Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in action.
CFU
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz and Bermuda extended their unbeaten runs in their respective Tiers of the 2024 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ U-14 Challenge Series on Monday.
The Jamaicans, through goals from Davion Clarke (28th) and Corlando Morris (37th), blanked host Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a crucial Tier I Group A clash at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
It was the third win on the trot for the young Reggae Boyz, who sit atop the group on a maximum nine points, three ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (six points), while St. Kitts and Aruba are on one point each in the development tournament, which sees games played over 70 minutes.
The young Reggae Boyz dominated proceedings from the off as they bossed possession and were more threatening in open play. They inevitably broke the deadlock when a Kyle Hussey pass found Clarke, who drove past Christian Tefler in goal for Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda versus St. Lucia.
Though they continued to create chances, the Jamaicans had to wait until the 37th to add to their tally as Morris capitalized on a defensive error and slotted home early on the resumption.
Trinidad and Tobago’s first real opportunity came in the 61st minute when Lucas Shaw's long-range cross forced Jamaica's Marcodean Spence into a save. Still, Jamaica continued to dominate and should have won by a wider margin but failed to make the most of their chances.
With 10 goals to their tally so far, the Jamaicans, who have yet to concede, will be aiming to keep their perfect record intact heading into the next round, when they face Aruba in the final group game on Tuesday at 5:30pm Jamaica time at the same venue. Trinidad and Tobago will face St. Kitts and Nevis.
Guyana versus St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Meanwhile, Bermuda completed their Tier II Group C play with a 1-0 win over St. Lucia at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The win, a fourth for the Bermudans in as many games, puts them atop the group on 12 points.
It was a game of many chances, the best of which fell to Bermuda as they applied consistent pressure to their St. Lucian counterparts but couldn’t beat the glove of goalkeeper Brial Nelson for most of the way.
Bermuda eventually found the go-ahead goal in the 63rd through captain Z-ani Jennings, who dismissed two defenders to make space for a delightful strike from about 25 yards out.
Having completed all of their group stage matches, Bermuda awaits their opponents in Friday’s semi-finals. St. Lucia play their final group match against Grenada on Tuesday.
Monday’s Results
Tier I Group A
Jamaica 2, Trinidad and Tobago 0
St Kitts and Nevis 2, Aruba 2
Tier I Group B
St. Martin 0, French Guiana 5
Puerto Rico 0, Curaçao 0
Tier II Group A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Guyana 1
Antigua & Barbuda 3, Cayman Islands 3
Tier II Group B
British Virgin Islands 3, US Virgin Islands 1
Dominica 0, Anguilla 0
Tier II Group C
Bermuda 1, St Lucia 0
Grenada 1, St. Maarten 1
'I have nothing against him' - Leao brushes off rumours of feud with Fonseca
Rafael Leao has shrugged off suggestions of a feud between him and Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca despite starting fewer games in recent weeks.
The winger started three consecutive Serie A matches on the bench after the last international break, coming on to make substitute appearances in two of those.
He returned to the starting line-up for their 3-3 draw with Cagliari last time out, netting twice in the first half to bring his tally up to three goals for the season, and 50 overall in Serie A.
Leao has also provided three assists in the Italian top-flight, while he has both attempted (36) and completed (24) the most dribbles of any Milan player in the competition.
There were reports of tension between Leao and Fonseca due to the former's lack of playing time in recent weeks, but he brushed off the idea.
"These things happen during the season, I have nothing against him, and he has nothing against me," Leao said while at Portugal's training ground.
"It's all settled. I don't like being on the bench, obviously, but he makes the decisions and I, as a player, have to respect the coach.
"When I step onto the pitch, I have to do my best to help the team."
Leao has also impressed with performances in the Champions League this season, especially against Real Madrid in a 3-1 win, as he registered an assist for their third goal.
However, he has also come under criticism in Italy, with one pundit claiming he has a poor work ethic, suggesting he only puts in effort in big games.
"Clearly, I do not agree with that," Leao added about the recent comments.
"I have been having a great season at Milan but, like everyone else, there are ups and downs. The campaign has only just started. Look, I know that I am not the perfect player and sometimes I can do much better.
"I am not shaken by this criticism. I have people who help me to improve and those are the ones I have to listen to. This criticism just spurs me on to respond on the pitch."
KSAFA implements zero-tolerance policy for referee assaults
The Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) has announced a strong new measure to protect referees, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for physical assault against match officials. The decision, taken at a recent KSAFA Council meeting, introduces Article 55 - 3.2, a competition rule stating that “Any player who physically assaults a referee during a match will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the competition that they participate in.”
This newly instituted rule marks a decisive step by KSAFA to eliminate violence against referees and foster a safer, more respectful environment within football competitions. The rule imposes an immediate suspension on any player found to have assaulted a referee, and the suspension will remain in place for the entire season without the possibility of appeal.
In light of recent incidents highlighting the vulnerability of referees to mistreatment and physical attacks, including the withdrawal of services by match officials in the ISSA Schoolboy Football competition after attacks and delays in security response, KSAFA’s action signals a commitment to serious reform. Following a recent match where officials were physically assaulted, referees called for heightened protections and better working conditions, resulting in a temporary halt to several scheduled matches.
KSAFA President Mark Bennett stressed the importance of protecting referees, stating, “Referees are the backbone of our sport. Their safety and dignity must be respected. This rule demonstrates our commitment to creating a secure environment for all.”
To ensure effective enforcement, KSAFA will work alongside referees, clubs, and law enforcement agencies to investigate incidents and apply sanctions as swiftly as possible. This collaborative approach aims to instill a culture of respect for referees, reinforcing KSAFA’s stance that violence in football will not be tolerated.
Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia: Visitors denied last-gasp winner on Renard's return
Saudi Arabia had a stoppage-time goal ruled out as Herve Renard's first game since returning as Saudi Arabia head coach ended in a 0-0 draw against Australia in World Cup qualifying.
Sultan Al-Ghannam fired through a sea of bodies in the 94th minute of Thursday's Group C contest at AAMI Park, but the celebrations were cut short due to an offside infringement.
Referee Ali Saeed Al Naqbi had earlier irked the home side by awarding a 12th-minute penalty for an Ahmed Al-Kassar challenge on Mitch Duke, which was then overturned.
Replays showed the incident happened just outside the box, but Australia felt the Saudi keeper should have been sent off and not issued just a yellow card.
Joe Gauci pulled off a fine double save later in the first half, albeit the offside flag later went up, but it was Australia who did more to win the game prior to the late drama.
Brandon Borrello was played clean through on goal and opted to square to Riley McGree, who was unable to help the ball past covering defender Saud Abdulhamid in front of goal.
Data Debrief: Another blank for both sides
Australia entered this game without a goal against Saudi Arabia in 2,716 days - a run that will extend for a little while longer after this latest blank.
The Socceroos have failed to score in three of their five third-round qualifying games, while Saudi Arabia have gone three in a row without netting.
Tony Popovic's side will justifiably argue they did more to win the game, though, finishing with an expected goals value (xG) of 1.31 to Saudi Arabia's 0.05, but the teams remain locked on points in Group C.
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