Caribbean  International Football Update

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Caribbean and Canadian football /soccer fans will be getting a good taste of the best in Caribbean football both locally and overseas. Last Sunday August 13 visiting Harbourview FC from the Jamaican Professional Football League defeated Serbian White Eagles of the Canadian Soccer League International Division 1-0 by virtue of a penalty kick in the 60th minute. It was a well played game but the pro Jamaican crowd seemed a little disappointed in the play of Harbour View in the early part of the game. The game was played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, the home field of the Serbian White Eagles who is in their first year in the Canadian Soccer League and attracting large crowds with their offense output of over 4 goals a game.

  The Serbians seemed destined to blow the game wide open after having had full control of the first half. The stubborn Harbour view defense was not willing to give up any easy goals or else the game could have been totally one sided. The Serbians were very disappointed not to be leading at the half as a result and a very interesting second half was anticipated.

Harbour View started the second half with more intensity and a noticeable improvement in their offensive play. They were rewarded with a penalty kick at the 15 minute mark after one of the Serbian defenders misdirected a hard shot with his hand.  Harbourview converted the penalty and the Serbs kept up the offensive pressure in a see saw battle to the end. Harbour View defense was the difference and they managed to hold on to secure the 1-0 victory. The Serbian are undefeated in CSL play this season thus far and their only lost was at the hands of the Toronto Lynx of the USL in the Canada Cup KO Tournament on penalty kicks after the game was tied 2-2 after overtime.

Update: On August 27 a visiting Jamaica Invitational team will play a visiting Trinidad Invitational team as part of the Soccer Salute 2006 Caribbean celebrations at Allan Lamport Stadium to recognize the two countries accomplishment on the world football scene. There are also live performances by visiting Jamaican reggae and Trinidadian soca artists scheduled as part of the event.

    Trendsetters Hawks a tribute to Soca Warriors                                                            Trinidad and Tobago Trendsetter Hawks football team gave an impressive display of soccer at the 40TH Annual International Robbie Soccer Tournament held in Scarborough, Toronto. In their first appearance in the tournament they managed to clinch the Group C Division title with an undefeated record of 2 wins and one tie. Trendsetters defeated Erin Mills 2-0 and tied with East York 0-0 in their Saturday games.  Bright and early the following Sunday morning Trendsetter picked up where they left off and defeated Aurora 2-1 to advance to the semi-final schedule for later that afternoon.

Trendsetters Hawks support base increased with every game they played and because of that popularity the team was canvassed to play in the Toronto Cup Tournament this weekend in Markham. The International tournament comprise of teams from USA, Mexico, and Nigeria. Trendsetters first two games in the Toronto Cup are scheduled for Saturday against Orland Park and Aurora at 3:30pm and 8:00pm respectively while on Sunday they play Ajax at 12:30p. All three Division games are at Centennial Park in Markham, located just behind the Markville Mall.

Trendsetter would be remembered as one of the first Caribbean team to reach the semi finals in the Robbie Tournament. They lost 1-0 in the semi final game after controlling the run of play in the first half. but gave up a penalty kick in the first two minutes of the second half. They squandered two break away chances with only the Glen Shields goalkeeper beat but their aggressive style of play is maintained they will definitely continue to please the crowd which is increasing with every game.

The highlight play of the semi final game was a solo run by Trendsetters right wing back when he weaved through close to 5 opposing players only to slip while attempting to get around the goalkeeper. This was within minutes of another breakaway that was played straight to the Glen Shields goalkeeper.

Trendsetters will close off their tour at the Caribbean Stars Sports and Family Day on July 15 at the Lamoreaux Sports Complex in Scarborough with a tribute to the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors.

I think it is safe to say that the Robbie Tournament Committee is pleased with what the Trinidad and Tobago Trendsetters Hawks team has brought to the 2006 Under 18 Robbie Division.