Thompson overwhelmed after first international title with Arnett

Arnett Gardens’ man of the moment, Rushane Thompson, said he is “overwhelmed” after he scored the winning goal to help the Junglists win their first international title in the recently concluded Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield.

Arnett defeated Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda 1-0 on Sunday, with Thompson scoring the all-important goal from a wonder strike in the 72nd minute.

The goal was also Thompson’s second game-winning goal of the tournament following his late winner against Racing Club Aruba in the Round of 16.

Thompson said the title was dedicated to his daughter, Rahzaila Thompson, as well as his family, who have been his main support throughout his career.

“I mean, words can’t explain how I feel. I feel so overwhelmed. It’s my first international tournament, so I think that it’s a plus for me,” he said. “I did this one for my family back home. I have a daughter, and I won this for her.”

While he has played a key role for Arnett throughout the competition, Thompson was more often than not coming off the bench to impact the game.

His first start in the Club Shield came in the final against Grenades FC. Having earned the trust of his head coach, Xavier Gilbert, Thompson said he has proven why he deserved to be on the field.

“I did this for my teammates. They fought with me to the very end, and I give thanks to the coach as well. It is my first start, and I’ve given him a reason, and I have to give thanks to the Lord.”

On to the next

With the title now under their belt, Arnett will turn their attention to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, which they have qualified for by virtue of their Club Shield success.

They will join fellow Jamaican teams Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Cavalier FC in Group A, along with Real Hope of Haiti and Trinidadian outfit Police FC.

Thompson is confident that they can carry their success over into the Caribbean Cup as they have shown their grit against some of the best teams in the region so far.

“I mean, mentally, going forward, I am confident,” he explained. “This is a major step for us, and you know, that will carry over in the next tournament. Hopefully, I can go beyond what I did in this one. As you can see, most of our goals came late in the games, and I was one of the players that scored in the first game, so we have the heart to fight.”

Arnett’s first match of the Caribbean Cup will be against Mount Pleasant on August 27.