CFU football kicks off today

The Islanders will contest Group C which also comprises Harbour View of Jamaica, Sap FC of Antigua and Barbuda and Inter Moengotapoe of Suriname.

“We are anxious to be in the tournament and are looking forward to the second round to play with the top teams. It is going to be a tough event, but exciting,” coach Colin Clarke said.

Islanders reached the semi-finals of this season’s A-League before losing and are anxious to make their mark in the prestigious club tournament.

The side, who opens today with a tough fixture against Harbour View at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, have a few international players in their ranks. Current Panama national team midfielder Victor Herrera Piggott is a key member along with national teammate, goalkeeper Gustavo Avila who lined up against Trinidad and Tobago in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

Young Panamanian midfielder Carlos Jun Torres is among the key players in the team along with Croatia-born midfielder Goran Vujanovic.

The first round group winners along with the three best second-place teams will advance to the quarter-finals on November 11 at the Marvin Lee Stadium and Marabella’s Manny Ramjohn Stadium.

The semi-finals and final will be staged at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 14 and 16, respectively.