Jamaica thrash T&T to reach semi-final

BROOKLYN, New York (CMC):

Defending champions Jamaica edged closer to retaining the prestigious New York Digicel Caribbean Football Cup when they trounced Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 on Sunday.

The convincing play-off win gave the New York Reggae Boyz a semi-final spot in the championship, setting the stage for them to reach the grand final on Labour Day in the United States, September 5.

In their semi-final match on Sunday, Jamaica will oppose Barbados, who crushed Guyana 3-0 in their encounter.

Should Jamaica win the final, it will be their sixth consecutive - and seventh overall - title in the 19-year-old history of the tournament.

Playing at the Jefferson High School Stadium on a wet pitch caused by intermittent thundershowers, Roland Dean, Denzil Watson and Rohan McDonald all scored to give Jamaica victory.

Beyond reach

After Dean gave Jamaica the lead in the 27th minute, Watson and McDonald returned in the second half to put the match beyond the New York Soca Warriors' reach in the 53rd and 85th minutes, respectively.

"I felt good going into the semi-final (and we're) looking to retain the trophy for another year," said Jamaica's head coach, Arthur 'Jetty' Mikes, in a CMC Sports post-game interview.

Mikes said though Trinidad and Tobago 'stepped up their game', they were clearly no match for his side.

Eric Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago's head coach, said his players failed to capitalise on early opportunities and their game went downhill afterwards.

"We got two early chances and we muffed them," said Thomas, who has been coaching the team for the last three years.

Despite the heavy loss, he commended the players for pretty good performances this season.

In the other game on Sunday, Richard and Donovan Levine, along with Shon King, converted for Barbados who had their way with Guyana.

"It's going to be a tough game, but the players are very confident," said Barbados head coach Kenton Browne, looking ahead to the duel with Jamaica.

St Lucia, who play St Kitts and Nevis in the other semi-final match, are also confident of emerging victorious.

"Definitely, I'm confident," said Martin Daniel, St Lucia's president and CEO. "We're going all the way. I feel that way because Jamaica are afraid to play us."