Int'l FGSL semifinals recap

Grenada overpowers 10-man Trinidad 3-1 to reach the final again

Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images

Last year champions Grenada will once again play in the Int’l FGSL final as they got the best out of 10-man Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 on Sunday evening at Old Boys High Athletic Field.

Just seconds after the first whistle, The Spice Boys were rewarded a penalty kick when T&T keeper Kern Griffith fouled Ariel Jacob in the box.

Griffith made up for conceding the PK, diving on his right to block Grenada veteran player Shane Rennie from the spot.

“Ah, it was hard,” Rennie said about missing the penalty.

He later added: “I put the penalty behind me because it happened already, my teammates continued pushing me and tell me ‘It’s gone already’.”

Grenada player Shane Rennie. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images.

It seemed that missing from the spot early in the game didn’t demoralize the Grenadians as 11 minutes into the encounter they took the lead.

Marcus Julien looped an inch perfect through ball to Shavon John-Brown, who managed to beat the offside trap to bury a shot beyond keeper Griffith from inside the 18.

The Soca Warriors searched for an equalizer in the first half but couldn’t direct a shot on target. One of their best chances as when Taejan George whipped a shot to the side netting after completing a swift one-two with Shastri Speacer.

It didn’t take too long for Trinidad to hit a shot on frame and score after the break.

Two minutes inside the second half, Billy Scantlebury beamed a shot from outside the 18 off the crossbar; the rebound fell to Jabari Salandy, who steered the ball back toward the goal but Grenada keeper Simeon Peters blocked his shot away. Teyon Edward pounced on the rebound to easily tap the ball in the net.

T&T went down a man in the 50^th minute when keeper Griffith received a second yellow card for accidentally palming the ball outside the box.

Grenada took full advantage of their extra man as Rennie banged Clive Murray’s cross in the net from close range an hour into the match.

“I was relieved,” Rennie said after he had missed a penalty, “but was still pushing hard because 2-1 up is not a victory, you got to work hard until you get another one.”

The Spice Boyz did score another goal in the 66^th minute. Julien elegantly twisted and turned by a couple of Trinidadian defenders in the box before pushing the ball to Murray, who confidently hit a shot low and hard in the net.

Grenada will play Jamaica in the final on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at Old Boys High Atheltic Field.

“It’s a good feeling when you work and end up in the finals,” Rennie said. “This season it was harder because we have less men this season to put us through to the final.”

Edwards‘ solitary goal pushes Jamaica past St. Lucia to the final

Jamaica forward John-Ross Edwards. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images.

After losing in the semifinals last year, Jamaica are in the FGSL final this season, edging St. Lucia 1-0 in the first semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys High Athletic Field.

The Reggae Boyz almost opened the scoring three minutes into the game as R. Bull hammered a long range hit off the crossbar. John-Ross Edwards attempted to score from the rebound but curved a shot past the right upper corner of the net.

St. Lucia was also eager to score early on for Bryant curled a shot to the upper left corner but only to find Richie’s glove.

Lucia outshot Jamaica 6-5 in the first half however it was The Reggae Boyz who opened the scoring in the 25^th minute. Jermaine Hue hit an inch perfect through ball to Edwards, who took a couple of touches in the 18-yard box before driving a low shot to the far-right corner of the net.

“It’s always good for a forward to get on the scoresheet, that’s our main focus. It feels good to score the victorious goal today,” Edwards said after the match.

Carlito came close to even scoring for St. Lucia, beaming a free kick off the crossbar in the 33^rd minute.

Jamaica didn't add to their tally in the second half but kept The Piton scoreless to secure the win and move to the final.

“It feels good to reach the final,” Edwards said. “We have a rivalry with Grenada—if they make it there—likewise Trinidad (Grenada and T&T had not played yet).”

He later added: “It’s going to be a very difficult final. Everybody knows we’re playing for a trophy, you know, bragging rights, I think every player are going to come out and put a hard fight for their country.”