PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – Caledonia AIA edged W Connection in a thrilling penalty shoot-out to capture Caribbean Football Union Club Championship at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium here Thursday night. The contest was goalless after regulation time but Caledonia AIA went ahead eight minutes into the first period of extra time when Radanfah Abu Bakr knocked in a header following substitute Conrod Smith’s corner.
This joy was short-lived, however, as eight minutes later, Nuru Muhammad brought down Jerrel Britto in the area for Clyde Leon to convert from the spot, but the game remained deadlocked until the end of extra time, forcing the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Guyanese Walter Moore put Caledonia AIA in front with Leon answering for W Connection, before national striker Devorn Jorsling put Caledonia back in the lead.
Connection full back Kern Cupid missed to give Caledonia the advantage and Smith put them on the brink of victory by converting his spot kick. Keyon Edwards’ was saved by Connection goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, and Hasim Arcia then netted to pull Connection back into the contest.
Caledonia captain Stephan David made no mistake but 20-year-old Johan Peltier wilted under the pressure and missed, giving Caledonia victory.
For Caledonia, it was their first-ever Caribbean title and it also secured them a berth in the CONCACAF Club Championship.
They will battle in a three-team zone that includes United States’ MLS side Seattle Sounders and Honduran club, Marathon.
In the third-place playoff preceding the final, Puerto Rico Islanders easily dismissed Antigua Barracuda 2-0 to secure the final spot in the CONCACAF Club Championship.