Jamaica's Kelvin Brown celebrates a goal.
CFU
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz and French Guiana will contest the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ Under-14 Tier I final, following contrasting 3-1 and 4-3 semi-final victories over Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on Friday.
Kelvin DJ Brown with a brace in the 52nd and 70+2, and one from Kyle Hussey (60th) got the job done for the young Reggae Boyz, who had to come from behind after Wilfredo Reyes Rivera (35th) sent Puerto Rico in front.
For the first time since the start of the tournament, which saw games played across 70 minutes, the young Reggae Boyz struggled to find rhythm as Puerto Rico enjoyed the better of play in the first half.
Trinidad and Tobago and French Guiana in action.
Puerto Rico displayed excellent combination plays in the middle of the park, leaving Jamaica’s Davion Clarke and Kenrick Brown to work extra hard. They eventually broke the deadlock when Wilfredo Reyes Rivera converted from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time to put Puerto Rico 1-0 up at the break.
Jamaica came out more spirited on the resumption and pulled level through Brown’s firm header, which gave Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper Martin Perez Colon no chance at a save.
Hussey then pushed the Jamaicans ahead when he fired home from deep inside the 18-yard box on the hour mark.
Brown then capped the win for the young Reggae Boyz when he again headed home in time added.
Barbados versus Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Jamaicans will take an unbeaten record into Sunday’s final against French Guiana, who edged host Trinidad and Tobago in a thrilling encounter.
Matheo Francois (9th), Tyler Hartino (13th), Enzo Cherica (19th), and Guezo Atoukou (32nd) were on target for French Guiana, who dominated proceedings in the first half.
However, Trinidad and Tobago showed grit and fight with Jeremai Nanton (11th), Adasa Richardson (59th), and Jahmiah Gibbes (70th) getting on the scoresheet, but it wasn’t enough at the end.
Sunday’s final is scheduled for 6:30 pm at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Bermuda versus Anguilla.
Meanwhile, Bermuda and Barbados will also contest the Tier II final on Sunday, after they registered 6-0 and 3-0 wins over Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands, respectively.
Jeon Wolfe scored a hat-trick, and Z-Ani Jennings added a brace, while Chaz Edmead got the other for Bermuda in their lopsided encounter.
Barbados also showed class in their win courtesy of goals from Amari Small, Trey Baker, and Maleek Peters.
Fonseca disappointed in Milan's lack of defensive responsibility
Paulo Fonseca was left disappointed with Milan's lack of defensive responsibility in their shock 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Parma on Saturday.
Milan were stunned inside 83 seconds when Dennis Man gave the hosts a shock lead, only for Christian Pulisic to restore parity just after the hour-mark.
However, substitute Matteo Cancellieri struck in the closing exchanges to secure their first triumph over Milan in Serie A since 4-2 win back in March 2014.
It marked an early bump in Fonseca's tenure with the Rossoneri, acknowledging that his side must improve at the back to succeed this season.
"I'm disappointed. It's difficult to explain our defensive attitude. It's clear that we have a defensive problem," Fonseca told a press conference.
"For Parma it was too easy when they attacked. I'm not just talking to the defenders, I'm talking about the whole team, how they defend collectively and individually.
"I take responsibility for what the team does, but we have to recognise these defensive problems."
Milan created the better chances during the contest at Stadio Ennio Tardini, but only five of their 17 shots were on target, the same number as Parma managed from eight fewer attempts.
The visitors also underperformed their expected goals (xG) by 1.01, missing three big chances while also striking the woodwork in the encounter.
Of the 90 duels between the two sides, Parma had a success rate of 54.4% compared to Milan's 45.6%, with Fonseca left bemused by his sides underwhelming display.
"The team works well during the week, I think I see improvement in view of the match. Then today we arrive here and in the first situation we concede a goal," Fonseca added.
"We behaved badly defensively in all moments of the match. (There's) a problem to solve, of attitude. We need to work as a team.
"We lose the ball too easily. This allows a team that defends deep to create chances. We have made mistakes in preventive marking, defensive recoveries that we do not do together."
Flick lauds ultimate professional Lewandowski after recent Barca form
Hansi Flick labelled Robert Lewandowski the ultimate professional after his second-half winner earned Barcelona a 2-1 triumph over Athletic Bilbao.
Lewandowski, who spent two seasons under Flick at Bayern Munich, notched his third goal of the new LaLiga season after Oihan Sancet cancelled out Lamine Yamal's deflected opener.
The Pole netted 83 goals in 71 matches in all competitions between 2019 and 2021, winning eight major titles during Flick's time in charge, which included the Champions League.
And despite turning 36 three days ago, Flick is confident that his star striker can help Barca reclaim their league crown from rivals Real Madrid.
"I know Robert (Lewandowski) really well and I don't think he has returned to form because that's how I have always seen him as a player," Flick told DAZN.
"I'm happy with him because it's not only the goals he scores, it's his collective effort, the way he dedicates himself to pressing high and very effectively.
"Physically, he is 100%. He is a total professional, who takes fitness very seriously.
"He knows how to handle pressure and we saw that after the equaliser in the second half. He is a great player."
While Lewandowski received many plaudits for his goal-scoring exploits, Flick was also quick to praise Raphinha for his dynamic display in attacking midfield.
The Brazilian registered the most touches in the opposition box (nine), with his 19 passes into the final third a total only bettered by Pedri (21).
He also won more duels (nine) than any other Barcelona player, with Flick believing his versatility will be a huge asset as the season progresses.
"Rafa can play in any attacking position. He can play as a 10, or he can change positions, he is phenomenal in pressing," Flick said.
"We needed someone like him as we are still missing some players."
Barcelona will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season when they travel to Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday before returning to the Nou Camp to take on Real Valladolid next weekend.
Inter 2-0 Lecce: Darmian and Calhanoglu get Nerazzurri back on track
Matteo Darmian and Hakan Calhanoglu scored either side of half-time to ensure Inter's Serie A title defence got back on track with a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
Inter, who started their campaign with a draw against Genoa on the opening day, marked their final season at the San Siro in style to move top of the early-season standings.
Darmian opened the scoring for Simone Inzaghi's side in the fifth minute, being the first to react to Mehdi Taremi's effort to head beyond Wladimiro Falcone.
Despite dominating proceedings, the hosts had to wait until the 69th minute to double their advantage on home soil.
Inter were awarded a penalty after Kialonda Gaspar fouled Marcus Thuram in the area, with Calhanoglu making no mistake to maintain his perfect record from 12 yards.
The defending champions continue their quest to retain their crown next weekend against Atalanta, who face Torino on Sunday.
Data Debrief: Inter respond to opening day disappointment
After an underwhelming display in their opening game, Inter produced a performance similar to the ones they showcased during their 20th Serie A success.
Calhanoglu's penalty was his 17th successful spot-kick for the club, with no player having recorded a longer streak of penalties converted in a row in Italy's top flight since the data has been available (since 2005/06 - followed at 16 by Giampaolo Pazzini, between 2012 and 2020).
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