ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Antigua & Barbuda and Cuba completed the Digicel Caribbean Cup final octagonal on Sunday, when they played to an entertaining 0-0 draw in the final Group-G match. Both sides chased the winning strike that could have eliminated the other, but neither could penetrate the other’s defence, nor could they out-step the other’s goalkeeper.
The result left both sides on five points each at the top of the Group-G ladder, with Suriname, 5-0 winners over Dominica in the penultimate match, in third position one point behind.
Antigua & Barbuda and Cuba will join hosts Martinique, holders Jamaica, as well as Caribbean No.2 Guyana, eight-time champions Trinidad & Tobago, 2008 runners-up Grenada, and plucky Guadeloupe in the Finals from November 26 to December 5.
In the feature match, several attempts on goal went awry. It all started in the fourth minute, when Cuban midfielder Marcel Campanioni headed high and wide and Akeem Thomas for Antigua & Barbuda suffered a similar fate. a few minutes later.
Jamie Thomas got a yellow card, instead of a penalty, when he appeared to have been brought down in the box by Campanioni, but referee Courtney Campbell booked him for diving.
Armando Isidoro should have given Cuba the lead in the 36th minute, when he looped a shot over Antiguan ’keeper Keita Decastro, but the ball ricocheted from the crossbar.
Leonel Duarte also had a one-on-one with Decastro in the 41st minute, when he raced clear from the halfway line, but the Antiguan net-minder held his nerve, stood tall, and smothered the chance.
The large, partisan crowd continued to be treated to end-to-end action in the second half, but the Antiguans succeeded in getting the ball into the back of the net, when a lovely strike from Jamie Thomas flew-in off the post early.
But referee Campbell blew for an off-the-ball foul, and short-circuited the home team’s celebrations.
With both sides wanting to take the initiative, there was wave after wave of attacks, but neither could break the other down.
In the opening match of the double-header, Naldo Kwaise gave Suriname the lead in the final minute before halftime.
But the second half exploded, when Ives Vlijter extended the Dutch side’s lead one minute into the second period, and Emilio Limon forged them further ahead in the 56th minute.
Roche Emanuelson’s 75th-minute strike, and an item from Stefano Rijssel three minutes from time were unnecessary bonuses, leaving the Dominicans to nurse their wounds.