THE WEEKLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 13 - NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | WWW.JAMAICA-GLEANER.COM | NEWS 12 Gregory Bryce/Staff Reporter THE RACE for the top spot in Group B will come down to the final day as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago played out a 1-1 draw at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying action on Thursday night, November 13. In the group’s other match, Curacao ran rampant over Bermuda, trouncing their opponents 7-0 in dominant fashion. Renaldo Cephas gave the Boyz the lead in the 53rd minute with a brilliant solo effort, before Kevin Molino rescued a point for Trinidad with a strike in the 85th minute. Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said his team fell victim of their own making following a defensive error late in the game. “Obviously after scoring first and the way we defended, I thought we’d hold on,” he said. “Trinidad took risks which they had to do, a lot of risks, a lot of balls into our box and just one slip up and it cost us the equaliser.” It was a lacklustre first half from the Boyz as the opening stanza was summed up by misplaced passes, cheap turnovers and a lack of attacking intent. Trinidad started the better of the two teams and found space down the wings with Tyrese Spicer and Levi Garcia playing well. Garcia broke free on a counter attack in the 25th minute and danced past Richard King in the box. However, his shot whistled inches wide of the far post. McClaren was forced to make an early substitution as King hobbled off the field injured and was replaced by Damion Lowe. Trinidad continued to press for the opener with a dangerous ball into the box that almost found Dante Sealy, but was closed down by Greg Leigh. Captain Andre Blake was forced to make a last-ditch save in the 37th minute, as Spicer, buoyed by the home crowd, sent a torrid shot at goal. Jonathan Russell felt he gave the Boyz the lead when he headed home in the 39th minute, but his goal was called back as VAR ruled him offside. The teams entered the half time break level, with Dwight Yorke’s Trinidad the happier of the two teams. Cephas gave Jamaica the lead against the run of play when he ran free on the counter, dismissed his marker and found the back of the net. Garcia again proved a nuisance for the Boyz backline, this time heading inches wide of the post in the 71st minute. The veteran striker Molino proved his pedigree as in the dying moments, he fired home from close range to pull the home team level. MUST-WIN GAME By virtue of the night’s results, Curacao have taken control of Group B as they move to the top spot with 11 points. Following close behind are Jamaica, who are still in touching distances with 10. Trinidad, needing a win on the night, are now out of contention for a World Cup spot as they sit third with six, ahead of winless Bermuda who sit rooted at the foot of the table without a point. Jamaica now face a must-win game against Curacao at the National Stadium on November 18, if they are to automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Curacao, on the other hand, only need to avoid defeat as the Dutch island are chasing their first-ever World Cup appearance. JAMAICAN MOTORSPORT sensation Sara Misir capped off her first season in powerboating with a strong thirdplace finish at the Miami Grand Prix in Biscayne Bay, November 7-8, securing third place overall in the 2025 E1 Series Championship for Team Blue Rising with 169 points. Team Brady successfully defended their title with 195 points, while Team Rafa placed second on 184. The finale took place in front of several celebrity team owners, including legendary sporting icons Tom Brady, Rafa Nadal, and Will Smith. The E1 Series, the world’s first all-electric race boat championship, continues to grow globally, with Misir emerging as one of its most promising new talents in her debut powerboating season. Montego Bay United begins training in Kingston, yet to decide on home venue CHAIRMAN OF Montego Bay United (MBU) Yoni Epstein says his club fully supports the decision by the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) to restart the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) on December 7, despite the devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa a few weeks ago. The deadly storm, which ripped through Jamaica’s western end, caused widespread destruction and has claimed the lives of at least 45 people. Several MBU players and their families were among those hardest hist, some of whom lost their homes, while the club’s Catherine Hall Sports Complex suffered severe damage. “We are in agreement with the date that has been set and the decision taken by all,” Epstein said. “We have already started our preparations in Kingston to be ready for the restart of the league on December 7. We are confident that we will be ready, our players, coaching staff, and technical staff are all preparing well. Our international players will start to rejoin us next week, and we will just continue to take it from there.” Before the hurricane interrupted the season, the last set of fixtures took place on October 20 during match week nine, when Portmore United defeated Harbour View 4–1, and Tivoli Gardens edged Arnett Gardens 2–1 in a Monday Night Football double-header. MBU, who last lifted the JPL crown during the 2015–2016 season, sit atop the standings with 22 points from nine matches, ahead of Portmore United (18) and Racing United (15). Defending champions Cavalier are fourth on 13 points. Epstein noted that while the club is still assessing where it will play its home games, the team will continue training in Kingston for at least the next four weeks. “We haven’t made a final decision yet on where we will play our home games,” he explained. “But for now, we will be in Kingston training and preparing for the restart. We are working on a few ideas and plans, but the intention is to eventually have our home games back in the west.” JFF reaches out to Treasure Beach FC, surrounding communities THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF), in partnership with several of its major sponsors, has launched its Hurricane Melissa relief response with the delivery of care packages to communities across St Elizabeth – including Treasure Beach, Pondside, Carisbrook, and Black River. The outreach, which included bottled water and Powerade, courtesy of Wisynco, along with supplies donated by Honey Bun and National Bakery, marked the first phase of the federation’s coordinated relief strategy aimed at supporting affected communities and members of the football family. JFF President Michael Ricketts said the visit to Treasure Beach Football Club, whose facilities were destroyed during the hurricane, represented the federation’s commitment to stand with those at the heart of the game. “As the national governing body for football in Jamaica, we understand that our responsibility goes far beyond the pitch,” said Ricketts. “We must stand with our football family when they need us most. Supporting Treasure Beach FC and the wider community is an expression of our belief that football can and should be a force for recovery, unity and positive social impact. What we’ve started here is only the beginning – together, with our sponsors and the wider football world, we will help Jamaica rise again.” Representatives of Treasure Beach FC expressed gratitude for the visit and support from the federation and its partners. “Our club has lost a lot – the field, the lights, even our office, were all damaged,” said Paul Bernard, president of Treasure Beach FC. “But this visit from the JFF reminds us that we’re not forgotten. Football has always been a part of this community’s heartbeat, and seeing the federation here gives us hope that we can rebuild stronger, together.” The federation’s wider Hurricane Melissa relief strategy includes four key pillars: community outreach with sponsors — delivering immediate supplies and supporting local recovery initiatives in partnership with JFF sponsors; regional partnership with Concacaf — coordinating relief materials expected to arrive in Jamaica following the November 18 World Cup Qualifier; global football solidarity — engaging international football organisations to assist in longer-term rebuilding efforts; and match-day support and fundraising – dedicating a portion of the proceeds from the upcoming Qualifier to sustain relief operations. Boyz, T&T stalemate; Curacao run rampant Renaldo Cephas (left) scored for Jamaica in the night’s match against hosts Trinidad and Tobago in their Concacaf World Cup qualifying match. CONCACAF.COM FILE PHOTO Misir finishes third in 2025 E1 Championships Sara Misir at the final in Biscayne Bay, Miami. CONTRIBUTED President of Montego Bay United, Dr Germain Spencer (left) and the organisation’s chairman, Yoni Epstein. ASHLEY ANGUIN SPORTS BRIEFS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=