All to play for in DCC Group G

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

At the end of round-two action in Group G of the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DCC), all four teams still have a chance of qualifying for the finals after both matches ended in stalemates yesterday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

In the curtain-raiser, Cuba and Suriname shared six goals between them, while the Antigua and Barbuda versus Dominica matchup failed to produce a goal.

Suriname got their goals from Wensly Christopher (8th), Stefano Rijssel (50th) and Derrick Garden (80th), while Cuba's responses came by way of Armando Isidoro (45th), Alain Ofarril (66th) and Adonis Soler (87th).

Yesterday's result left Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba on four points each, with Suriname and Dominica a point apiece with one round of matches to be played. The top two teams will advance to the finals in Martinique from November 26 to December 5.

Suriname's coach, Ricardo Winter, was satisfied with his team's performance and is still hopeful of progressing to the finals.

"Against Cuba I think we did well, they have a very good team, they play very solid, so it was very difficult for us," Winter said. "We are coming here Sunday to win and we are still optimistic," he added.

"The defensive line didn't have one of their best games because they conceded three goals, but I am satisfied with my forward line because they scored four goals last time out and three today," Cuba's coach Raul Molina said.

Antigua and Barbuda missed several chances to secure their passage to the finals and will now have to go into what promises to be their toughest game against Cuba, needing to avoid defeat.

Unbelievable

"We couldn't finish off some good approach play, 20 efforts on goals, 10 on target and 10 off, unbelievable," technical director Billy McEwan bemoaned. "We have to play Cuba and it is going to be a tough one, but they are all tough games, so we have to prepare for it," he outlined.

Kirk Hector, head coach of Dominica, was of the view that both teams contributed to a good game but know they now must win tomorrow.

Hector said: "It was a good game, both teams played total football and the outcome was a 0-0 draw. Sunday's game is another must win situation and it could put us in a position where we could qualify. Come Sunday, we will be coming out to play football and go for that win."