Advantage Cavalier
Jamaican club takes 1-0 lead into Caribbean Cup final second leg
Published:Tuesday | November 26, 2024 | 11:30 PMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Cavalier will take a 1-0 lead into next Tuesday's Concacaf Caribbean Cup final after beating Ciboa of the Dominican Republic in the first leg of the two-way tie at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.
Shaquille Stein netted the all-important goal 20 minutes into the match, giving Cavalier the advantage heading into the return leg.
Although Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid would have preferred a bigger lead going to the Dominican Republic next week, he believes his charges are equipped to go away and get a positive result.
"There were a number of objectives that we had, and one of them was not to concede because of the away-goal rule, and we achieved that.
"The other one was to try to get a lead. We didn't get as big a lead, as we would have wanted. But I would take what happened today (Tuesday) anytime over any other score," he said.
Ciboa's Ernesto Trinidad got the first chance of the match but his poor effort was blocked by the Cavalier defence.
Cavalier eventually gained control of proceedings but gave the Ciboa goalkeeper little trouble. That is until the 20th minute when Dwayne Atkinson stole possession and slipped a delightful pass through to Stein, who slotted home.
Stein had another opportunity to make it 2-0 but he lifted Jalmaro Calvin's cross over from six yards.
Ciboa tried to gain a foothold in the game but a well-organised Cavalier defence kept them in check.
Jean Lopez came close to handing Cibao an unlikely equaliser but his header, stemming from a corner, was palmed away by Vino Barclett in the 35th minute.
Atkinson also had another good chance towards the end of the half but he dragged his shot wide.
Cibao pressed in the second half and Rivaldo Correa headed a good chance over from six yards.
Calvin had a good opening after a good counter in the 66th but his shot went straight to goalkeeper Miguel Lloyd. The tenuous nature of the lead was proven moments after Calvin’s miss when Correa headed over the bar for Cibao.
Ciboa put the hosts under pressure in the last 10 minutes and forced seven consecutive corners, beginning with a curling effort from Juan Diaz Barclett pushed around his post.
Correa then forced two crucial saves from the Cavalier custodian, as the hosts struggled to clear their lines.
However, Cavalier weathered the storm and Calvin came close to a second with a diving header in added time but Lloyd was equal to the task.
Cibao coach Scheldeur Sainvilus said the result was not bad for them and expressed confidence in turning the score around.
"That was a good game. We all did our best. Cavalier is a good team with fast players. But we know we have 90 minutes at home. So we are going to fight to win the trophy," he said.