Source: Caribbean Football Union

Grenades FC 2-1 SV Robinhood

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (July 30, 2024)—Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda created a huge upset Tuesday night, as they defeated the CFU Club Shield defending champions SV Robinhood of Suriname 2-1 in the second quarterfinal match in Willemstad, Curacao.  

Playing at Stadion Rignaal Francisca, Robinhood wasted little time pressing on offense toward Grenades’ back line with several combination plays and exerting extreme pressure on goalkeeper Zaieem Scott. The Antiguan-based team kept composure in the defense to deny Robinhood several goal-scoring opportunities. A slight defensive error from Grenades almost forced them to trail in the 28’, however, a missed shot at an empty goal by Shaquille Cairo kept Grenades in the clear. 

Grenades FC’s Malcolm Stewart soon began pressing the Surinamese back line, leaving them scrambled while trying to remain composed. 

A major defensive error by goalkeeper Zaieem Scott jeopardized the leveled score-line as Robinhood’s Don Turr capitalized on Scott’s mistake, scoring the ball straight into the back of the net.  

Lone forward player Malcolm Stewart responded for Grenades three minutes later with an equalizer in the 34’.

As the second half commenced, Robinhood remained steadfast in pressuring Grenades’ defense, hoping to take the lead. However, with a turn of events in minute 58, Grenades’ right-back Jordan Britto capitalized on a corner kick, heading the ball into the net, and catching goalkeeper Jonathan Fonkel off-guard.

Luis Labrada was presented with a goal-scoring opportunity in the 71’ to extend Grenades’ lead. However, the ball went sailing over the crossbar, keeping the defending champion’s hopes alive.

Grenades, after 74 minutes of play and a goal ahead, changed their game plan to full defensive mode as they attempted to deny Robinhood goal-scoring opportunities. 

Ravello Zijler made several attacking attempts to equalize, but the great defending tactics of Grenades seemed futile for Zijler. With five minutes of added time, Grenades sat deep in Robinhood’s defense, which paid off significantly in their favor.

At the end of relegation time, it was Grenades FC who soared victorious, securing their spot in the Semifinals. They play CCCUL Dublanc of Dominica on August 2.

Source: Caribbean Football Union

Antigua and Barbuda’s Grenades advance to Club Shield quarterfinals; SV Real Rincon go home

SV Real Rincon 1-2 Grenades FC

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (July 26, 2024)–Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda defeated SV Real Rincon of Bonaire 2-1 in the Round of 16 in 2024 CFU Club Shield action on Sunday at Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca. The win was the second for Grenades and set up a quarterfinal match against defending champions SV Robinhood from Suriname.

Grenades started the game by pressing the Bonaire Premier League six-time champions. They also enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the match but couldn’t materialize much on the attack. SV Real Rincon looked menacing on the counter-attacks, forcing Grenades to be defensively disciplined.

Malcolm Stewart was the Grenades’ best player on the day in the center-forward position, operating mainly down the left-hand side. He was menacing to the Rincon defense, squaring a cross to Luis Labrada whose effort on goal went wide of Rishison Frans in goal for SV Real Rincon. Stewart’s pressuring run forced a defensive blunder, and he found himself one-on-one with Frans, but he sent his effort inches wide of the target in the 25’. Rincon tried to mount some pressure on Grenades with some combination play on the left-hand side, resulting in a shot that only found the side netting of Zaieem Scott’s goal.

Frans came up with a big save in the 36’ when Grenades captain Quinton Griffith saw his long-range effort blocked but picked up by Sherman Augustine. Augustine cleverly passed to Keanu Barrett in the penalty area, but Frans’ outstretched leg saved the shot.

Grenades got the break minutes before the half-time whistle through Sherman Augustine. A Griffith free-kick found Augustine on the back post to head home from close range in the 43’ to end the half 1-0. It was his second goal of the tournament.

The game restarted with Grenades hunting for the go-ahead goal, with Barrington Blake trying to test the goalkeeper from a distance. Stewart tried to link with Luis Labrada inside the box, but misguided his pass.

Labrada extended his team’s lead in the 64’ after a Keanu Barrett cross found him unmarked in the box. His first-time shot went flying into the net, and Frans had no chance in goal.

SV Real Rincon tried to mount a comeback in the 78’. Bonaire’s leading all-time scorer captain Ayrton Cicilia sent keeper Scott flying to his left to no avail as the ball nestled in the top left-hand corner of Grenades’ goal, making it 2-1.

Grenades saw out the mounting, ending the game 2-1 and advancing to the Quarterfinals on July 30. They will face stern competition from SV Robinhood, who won the Shield in 2019 and again in 2023. Robinhood also won the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

The second installment of the Parham Super League, hosted by the Parham Football Club and East Boys Promotion is set to kick off on the 10th of August, 2024.

The league, in its second year, is a highly anticipated pre-season tournament that clubs use as preparation for their respective seasons. Last year’s champions, Pigotts SC, will defend their title against fresh competition and new faces.

Other teams participating in the league are Premier League clubs Garden Strars FC, Parham FC, Willikies FC, Greenbay Hoppers, John Hughes, Old Road, and newly promoted Attacking Saints and Potters FC. First division teams, Freemans Village ( 2nd Division champions ), FC Master Ballers (newly promoted), and Sap FC.

The twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six. Attacking Saints, Garden Stars, Parham, Pigotts, Willikies, and Freeman’s Village will contest Group A. 

Greenbay Hoppers, Sap, John Hughes, Old Road, Potters, and, FC Master Ballers will contest group B. The games will be played over six weeks on Saturdays and Sundays. Four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The league’s grand prize is set at EC $5000.00.

The Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024, popularly known as the New Village League, concluded on a high note last evening, seeing the young Germans crowned Champions of the “Small Goal World Cup “.

The third-place match between Italy and Argentina kicked off the action-packed night. Italy had the upper hand on Argentina after they started a few short. Reinforcements would arrive after some minutes of action but that didn’t stop Italy from drawing first blood with a strike from youngster Jamarni Jarvis. 

Argentina didn’t take the blow lightly and equalized within minutes of the restart, courtesy of their leading marksman, Oshane Blackwood. The game continued with some close calls but neither team did enough to get the winner in regular time and it came down to penalties to decide the third-place winner. Nerves weren’t an issue for Argentina as they calmly slotted home 4 of their five penalties while Italy could only convert three.

Germany and Morocco took center stage for the main event for the chance to be crowned champions of the Small Goal World Cup. The game started slow but heated up in a matter of time, with both teams playing in the finals of the tournament’s history. Fresh & Easy Supermarket Germany ( In Time To Come ), managed by Senior Benna Girls manager Esther Anthony and coached by Benna Girls U14 coach Lorraine Charles and Morocco ( New Generation ) a product of the Garden Stars Football Club’s academy were full of young talent and fully deserving of playing in the finals.

Shemar Anthony silenced the crowd at The Garden after his strike opened the scoring for his team and went well into half-time leading 1-0 with Morocco unable to find an answer. Play resumed with Germany pulling out the delayed tactics to slow the game down and take some time off of the clock, being well organized in defense and as good going forward.

A few attacks with some good movement Morocco got the equalizer from Jevuaghn Jarvis that was greeted with high celebrations from the home crowd. The chance now again presented itself for anyone to be crown champions. The go-ahead goal in regular time was out of reach for both teams and for the second time of the evening, penalty kicks would decide the winner.

Germany had gotten to the finals by way of two penalty shoot-outs and backed themselves to get the job done when it mattered most, and that they did. Showing no nerves, Germany outscored Morocco in the shootout 4-3 to be crowned the champions of the Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024. The Small Goal World Cup Champions.

Wilton Rhodes from Germany was judged the Most Valuable Player of the league, receiving prizes from sponsors Tradewinds Hotel and Limits Backhoe Services. Best Young Player award was captured by Tyrique Lothian of Morocco and he received prizes from 4K Sports Accessories plus. Football Profile 268 sponsored prizes for two young emerging talents and those were awarded to Tiquan Anthony and Asanti Warner from Morocco. The Golden Boot award was captured by Malique Martin from Brazil.

The champion team received $3000.00, the second place received $1500.00, and the third place received $500.00. Each team also received an additional $200.00 for every advancement from the group stage. Prize monies were sponsored by WTP We The People media network and the Hon. E P Chet Greene. 

The knockout stage of the Small Goal World Cup commenced yesterday at The Garden with two likely favorites taking their final bow in the competition.

In the first of two matches, France was on the unlikely end of a 1-0 defeat to Argentina. The lone goal came from Swetes FC’s defender Ruben Rubel in the first half. France, tried as they could to equalize and carry the game to penalty kicks but a resilient Argentina with defensive brilliance secured the important win to move on to the quarter-finals.

The second match between Soccerama and last season’s Champions, Switzerland (Swetes) was as tense as it could be with both teams canceling out each other for the majority of the match. Swetes, however, seemed to have found the breakthrough when a penalty was awarded to them for a handball in the box.

Captain Shalon Knight stepped to the spot to secure the win, but faith would see it go the other way, a convincing strike was denied by the post and Germany had life blown back into them after such a scare.

The game went into penalties,  the best of five,

Germany will now face Argentina in the Quarter-finals on Sunday at 6:30 pm.

The All Saints Community Football League (ASCFL) ended in grand style as Old Stagers defied all the odds after losing 5-0 to Police in their first match of the season to an emphatic comeback win over Police 3-2 at Mc Pond last evening.

League stalwarts, El Hombre, secured an easy 3rd place trophy after 5 Star Kitchen opted not to contest for the 3rd spot. El Hombre had beaten 5 Star Kitchen 1-0 by a Karique Knight strike, a rematch was highly anticipated but the kitchen decided against another possible loss to El Hombre.

The feature match took center stage, the All Saints iron band gave the vibes that something spectacular was about to happen with their sweet melody beating in your ears minutes before kickoff, Old Stagers in their bright colored jersey could signal a plane if they all stood together in the dark. Police, also poised on lifting silverware in the All Saints League were focused on the task at hand. 

Police signaled their intent early in the match and used an early chance through Stephen Hughes to make it 1-0 in the 5th minute of play. The park went silent, almost in disbelief of what they thought the outcome would be.

The old boys fixed their shin guards, tucked their shirts in their pants, and went running again, trying to equalize and at the same time trying their utmost best to not go 2-0 under. Relief and jubilation came in the 24′ when Conroy “Pengo” Browne slotted home an attempted clearance at the back post to bring the game level.

The lead would be restored in the 40′ when a poor freekick attempt by Old Stagers left them vulnerable to a Police counter-attack. Jean-Pierre Williams evaded the oncoming Simon in the goal and a powerful right-footed shot hung up into the roof of the net, was nothing short of a beauty with the ball millimeters from going for a goal-kick. 

Mc Pond was buzzing, both fans were in agreement that the goal was a beauty, and couldn’t take anything away from it. The game continued with both teams still applying pressure with changes being made. When you thought surely, Police were gonna take this one, Juwan Roberts happened, the midfielder who had scored the winning penalty versus El Hombre in the semifinals showed up again to equalize the game at 2-2 in the 57′ of play with a close-range effort.

The fans that were leaving quickly ran towards the celebrations because their beloved Old Stagers stood a chance again to win the ASCFL for the first time, Police were shell-shocked and the experience of the players proved to be worthwhile. 

Defender Jamarlie Stevens grabbed the winner in the 61′ with a close-range banger, inviting scores of spectators onto the field to celebrate the goal and the eventuality of lifting the championship trophy. 

Old Stagers completed a wonderful season in a league that was missed for years by the footballing fraternity. In the closing ceremony, Hon. Jomale Pringle, the representative for All Saints East & St.Luke and one of the many sponsors commended organizers Lemuel Ralph, Wayne Phillip, and Nick Fenton on bringing back the league and vowed to make the cash prizes a lot more than was offered this year.

Golden Gloves – Meyer Bailey 

Best defender – Roneba Cordice
Golden Boot –Joshua Samual
MVP –  Micheal Stowe
Natto Hurst MVP awards- Shafeeq Joseph

Reports indicate that Grenades FC has entered the race for the signature of Raheem Deterville from Old Road FC. 

Interestingly, the request sent to Old Road from Grenades asked for RAHKEEM DETERVILLE, the twin brother of RAHEEM DETERVILLE. 

Grenades renewed their attempt after efforts to sign the player for the upcoming Club Shield didn’t go as planned. Old Road, up until yesterday, rejected a transfer request from All Saints Utd for last season’s premier league Golden Boot winner. 

In all the attempts to sign the talented forward, it all comes down to where he puts his signature, the FA sent out notice that no transfer or re-registration will be done unless accompanied by the signed form by the player in question. This precaution was taken to seize the number of complaints from players that clubs re-registered them without their consent in the FIFA Connect system. 

Indications from the Old Road camp suggest that they will not try and block the move of the player to any club once the request is either sent again by All Saints United or sent back by Grenades with the correct name. 

Raheem Deterville may have a new home before the week is finished and brandishing a new logo at the beginning of the premier league season that is tentatively set to kick off on September 21st, 2024. 

The local football governing body, the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA)  has sent correspondents to their member clubs via email informing them of the opening of the transfer/registration periods along with other important information to include the suggested kick-off dates for their three divisions.

Registration Periods

The Players Registration/ Transfer period for the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association will as follows:

1^st  Transfer Window:

 Amateur (Local Players)- (FIFA Connect System) July 8^th  – September 21st , 2024

Professional & International Players (FIFA TMS System) – June 30^th  – September 14^th 2024

2^nd Transfer Window :

Amateur & Professional (Local & International)  – January 1^st to January 31^st , 2024

 Kick-off Start Dates

The ABFA National Leagues potential kick- off  dates are as follows as follows:

• ABFA Second Division start date: September 16th, 2024
• ABFA First Division start date: September 17th, 2024
• Antigua Premier League (APL) Start date: September 21st, 2024

In the Small Goal World Cup, 11 teams divided into two groups competed for the cash prize of $3000.00 EC dollars, however, there are stages to the final match and we have reached the first hurdle to get to the top.

Eight (8) teams qualified for the Knockout stage, four from each group, Switzerland, lead by Shackwon Simon and Shalon Kinght topped Group A on 10pts, Oshane Blackwood and his Argentina team were in second, also on 10pts but Switzerland were superior on goal difference (10). Curtnie Roberts led his Morroco team in goal scoring into the 3rd spot and Malique Martin and Kemar Simpson carrried Brazil to 4th place to secure a knockout spot.

In group B, Tyrai Francis lead his Italy team in securing top spot on 9pts. Ngozie Harvey lifted Snegal to 2nd place, Rokeba Cordice marshalled his France troops into 3rd and the Fresh and Easy Supermarket sponsored Germany, lead by Wilton Rhodes and Ne’quan Tanner secured the final spot for the knockout round.

Each team that qualified for the Knockout stage will receive $200 EC cash and an additional $200 EC for advancing to the semi-finals. Knockout games will begin on Thursday 11th July, 2024. All matches being played at THE GARDEN.