CaribPR Wire, Monday, August 31st 2009 - Brooklyn, New York, USA: St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Jamaica outplayed their competitors in the semi finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York on Sunday and advanced to next Sunday's finals, which take place at the Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York.
Digicel was on hand at the match on Sunday with some exciting competitions and giveaways. Two lucky football fans - Jamaican-born college student, Chris McLeod and Natalie Baptiste from St. Lucia- took part in the Digicel Kick for Cards competition and walked away with Digicel calling cards to call their friends and family at home in Jamaica and St. Lucia.
City Tech university student, McLeod, was smiling from ear to ear after being presented with Digicel calling cards following his winning goal. "I feel like a million dollars," said the Jamaican migrant. "I send minutes home all the time so this is great."
In front of the biggest crowd of the season so far, a determined Grenada had Jamaica on its heels with a beautiful goal by Cassim Lanjaique giving them a 1-0 half time advantage. The Jamaicans were unfortunate not to score with Williams and Damion Powell missing fairly easy chances.
In the second half, and needing two goals in 45 minutes, the Jamaicans came out a more focused unit. With Desmond Brakinsridge anchoring the defense and Jermaine Hue in the middle, Williams - the poster boy of the 2009 season - poked one past goalie, Desmond Noel, about mid way through the second half, as a bunch of players tried frantically to clear a bouncing ball from in front of goal.
With Grenada being stifled in the wing positions, Jason James, Kelly Francois and Everett Watts were not as effective as in the first half of the match. This gave Jamaica some room to respond, and it was from another attacking move that the wily Williams scored in front of the goal.
Confusion then arose as the referee and linesman at first made different calls on whether it was a legitimate goal or not, before deciding that the ball had in fact crossed the goal line to give Jamaica a 2-1 lead late in the match.
Unfortunately, protests on the field resulted in the match officials calling an end to the match.
Meanwhile, in the first match of the afternoon, five-time champions, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, took a stroll in the park, outclassing St. Lucia 5-0.
St. Lucia, looking nothing like the giant killing team that upset Barbados a fortnight ago, was steam-rolled by a 'Vincie' team looking for its first championship in six years.
Grayson Alexander scored a hat trick, including two at half-time. Rayvon Jack and Andrew Douglas also scored goals. However, Kemmy Christopher will miss the championship match next week as he was shown the red card for unsportsmanlike conduct on St. Lucia's outstanding winger Nyhime Gilbert.
The Digicel Caribbean Cup New York finals take place next Sunday, September 6th, with St. Lucia and Grenada battling it out for third place at 3pm.
The final match to determine who wins the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York 2009 is scheduled to kick off at 5pm between Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
For more information, please log on to www.digicelfootball.com
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