NEW YORK – Digicel brings the Caribbean Diaspora an exciting day of football with special guest, Jamaican International Reggae Artiste, Shaggy.
In a thrilling final match – which was scoreless at full time and resulted in a penalty shootout – Jamaica’s captain and central defender, Desmond Breakenridge; goalkeeper, Maurice Evans; and midfielder, Hugh Howell; led the way to score all four of Jamaica’s penalty kicks – against two for St. Vincent – to win the gold-plated Digicel Caribbean Cup New York trophy. It was also the sixth overall win for Jamaica in the 18 year history of the summertime Caribbean soccer competition.
Jamaican and St. Vincent & the Grenadines football fans had a fantastic day as they waved their Digicel thundersticks and blew horns at the Jefferson High School Field in Brooklyn. Digicel also brought international Jamacian reggae star, Shaggy, to watch his home team in action. A host of competitions – including the Digicel Kick for Cards at half time – took place with two lucky St. Vincent nationals, Tonya Christopher and Franics Clarke, each winning Digicel calling cards.
Winning captain, Breakenridge – a member of Jamaica’s National Senior team, the Reggae Boyz – beamed as he hoisted the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York trophy which was presented to him by Digicel Country Manager for the Diaspora, Valérie Estimé, and Jamaican international reggae artiste, Shaggy.
“Today was not our best effort as a team but individuals stepped up and kept us in the game. This is what a championship is all about, who can endure to the end and we did,” said Breakenridge.
Winning coach, Arthur ‘Jetty’ Mikesm, however, insisted that his team was “brilliant on the field today, we trained for this one all week.”
International reggae artiste, Shaggy, who was there to support his team said of Jamaica’s win: “While I’m not a fan of penalty shootouts, I think Jamaica played a great game and I hope to see them here again at the final next year. The Digicel Caribbean Cup New York is a fantastic tournament and I’m delighted that Digicel has got involved to support Caribbean football in the Diaspora.”
A victorious Jamaica team celebrates with the Digicel trophy.
A disappointed and dejected head coach for St. Vincent, Luxie Morris, said that his team did not capitalize on its chances, especially in the first half as both team traded attacking plays at both ends.
Only Rayvon Jack and substitute Chris Meyers converted their penalty kicks for losing team SVG, and it was all over when Evans guessed correctly to block Seinard Bowens’ kick for a 4-2 score line.
In the curtain raiser which kicked off at 3pm, the third place playoff between St. Lucia and St. Kitts/Nevis ended with a 3-3 tie. St. Lucia was awarded third place after Grenada withdrew from the match following its hotly contested semi-final meeting with Jamaica last week.
