Army beaten in FCB Cup final

COLOMBIAN-born goalkeeper Alejan-dro Figueroa produced two timely saves in the penalty shootout as W Connection defeated Defence Force 3-2 to lift the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup, and the $35,000 jackpot, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Friday night. Playing in their fourth straight FCB Cup decider, Connection won the title for the first time since the inaugural version in 2001 while Defence Force, the 2002 winners, pocketed $20,000 for their effort.

The match, which was played under humid conditions in front of a crowd estimated at 6,000, got off on a bright note for Connection as striker Earl Jean headed home a right-side corner from Jose Luiz Seabra after only six minutes of play. Defence Force’s goalkeeper Selwyn George was forced to produce a point-blank save to deny Jean his second goal in the 19th, when the St Lucian striker headed goalbound from a right-side centre from Nicholson Thomas. Connection’s constant raids bothered their opponents, but they conceeded the equaliser against the run of play. In the 39th, defender Michael Edwards skipped past the challenge of strikers Andre Toussaint and Titus Elva and sent a through ball to Anton Joseph on the left, whose square pass to Devon Jorsling was diverted into his own net by defender Elijah Joseph.

The Savonetta lads regained the lead in fortuitous circumstances, as Anton Joseph was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his penalty area a minute into the second half. National midfielder Silvio Spann converted the spot kick. The scoreline could have been widened by Connection’s striker Kendall Davis in the 50th but, unmarked in the penalty area, he sent his header wide from a left-side chip by Seabra. But the Army/Coast Guard combination, showed their fighting qualities once again as they forced referee Neal Brizan to award them a penalty in the 63rd which was slotted home by midfielder Kurt Williams. Again Joseph was the culprit as he clipped the heels of in-form substitute striker Odelle Armstrong (who normally replaces Jorsling on the hour mark) during a goalbound run. Both teams fought tooth and nail until the end of regulation time and, under competition rules, the match went straight into kicks-from-the-penalty spot.

After Armstrong opened Defence Force’s account, Spann, Seabra and Joseph responded to put Connection 3-1 up after Figueroa guessed right on Christon Baptiste’s attempt while Jerwyn Balthazar’s shot sailed overbar. Pierre pulled back one for Defence Force before Thomas’ response for Connection went high over the mark. And, needing to score to keep the match alive, Ronald St Louis’ attempted chip was blocked by Figueroa. Coincidentally, both Connection and Defence Force will meet at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva as the T&T Pro League continues today. The match will kick off at 4 pm, while league leaders North East Stars will oppose Tobago United simultaneously at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground.

And CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh will oppose Starworld Strikers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from five o’clock. In the third-place playoff, Starworld walked away with the $20,000 prize after a come-from- behind 4-1 thrashing of North East. Veteran striker Jerren Nixon put the Sangre Grande-based lads in front after 15 minutes of play before Starworld stormed back in convincing fashion, with a double from Linsie Sherwood in the 29th and 77th, and one apiece from the unrelated Charles, Andre (31st) and Errol (54th). North East were rewarded with the fourth-placed prize of $16,000.

Teams -
W CONNECTION: Alejandro Figueroa; David Atiba Charles, Elijah Joseph, Jose Luiz Seabra; Kevon Clement, Nicholson Thomas, Silvio Spann, Titus Elva (Luciano Vieira 61st), Andre Toussaint; Kendall Davis (Jason Cudjoe 82nd), Earl Jean (capt) (Bevon Lewis 28th).
DEFENCE FORCE: Selwyn George; Kelshall Alexander (capt), Michael Edwards, Anton Pierre; Anton Joseph (Shelton Williams 53rd), Christon Baptiste, Kwesi Smith, Ronald St Louis, Kurt Williams (Claude Adams 83rd); Devon Jorsling (Odelle Armstrong 59th), Jerwyn Balthazar.