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 15 minute of the second half. It was 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 are 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 and was it not for the stubborn Harbour view defense that was not willing to give up any easy goals. The game could have been totally one sided if and as a result the Serbians were very disappointed not to be leading taking a lead into the change room at the half.

Harbour View started the second half with more intensity and a noticeable improvement in their offensive play that was rewarded at the 15 minute mark with a penalty kick after one of the Serbian defenders misdirected a hard shot with his hand.  Harbourview took the lead but the Serbs kept up the offensive pressure in what turned out to be a see saw battle to the end. In this game Harbour View defense was the difference and they managed to hold on to secure the victory. The Serbian only lost of their CSL season thus far was at the hands of the Toronto Lynx of the USL in the Canada Cup KO Tournament and that was 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 their Group C Division with an undefeated record of 2 wins and one tie after defeating Erin Mills 2-0 and tying with East York 0-0 in their Saturday games and continued their fine form bright and early the following Sunday morning and defeated Aurora 2-1 to advance to the semi-final schedule for later in the afternoon.

Similar to the Soca Warriors in Germany the Trendsetters Hawks support base has increased with every game they played and because of that popularity the team has canvassed to play in the Toronto Cup Tournament this weekend in Markham. The International tournament comprise of teams from such places as USA, Mexico, and Nigeria. Trendsetters Hawks first two games 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 has taken a giant step and 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 had a lack of luck after giving up a penalty kick with only two minutes gone in the second half. They also came up empty on two break aways with only the Glen Shields goalkeeper to get pass.
Trendsetter’s team plays an aggressive exciting brand of football and if their style of play is maintained they will be increasing their support base even further before they return home.

The highlight play of the game was a solo run by their right wing back when he weaved through about 5 opposing players but slipped while attempting to go around the goalkeeper. This was within minutes of another breakaway that was played straight to the goalkeeper.

Trendsetters will close off their tour in Canada after participating at the Caribbean Stars Sports and Family Day on July 15 at the Lamoreaux Sports Complex at Birchmount and Silver Springs (just north of Finch) 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 team has brought to the 2006 Under 18 Division.