Antigua president declares 'war' for Digicel Cup Finals spot

St John's, Antigua:

Group G of the Digicel Caribbean Cup will kick off tomorrow to determine the final two teams to qualify for the Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals in Martinique from November 26-December 5.

Hosts Antigua and Barbuda will take on Group C runners-up Suriname, Group D winners Dominica and long-time rivals Cuba, at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

The top two teams will join Group E winners Guadeloupe and runners-up Grenada; Group F winners Trinidad and Tobago and runners-up Guyana in the finals.

Champions Jamaica and host country Martinique make up the eight finals qualifiers.

At the launch for the Group G play-offs yesterday, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, Everton Gonsalves, expressed delight at their readiness.

"I am delighted with the standard of the team at the moment and I am sure that they will do Antigua and Barbuda proud," Gonsalves said.

"Our hopes and aspirations are high, but football is a game of uncertainties and we essentially are going to war as we take on our long-time rivals, Cuba, a Dominica side which is improving and also a very good Surinamese team.

"However, there's no place like Antigua and Barbuda so if you love your country, I want to see you raise your flags high and chant loud in support of our national team," he continued.

The champions will walk away with US$120,000. Runners-up will take home US$70,000 and third and fourth place will win US$50,000 and US$30,000, respectively.

The top-four countries will also advance to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.

In addition, Digicel will be hosting a two-day football clinic, in which more than 90 aspiring young footballers will be coached in the basics of the beautiful game by Kevin Ball and Carlton Fairweather, two coaches from English Premier League club, Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Hughton Hector scored a brace as Trinidad and Tobago confirmed their place in the finals after they crushed Haiti 4-0 in the last Group F match on Saturday.

Hector led a first-half blitz from the Soca Warriors with his double, Devon Jorsling continued his impressive form with an early strike and Kerry Baptiste added to the grief, as the Haitians staggered into half-time trailing and never recovered in the second match of a double-header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.

The victory meant that T&T ended with a maximum nine points from three matches to finish at the top of the group.

Earlier, Devon Millington and Sean Cameron scored second-half goals to give Guyana 2-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines to confirm their place.

The Guyanese finished the group in second position on goal difference (+1), after they ended with four points - the same as the Haitians, whose goal difference was negative-two.

hes to finish at the top of the group.

Earlier, Devon Millington and Sean Cameron scored second-half goals to give Guyana 2-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines to confirm their place.

The Guyanese finished the group in second position on goal difference (+1), after they ended with four points - the same as the Haitians, whose goal difference was negative-two.

hes to finish at the top of the group.

Earlier, Devon Millington and Sean Cameron scored second-half goals to give Guyana 2-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines to confirm their place.

The Guyanese finished the group in second position on goal difference (+1), after they ended with four points - the same as the Haitians, whose goal difference was negative-two.