- Dicember, 08 2008 -
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Monday, December 8; Jarrett Park, Montego Bay, Jamaica: The Gwada Boys gain entry to the Digicel Caribbean Championships Final four on goal difference courtesy of a 2-2 draw with an ousted Antigua & Barbuda.
Prior to kickoff both off these teams knew that an outright victory would see them join Cuba, Jamaica and Grenada in the DCC Semifinals, so not only was this game about who the better team was but more importantly about who wanted it more.
The game’s appetite was opened after just 17 seconds, in what must be the fastest recorded goal in DCC Tournament history, literally from the kickoff, and before the referee’s whistle had fully echoed around Jarrett Park. Valerius Vidian eviscerated Antigua & Barbuda’s bemused backline with a through pass into an alert Antoine-Curier; The Dundee danger man drove past the remaining marker before settling to strike with his left foot- unleashing a shot that few could have stopped.
Antigua & Barbuda found it hard to recover from the early goal, and looked under threat of capitulating under Guadeloupe’s assault when Gendrey’s curling free kick tested Decastro at his near post. Going forwards in the first half, Antigua had good invention but poor direction when it came to their opportunities at goal. Conversely, Guadeloupe remained focused on the security of another goal and went close twice through Antoine Curier with two snap shots in quick succession that both tested the goalkeeper.
At the other end, where Antigua had mounted a sustained charge in minute 35, an inspired Peter Byers rose best to beat the goalkeeper to the punch, with a near post header that netted, to equalize the equation. Byer’s continues to impress with his knack for scoring important and often spectacular goals, and the last was not yet heard from one of tournaments truly terrific strikers.
Having had the best possible start to the fixture with a goal after just seventeen seconds, few could have expected another early strike in the second half, but barely a minute into the second stanza Guadeloupe had regained the upper hand, and again Antoine-Curier was involved; this time with an assist for Gregory Gendrey who bent one to the far post with his left foot to get Guadeloupe closer to glory.
The French legionnaires could only manage to keep Antigua & Barbuda in the dessert for a little over half an hour as in minute 82 Byer’s stock rose once again, having blown by two swift “Gwada” defenders, Byers shifted onto his right before barreling a shot above the Frank Grandel’s head from just inside the box, with the keeper unable to even raise his hands such was the force of the strike.
Peter Byer’s tournament may have been cut short, but his memorable performances in the DCC will live on.
Neither team were able to break the deadlock and the match finished two goals apiece with Guadeloupe now granted Semi-Finals access to the Digicel Caribbean Championships courtesy of superior goal difference, Gaelic flair and a certain je ne c’est quoi.
Guadeloupe (Team list): 1. Franck Grandel, 2.Meddy Lina, 6. Alain Vertot, 8. Stephane Auvray 9. Vidian Valerius (7. Livio Nabab min-41), 10. David Fleurival, 11. Mickael Antoine-Curier, 12. Cedric Avinel, 14.Gregory Gendrey, 15. Cedric Vanoukia, (18. Ludovic Quistin min 63), 20. Mickael Nicoise (19. Wilfred Loiseau min-50),
Subs: 2. Heddy Lina, 3. Willy Laurence, 5. Xavier Bematol, 13. Jean Luc Lambourde, 16. Fabrice Mercury,
Antigua & Barbuda (Team list): 1. Keita Decastro, 3. Brian Samuel, 4. Kevin Roberts, 5. Garfield Gonsalves (20. Tash Harris min-45), 6. Roy Gregory, 8. Teran Williams, 9. Kerry Skepple, 10. Quintin Clarke (7. Gason Gregory min-45), 16. Peter Byers, 17. George Dublin, 19. Akeem Thomas (11. Jamie Thomas minute 70)
Subs:12. Randolph Burton, 14. Ken Pennyfeather, 15. Kyle Matthew, 18. Molvin James (GK),
Referee: Courtney Campbell (JAM)
For match pictures and further information visit www.digicelfootball.com
ENDS
ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the largest wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean with more than six million customers. After seven years, Digicel is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets. By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting-edge of wireless communications.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and has operations in 23 markets, including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curacao, The Cayman Islands, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. With new launches planned for the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Honduras and Panama, Digicel expects to be in 26 markets in the next 12 months. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup and the Copa De Naciones, the Caribbean and Central American qualifiers to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
