Joe Public in CFU Club final

The final will kick off at seven o’clock at Marabella, following the third-place play-off, with the winner advancing to the 2008 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.

The “Eastern Lions” got an 81st minute winner from Guyanese striker Gregory Richardson as they ousted the Islanders 1-0 while Harbour View needed kicks-from-the-penalty spot to eliminate Jabloteh 10-9 after the scoreline was goalless after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time.

Puerto Rico Islanders, an American A-League club, created the match’s first meaningful opportunity in the 22nd, when midfielder David Johnson’s long-range shot was held by Joe Public’s goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa, while the midfielder’s 28th minute freekick failed to hit the target.

The “Lions” Jamaican forward Roen Nelson, sent clear on goal by Kerry Baptiste, had his left-footed effort parried by Islanders’ keeper Joshua Saunders a minute later.

Both teams were cautious thereafter, until the 55th when Fabrice Noel got a feed on the right by Noah Delgado and crossed to striker Taiwo Atieno who headed over, while Delgado was unlucky to strike the upright five minutes later, with Figueroa collecting the loose ball, after the winger dispossessed Kendall Jagdeosingh on the right flank.

Nelson’s 69th minute drive was held by Saunders while Delgado collected a neat pass from Jonathan Steele but was denied by Figueroa 10 minutes later.

The breakthrough came shortly thereafter, as Silas Spann took an eternity to find an unmarked Nelson, whose right-footer was blocked by Saunders but Richardson pounced on the loose ball and placed it home.

Richardson could have doubled his tally in the 86th, but his attempt was thwarted by Saunders, which made little difference as the “Eastern Lions” secured a place in tonight’s decider.

In the penalty shootout, the scores were tied at 9-9 following kicks by Jermaine Taylor, Gregg Taylor, captain Christopher Harvey, Ricardo Smith, Fabian Taylor, Richard Edwards, Robert Scarlett, Donald Stewart and Keith Kelly (Harbour View); captain Trent Noel, Wendell Joseph, Khaleem Hyland, John, Guerra, Ian Gray, Cornell Glen, Jason Cudjoe and Cyd Gray (Jabloteh).

Oneil Smith made it 10-9 in Harbour View’s favour but defender Karlon Murray failed to keep Jabloteh in the hunt when his low right-footed effort cannoned off the post.

Tonight’s winner will progress to the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, joining defending title-holders Pachuca CF of Mexico, DC United of the United States, CD Motagua of Honduras, Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa and a club apiece from Mexico, the US and Central America.