Antigua, Cuba make winning starts

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

Cuba and hosts Antigua and Barbuda made winning starts in their quest for the two remaining spots in the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DDC) Finals, by defeating Dominica and Suriname, respectively, in Group G action yesterday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Cuba cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over Dominica in the curtain-raiser, while hosts Antigua and Barbuda clipped Suriname 2-1.

Cuba got their goals from Armando Curuneaux Isidoro (9th), Reysander Fernandez (20th), Yoel Colome Valencia (27th) and Marcel Hernandez Campanioni (35th).

Kurlson Benjamin netted both goals for Dominica in the 17th and 88th minutes.

Antigua and Barbuda won by virtue of goals scored by Randolph Burton (17th) and Justin Cochrane (63rd), while Roche Emanuelson (33rd) netted Suriname's consolation.

Antigua and Barbuda's technical director, Billy McEwan, thought his team did just enough to come away winners.

"It was a good game of football. Both teams put on a good show and on the day we were just a little bit better and got the winning goal and it gave us maximum points."

The second game between Antigua and Barbuda and Suriname was a more evenly contested affair, with both teams creating several goalscoring opportunities.

"If we get motivated and get the ball in the back of the net, we can go for two wins and move forward in this tournament," said Ricardo Winter, Suriname's head coach

Cuba controlled their game from the opening whistle and immediately went on the attack. They were duly rewarded for their early industry in the ninth minute when Isidoro fired them into the lead; and they never looked back as they motored to a 4-1 half-time lead.

- R.J.