I haven't done a roundup of league action throughout the Caribbean in the past. Information from the island countries isn't easy to get and is very spotty when it does arrive. (But thanks to Edwin for his regular updates on Puerto Rican football!) It's past time for me to do the same kind of update that I do for Central America, so here it goes.
Tivoli Gardens are the new champions of the Jamaica National Premier League by the narrowest of margins. Their 1-0 victory over Arnett Gardens last weekend, combined with Harbour View's 0-0 draw against Portmore United, allowed them to draw level with Portmore United on points (72) and win the title on goal difference (+24 to +22). Had Harbour View won and Tivoli drawn, Harbour View would have won the title on goal difference (they had +25). It caps an incredible comeback by Tivoli, who were ten points back at the start of the final phase of matches. In the JNPL, all 12 teams play each other 3 times, then the league splits into Championship (top 6) and Relegation (bottom 6) groups, and five additional matches are played in both groups. At the opposite end of the table, Meadhaven United and Reno have been relegated to the second division, which is actually a confederation of four regional leagues (South Central, Western, Eastern, and Kingston). The promotion playoffs are ongoing, weather permitting.
In Haiti, AS Capoise lead the Championnat National by two points over Aigle Noir and AS Mirebalais, who each have a match in hand. Tempête FC, who finished fourth in the recently concluded Caribbean Club Championship, lie in fifth place but have three matches in hand.
In Cuba, FC Cienfuegos repeated as champions after defeating Villa Clara 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff final. How they managed to pass to the playoffs is strange; this league overview says that the league is split into four groups of four and after 30 matches (everyone in the league still plays each other twice) the group winners advance to the semifinals. Cienfuegos didn't win their group -- Villa Clara did -- but they were in the top four of the overall table. The division into groups strikes me as superfluous.
Devonshire Cougars are the champions of Bermuda after finishing top of the island's Premier League by three points over Boulevard Blazers. It's their third championship in five seasons. At the bottom of the table, Devonshire Colts and Southampton Rangers have been relegated to the First Division.
The Pro League in Trinidad & Tobago is a month into its new season, and San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public lead the table on 10 and 8 points, respectively. New Caribbean champions W Connection are in the middle of the table, five points back after four matches played.
The Puerto Rican Soccer League started its 2009 season a couple of weeks ago. There's a tie at the top among five teams. Still a long way to go, but the biggest result so far has to be Bayamón FC's 8-1 rout of Humacao yesterday.
I'll have a roundup of action in the smaller Caribbean islands later.
Comments