Robinhood of Suriname were crowned champions of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, after they defeated Jamaican side Cavalier 2-0 in the second leg of the final at the National Stadium, on Wednesday night.

Franklin Singodikromo, whose last-gasp goal in the semi-final against Moca FC, paved the way for Robinhood to even reach the showpiece contest, came off the bench to score a goal and provide an assist for Jamilhio Rigters to give the Suriname side a 3-0 aggregate victory.

The result also means that Robinhood have qualified for the Round of 16 phase of next year's Concacaf Champions Cup. Despite the loss, Cavalier, by virtue of making the final, also secured a spot in the Champions Cup.

For Robinhood, this Caribbean Cup triumph, caps an incredible double, as it adds to their 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield crown.

It was a very cagey first 45 minutes between the two sides. Robinhood were content to stay compact in the back and defend their one-goal aggregate lead, while Cavalier poked and prodded in hopes of creating a chance.

 

The best look for Cavalier was from Adrian Reid in the 36th minute, as his effort came back off the woodwork.

Cavalier’s comeback task got a lot more difficult in the 55th when they lost star striker Shaniel Thomas to a second yellow card.

Despite missing their top scorer in the tournament with eight goals, Cavalier battled bravely and found space in behind Robinhood's for a few half chances, but Jonathan Fonkel, in goal for the Suriname club, was unflappable.

Robinhood eventually made the most of their numerical advantage in the 89th minute, as semifinal hero Singodikromo received a pass from Renske Adipi and finished a tidy left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box, that left Cavalier's custodian Vino Barclett flat-footed.

Singodikromo then played the role of provider in a patiently build-up, as he awaited the arrival of Rigters, who charged the box from the left side and finished with aplomb in time added, to complete the 2-0 scoreline.

Reigning daCosta Cup champions Clarendon College remain on course to secure a coveted treble, as they came from behind to down a gritty St George’s College 3-1 in a pulsating ISSA Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Justin Hayles (12th), Keheim Dixon (84th) and Tedane Williams (90+5), got the job done for Clarendon College after Jindu Powell gave St George’s College an eighth-minute lead.

Clarendon College will square off against Hydel High in one semi-final encounter, while Kingston College and Glenmuir will lock horns in the other. Kingston College earlier edged Dinthill Technical 3-2, while Glenmuir and Hydel were 1-0 and 4-2 winners over Mona High and Garvey Maceo respectively.

Both teams started spiritedly with St George’s College getting off the first warning shot and Clarendon College responded soon after. In fact, Clarendon College should have gone ahead at that point, but Deandrae Gallimore his effort High and wide from deep inside the 18-yard box.

Given the tempo at which both teams started, it was almost clear that the small turnout inside the grandstand would not have to wait long for the go-ahead goal, and it fell to St George’s College in fine style.

 After Zabir Taylor was taken down to the left of the 18-yard box, Malique Lorraine delivered a delicate chip from the set-play and Powell rose above defenders to head home.

But Clarendon College pulled level four minutes later when Hayles finished off a rebound from Dixon's long-range effort that was blocked by Jaedon Thompson, in goal for St George’s College.

From there, both teams cancelled out each other in the middle of the park, as they failed to create any meaningful chances at that point.

It wasn't until the backend of the half that Clarendon College once again surged forward and Christopher Hull should I put them ahead, but instead hit his right-footed effort over the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box, as the score remained 1-1 at the break.

The second half started just like the first with St George’s College again on the front foot, as they enjoyed a good passage of play, and breached Clarendon College's defence a few times but failed to capitalise.

Their first fell in the 65th to Adrian Reid, who got on the end of Taylor's cross but his right-footer at the fat post was charged down by two defenders.

Reid was at it again 11 minutes later with his shot from a distance by parried by Roshae Burrell, in goal for Clarendon College, on that occasion.

After absorbing consistent pressure, Clarendon College regained the ascendancy when Dixon followed up and finished off a rebound when Daniel Clarke’s shot from a distance was blocked by Thompson.

And with St George’s College pushing high in their bid for the equalizer, the Chapelton-based team helped themselves to another on a well-worked counterattack orchestrated by Dixon and ended with Williams tucking away from close range, seconds before the final whistle.

Winning coach Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde was delighted with the outcome.

"It was just a match up where the better team would win on the day. It was exciting and both teams put out there all and I must lift my hats to St George’s College for a hard-fought game. I told my players to be relentless and I must lift my hats to them as well, they did well and we just hope we can continue playing this brand of football and hopefully win one of these trophies,” Hyde said.

His counterpart Neville “Bertis” Bell took heart from his team’s display, as he conceded that they were beaten by a quality opponent.

"I give thanks because I thought it was a wonderful schoolboy football game. Clarendon College is a quality team and I thought we matched them well and I am proud of these guys. I don't think anyone thought we would be here at this stage of the competition, but we are here, and we have shown that we deserve to be here. We got beaten by a good team and I can live with that,” Bell noted.

Results
Mona 0, Glenmuir 1
Garvey Maceo 2, Hyde High 4
Kingston College 3, Dinthill 2
 
Semi-final matchups
Hydel High vs Clarendon College
Kingston College vs Glenmuir High
*Games are scheduled for November 28.

Ten-man Jamaica managed to hold on for a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in Guatemala City on Thursday night and book a spot in the round of 16 in the CONCACAC U17 Championships.

Needing a draw or victory to advance, Jamaica helped in part by Cuba’s 4-0 drubbing of Guadeloupe on Wednesday, took a 1-0 lead into the break courtesy of goals from Alevavier Gooden in the 17th minute.

Adrian Reid doubled the young Reggae Boyz’s lead in the 62nd minute.

However, Gooden was sent off in the 73rd minute giving The Ticos, a man advantage in the final 17 minutes. They took advantage when minutes later when Roy Bustos netted in the 79th to make it 2-1 with 11 minutes to go in regulation.

Struggling from playing a man short, the young Reggae Boyz conceded a second when Sean Albriton found the back of the net in the 87th minute.

The result meant Jamaica finished second in Group G with four points behind Costa Rica and are set to face hosts Guatemala in the Round of 16 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in Group H action, Honduras defeated Haiti 1-0 courtesy of Russel Cruz’s goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

With the result, Honduras top the group with a perfect nine points from three games, while Haiti finished in third-place and a place in the next round.

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