Vincy Heat bound for CFU second round

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ senior men’s football outfit Vincy Heat will play in Group Nine of the semifinal stage of the Caribbean Football Union Cup set for October 8 to 12.{{more}}

And, it will be the second straight occasion that the Cornelius Huggins coached team has advanced to this phase.

The Vincentians earned the berth when they placed second in Group Five of the qualification round, which ended at the Antigua Recreation Ground Sunday night.

Facing the home team last Sunday, having already booked a second round place, the Vincy Heaters were cooled down by the Benna Boys, 2-1.

The Vincentians went one up at the stroke of half-time, thanks to a Nazir Burnette goal, much to the consternation of the large home crowd. This after the match ebbed and flowed, with both teams getting chances.

But the Antiguans with their battery of English based professionals and seasoned players like Peter Byers, began throwing their weight around against a relatively inexperienced Vincy Heat.

With the many fans cheering on, Akeem Thomas rose to head home in the 82nd minute and Nathaniel Jarvis’ left foot shot in injury time, gave the host the win and unbeaten sojourn in the group.

Vincy Heat was coming off two wins, against the Dominican Republic and Anguilla.

Their second against Anguilla last Friday was preceded by some nervy moments, as they had to recompose themselves, following an accident involving the team’s bus, while travelling to the Antigua Recreation Ground venue.

But Oalex Anderson hit a brace as he poked home strikes in the 39th and 77th minutes, to add to a strike from Azhino Solomon in the 71st minute and a penalty drilled in the 36th minute by Myron Samuel, as St Vincent and the Grenadines side-stepped Anguilla four-nil.

Vincy Heat began their quest on the right foot on Wednesday evening, with a one-nil triumph over a well drilled and organized Dominican Republic team. Oalex Anderson netted the lone item in the 45th minute to seal the deal.

However, St Vincent and the Grenadines had to withstand a barrage of forays from the DR, but held on, thanks also to some good saves from custodian Dwaine Sandy.

Antigua and Barbuda registered wins against Anguilla 6-0 and the Dominican Republic, 2-1.

The Dominican Republic hammered Anguilla 10-nil to finish third in the group.

St Vincent and the Grenadines finished as runners-up and head to the second phase. They will be placed with host Guadeloupe, as well as winner of group three – Martinique and group four winner – Curacao.

Antigua and Barbuda set foot on Trinidad and Tobago and will be stashed in group seven alongside the host, the runner-up of group six and the best third place.

Haiti, the runners-up from groups three and four, and group six winner, make up group eight of the second round, which is set for October 8 to 12.

The three group winners and their runners-up advance to the finals to meet automatic finalists – host Jamaica and defending champions Cuba.

The four top finishers in the CFU final will gain places in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA. (RT)