Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC produced a gritty performance to better Trinidad and Tobago’s AC Port of Spain in a come-from-behind 3-2 win that secured their spot in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-finals.

A brace from Rivaldo Correa (75th and 89th) and the other from Jean Lopez (63rd) handed Cibao FC the crucial win after Shackiel Smek Henry (38th) and Jameel Neptune (40th) put AC Port of Spain in front at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Meanwhile, Joseph Willinx (45th and 69th) got a brace for Ouanaminthe and Quinton Griffith (20th) and Malcolm Stewart (89th) scored for Grenades FC as both teams played out a 2-2 stalemate in Dominican Republic also on Tuesday.

The win propelled Cibao to seven points, same as their compatriots Moca FC, who are also through to the semi-finals, while Antigua’s Grenades FC (two points), AC Port of Spain (two points), and Haiti’s Ouanaminthe (two points) complete Group B.

It was an aggressive start by AC Port of Spain, who wasted little time to make their intentions known and eventually took the lead in the 38th when Henry headed home from Neptune’s weighted cross to take his tournament tally to three goals.

Neptune added his name to the score sheet two minutes later with an acrobatic finish from deep inside the 18-yard box to put AC Port of Spain 2-0 up at the break.

However, the second half belonged to Cibao as Herold Charles entered the contest in the 53rd and injected tempo into their attack to inspire the comeback. His first served up a weighted cross for Lopez to lash home in the 63rd.

Charles provided another weighted cross in the 75th, this time for Correa to finish and pull Cibao level.

Correa and Charles also connected on the winning goal as the former got on the end of a decent through pass and slotted home on the stroke of full time.

With AC Port of Spain and the others now out of contention, Cibao’s and Moca’s final group fixtures against Ouanaminthe and Grenades, respectively, will be of academic interest on October 1.

Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA and Trinidad and Tobago’s AC Port of Spain and Police FC are among teams that will be hoping to position themselves for a semi-final berth as the Concacaf Caribbean Cup continues on Tuesday.

Two Group B encounters will get the week’s action under way, with Haiti’s Ouanaminthe set to host Antigua’s Grenades in the Dominican Republic, while AC Port of Spain welcomes the other Dominican Republic outfit, Cibao FC.

Meanwhile, the Group A contests between another Haitian club Real Hope and Arnett Gardens are set for Wednesday, with Police FC and Mount Pleasant set to rub shoulders on Thursday.

Ouanaminthe FC vs. Grenades FC

With both teams having only secured a point from their first two games, this contest represents an opportunity for either to move closer to the leaders, provided they execute efficiently to snare all three points.

Grenades FC and Ouanaminthe FC currently sit fourth and fifth with a point each, as Dominican Republic’s Moca FC comfortably occupies pole position on seven points ahead of Cibao (four points) and Port of Spain (two points).

Fredelin Philistin, who scored in Ouanaminthe’s 1-3 loss to Moca last Wednesday, will be key to their chances of securing their first win on this occasion.

The same is true about Sean Tomlinson, who notched a late equaliser for Grenades FC against Port of Spain on last.

Anything but a win for either team will bury their chances of progressing any further in the tournament.

AC Port of Spain vs. Cibao FC

With two points from three games, AC Port of Spain will enter this, their final group stage fixture against Cibao FC, also knowing that anything but a win will see them falling short of the semi-final.

Still, a win at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, doesn’t necessarily guarantee AC Port of Spain a semi-final spot, but it would provisionally push them into second above Cibao. From there, the Twin Island Republic’s representatives would then have to hope a result between Ouanaminthe and Cibao, on October 1 falls in their favour.

Shackiel Smek and John Paul Rochford will be the point men for AC Port of Spain.

Meanwhile, for Cibao FC, a win or a draw would not only extend their unbeaten run but also ensure they remain in a favourable position for a semi-final appearance.

Jean Lopez and Eddipo Rodriguez are expected to cause trouble for AC Port of Spain’s backline.

Real Hope FA vs. Arnett Gardens FC

Group A also remains in the balance, as Cavalier remain tops on six points ahead of Real Hope FA and Police FC on four points each. Mount Pleasant is also in striking distance on three points, while Arnett Gardens is without a point, but can turn their chances around with a win at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Real Hope will enter the contest with their tails high having clipped Cavalier 2-1 last week, and knowing that another win would propel them to the top of the standing with one game still to come against Mount Pleasant on October 3.

The Haitian club will look to Rikanel Chery and Steeve Mondestin to lead their charge.

Despite their current situation, Arnett Gardens, the reigning Caribbean Shield champions, are no pushovers and head coach Xavier Gilbert will be hoping they can stamp their class in this contest to gradually revive their chances of progressing further.

Shai Smith, Warner Brown and others will be hoping to get some goals under their belts should goal-difference come into play, as the game will serve as Real Hope’s home fixture.

Miscellaneous Police FC vs. Mount Pleasant FA

Police FC will welcome the fact that their final group stage fixture will be at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Thursday. However, the fact that they will be up against a highly-motivated Mount Pleasant team doesn’t allow much room for comfort.

But having edged one Jamaican club in Arnett Gardens 2-1 last week, Police will be backing their quality to down another, which would keep them in contention for a semi-final berth while slightly a draw or a loss could spell trouble for their chances.

Ezekiel Kesar will be their point man in attack.

A win for Mount Pleasant would also keep them in the running for a semi-final berth with a game in hand, but unlike their previous games, they will need to be at their best and capitalise on their chances to stay alive.

Jashaun Anglin and Kimoni Bailey are just two players to look out for in a deep squad that possesses immense quality.