Final Score: 1-1!

Can we confirm this anynone?

We get past Haiti so I expect us to get past St. Lucia.

JAMAICA'S NATIONAL SENIOR FOOTBALL TEAM CAME FROM BEHIND TO DRAW 1–ALL WITH ST. LUCIA IN THEIR DIGICEL CARIBBEAN CUP SECOND ROUND GAME IN GROS ISLET. ELIJA JOSEPH GAVE THE HOME TEAM THE LEAD MIDWAY THE FIRST HALF, BUT JAMAICA HIT BACK THROUGH AKEEM PRIESTLY IN THE 40th MINUTE. CAPTAIN ANDY WILLIAMS WAS SENT OFF FOR A FOUL ON JOSEPH AND WILL MISS THE SECOND LEG GAME AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM NEXT SUNDAY. .

WATERHOUSE ON SUNDAY BOOKED THE LAST TICKET TO THE FIRST END OF ROUND FINAL IN THE WRAY AND NEPHEW NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE, THANKS TO A 4 –1 WIN OVER CONSTANT SPRING AT DREWSLAND. SHANE EDWARDS GAVE WATERHOUSE THE LEAD FROM THIS FREE KICK ON 24 MINUTES, AND THEY HELD THAT LEAD UNTIL THE BREAK WHEN CONSTANT SPRING EQUALISED THROUGH JERMAIN RICHARDS. DAMION POWELL RESTORED WATERHOUSE'S LEAD BEFORE ROGER RODNEY MADE IT 3–1… EDWARDS ADDED THE FOURTH TO GIVE WATERHOUSE SECOND IN THE STANDINGS AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF GAMES. LET'S HEAR FROM BOTH CAMPS. IN OTHER GAMES CHAMPIONS TIVOLI GARDENS WITH GOALS FROM MARKINO GILLINGS AND MARVIN MORGAN, BEAT RENO 2–1, ARNETT GARDENS STOPPED PORTMORE 2–NIL THROUGH PATRICK BEECH AND KEVIN WILSON. VILLAGE ROUGHED UP ARLINGTON 5–NIL WHILE RIVOLI STOPPED INVADERS 2–NIL THE FIRST END OF ROUND FINAL HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK A WEEK AND WILL NOW BE PLAYED ON DECEMBER 26 WITH WATERHOUSE FACING HARBOUR VIEW WHO WERE IDLE IN THIS ROUND.

REMA FEDERAL AND ROSE TOWN WILL CONTEST NEXT SUNDAY'S FINAL OF THE PMI COMMUNITY LEAGUE FOOTBALL FINAL FOLLOWING SEMI–FINAL VICTORIES TODAY. IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE DOUBLE HEADER AT JAMAICA HOUSE, GOALS FROM RICHARD CAMPBELL, LIMANI BRYAN, LASLEY MARSTON AND KENARDO SMITH CARRIED REMA FEDERAL TO 4–3 PENALTY WIN OVER DENHAM TOWN. THIS AFTER THE TEAMS PLAYED TO A GOAL–LESS DRAW IN FULL AND EXTRA TIME. IN THE SECOND SEMI, ROSE TOWN HAD NO SUCH PROBLEMS AS THEY BEAT MANDELLA TERRACE 2–1 TO BOOK THEIR PLACE IN SUNDAY'S GRAND FINALE. HOWEVER THEY HAD TO WAIT UNTIL LATE IN THE SECOND HALF TO CLINCH THE FINAL SPOT AFTER THE TEAMS WERE LOCKED AT ONE–ALL AFTER 45–MINUTES.

BERLIN AND WHITEHORSES UPLIFTMENT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE FINAL OF THE ST.THOMAS DR.DONOVAN FORTE KNOCKOUT. BOTH TEAMS RECORDED SEMI FINAL VICTORIES THIS AFTERNOON AT YORK. BERLIN BEAT BATH 1 NIL WHILE WHITEHORSE UPLIFTMENT DOUBLED SEAFORTH 4 – 2. THE FINAL WILL BE PLAYED NEXT SATURDAY AT YORK. MEANWHILE IN THE WIHCON SPONSORED PORTMORE DIVISION 2. DAYTONA BLANKED BRIDGEPORT 5 NIL WHILE HELLSHIRE BEAT GREATER PORTMORE 4 – 1. IN THE MID SEASON FINAL NEXT SUNDAY. PASSAGE FORT WILL OPPOSE HELLSHIRE. IN SOUTH CENTRAL CONFED SUPER PLUS SUPER LEAGUE, DUNBEHOLDEN EDGED BLACK RIVER 2 – 1, BLACK LION BEAT PORUS 1 NIL, CENTRAL LINKS DEFEATED HOLLAND PYC 1 NIL WHILE LOS PERFECTOS AND HUMBLE LION DREW NIL ALL.

THE BIG GAME IN THE ENGLISH PREMEIR LEAGUE THIS WEEKEND BETWEEN LEADERS CHELSEA AND CHAMPIONS ARSENAL, ENDED IN AN EXCITING 2–ALL DRAW AT HIGHBRY ON SUNDAY. THE CHAMPIONS WERE TWICE IN FRONT ON A BRACE FROM THIERY HENRY, HOWEVER CAPTAIN JOHN TERRY AND ICELANDIC INTERNATIONAL EIDJUR GUDJUNSSON GAVE THE BLUES A SHARE OF THE POINTS. CHELSEA ARE NOW FOUR POINTS CLEAR OF THE GUNNERS. IN ANOTHER GAME BIRMINGHAM BEAT ASTON VILLA 2–1 WITH GOALS FROM DAMION DUNN AND CLINTON MORRISON. ON MONDAY MANCHESTER UNITED WILL BATTLE FULLHAM.

SPECTATORS WERE EVACUATED FROM REAL MADRID'S BERNABEU STADIUM ON SUNDAY FOLLOWING A BOMB SCARE DURING THE MATCH BETWEEN THE HOSTS AND REAL SOCIEDAD. MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE ABANDONED THE GROUND WITH THE SCORE AT 1–ALL AND ONLY TWO MINUTES LEFT TO PLAY. INITIAL REPORTS SUGGESTED THE BASQUE SEPARATIST GROUP ETA MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMB THREAT AFTER ISSUING SIMILAR WARNINGS BEFORE A SERIES OF SMALL EXPLOSIONS IN RECENT DAYS. SPANISH FOOTBALL AUTHORITIES WILL HOLD A MEETING ON MONDAY TO DECIDE IF THE REMAINING THREE MINUTES OF THE GAME WILL BE PLAYED AT A LATER DATE OR IF THE RESULT WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAND. REAL TOOK THE LEAD JUST BEFORE THE BREAK WHEN BRAZILIAN STRIKER RONALDO CRACKED HOME WITH HIS LEFT FOOT. SOCIEDAD LEVELLED THE MATCH MIDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND HALF WHEN TURKISH STRIKER NIHAT KAHVECI SMASHED HOME WITH AN ACROBATIC FINISH. IF THE RESULT REMAINS AT 1–1, REAL WILL DROP TO THIRD PLACE IN THE STANDINGS, 11 POINTS BEHIND LEADERS BARCELONA, WHO SNATCHED A LATE 2–1 WIN AT ALBACETE ON SATURDAY. IN SUNDAY'S OTHER RESULTS; ALBACETE AND BARCELONA DREW NIL–ALL, AS DID ATHLETIC BILBAO AND ATLETICO MADRID. ESPNAYOL EDGED MALLORCA 2–1; VILLAREAL HAD A SIMILAR WIN OVER GETAFE, MALAGA CLIPPED LEVATE 1–NIL; OSASUNA 2 REAL ZARAGOSA 2; MADRID AND SOCIEDAD DREW 1–ALL, REAL BETIS SLIPPED–BY RACING SANTANDER 2–1 AND VALENCIA GOT–BY NUMANCIA 1–NIL.

quote:

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Originally posted by phaiti:
Haiti beat St kitts 1-0.

we'll take it.

---

Beating SKN 1-0 while we play at home is scary. This SKN team tied St Lucia 1-1 in the first round. Needless to remind you that St Lucia shocked us 3-1 not long ago and drew 1-1 with Jamaica, which has been very successful in supplanting us as the footballistic superpower of the caribbean.

I honestly think neither Haiti nor Jamaica is in a confortable position.

quote:

---

Originally posted by haitiball:
Beating SKN 1-0 while we play at home is scary. This SKN team tied St Lucia 1-1 in the first round. Needless to remind you that St Lucia shocked us 3-1 not long ago and drew 1-1 with Jamaica, which has been very successful in supplanting us as the footballistic superpower of the caribbean.

I honestly think neither Haiti nor Jamaica is in a confortable position.

[This message has been edited by haitiball (edited 12-12-2004).]

---

Can you please enlighten us as to when Haiti was the "footballistic superpower of he Caribbean"????

Thanks...

Akeem Priestly scored at the 44th minute for Jamaica to equalise, after conceding a free-kick goal at the 23rd minute that was scored by Elijah Joseph.

The Jamaicans played most of the match with 10 men as their captain, Andy Williams, was shown the red card for a tackle on Joseph in the first half.

Jamaican coach Wendell Downswell called the expulsion "unfortunate" and said it spoilt their victory hopes.

"He was unfortunate in my opinion and many people don't feel it was justified.

"At that time we definitely gained the ascendancy and we had to re-adjust."

Given that incident and other factors off the pitch, Downswell, recently appointed coach of the Caribbean's number one ranked Boyz, called the result "very good".

VERY GOOD RESULT

"Taking into consideration the factors, we see it as a very good result," he told The Gleaner in a telephone interview after the contest.

"Our preparation was not ideal coming into this game as some of them (players) came out of the Caribbean Club Championship final with bruises; we didn't lose the game and we were down to 10 players; we had only one training session over here (St. Lucia); and we didn't get to train on the surface on which the match was played."

Seven of Downswell's 18-member squad played in Wednesday's bruising regional club championship first-leg final, including the man who scored yesterday, Priestly. In fact, it was Priestly's 82nd minute goal which earned Harbour View a 1-1 draw with Tivoli.

Three of Jamaica's players were also ruled out of the St. Lucia clash because of injuries sustained last Wednesday - midfield general Jermaine Hue, Robert Scarlett and reserve 'keeper Ryan Thompson and Downswell, anticipating their return to the team for the second tie at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday, said "...the good thing about it is we'll have all the players for the next leg".

Due to yesterday's result, Jamaica will advance if they win or finish the return match in a goalless tie (on the basis of the away goal rule) but Downswell confidently stated he wants to close out the qualifying series with victory.

"Our intention is to win from the first half," he stated.

CHALLENGING RETURN LEG

"I don't see it as a difficult task, it will be challenging but I don't see it as a difficult task."

Asked if the St. Lucians are as tough as the 1-1 result suggests, Downswell replied "...no, it was a spirited performance from them".

He added: "We'll have one week to prepare, that will definitely be a fillip for us going into the next game."

In other second round qualifiers yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean's number two team, crushed the British Virgin Islands 4-0 in Road Town, Tortola, while St. Vincent and the Grenadines gave themselves a great opportunity of advancing to the third with a 3-1 victory over Grenada in Kingstown.

"I don't see it as a difficult task, it will be challenging but I don't see it as a difficult task."

quote:

---

Originally posted by palos:
Can you please enlighten us as to when Haiti was the "footballistic superpower of he Caribbean"????

Thanks...

---

Haiti was the best team in the Caribbean from 1970 to 1978. Their only true rivals were the Trinidadians with their dangerous Archibald. Haiti qualified for the 1974 Worldcup in Germany after they beat T&T 2-1.

During that period only Mexico could have been expected to beat Haiti. However, just like Brazil and lowly Chile in South America, Haiti always had trouble with Canada and Jamaica.

quote:

---

Originally posted by A Fan:
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz secured a 1-1 draw against St. Lucia in their first-leg Digicel Caribbean Cup match at the Vieux Fort National Stadium in St. Lucia yesterday afternoon.

Akeem Priestly scored at the 44th minute for Jamaica to equalise, after conceding a free-kick goal at the 23rd minute that was scored by Elijah Joseph.

The Jamaicans played most of the match with 10 men as their captain, Andy Williams, was shown the red card for a tackle on Joseph in the first half.

Jamaican coach Wendell Downswell called the expulsion "unfortunate" and said it spoilt their victory hopes.

"He was unfortunate in my opinion and many people don't feel it was justified.

"At that time we definitely gained the ascendancy and we had to re-adjust."

Given that incident and other factors off the pitch, Downswell, recently appointed coach of the Caribbean's number one ranked Boyz, called the result "very good".

VERY GOOD RESULT

"Taking into consideration the factors, we see it as a very good result," he told The Gleaner in a telephone interview after the contest.

"Our preparation was not ideal coming into this game as some of them (players) came out of the Caribbean Club Championship final with bruises; we didn't lose the game and we were down to 10 players; we had only one training session over here (St. Lucia); and we didn't get to train on the surface on which the match was played."

Seven of Downswell's 18-member squad played in Wednesday's bruising regional club championship first-leg final, including the man who scored yesterday, Priestly. In fact, it was Priestly's 82nd minute goal which earned Harbour View a 1-1 draw with Tivoli.

Three of Jamaica's players were also ruled out of the St. Lucia clash because of injuries sustained last Wednesday - midfield general Jermaine Hue, Robert Scarlett and reserve 'keeper Ryan Thompson and Downswell, anticipating their return to the team for the second tie at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday, said "...the good thing about it is we'll have all the players for the next leg".

Due to yesterday's result, Jamaica will advance if they win or finish the return match in a goalless tie (on the basis of the away goal rule) but Downswell confidently stated he wants to close out the qualifying series with victory.

"Our intention is to win from the first half," he stated.

CHALLENGING RETURN LEG

"I don't see it as a difficult task, it will be challenging but I don't see it as a difficult task."

Asked if the St. Lucians are as tough as the 1-1 result suggests, Downswell replied "...no, it was a spirited performance from them".

He added: "We'll have one week to prepare, that will definitely be a fillip for us going into the next game."

In other second round qualifiers yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean's number two team, crushed the British Virgin Islands 4-0 in Road Town, Tortola, while St. Vincent and the Grenadines gave themselves a great opportunity of advancing to the third with a 3-1 victory over Grenada in Kingstown.

[b]"I don't see it as a difficult task, it will be challenging but I don't see it as a difficult task."

Yeah, Right....I hope Downswell does not have to eat his words.[/B]

---

quote:

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Originally posted by haitiball:
Haiti was the best team in the Caribbean from 1970 to 1978. Their only true rivals were the Trinidadians with their dangerous Archibald. Haiti qualified for the 1974 Worldcup in Germany after they beat T&T 2-1.

During that period only Mexico could have been expected to beat Haiti. However, just like Brazil and lowly Chile in South America, Haiti always had trouble with Canada and Jamaica.

Other interesting teams in that era were Surinam and Cuba. Jamaica was more associated with cricket than football.

---

Barbados beat that 1974 Haiti team before they went World Cup in Germany.

quote:

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Originally posted by bajafrica:
Barbados beat that 1974 Haiti team before they went World Cup in Germany.

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You are right. That was a huge upset and Barbados was the only Caribbean team that beat Haiti in that era. The bajans went crazy after the upset.

quote:

---

Originally posted by haitiball:
You are right. That was a huge upset and Barbados was the only Caribbean team that beat Haiti in that era. The bajans went crazy after the upset.

However, as I pointed out there were several good teams in the Caribbean. But,T&T was particuliarly very good.

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You know your football haitiball.

I have to say....3 of the very best ever to come out of the Caribbean played for that Haitian team.

Henri Francillon....perhaps the best goalie ever from the Caribbean.

Emmanuel Sanon...a wonderful striker

and the Prince himself

Phillipe Vorbe.

What a player Vorbe was. Platini like in his play. I have my bias....Russel latapy is the best I have seen from the Caribbean...but Vorbe was something else.

His son wasn't a bad little player either.

4-2 and the ref stole 3 clear goals, was banned for life as Duvaklier paid him off!

Know the truth!

bUT YOU ARE correct, Haiti routinely beat T&T in the 60.s and early eighties.

T@T vs Haiti:
P W D L GF GA
7 3 1 3 10 12

The WCQ Results:
1. 23-NOV-68 - HAI 4 vs 0 TRI.
2. 25-NOV-68 - HAI 2 vs 4 TRI.
3. 04-DEC-73 - HAI 2 vs 1 TRI.
4. 01-AUG-80 - HAI 2 vs 0 TRI.
5. 17-AUG-80 - TRI 1 vs 0 HAI.
6. 07-MAY-00 - TRI 3 vs 1 HAI.
7. 19-MAY-00 - HAI 1 vs 1 TRI.

quote:

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Originally posted by palos:
You know your football haitiball.

I have to say....3 of the very best ever to come out of the Caribbean played for that Haitian team.

Henri Francillon....perhaps the best goalie ever from the Caribbean.

Emmanuel Sanon...a wonderful striker

and the Prince himself

Phillipe Vorbe.

What a player Vorbe was. Platini like in his play. I have my bias....Russel latapy is the best I have seen from the Caribbean...but Vorbe was something else.

His son wasn't a bad little player either.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by truetrini:
world cup

T@T vs Haiti:
P W D L GF GA
7 3 1 3 10 12

The WCQ Results:
1. 23-NOV-68 - HAI 4 vs 0 TRI.
2. 25-NOV-68 - HAI 2 vs 4 TRI.
3. 04-DEC-73 - HAI 2 vs 1 TRI.
4. 01-AUG-80 - HAI 2 vs 0 TRI.
5. 17-AUG-80 - TRI 1 vs 0 HAI.
6. 07-MAY-00 - TRI 3 vs 1 HAI.
7. 19-MAY-00 - HAI 1 vs 1 TRI.

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Nothing to do with 19 how long...

Who is number one in the caribbean today???

quote:

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Originally posted by truetrini:
That same era T&T beat Mexico 4-0 too!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by A Fan:

"Our preparation was not ideal coming into this game as some of them (players) came out of the Caribbean Club Championship final with bruises; we didn't lose the game and we were down to 10 players; we had only one training session over here (St. Lucia); and we didn't get to train on the surface on which the match was played."

Seven of Downswell's 18-member squad played in Wednesday's bruising regional club championship first-leg final, including the man who scored yesterday, Priestly. In fact, it was Priestly's 82nd minute goal which earned Harbour View a 1-1 draw with Tivoli.

Three of Jamaica's players were also ruled out of the St. Lucia clash because of injuries sustained last Wednesday - midfield general Jermaine Hue, Robert Scarlett and reserve 'keeper Ryan Thompson and Downswell, anticipating their return to the team for the second tie at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday, said "...the good thing about it is we'll have all the players for the next leg".

.

---

Ah bwoy... From international idiot to local idiot... I thought you guys said we have good coaches within our shores.

So what the **** would happen if the whole team got injured in the Caribbean Club Competition.

How are you not going to have a back up plan knowing half your squad is playing in a big regional club game where the stakes are high b4 they embark on a regional international.

DAMN... Why is our football ran by a bunch of idiots.

quote:

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Originally posted by jt:
look at the date you posted on this thread haitiball..

Nothing to do with 19 how long...

Who is number one in the caribbean today???

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by haitiball:
On the paper, I would say jamaica is the number one. However, looking at the most recent results, the cubans might disagree with me. Also, jamaica hasn't played T&T in a long time. All that makes it really difficult to assume that jamaica is the best team in the Caribbean.
However, jamaica is a better team than haiti.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by phaiti:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by haitiball:
[b] On the paper, I would say jamaica is the number one. However, looking at the most recent results, the cubans might disagree with me. Also, jamaica hasn't played T&T in a long time. All that makes it really difficult to assume that jamaica is the best team in the Caribbean.
However, jamaica is a better team than haiti.

---

[/B][/QUOTE]

I think there are four great teams in the Caribbean. Unless these teams play each other more often it will be very difficult to assume which one is really the best.

quote:

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Originally posted by phaiti:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by haitiball:
[b] On the paper, I would say jamaica is the number one. However, looking at the most recent results, the cubans might disagree with me. Also, jamaica hasn't played T&T in a long time. All that makes it really difficult to assume that jamaica is the best team in the Caribbean.
However, jamaica is a better team than haiti.

---

[/B][/QUOTE]

I do not think it's a big deal if some countries use foreign-born players in their national teams. You need to remember that some countries accept dual citizenship while our country does not.

The point is we should be able to play competitively any team regardless where the players were born.

quote:

---

Originally posted by haitiball:
I do not think it's a big deal if some countries use foreign-born players in their national teams. You need to remember that some countries accept dual citizenship while our country does not.

The point is we should be able to play competitively any team regardless where the players were born.

I am certain you will soon see some Americans or Frenchmen of Haitian heritage in our national team.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by HaitianSensation:
I agree with that post! You will see that in our national team soon. You can bet on it!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by haitiball:
Foreign players of Haitian origine will show up as soon as Haiti qualifies for a major tournament. I think this is what is happening in countries like Jamaica and Panama. Is this good, bad, or fair? I don't know.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by phaiti:
let's hope so, maybe that will take us to where we belong which is the king of the carribbean. i have my fingers cross but the FHF is killing us with the way they do things.

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Phaiti, what do you think about a yearly competition between Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, and Cuba to crown a caribbean champ every year?

i say this because the digicel cup final should have the top 4 power in the carribbean plus Barbados. see what i mean

quote:

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Originally posted by phaiti:
i think the Digicel cup describes it all to us, i think it's the same kind of tournament you're asking for.

i say this because the digicel cup final should have the top 4 power in the carribbean plus Barbados. see what i mean

[This message has been edited by phaiti (edited 12-14-2004).]

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Do you know that if everything goes as expected Haiti will play Cuba in the third round of the DGC? Therefore, it's gonna be either Haiti or Cuba in Barbados.
In the DGC a bad day in front of a weak team can ruin everything. To evaluate the strenght of a team, you need to watch that team play worthy opponents in a given period of time.

quote:

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Originally posted by haitiball:
Archibald scored most of the goals with his hands. After this match, he became a hero in haiti because it was the 70s and white mexico was a common enemy for Haitians and Trinidadians.

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"..with his hands." Are you saying Archibald was a cheat? Please amplify.

phaiti...only four teams will be at Digicel Finals including the host. Cuba,Boyz,Trinis,Haiti cant all be there. One going be eliminated.Assuming another team doesnt upset them. Who do you think will be the goat?

quote:

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Originally posted by bajafrica:
"..with his hands." Are you saying Archibald was a cheat? Please amplify.

phaiti...only four teams will be at Digicel Finals including the host. Cuba,Boyz,Trinis,Haiti cant all be there. One going be eliminated.Assuming another team doesnt upset them. Who do you think will be the goat?

---

Unfortunately Archibald was a cheater just like Hugo Sanchez in the 80s, he used his hands as often as his head. Back then, that was called 'smart' when the cheater wasn't caught.

Also, it was the 70s and Blacks were more aware of their blackness. No referees would have been insane enough to deny the trinis a goal in front of Mexico in "Duvalier's backyard".

If you can find a tape of that T&T-Mexico, watch the match or if you can understand spanish, watch the next T&T-Mexico on either Univision, Galavision, or Telefutura you will probably get a retro on that 73 T&T-Mex.

About that "goat" thing, Haiti is probably the weakest link in the super G-4 of the Caribbean. However, Haiti beat both Cuba and Trinidad in their last encounters and lost only to Jamaica.

By the way, do you really think Barbados can beat either Jamaica, Cuba, or Trinidad? To qualify they will need to beat at least one of the three or tie two of them.

[This message has been edited by haitiball (edited 12-15-2004).]

[This message has been edited by haitiball (edited 12-15-2004).]

archibald was deadly with the headers..you cannot talk about cheating,,,Haiti got to Germany by robbing T&T

AN Ash Wednesday clash with the mighty United States starts Trinidad and Tobago’s final bid to make it to the World Cup football finals in Germany 2006.

The team has hurdled all previous obstacles and now five countries—the US, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama—stand in its way.

The “Soca Warriors,” as the team is known, will need to finish at least third of the six-member group to secure a guaranteed place in the finals, following home and away matches against its opponents.

A fourth place will also be available to the region, if the team placing fourth in the group can beat a team from Asia in a play-off.

The Concacaf region must, of course, be thankful to FIFA vice-president Austin Jack Warner for convincing FIFA that the area is much more deserving of the one spot that was available to it in 1974, when Mr Warner first entered the administrative chair.

Connoisseurs of the sport would remember that was the year T&T scored five goals in a qualifier against Haiti and lost 2-1, four of the goals being disallowed by a referee who was subsequently banned from the game for life.

Of course, Haiti went on to win the group and qualified from the Concacaf region for the finals, with T&T finishing second.

In 1990, the number of available spots had increased to two and, as fate would have it, T&T’s ill-fated “Strike Squad” finished third in the group and was again edged out of a place in Italy by the US and Costa Rica.

This time around, 3.5 spots are available.

And everything points to a most competitive eight months of football starting on Ash Wednesday, during which T&T will play ten matches—five at home.

It would be fair to say that the local lads failed to inspire confidence in their ability to get to Germany during the recently completed semi-final rounds of the qualifiers.

Fans who took time off to support the Soca Warriors could not have been satisfied when St Vincent and the Grenadines, a team that has limited appeal in Caribbean football, took the lead and held it well into the final ten minutes of their Concacaf semi-final qualifier.

It took an 84th minute goal from Hector Sam and an Angus Eve last-minute free-kick to save face for Bertille St Clair’s team.

Nevertheless, plans are feverishly being pursued to ensure that the Warriors are up to the task at this final hurdle.

New players with greater experience, additional technical staffing and a continuous appraisal of what is needed for success have informed much of the focus.

Unfortunately, officials of the T&T Football Federation continue to lament the absence of meaningful support for the team, both from government and corporate T&T.

Mr Warner, in a frantic appeal on the weekend, reminded that this is the country’s national football team and any success can relieve some of the negativity that pervades the society and bring great joy to all.

It would seem that for most of the year, calls for financial assistance to the team have resulted in minimal returns.

quote:

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Originally posted by truetrini:
Man you are a liar!

archibald was deadly with the headers..you cannot talk about cheating,,,Haiti got to Germany by robbing T&T

Please!

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Let's be serious. We all know that in a 'perfect world' T&T would have won the hai-T&T math, but they would have lost the one with Mexico. The true victims were the Mexicans who failed to finish first because of that unfair loss to T&T.

If T&T can beat a team like Iran, they will probably make it to Germany this time because I think they will finish 3rd or 4th. I hope Yorke come back.

Cho... mek mi go start one nodda thread "Di Official Digicel Cup Coverage"