Cuba, Antigua advance

Cuba (5 pts.) and host Antigua and Barbuda (5 pts.) advanced to the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup finals in Martinique later this month by playing undefeated to finish first and second in Group G last weekend.

In the finals group games on Sunday at the Antigua Recreation Center in St. John’s, Cuba (5 pts.) and Antigua and Barbuda (5 pts.) were in good positions to advance since both teams were tied on four points from a win a draw in their first two games and only needed to draw to advance to the finals.

On Sunday, Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda played to a goalless draw and predictably advanced, while Suriname, desperately needing a point to have a chance to advance, defeated Dominica, 5-0.

In the opening games on Wednesday, Nov. 10, Cuba beat Dominica, 4-2, and Antigua and Barbuda topped Surinam, 2-1. In last Friday’s second round, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda played to a goalless draw while Cuba and Surinam played out a 3-3 tie. Cuba topped Antigua and Barbuda on goal difference, Surinam (4 pts.) was third, then Dominica (1 pt.).

The teams complete the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup Championship Tournament field of eight teams for play in Fort-de-France, Martinique, Nov. 26 through Dec. 5. Cuba will compete against Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and host Martinique in Group H; Antigua and Barbuda will join defending champion Jamaica, Guadeloupe and Guyana in Group I. Four teams will advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U. S., June 5-25, 2011.