FOXBORO: Brian McBride scored twice, and goalie Kasey Keller tied a team record with his 32nd shutout to lead the United States past Martinique 2-0 Monday in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Earlier, Lester More scored a goal in each half as Cuba upset Canada 2-0. The win leaves Cuba tied with Canada atop the Group D standings. Steve Ralston assisted on both United States goals, while Keller faced only a handful of shots, none in the first half, en route to matching Tony Meola’s career mark. Keller, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, collected his 31st career shutout Saturday in a 2-0 victory over El Salvador.
The victory over Martinique means the defending champion United States has won Group C of the competition and advances to the Gold Cup quarterfinals. McBride opened the scoring for the United States in the 39th minute, heading Ralston’s cross into the left corner of the net. Four minutes later, the pair teamed again, with Ralston taking a long cross on the right side of the goal and tapping it to McBride. The Columbus Crew forward slammed the ball in from about 5 metres out. The best chance for Martinique came in the 56th minute, but Keller came off his line and easily stopped the breakaway opportunity by Jose Gordon.
Canada, which defeated Costa Rica in its first match and could have advanced to the quarterfinals with a draw, needs Cuba to win or draw against Costa Rica, or Costa Rica to beat Cuba by three or more goals, to advance. After several forays into the Canadian defence, Cuba found the net in the 15th minute. Jaime Colome slid a through ball that caught More in stride in the right side in the box. More, running at full speed, knocked the ball home with a swift, right-footed kick into the corner of the goal. More struck again a minute after halftime. The forward took a short cross from Pedro Adriani Faife and slammed the ball home from a few metres out.
Trinidad and Tobago’s men double pair of Anil Seepaul and Kerwyn Pantin as well as Glendon Thomas and Darron Charles combined beautifully and advanced to the next round of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) International Championships men’s doubles competition being staged at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex.
With a galaxy of world-rated stars on show, the leading Trinidadian racquet wielders will be fully tested today when action continues from 10 am. Yesterday, national three-time singles champion Seepaul and his talented partner Pantin were extended to three sets by Barbadians Andrew Clarke and Curwin Cherubin, but they eventually showed their Eastern Caribbean neighbours who were boss as they did on Sunday last . Power smashes and agility by both Seepaul and Pantin enabled them to take control of the match in the third and decisive set to move forward with a 15-12, 12-15, 15-7 victory. Today, they will have to be at their best to stop the world-rated Canadian pair of William Milroy and Keith Chan. Charles and Thomas played much better than their first outing against Suriname to turn back the Jamaican pair Kingsley Ford and Ricardo Teape 15-6, 15-11. They meet Germany’s Ingo Kindervater and Bjoern Siegemund today.
Suriname’s successful junior pair of Mitchell Wongsodikromo and Virgil Soeroredjo downed Jamaica champions Bradley Graham and Emilio Mendez 15-12, 15-5, but their senior counterparts Raul SjauwMook and Faisal Dikmoet succumbed to Japan pair of Tooru Matsumoto and Keishi Kawagucchi 4-15, 6-15. However, all eyes were on top-rated Japanese pair Sho Sasaki and Shinji Shankai who gave a glimpse of their incredible wrist play to demolish Canada’s Kyle Hunter and Mike Beres 15-11, 15-4. In singles action, Brazil’s Guilherme Padro stopped TT’s Surajdeen Mohammed 15-13, 15-5. Hunter (Canada) then whipped TT’s Glendon Thomas 15-5, 15-3; Sergio Llopis (Japan) beat Darron Charles (TT) 15-12, 15-9 and Hirotaka Furui (Japan) trounced Ryan Holder (Barbados) 15-3, 15-1.
Jamaica’s star Graham Bradley downed Suarez Salazar 15-3,15-7; Jamaica’s Charles Pyne beat Ricardo Trevelin 15-5 and 15-10; Eric Go thrashed Lucas Araujo 15-7 and 15-6; Suriname’s Redon Coulor edged out Barbadian Andrew Clarke 16-17, 15-9 and 15-6; Canada’s Andrew Dadeka beat Jamaica’s Emilio Mendez 15-3 and 15-10. Fans enjoyed the showdown among the big guns with United States Ragu Rai overpowering Japanese Shinji Shinkai at 15-17, 15-4 and 15-4; Canada’s Stefan Wojcikiewicz turning back Peru’s Javier Jimeno 15-6 and 15-9; Japan’s Keishi Kawagucchi getting the better of Ricardo Fernando 17-16 and 15-8. Among the women TT’s Kesma Bonitoi bowed to Eva Lee at 7-11 and 2-11; TT’s Stephanie Mitchell lost to Judy Patrick at 5-11 and 5-11 while Kimberley Lovero lost to Barbadian Mariama Eastmond at 5-11 and 1-11. Japan’s Miyo Akad trounced Suriname’s Carolyn Davids 11-6 and 11-1 while Peru’s Lorena Blanco beat Jamaica’s Kimone Myers 11-0 and 11-4. Apart from the excitement among seniors from 20 countries, there will be heated competition among the Caribbean juniors who are seeking top CAREBACO individual honours as the challenge becomes greater to reach the next rounds.
JAVA IN STYLE showed he is fleet of foot when stepping 400 metres in the good time of 25.8 seconds as trainers prepared their charges for Saturday’s 10-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning.
The Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owned and trained colt who showed good early speed in the 900 metres race two Saturday’s back must be noted for his engagement. Another revealing gallop came from Panama Canal who went over 600 metres in 36.5 seconds. And Squeezed Moment had the next best run over 400 metres yesterday, posting a time of 26.9 seconds. Generally yestereday, trainers sent their charges to do pace work, with a possibility of stepping up the tempo today.
Here are gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES — Balthazar — 29.9; Bound to Fly — 29.9; Game High — 27.8; Java in Style — 25.8;
Juanistheman — 28.9; Mutola — 29.1; Squeezed Moment — 26.9.
600 METRES — First Time — 40.5; Mir on Fire — 44.1; Misa’s Gold — 40.8; Panama Canal — 36.5; Smooth Operator — 38.6.
800 METRES — Francesca — 59.9.
1000 METRES — Bonus Point — 1:12.2; Travel Agent — 1:11.0.
1200 METRES — Movietowne Magic – 1:22.2.
SPORTS massage therapist Andre Ferguson emerged at the top of the class at a recently concluded general conditioning course at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, and received his diploma.
The three-month course from March 19 to June 11 saw students undergo lectures in Sports psychology and sociology. Ferguson who was selected for the course by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee through the Olympic Solidarity, development arm of the International Olympic Committee, finished with flying colours sharing First Class Honours with Peter Rome of England. Of 21 countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Gambia and Iraq, only three Caribbean countries were represented, Barbados, Antigua/Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidadian Coast Guard officer is also a Defence Force physical instructor and Defence Force rugby player, and is only the third from Trinidad and Tobago to complete the course after swimming coach Kenny Francis in 2001, and boxing coach Roland Cave in 2002.
JEFFERY JOHN is the new boss of the Trinidad and Tobago Windball Cricket Association (TTWCA).
He was elected to the position at a general meeting on Monday last, before announcing their third annual day/night men and women series. John’s assistant is Robin Ojar, and secretary elect is David Joseph, with Roland Samuel, assistant. Treasurer is Narad Maharaj and assistant Steve Bohal. The public relations officer is Leon Bhola, who will have Sheldon Abdool as his deputy, while the women officer Benjami Brown, with her assistant Selwyn Johnetty. Johnetty also serves as umpires development and training officer. Delano George is special events co-ordinator, while Shurlan Cabralis is marketing manager. Youth officer is Mohan Nepaul, with Abdool his assistant. The tournament will begin on August 2 at the Eastern Regional Sports Complex. Registration fee is $600 for a team of 18 men, and $400 for an 18-member women’s team.
AARON DOWLING scored seven goals as W Connection mauled North East Stars 10-0 in a T&T Pro League Under-15 encounter on Saturday morning.
And, in the second match of the double-header at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground, Connection re-corded their ninth straight triumph with a 2-0 win over the lowly Stars in the U-17 division. CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public were also in winners’ row, over South West Institute of Football (SWIF) and Arima Fire respectively. Jabloteh defeated SWIF 2-1 in the U-15s and 3-1 in the U-17s at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground while, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Joe Public whipped Fire 3-1 in the U-15s and 4-1 to maintain second place in the U-17s.
Current standings: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under-15 Division |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
W Connection |
9 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
35 |
5 |
25 |
San Juan Jabloteh 10 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
|
Joe Public |
10 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
15 |
12 |
14 |
Starworld Strikers |
8 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
10 |
13 |
Arima Fire |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
Defence Force |
7 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
SWIF |
10 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
20 |
7 |
North East Stars |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
27 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under-17 Division |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
W Connection |
9 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
1 |
27 |
Joe Public |
10 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
22 |
9 |
22 |
Starworld Strikers |
8 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
10 |
8 |
12 |
San Juan Jabloteh 10 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
21 |
11 |
|
SWIF |
10 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
16 |
18 |
10 |
Defence Force |
7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
Arima Fire |
7 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
15 |
6 |
WITH the assurance from his opponent of a good fight, Caribbean flyweight champion Terrance Lokai went into a four-round bout at the Central Indoor Sports Complex against Aaron Cumberbatch of Phoenix Gym, expecting a challenge.
In the absence of his coach Rufus Edwards at the fight, Lokai said his training prior to the grudge match with the Princes Town pugilist prepared him sufficiently to deal with anything that was thrown at him. Coupled with the supportive presence of Aldric Johnson, who also helped prepare him, Lokai went into the match up on Saturday tentative but confident. Round one in the bout revealed Cumberbatch’s new tactic of hitting and running and Lokai began to feel him out, eventually increasing the pressure in the third and fourth rounds ending with a right uppercut, left hook and a straight right to end the match winning on a 3-0 decision. This was the fourth occasion that the two fighters met in the ring with Cumberbatch winning the first, but Lokai has won three straight since, and his record now stands at 14 fights with nine victories.
Speaking after the fight Revival Boxing Gym’s most promising prospect said that there is no chance Cumberbatch will ever beat him again. He said since a suspension on his gym was lifted, he has not been beaten and hopes that this run of form will lead to him being selected on the national boxing team for the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
WITH the revival of professional boxing on Saturday last at the Central Indoor Sports Complex with a TKO decision in favour of Trinidad and Tobago’s Floyd Trumpet against Shurwayne “The Mauler” Marshall, another boxer has come forward with a challenge.
Tigers Boxing Gym fighter Kevin “KO” Placide said despite Trumpet’s known prowess, he is not a true representation of the talent available to local fans of professional boxing. Placide has vowed to take away his (Trumpet’s) belt if they ever meet. He stated that boxing provides no incentive for young fighters, when there are no fights available after training for months on end, and for fans who have not seen talent and charisma in the ring, a product he can sell.
Placide feels he can revive boxing locally with his ring presence. He revealed a desire to make his professional debut locally with an eight round fight against Trumpet, guaranteeing a fifth round knock out, following a right to the body and a three hook combination to the head of his fellow Tigers gym-mate. Harsh words from a man named Placide who has beaten Trumpet while in the amateur ranks and says he can do it as a professional. Trinidad and Tobago will have to wait to see if these are just words.
NAVIN KUMAR of Furniture Boys Cricket Club hit 113 runs in the latest round of matches in the Sunshine Frosted Flakes windball cricket series.
Kumar’s aggressive knock helped his team total 213 for nine wickets against Paradigm who bowled out for 108 to leave them winners by 105 runs. Stephen Bhulawan who plays in the North Zone of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) competition was the chief destroyer with 4/21. Kumar was also in good form the previous week when he struck 36 in a narrow three-wicket defeat by New Generation.
In another match, Fardeen Ali with 65 runs led Audio Xpertz to a massive 95-run win over Special Brew. Mark Raymond with 3/9 kept the Special Brew batsmen in check. Kerry Kanhai with an unbeaten 74 led Retrench United to a whopping 9-wicket win over Grandslam at Retrench. X-Terminators continued their slow start to the season going under to UPS by the slim margin of 24 runs. Matches continue this weekend in all zones.
Summarised scores: RAMSINGH SAVI 118/7 vs OLD ROAD 119/8 .
GRANDSLAM 128/9 – R Ramsumair 30 vs RETRENCH UTD 134/1 – Kerry Kanhai 74 not out.
TOPSPORT 61 – K Bisoonsingh 3/15 vs FLAMES 64/3
UPS 115 (R Sankersingh 22) def Xterminators 91 – by 24 runs. AUDIO XPERTZ 146 vs ENDEAVOUR KRAZY KREW 54
RAMSINGH SAVI 122/7 vs ENDEAVOUR KRAZY KREW 71.
BASE BOYS II 85 – Mark Raymond 6/6 vs AUDIO XPERTZ 80.
AUDIO XPERTZ 160/7 – Fardeen Ali 65 vs SPECIAL BREW 65 – Mark Raymond 3/9.
FURNITURE BOYS 108 – Navin Kumar 36 vs NEW GENERATION
FURNITURE BOYS 213/9 – Navin Kumar 113, K Ramdanie 3/9 vs PARADIGM 108 – Stephen Bhulawan 4/21. UPS 76 (A Ramlogan 3/21 vs RUNNIN REBELS 26 – by 50 runs.
Women Division: FLAMES 93 – H John 3/18 vs HILLPIECE 95/6.
SLAMMERS 109/9 vs BURNING FLAMES 110/8.
FLAMES 65 – Annmarie Boyce 3/14 vs SLAMMERS 66/6.
A STEP outside her Laventille home, after losing a game of All Fours on Monday night, to get a breath of fresh air turned deadly for a 13-year-old girl who was fatally shot by armed men, reportedly gunning for a Muslim man.
Joanna “Sookie” Walker, of Mentor Alley, was due to enter Form Two at Mucurapo Junior Secondary School, and was one of three women shot in the melee which occurred around 8.45 pm. She was shot once in the hip. Her death brings to 15 the number of teenagers to die violent deaths in 2003. Of the 15, 12 were shot to death, statistics show, while three were stabbed. She is also the second teen to be killed in the past two days, the last being Vernol De Bique, whose body was found in a cesspit at Dundonald Hill, Long Circular, on Monday. Walker, 13, died around 10.30 pm while undergoing surgery at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH), while 21-year-old hairdresser Adeola Graham, of Village Council Street, is said to be in serious condition at the same institution. Graham was shot four times, while her 22-year-old friend, Giselle Bobb, also of Village Council Street, was treated and discharged from the city hospital after she was bullet-grazed on one foot.
A 23-year-old Laventille man was up to late evening assisting officers of the Besson Street Criminal Investigations Department (CID) with their investigations. He is expected to be placed on identification parades, police said. Walker’s killing was one of three which occurred on Monday night, the others being auto electrician Deryck Sadees, and Chaguanas businessman Gerard Punch. Police said Walker had just finished losing a game of All Fours with family members. The teenager then went outside her home, after which several gunshots were heard by family members and residents. Graham and Bobb who were in close proximity were also injured and all three were taken to the city hospital via an Army van which was also in the area. A report was later made and a party of officers headed by ASP Alfred Sealy and including Cpls Reuben Alleyne and Sookdeo responded to the call and seized several spent shells from the scene. Police said the three females were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, since they received information that the armed men were hunting for a Muslim man, as part of the ongoing gang-related violence in Laventille.
Walker’s parents, Ancil and Marilyn Walker-Skinner, were in extreme grief at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, but appeared to be coping. Ancil Skinner told Newsday he was electioneering most of Monday, and returned home just after 6 pm to watch the results on the television. He said Walker was playing cards with other sisters. He said she lost the game of All Fours and decided to go outside her house for a “breath of fresh air.” Ancil said he then heard about 30 gunshots. He said he was too afraid to go outside, but that another of his daughters, Janelle Walker, went to close a door and saw her sister lying on the ground. “We ran out, we took her up and brought her to the house but she said nothing. The Army then took her to the hospital,” Ancil, father of six, said.
