Trinidad and Tobago unit Central FC eliminated Surinamese unit Inter Moengotapoe from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, defeating the Dutch giants 2-0 yesterday to setup contest with group leaders Alpha United on Sunday.
Willis Plaza was the difference between the two sides, registering a second half double under wet conditions at the National Stadium in 53rd and 57th minutes. With the win, Central FC move onto three points and a +2 goal difference while Inter Moengotapoe end their campaign on zero points, zero goals and a -5 goal differential.
They will now faceoff with Alpha United at same venue, needing a victory to clinch their position in the next round. The Hammers due to their superior goal difference of +3 alongside their three points, only need a draw to progress.
Like the conditions underfoot, the first half would prove to be a damp episode as both sides failed to impose their respective wills.
Central FC came the closer of the two in breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute, as a right sided strike from Nathaniel Garcia was deflected to safety by the onrushing custodian Obrendo Huiswoud within the left of the box.
Ataulla Guerra also came close to seizing the lead for the Trinidad and Tobago unit, forcing a smart save from Huiswoud low to his left from the top of the box, as the fixture meandered to the halftime interval scores less.
Like the heavens opening above, the goals started to rain in the second stanza as Plaza made his presence felt with a right footed volley into the lower left corner, from within the centre of the area.
While the strike was of the utmost quality, the entire goal was orchestrated by Garcia, who upon skipping past his marker and racing down the right flank, delivered a perfectly placed low cross into the area, which evade the Dutch backline and found its way to the lanky forward.
Whereas the first goal would be all about Garcia, the second four minutes onward was clearly a solitary display of quality from the forward, who placed his right footed effort past the diving Huiswoud into the right hand corner, after latching onto the ball just outside the centre of the box.
Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the emerging winner will advance to the second round of the championship. The tourney’s final round which is slated to commence from May 20th-25th, will be played in a knockout format to select the champion.
Similarly, the top three teams in the final section of the event will earn places in the CONCACAF Champions League tourney.
Surinamese shot-stopper Obrendo Huiswoud (centre) cuts a frustrated figure as he lies within his area after being breached for the second time Central FC hitman Willis Plaza during their team’s CFU Club Championship matchup
Group-1 Current Standings
Team P W D L GF GA GD P
Alpha United (Guyana) 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
Central FC (T&T) 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
Inter Moengotapoe (Suriname) 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0
