced the follow-on, leaving West Indies in a precarious position at 35-2 in their second innings. The duo’s partnership, along with late contributions from Justin Greaves (50 not out) and Jayden Seales (32), propelled West Indies to a total of 390, setting India a modest target of 121. Despite India’s strong position at 63-1 by the end of day four, Campbell remained optimistic about the potential for an early breakthrough on the final day. Reflecting on his performance, Campbell acknowledged the challenges posed by India’s bowlers and the unpredictable pitch, expressing hope that this resurgence signals a positive turn for West Indies cricket, which has struggled with batting collapses in recent matches, including a record low of 27 against Australia earlier this year.

In a tense showdown at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad on Tuesday, Trinidad and Tobago managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Curacao in their pivotal Concacaf World Cup qualification Group B match. The game, a rematch of their September encounter in Port of Spain, saw both teams replicate the same scoreline, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Curacao struck first in the 19th minute, courtesy of Kenji Gorre, who capitalized on a defensive error by Trinidad and Tobago. A missed clearance allowed Gorre to slot the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Curacao an early advantage. However, Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyrese Spicer, fresh off a double against Bermuda last Friday, equalized in the 58th minute with a well-executed goal, ensuring his team walked away with a hard-fought point.

The draw leaves Bermuda at the top of the group with eight points, while Trinidad and Tobago trails with five. The result underscores the competitive nature of the group, with both teams still in contention for a spot in the next round of World Cup qualifiers. The match highlighted the resilience of Trinidad and Tobago, who bounced back from an early setback to secure a crucial result on the road.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz surged to a 3-0 lead against Bermuda by halftime in their Concacaf World Cup qualification Group B match. The game, held at the National Stadium in Kingston on Tuesday, saw Jamaica capitalize on a series of rapid-fire goals within an 11-minute span during the first half. The scoring spree began with an unfortunate own goal by Bermuda’s Dante Leverock in the 24th minute, followed by precise finishes from Bobby Fray in the 26th minute and Shamar Nicholson shortly after. Despite a slow start, Jamaica’s momentum shifted dramatically after Leverock’s own goal, allowing the Reggae Boyz to dominate the game. Renaldo Cephas played a pivotal role, using his blistering pace to dismantle Bermuda’s defense and set up opportunities for his teammates. The hosts, who had previously secured a 4-0 victory in Bermuda, demonstrated their superiority once again, leaving Bermuda struggling to regain composure. With this performance, Jamaica has solidified its position as a strong contender in the World Cup qualification campaign.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Jamaica reclaimed the top spot in Group B of the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers with a resounding 4-0 victory over Bermuda. The match, held at the National Stadium in Kingston on Tuesday, showcased Jamaica’s ability to bounce back after a previous setback against Curacao.

Jamaica’s triumph was marked by a dominant first half, where they netted three goals within an 11-minute span. The scoring spree began with an own goal by Bermuda’s Dante Leverock in the 24th minute, followed by goals from Bobby Fray in the 26th minute and Shamar Nicholson. Leverock’s unfortunate header past his own goalkeeper set the tone, while Renaldo Cephas played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for his teammates.

The second half saw Dujuan Richards, who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, add a fourth goal in the 76th minute. Richards, who replaced the injured Demarai Gray, showcased his agility and determination by dribbling through Bermuda’s defense and scoring despite being challenged by three defenders.

This victory propelled Jamaica to nine points, one ahead of Curacao, while Trinidad and Tobago remained in third place with five points. Bermuda, yet to secure a point, were officially eliminated from contention. Earlier in the day, Trinidad and Tobago managed a 1-1 draw against Curacao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad.

Jamaica’s performance was a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess, setting a strong foundation for their continued campaign in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Lenworth Hyde, a legendary figure in Jamaican school football, is set to face his former team, Clarendon College, in a highly anticipated ISSA DaCosta Cup Round of 32 match. Hyde, who has been associated with Clarendon College since the mid-1970s and led them to multiple DaCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, and Olivier Shield titles, is now in his first season as head coach of Dinthill Technical. Despite his deep ties to Clarendon College, Hyde insists that Wednesday’s game is purely about football. ‘We are going there to win a football game, as we are hoping to go far into this competition,’ Hyde told Observer Online on Monday. Historically, matches between these two schools have drawn thousands of spectators and significant media attention, thanks to the high-caliber players on both sides. Between 1977 and 1981, the two schools combined for four DaCosta Cup wins, with two each. Both teams secured victories in their opening Round of 32 games on Saturday, with Dinthill Technical edging Port Antonio High 1-0 and Clarendon College dominating York Castle High 3-0. Hyde, who played for Clarendon College between 1975 and 1977, recalled intense battles against Dinthill Technical during his playing days, noting, ‘We always won that game,’ but acknowledged it was always a tough contest.

In a significant development in international football, Taylor Hinds, the 26-year-old defender, has decided to represent England in upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Australia, marking a shift from her previous commitment to Jamaica. Born in England, Hinds had previously played for Jamaica in a friendly match against France last year, having also represented England at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels. Her eligibility to switch national teams stems from her not having played a competitive match for Jamaica, thus not being bound by FIFA’s nationality rules. Hinds, who recently transferred from Liverpool to Arsenal, expressed her dual pride in her heritage and her excitement about the new opportunity with England. She emphasized her respect and gratitude towards Jamaica for their support and understanding. However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans criticizing her for switching allegiances. Jamaica’s head coach, Hubert Busby, has yet to comment publicly, stating he will address the matter at an upcoming press conference.