Fourth placed finish is commendable at any international tournament with two teams each from the Cayman Island, USA, UK and Jamaica.
Good that both Jamaican clubs advanced from the preliminary Zones as a winner and second placed. Doing so convincingly ahead of both USA and Cayman Island Academy’s.
Congratulations to Cavalier SC who won the semifinal battle between both Jamaican clubs and advanced to the final to lift the trophy by 2-0 over a high quality possessive Tottenham Hotspurs Academy, who could not finish after penetrating the parked bus of the ‘Duncan Destroyers’.
Cavaliers’ counter-attacking tactic worked well for them to become champions as they were well served by speedy players who scored their chances.
Second placed Tottenham was without doubt the best team at the tournament, small in statue but with excellent ball-handling skill sets, mastering of ball control, vast knowledge of positional role plays, preserving the lost effectiveness of the wingers aided by penetrative midfield dribbling and overlapping wing backs.
HVFC players and the ‘Spurs’ bonded immediately on and off the field, as the familiarity of styles and philosophy was evident. It is believed that the 3-2 game between both clubs was regarded as probably the best game of the tournament with end to end none stop action, 5 goals and an abundance of genuine football artistry on display in an all out open contest devoid of physical confrontations, just matching of ball skills by youngsters learning the art of football.
HVFC, promised much but disappointed to deliver at the final stages. Hitting the goal frame 10 times and missing an accumulated 15 one on one opportunities within the box, tells the tale of attacking possibilities while scoring 10 goals. Defensively, we gave up simple goals from our own errors early in 3 of our 5 games hence chasing in 4 of the 5 games. We caught up with both REV Soccer and Gillingham FC to draw 1-1. Both finalist we did not catch but lost to 2-3 and 0-2 respectively. Needless to say, the only game we led we won it handsomely by 6-0.
Defensively is where we failed, as our defensive structure was disrupted in the first ten minutes of game one with the selected central defender going down. Changes made but the coordination took time to be corrected, as 6 of the 7 goals conceded came straight down the middle of our defense. The other an unfortunate own goal from a wingback trying to block a right-sided cross at the near post.
Third placed Gillingham FC were well matched up against Tottenham as probably the familiarity or local pride brought out a good game, similar to the Jamaicans as both semifinals were national derby’s.
Their third place playoff against us, was also a keen tussle and very competitive.
They led from corner scored by a tall defender left unmarked inside our six yard box, to easily slot home. Similar to the Cavaliers opening goal, the error was not corrected.
We fought back well to equalize but really should have won it all late in extra time but spurned our opportunities.
They won 5-3 on penalties as we missed our first penalty to trail again, being knocked out in the same manner of how we played the tournament by chasing, not leading.
Given more time the excellence of coach, Vin Blaine’s programme will be successful, Team Manager, Juliet Alvaranga’s steady guidance and the first class assistance from Michael Jackson will make them champions, there is no doubt of the immense talent within the squad.
Time and self discipline will tell.
Come-on-the-View!