Strong fightback puts Boyz in semis
T&T eliminated after shock loss against Martinique
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC): AMAICA’S REGGAE Boyz remained on course for a spot in the semi-finals, as they rallied from two goals down to thump a defiant Guyana 4-2 in extra-time, in Group One action of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Scotia Bank Caribbean Cup on Tuesday night at the Leonora Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.
The game was locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
Canada-born Adrian Butters put the hosts ahead in the seventh minute and doubled the lead in the 29th, to leave the Reggae Boyz with a huge task on their hands at half-time.
But the reigning Caribbean Cup champions began their comeback in the 63rd
Jminute when New England Revolution’s Je-Vaughn Watson scored from close range and they were back on level terms when Dicoy Williams struck a timely equaliser at the death, netting in the 88th minute.
With the momentum behind them, Jamaica took control of the game in extra time with Shaun Francis and Cory Burke scoring within the space of six minutes late in the second period.
Jamaica and Suriname – which beat Guyana 3-2 – now both have three points and will face each other in a game which was rescheduled from October 5, due to the passage of Hurricane Matthew.
Organisers the Caribbean Football Williams ... Rescued Jamaica with 88th-minute equaliser. Union are yet to announce a date for the fixture, the winner of which will advance to the semi-finals.
DUMPED FROM TOURNAMENT
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago were dumped from the CFU tournament after they conceded twice in extra time, to go down 2-0 to hosts Martinique in Fort-de-France.
Playing in their last game of the third round at the Stade Pierre-Aliker, T&T failed to find a way past the French nation’s defence and scores were locked nil-all at the end of full-time.
The Soca Warriors were then stunned twice as Kevin Parsemain scored in the 105th minute and Steeven Langil in the 120th, to end the visitors’ chances of advancing to the final four.
T&T suffered a major setback before a ball was kicked when Orlando City forward Kevin Molino was dropped for the game due to disciplinary reasons. Then 15 minutes after the start, captain and talisman Kenwyne Jones limped off with injury.
Without them, T&T still managed to create a couple of chances with both Levi Garcia and Joevin Jones hitting the woodwork in the opening half.
The Warriors ended second on three points in Group Four, with unbeaten Martinique top with six points.
In San Juan, Curacao trounced Puerto Rico 4-2 at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium to capture Group Three with six points and advance to the final four.