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Last Updated: Dec 15, 2007 - 2:55:41 AM |
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad Haiti won the Caribbean Cup by defeating Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 in Tuesday's soccer final, and Cuba claimed third place after downing Guadeloupe 2-1.
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| Supporters celebrate during the arrival of Haiti's national soccer team to Port-au-Prince Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007. Haiti won the Caribbean Cup for the first time Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) |
First-time winner Haiti, contesting only its second final in the Cup's 18-year history, emerged triumphant after a competition lasting 73 matches and involving 25 teams.
Eight-time winner Trinidad, fielding a fledgling side because of club commitments for many star players, fell behind in the 22nd minute when Alexandre Boucicaut scored off a rebound.
The strength and pace of Eliphene Cadet took him round the Trinidad defense on the right flank, and his cross found Fucien Brunel, whose shot was saved by Jan Michael Williams but Boucicaut followed up.
Brunel profited from confusion in the penalty area to double the advantage in the 51st. He tapped into an open goal shortly after keeper Williams spilled another shot, and silenced the 18,000-strong Hasely Crawford Stadium crowd.
Nigel Daniel gave the home side hope when he struck a curling free kick into the left corner of Gabard Fenelon's goal in the 65th. But the host couldn't make a sustained period of late pressure count.
In the match for third, an Alain Cervantes double was enough to secure Cuba the honor. Cervantes curled in a glorious opener after 23 minutes and got his second with a close-range finish in the 48th.
Guadeloupe substitute Fabien Raddas scored in the 52nd.
All four teams qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U.S. in June.
Article source : Haitiwebs.com
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