The playoff game between the top two teams were on the way at 6:30pm with Honduras’ La Ceiba FC taking on the Cuban National Team, who needed to win to gain the automatic zone C winners spot. Cuba notched the first goal around minute 21 and doubled the lead before halftime. A third goal defined the contest but the majority of the second half was smarted by flopping, appeals for cards, bad acting, and rank indiscipline from both teams who let the usually high standard of play slip to below average. Honduras hit back with a penalty and a well-taken strike from the edge of the box to make it close until another Cuban goal sealed the fate, 4-2.
In our game against the Bahamian Tottenham Hotspurs, HVFC strode out confidently to take full command from the second minute as Kellijah Morgan turned his marker to smack a torrid 26-yard right-footed drive out of the reach of the goalkeeper to get the ball rolling. A minute later a coordinated three-man passing move from Jacob Lazarus to Kellijah Morgan teed up overlapping midfielder, Jamone Shepherd to slot home, 2-0. Third was not long in coming in minute 9, as Kellijah Morgan registered his second to make it 3-0. Lack of concentration and loose passing infected the team play as the game became too easy, until Shawn Daley scored from distance on his third attempt, 4-0.
Three substitutions at halftime helped to regain the focus as the rampage continued as goals from Jamone Shepherd, Ron-jay Watson twice, Demario Thorne, and Ronaldo Clarke made it 9-0 much to the satisfaction of the Jamaican contingent draped with flags, dancing, beating drums and cheering wildly in expressions of joy.
The minor goal was achieved, inflicting the largest margin of victory in the tournament so far, but we
missed our major objective of advancing from the group after 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
We traveled very early this morning to the Grand Cayman Island for the semi-finals and finals on the weekend.