GOLD CUP: Jamaica and Cuba qualify for 2003 finals
- by Soccer America , Mar 31, 2003
Jamaica and Cuba qualified for this summer's Gold Cup by winning their respective Caribbean qualifying tournaments.
Led by recent Chicago Fire acquisition Andy Williams, the Reggae Boyz wrapped up Group A with a 3-0 win over Haiti. Martinique took second place to advance to the interzone playoffs when it came from three goals back with 26 minutes remaining to beat St. Lucia, 5-4.
The Martinique-St. Lucia game capped a wild week of qualifying in Kingston. The host Reggae Boyz came from two goals down in the last seven minutes to tie Martinique, 2-2. David Flavius' goal in the last minute gave St. Lucia a 2-1 victory over favored Haiti and temporarily kept its hopes alive of qualifying for the Gold Cup for the first time.
In Group B, Cuba shocked host Trinidad & Tobago, 3-1, to return to the finals for the third time. Former Columbus Crew star Stern John had the only goal for the second-place Soca Warriors, giving him all four goals in three games.
T&T joins Martinique and Honduras, the No. 4 team in Central America, in the interzone playoffs next month. Two of the three teams advance to the finals, where one will play in the United States.
GOLD CUP: Groups
Group A (Mexico City) -- Mexico, Brazil, Interzone qualifier (Trinidad & Tobago, Martinique or Honduras).
Group B (Miami) -- Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica.
Group C (Foxboro, Mass.) -- USA, El Salvador, Interzone qualifier (Trinidad & Tobago, Martinique or Honduras).
Group D (Foxboro, Mass.) -- Costa Rica, Canada, Cuba.
GOLD CUP: Caribbean Group A Qualifying
March 26/Day 1
Jamaica 5 (A.Williams 9, Taylor 11, Chin-Sue 37, C.Davis 56, Daley 62) St. Lucia 0. Haiti 2 (Menelas 22, 64) Martinique 1 (Percin 5).
March 28/Day 2
St.Lucia 2 (Emmanuel 45, Flavius 90) Haiti 1 (Turlien 73).
Jamaica 2 (Daley 83, C.Davis 90) Martinique 2 (Gordon 25, Duragrin 63).
March 30/Day 3
Martinique 5 (Goron 24, Girier-DuFournier 64, 84, Reuperne 73, Duragrin 89) St. Lucie 4 (Elva 21, Mark 38, Jean 52, V.Joseph 56).
Jamaica 3 (Johnson 15, Daley 56, own goal 66) Haiti 0.
Final Standings: *Jamaica 7 points; **Martinique 4; St. Lucia, Haiti 3.
*Qualifies for finals.
**Advances to Interzone playoff.
GOLD CUP: Caribbean Group B Qualifying
March 26/Day 1
Cuba 3 (Galindo 44, 83, Dalcourt 30) Guadeloupe 2 (Farnabe 44, 51).
Trinidad & Tobago 2 (S.John 3, 55) Antigua & Barbuda 0.
March 28/Day 2
Cuba 2 (More 65, 78) Antigua & Barbuda 0.
Trinidad & Tobago 1 (S.John pen. 88) Guadeloupe 0.
March 30/Day 3
Guadeloupe 2 (Mocka 67, 76) Antigua & Barbuda 0.
Trinidad & Tobago 1 (S.John 18) Cuba 3 (Ramirez 26, More 72, Galindo 77).
Final Standings: *Cuba 9 points; **Trinidad & Tobago 6; Guadeloupe 3; Antigua & Barbuda 0.
*Qualifies for finals.
**Advances to Interzone playoff.
