Digicel Caribbean Championships – Stage 2 Group H

Nov 05, 2008 Sports

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Top two countries to advance to finals

The Final Group of Stage Two of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC) is set to kick off with what promises to be an enticing double header at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya this evening.

This Group H contest will see hosts and 2007 Runners up Trinidad and Tobago battle for one of the two remaining spots for the grand finals next month in Jamaica, along with Antigua/Barbuda, St Kitts/Nevis and Guyana over three days of action in the Twin Island Republic.

With the high interest in the beautiful game and moreso the Trinidad and Tobago team in light of their ongoing run of successful results in the 2010 World Cup qualification bid, the excitement is expected to run over into the Digicel matches.

The ‘Soca Warriors’ will undoubtedly want to keep their momentum going as apart from moving on to the Finals next month in Jamaica; they also have their sights on the CONCACAF Gold Cup next year with the top four finishers in the Digicel Caribbean Championships moving on to that tournament.

The top two nations from Group H will join Cuba, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Grenada, DCC 2007 champions Haiti and DCC Finals’ host Jamaica next month to speak the universal language of football and play for the coveted Digicel Caribbean Championships trophy.

Trinidad and Tobago head coach Francisco Maturana expressed his eagerness for the ‘Soca Warriors’ to go all the way.

“We intend to use these upcoming matches in the Digicel Championships to prepare our team in the best possible way for the rest of matches to follow. Of course we are in the World Cup qualification also and with these three matches against Guyana, Antigua/Barbuda and St Kitts/Nevis coming up, it gives us the opportunity to get valuable match practice as well as try to emulate the rest of teams that have already qualified for the finals in Jamaica. We definitely want to be in that final tournament where the best of the Caribbean football will be on display,” Maturana said.

President of the Caribbean Football Union Jack Austin Warner said he expects this final group contest to set the pace for the Grand Finals in Jamaica next month.

“Having just completed an inspection in Egypt for a World Championship, I had to ensure my presence for this launch in Port of Spain and moreso the matches which we shall witness this week because I felt it would be a fitting end in Trinidad and Tobago to what has been an exciting stage of matches throughout the region over the past few months.

“Here it is we now have the runners up from the last competition – Trinidad and Tobago facing what I expect will be stern challenges from Antigua/Barbuda, St Kitts/Nevis and Guyana for a chance to play in the region’s most prestigious tournament. The stakes are very high this time also with the top four teams from the Finals next month going on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009. As such, I am foreseeing the battle and moreso the quality of the football to be better than ever before,” Warner said.

Niall Dorrian, CEO of Digicel Trinidad & Tobago stated that the company is excited to host this important leg of the tournament and remain committed to Caribbean Football development.

“Digicel remains committed to football across the Caribbean and right here in Trinidad & Tobago. It is our pleasure to bring entertaining and exciting matches to local the football fans. The public can also look forward to innovative promotions and activities in the stadium on match days”.

In keeping with the company’s philosophy of social responsibility, Digicel hosted a free football clinic last week for children from around the country, and this was an overwhelming success. 

“130 children came out from orphanages and football clubs from as far as the North Coast and Point Fortin, and Digicel staff also brought their children along. Everyone was treated to a day of football skills and inspirational words from coach Dion La Foucade and Neil ‘Shaka’ Hislop. It was Digicel’s pleasure to bring such a meaningful experience to the nations up and coming football stars.”

The management teams of the host country, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda have all expressed confidence that they will advance from this group. Absent from yesterday’s activity was St. Kitts and Nevis who arrived in the country after the event. 

Group H Fixtures
Match Date November 5
Guyana v St. Kitts & Nevis                                  5pm
Trinidad and Tobago    v Antigua & Barbuda      7pm
November 7
Trinidad and Tobago    v St. Kitts & Nevis         5pm
Antigua & Barbuda v Guyana                             7pm
November 9
St. Kitts & Nevis v Antigua & Barbuda               4pm
Trinidad and Tobago    v Guyana                      6pm

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