Jamaica, French Guiana to contest CFU U-14 Challenge Series Tier I final; Bermuda, Barbados to meet in Tier II showpiece
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz and French Guiana will contest the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ Under-14 Tier I final, following contrasting 3-1 and 4-3 semi-final victories over Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on Friday.
Kelvin DJ Brown with a brace in the 52nd and 70+2, and one from Kyle Hussey (60th) got the job done for the young Reggae Boyz, who had to come from behind after Wilfredo Reyes Rivera (35th) sent Puerto Rico in front.
For the first time since the start of the tournament, which saw games played across 70 minutes, the young Reggae Boyz struggled to find rhythm as Puerto Rico enjoyed the better of play in the first half.
Trinidad and Tobago and French Guiana in action.
Puerto Rico displayed excellent combination plays in the middle of the park, leaving Jamaica’s Davion Clarke and Kenrick Brown to work extra hard. They eventually broke the deadlock when Wilfredo Reyes Rivera converted from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time to put Puerto Rico 1-0 up at the break.
Jamaica came out more spirited on the resumption and pulled level through Brown’s firm header, which gave Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper Martin Perez Colon no chance at a save.
Hussey then pushed the Jamaicans ahead when he fired home from deep inside the 18-yard box on the hour mark.
Brown then capped the win for the young Reggae Boyz when he again headed home in time added.
Barbados versus Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Jamaicans will take an unbeaten record into Sunday’s final against French Guiana, who edged host Trinidad and Tobago in a thrilling encounter.
Matheo Francois (9th), Tyler Hartino (13th), Enzo Cherica (19th), and Guezo Atoukou (32nd) were on target for French Guiana, who dominated proceedings in the first half.
However, Trinidad and Tobago showed grit and fight with Jeremai Nanton (11th), Adasa Richardson (59th), and Jahmiah Gibbes (70th) getting on the scoresheet, but it wasn’t enough at the end.
Sunday’s final is scheduled for 6:30 pm at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Bermuda versus Anguilla.
Meanwhile, Bermuda and Barbados will also contest the Tier II final on Sunday, after they registered 6-0 and 3-0 wins over Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands, respectively.
Jeon Wolfe scored a hat-trick, and Z-Ani Jennings added a brace, while Chaz Edmead got the other for Bermuda in their lopsided encounter.
Barbados also showed class in their win courtesy of goals from Amari Small, Trey Baker, and Maleek Peters.