The Finals of the 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Cup will be hosted by one of the four finalist countries ahead of next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
This was disclosed by Caribbean Football Union President Gordon Derrick after he witnessed the final of the CFU Men’s Under 17 championship in which Haiti defeated Cuba 5-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Sunday.
Derrick presented the winning trophy to Haiti and was accompanied by CFU General Secretary Neil Cochrane,TTFA President David John Williams and Vice President Ewing Davis on the awards stage following the final match on an action-filled evening of football which also saw Jamaica capture third place with a win over Curacao.
Switching his attention to the upcoming senior-men’s tournament, Derrick said he was anticipating the event which will qualify the Caribbean’ representatives to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
T&T’s Senior Men will host Dominican Republic in the first of two Caribbean Cup semi-final round matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on October 5th at 7pm. T&T will then travel to meet Martinique there on October 11th. The top team from the three-team group will join three other group winners in the semi-final and final which will be hosted by one of the four teams that have made it through to that final stage.
“As you know the format of the Scotiabank Caribbean Cup has changed this year and it is actually a brainchild of mine which is why I am also happy to have been reelected to see it happen. What we decided was to have the matches spread throughout the region so that countries will have at least one of the semi-final round matches played in their countries and so everyone can experience the excitement of this prestigious tournament. The quality of the football is always high and there are keen rivalries,” Derrick told TTFA Media.
“And one of the reasons we have not named the hosts for the Finals (semi-finals and Final) is because when those four countries are determined then we will have a better idea of which one of those four nations will host the semi-final and the final. It’s building up to be a very intriguing competition with some great match ups in the next phase, “ he added.
Derrick also complimented the CFU staff and the Local Organising Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association for putting on a first class event over the past couple weeks during the U-17s in T&T with matches being staged at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and Ato Boldon Stadium.
“It was a tremendous tournament. I am very happy about the quality of the play that I saw and the organisation of the tournament was first class and I think this was an excellent launch to start a new cycle of developing quality players. You would have seen some tonight like the MVP player (Steeve Selso Saint-Duke) from Haiti and you saw a lot of players in between and it’s really an exciting time to see some of our best talent here at the Under 17 level.
“It is only glowing remarks in terms of the organisation. The staff has been very conscientious and hard working in their efforts. It was run smoothly but I am sure things were hectic back there. What makes me proud is that the entire tournament was run by HR persons from the CFU and the LOC involved and this shows we can put on a world class, first class tournament. There was no difference in how this tournament was hosted compared to how a FIFA tournament would be run at the highest level and that is what we are striving for. Congratulations to the entire staff that made this happen,” he said.
Derrick also said he will be at every home game for Trinidad and Tobago during the CONCACAF 2018 Final Round of qualification, beginning with the November 11th clash with Costa Rica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“I was somewhat disappointed that more Caribbean teams didn’t make it to the final round but I want to make a bold prediction – Trinidad and Tobago is going to finish third in the group and qualify for the Russia World Cup. That is my belief and anything higher will be better. I think once the country of Trinidad and Tobago rallies together then they will make it. The whole of the Caribbean will be rallying behind them because they are the only flag carrier for us. We are going to be behind them and I will be at every home game for T&T because that’s how important it is,” Derrick added.
Roll of Honour
Fair Play Award – Curacao.
Golden Glove Award – Redondo Alliance (Haiti)
Golden Boots Award – Steeve Selso Saint-Duke (Haiti #10)
Most Valuable Player – Steeve Selso Saint-Duke (Haiti #10)
All Star Team
#1.Redondo Alliance (Goalkeeper,Haiti)
#2.Jolicoeur Jr Etienne (Right Defender, Haiti)
#3. Damani Osei (Left Defender, Jamaica)
#5. Yoel Llorente (Centre Defender, Cuba)
#3. Brismax Clerge (Centre Defender, Haiti)
#8. Carlos Alberto Molina (Centre Midfielder, Cuba)
#16. Daniel Jean Jackes (Centre Midfielder, Haiti)
#10. Brian Savigne (Right Midfielder, Cuba)
#14. Nickque Daley (Left Midfielder, Jamaica)
#9. Raewin Senior (Forward, Jamaica)
#10. Steve Sels Saint-Duc (Forward, Haiti)