Connection, Central in CFU semi-final

Central, one of this season’s Club Championship debuting teams, defeated Alpha United 3-1 at Providence Stadium in Guyana on Sunday to leapfrog the home side to top Group 1 of the Club Championship to qualify for the semi-final round, where the “Couva Sharks” later learned that they will meet Trinidadian rivals W Connection.

Trinidad and Tobago international Ataulla Guerra scored twice and set up another, scored by midfield partner Sean de Silva, against the Guyana league champions, who got their lone item from 29-year-old former Caledonia AIA forward Konata Mannings.

Guerra fired Central ahead in the 15th minute before setting up De Silva two minutes later to give the “Couva Sharks” an early 2-0 cushion.

Mannings then reduced the deficit three minutes before the break with a curling 25-yard free-kick past goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams but an 85th minute converted penalty by Guerra, beating Alpha goalkeeper Ronson Williams, following a foul on Darren Mitchell, put the match out of the Guyana team’s reach.

The win also kept Central FC coach Terry Fenwick perfect after three matches in all competitions since being reinstalled last month for the position he took over from Serbian Zoran Vranes, who was shifted into the role of technical director of youth and women’s football.

Connection — seasoned Club Championship and CONCACAF Champions League campaigners — preserved their position at the top of Group 2 in Trinidad by defeating Antigua/Barbuda outfit SAP FC 7-2, just shy of duplicating a 7-1 score-line they achieved against Guyana Defence Force last Wednesday.

Due to unlawful player registrations, SAP FC’s star attackers Peter Byers (aged 30), and Blake Thompson (29) were forced to look on from the stands, just as they did during their team’s opening match against Guyana Defence Force which finished 2-2.

But SAP’s greater problems weren’t in offence. SAP defenders were clearly unable to withstand the prowess of Connection’s attacking diamond which headed into the dressing room with a 6-0 lead at the break, with all four attacking players scoring within the first 26 minutes.

Hashim Arcia scored three times in the first half to reach his second hat-trick, with a tally of six goals during the Group stage in just two matches. (ttproleague.com)