A huge crowd of family, fans, friends and rival teams witnessed one of the most incredible Finals in BDO School League history on Saturday May 31, 2014, as only a wonder goal could separate First Impressions U12’s from Joyce Samuel Primary School at the A.O. Shirley Ground.

It is rare that a contender for Goal of the Season actually happens in a final, but the Prentice boys, Jalen and Jahmal, conjured up a piece of Football magic that was not only worthy of the accolade, but also handed First Impressions a winner in a 3-2 victory over defending U12 Champions Joyce Samuel Primary School as the BVIFA BDO School League climaxed on Saturday.

For the older generation the goal was created out of Dutch “Total Football” folklore, a fitting analogy as both play in Orange and it would be no surprise had the drag back and pass from Jalen Prentice been Johann Cruyff, the Dutch Master, passing to Johnny Rep in 1974.

For the newer generation read Ronaldo to Benzema, Suarez to Stirling or even Aguero to Dzeko.

Taking a pass from Guillaume Parkins into his stride Jalen dragged the ball from left to right and flicked a pass from behind his body into the JSPS penalty box. Brother Jahmal reacted first and deftly lifted the ball over the diving Riley Christopher with the outside of his boot to send the ball curling into the net.
That it took such a moment of brilliance from FIPS to secure a hard fought win was testament to how well JSPS had played during the final, which saw them recover from going a goal down, scored by Parkins, to go 2-1 up early in the second half.

Giovanni Grant leveled the game in the 17th minute and then Christopher scored direct from a clearance to put JSPS ahead. Parkins then scored his second, from the penalty spot, despite Christopher making a valiant effort to block the powerfully struck shot and during the last five minutes both teams had chances to score, but with defenses at both ends staying resolute it took a moment of magic to determine the destination of the Trophy and when it mattered most, up popped the Prentice Boys.

The BDO and LIME School Leagues Grand Finale had begun with the High School Girls of Elmore Stoutt High School overcoming a Begrado Flax Educational Centre Combined team 1-0 thanks to a close range strike from the very promising “Lala.”

The LIME Boys game between ESHS and BFEC then remained deadlocked at 0-0 before the BDO U7 Primary School Final took centre stage.

Althea Scatliffe Primary School took full advantage of their penalty shoot out prowess to defeat Begrado Flax 3-2 in a sudden death shoot out after the game ended 0-0.
ASPS had reached the semi finals with a win on Penalties and also claimed their spot in the Final with a similar win over Robinson O’Neal Primary before K’ Jari Thomas kept a cool head to fire home the winner in the final.

Jahari Lacey and Keshawn Martin also scored for ASPS, while Jaden Abrahams and Emanuel Etienne were successful for BFEC.

In the U9 Final FIPS raced into a 2-0 lead over Cedar Green courtesy of a Nathan Adams opener in the 10th minute and a Jalen Prentice strike in the 15th minute.

Azarni Callwood pulled one back via a long range shot for Cedar in the 25th minute, but FIPS held on to secure their first Trophy of the day.

The U12 Final then proved the true value of the commitment of BDO to support the BVIFA in fostering talent at youth level and with the support of LIME the developmental stages for young footballers are well and truly set, with the only outcome a talented group of youngsters that will represent the Territory with pride and honour for years to come.

 

As the qualifying rounds for the 2015 Gold Cup got underway on Friday May 30, 2014, Virgin Islands faced French Guiana in Group Two, hosted by Aruba and were downed 6-0.

The game played on the Astroturf surface at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Prospero Trinidade, Oranjestad, saw the VI concede a first half penalty, but otherwise match their taller and seemingly stronger physically opponents.

However in the second half with a lack of match fitness beginning to show and a spate of minor injuries upsetting the team’s rhythm, the VI conceded five more goals and looked a tired, relieved group when the final whistle blew.

The injury problems ahead of Sunday night’s game against the host, Aruba, include Troy Caesar (minor concussion), Gregory James (instep bruising), Joel Fahie (ankle), and Chris Telemaque (groin).

“We didn’t get any warm up games,” lamented Coach Avondale Williams. “The players have been outplayed by height and body strength, we were pushed off the ball too easily, but will learn from this and come back strong.”

The VI did create themselves a few chances and showed that when they got the ball to feet and passed it around, then they were a threat to the opposition.

The competition will once again decide several teams that will qualify for CONCACAF’s showpiece event and, on this occasion, one which will obtain an automatic berth to the Centennial America Cup 2016. The champion of the 2015 Gold Cup will then participate in a play-in match against the 2013 champion United States for a spot in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Cuba is the defending champion, capturing it’s first-ever title two years ago by topping Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 in the final. Both sides advanced to the Gold Cup along with Haiti and Martinique.

By: BVIFA

The National team departed this morning, Tuesday May 27^th, 2014, for Aruba where it will play in Group two of the 18^th edition of the Caribbean Cup.

Also in the group are the host, Aruba, French Guiana and the Turks and Caicos.

The first game is Friday 30^th May against French Guiana at 6.30pm followed by Aruba on Sunday June 1^st at 8.30pm and the final game against the Turks and Caicos on Tuesday June 3^rd at 6.30pm.

The full BVI squad includes: Damien Farrell, Gregory James, Andy Davis (captain), Joel Fahie, Fladimir Septus, Christopher Telemaque, Trevor Peters, Jasquever Frett, Troy Caesar, Jamal Sergeant, Kevin Fisher, Rushedo Robinson, Jhon Samuel, Vanquever Frett, Rondell Delfish, Shamoy Thompson, James Shearman, Montgomery Butler and Javier Smith.

Accompanying the squad are manager, Val Rose,  Assistant Coach, Lenroy Henry, and Head Coach, Avondale Williams.

“I’m very pleased with the commitment of the players over the last few weeks of training and we can expect a much better performance than in previous years,” noted Williams ahead of the team’s departure.

“We are reaching the venue a couple of days ahead and will add the finishing touches to our plans before the opening game against French Guiana. We are aiming at qualifying for the next round in Puerto Rico and have done a lot of preparation on the mental side of the game as well as tactical. Our goal is to compete at the highest level and come out on top of the group”

The Tournament acts as a qualifier for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the group winner will progress into Group Four which contains Puerto Rico (host Nation), Grenada and Curacao

Jamaica received a bye into the eight-team final round, which it will host in Montego Bay, November 9-18, and will be joined there by defending champion Cuba.

GROUP 1

Bonaire (host), Montserrat, U.S. Virgin Islands

GROUP 2

Aruba (host), British Virgin Islands, French Guiana, Turks & Caicos Islands

The first round, September 1-8, is comprised of four, four-team groups:

GROUP 3

Martinique (host), Barbados, Suriname, Group 1 winner

GROUP 4

Puerto Rico (host), Grenada, Curacao, Group 2 winner

GROUP 5

Antigua & Barbuda (host), Dominican Republic, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Anguilla

GROUP 6

St. Kitts & Nevis (host), Dominica, Guyana, St. Lucia

The first- and second-place teams from each group, as well as the third-place team with the best overall record, will progress to the second round.  There, they will slot into three, four-team groups headed by hosts Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti and Guadeloupe.  Those encounters will be played October 6-13:

GROUP 7

Trinidad & Tobago (host), Group 5 winner, Group 6 runner-up, Best overall third place

(Contd)

 

GROUP 8

Haiti (host), Group 6 winner, Group 3 runner-up, Group 4 runner-up

GROUP 9

Guadeloupe, Group 4 winner, Group 3 winner, Group 5 runner-up

The second round group winners and runners-up will advance to the final round.

This will also be the first time that the Caribbean Cup’s qualifying stages will be played during officially-sanctioned FIFA match dates, allowing national associations the latitude to include overseas players.

Trinidad & Tobago has won the tournament on a record eight occasions.

By: BVIFA

Half way through the second half, Derol Redhead found himself in some space at the top of the penalty area as a corner swung in from the right. He at first looked set to try an overhead bicycle kick, but instead dragged the ball back over his shoulder with a deft touch, and fired home an unstoppable volley past the Rebels.

Having reached the half time break still locked in stalemate, the Rebels should have put themselves ahead early in the second half when Denzil Joseph was one on one with the keeper, but failed to convert the chance from 10 yards out. Moments later, down at the other end Redhead sliced an attempted volley wide and Lenard Davis also came close, but his first touch let him down allowing the keeper to smother his shot.

Jario Morris also brought a fine save from the keeper, with a header and Gregory Solomon also made a last ditch tackle to thwart another threatening Sugar Boys attack.

Joseph squandered another golden opportunity for Rebels, but the move of the match saw Roger Roberts dribble past 3 Rebels defenders before seeing his close range effort saved, and then came the Redhead stunner to secure all 3 points.

Earlier One Love had been held 2-2 by the Wolues, with missed opportunities and two dropped points meaning they missed out on going joint top of the standings with the Islanders.

Mark Gardner had given the Wolues the lead in the 23rd minute before Eric Campbell equalized 5 minutes later. Alessandro Pallandino then restored the Wolues advantage from the penalty spot just before half time.

One Love missed many good chances and eventually leveled the game through Charles Bonnick in the 55th minute. However they could not find a winner and the Wolues will be the happier of the two teams.