Jos Buttler "enjoyed" being back out in the middle after powering England to a seven-wicket victory over West Indies in the second T20I.

The captain scored 83 off 45 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes in his knock, as he turned the game back in England's favour, having been taken for a golden duck in his first match back from injury last time out.

West Indies struggled to gain momentum early on, with Rovman Powell's 43 settling them somewhat after a shaky start, but Saqib Mahmood (2-20), Liam Livingstone (2-16) and Dan Mousley (2-29) kept England in a good position, helping keep their target down as the hosts finished on 158-8.

The chase got off to the worst possible start though, as Phil Salt was dismissed on the first ball, but Buttler stepped in to put up a 129-run stand with Will Jacks before they were both dismissed by Romario Shepherd in the 13th over.

Livingstone (23) and Jacob Bethell (3) then helped get the tourists over the line, reaching 161 with 31 balls remaining to extend their series lead to 2-0.

Buttler was pleased to find his rhythm this time around but is already looking ahead to how they can stay in control in the third match.

"It is great to spend time in the middle. I was a bit scratchy for the first few balls, but I managed to come through that period and really enjoyed it. It was great to be back out there," Buttler told TNT Sports.

"I have lots of experience, I have played for a while and batted in lots of different positions. I am just waiting to see what happens and playing what is in front of me.

"We have got to start again [in the third T20I of the series]. We are playing a top team in the West Indies, who are excellent in T20 cricket. They will come back hard, and we have to be ready from ball one in the next game."

West Indies stumbled through the powerplay, losing their first three wickets in the first four overs for just 35 runs.

Powell was disappointed not to make a better start, pointing out that they gave themselves a mountain to climb.

"Obviously the surface gave a bit to the fast bowlers, something that is a trend here in Barbados," he said. Teams generally win the toss and bowl because of what can happen in the first six [overs].

"It's a case of us trying to come out of powerplay not three down. The statistics show that if you do that, the majority of the time you come out on the losing side. As a batting group, we have to adjust.

"Somebody in the top four or five needs to bat the majority of the overs. In the past, we have done that but have struggled to do that in this series. The next three games provide an opportunity for batters to do that."

The West Indies’ hopes of bouncing back against England were dashed on Sunday, as the visitors clinched a seven-wicket victory at Kensington Oval, putting them up 2-0 in the five-match T20I series. England’s chase of 159 was spearheaded by a scintillating 83 off 45 balls from captain Jos Buttler, who led his team to victory with more than five overs to spare.

Batting at No. 3, Buttler quickly found his rhythm after England lost Phil Salt on the first ball of the innings. Teaming up with Will Jacks, Buttler unleashed an array of boundaries, hammering eight fours and six sixes in his 26th fifty-plus T20I score. The pair built a commanding 129-run partnership off 72 balls, which all but sealed the game for England. Both Buttler and Jacks fell in the same over to Romario Shepherd, but by then, England were firmly in control, with Liam Livingstone striking four boundaries and a six in his 11-ball cameo to finish the match.

Earlier, West Indies struggled to build momentum after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Saqib Mahmood’s early strikes left the hosts reeling at 35-3 within the powerplay. Captain Rovman Powell fought back with a gritty 43 off 41 balls, finding occasional support from Nicholas Pooran, who added 15 in a sluggish 35-run partnership. However, West Indies’ batsmen struggled to handle England’s disciplined bowling, with Livingstone and Dan Mousley sharing four wickets between them.

Powell finally found his range, clearing the midwicket boundary with a powerful six off Livingstone. But just as he looked set to accelerate, he was undone by Mousley’s accurate yorker, which bowled him for 43, halting the Scorpions' scoring push in the 17th over.

Despite a late surge from the lower order, which included some quick runs from Gudakesh Motie, Shepherd, and debutant Terrance Hinds, West Indies managed only 158-8 from their 20 overs. Mahmood was England's standout bowler in the early overs, taking two crucial wickets, while Livingstone finished with 2-16, effectively stifling West Indies' momentum.

In the chase, West Indies needed early breakthroughs, and Akeal Hosein delivered by dismissing Salt with his first ball. However, Buttler’s attacking approach quickly dashed any hopes of a West Indies comeback. Jacks and Buttler accumulated runs rapidly, with Jacks striking boundaries off Matthew Forde and Hosein. Buttler then took charge in the powerplay’s final over, smashing three consecutive boundaries off Shepherd and reaching a 32-ball fifty by launching Roston Chase into the crowd.

With this win, England holds a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. West Indies will need to regroup and address their batting struggles if they are to stay competitive in the remaining matches. The teams will meet again for the third T20I, with West Indies hoping to turn things around and keep the series alive.

 

The Jamaica Scorpions secured their third victory of the 2024 CG United Super 50 Cup on Sunday, defeating Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) by a comprehensive 128 runs at Queen's Park Oval. Anchored by a stellar century from Carlos Brown and a strong bowling performance led by Jeavor Royal, the Scorpions dominated both innings to claim the win.

Batting first, Jamaica posted an imposing 289-8 from their 50 overs. After a shaky start that saw John Campbell and Kirk McKenzie dismissed cheaply with the score at 11-2, Brown and Jermaine Blackwood stabilized the innings with a crucial 137-run partnership for the third wicket.

Brown’s 121 off 119 balls, decorated with 12 fours and five sixes, was the standout innings. Blackwood contributed 41 before falling, and later, Javelle Glenn (52) and Odean Smith (32) formed a vital 90-run stand for the seventh wicket, helping the Scorpions reach their challenging total.

Smith was eventually run out in the final over as Jamaica finished just shy of the 300 mark.

For CCC’s bowling, Mikkel Govia was economical, taking 2-31, while Akeem Jordan (2-61) and Amari Goodridge (2-38) also chipped in with wickets, though they couldn’t contain Jamaica’s explosive batting lineup.

In response, CCC struggled against Jamaica’s disciplined bowling attack.  Royal was the chief destroyer, claiming 4-29, while Kirk McKenzie added pressure with 2-20. Smith, Marquino Mindley, and Brad Barnes each took a wicket, dismantling CCC’s lineup and restricting them to 161-9. The CCC was batting one short with Kieran Powell unable to take the field.

Former West Indies batsman Shamarh Brooks top-scored for CCC with 23, followed by contributions from Mikkel Govia (22) and Akeem Jordan (21), but their efforts were insufficient to chase down the target.

With this victory, the Jamaica Scorpions continue to build momentum in the tournament, powered by standout performances from both their batsmen and bowlers.

 

 

A frustrated Gerardo Martino admitted Inter Miami fell "too short" after being knocked out in the first round of the MLS playoffs by Atlanta United.

Miami won the first match in the best-of-three series at Chase Stadium, but subsequently lost the next two, being beaten 3-2 in the decider on Saturday.

Bartosz Slisz netted the winner in the 76th minute, but the hosts struggled to find an equaliser that would have forced penalties, with Brad Guzen in inspired form as he thwarted their attack.

It is arguably one of the biggest upsets in playoffs history, with Miami the favourites to lift the MLS Cup after a record-breaking regular season saw them claim 74 points in the Eastern Conference.

"In this last part of the year, we get used to achieving the objectives that we set for ourselves, and we have not been able to achieve the most important one," Martino told reporters.

"If you think about where we were in November last year, obviously there is progress as far as the club is concerned, not just the team.

"If you think about the expectations we had for this playoff, obviously we have fallen too short."

While the loss has come as an obvious shock, Atlanta have actually now won three matches against Miami this season.

Jamal Thiare scored two goals in two minutes to give the Five Stripes the lead in the first half, having also hit the post moments before Miami had opened the scoring.

They face another trip to Florida to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, and the forward is excited to see what else Atlanta can do.

"It took everyone's special amount of running and giving everything that they got," said Thiare. "Everyone's held each other accountable, fighting when we're basically backs against the wall.

"We didn't want to finish the season like this, so it was a good effort in training, but it was really something that the group discovered along the lines of the last few games. And something great is igniting from all of this."

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls concluded their campaign at the 2024 Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand with a sixth-place finish. Despite a valiant effort from an inexperienced squad, the Sunshine Girls ended the tournament winless after tough matches on Sunday, the second day of competition, where they faced a formidable lineup of opponents.

In their opening Sunday game, Jamaica faced defending champions Australia and struggled to keep pace, eventually falling 39-56 to the three-time title holders. Later, they encountered Uganda, who managed a decisive 43-26 victory over the Sunshine Girls. Jamaica's final match of the day was a close showdown against England, where they were edged out 38-36, securing a sixth-place finish for Jamaica.

The fifth/sixth-place playoff against England was particularly intense, with both teams evenly matched in a low-scoring game. Heading into the fourth-quarter Power Play tied, England's Paige Reed scored a critical four-pointer, followed by more points from Jones. Jamaica kept pushing, with Amanda Pinkney attempting three six-pointers in the closing moments, any of which could have swung the game Jamaica’s way. However, the shots didn't connect, and England held on for a narrow win, securing fifth place with Kelly named Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, Australia capped off their campaign with a thrilling 34-30 victory over hosts New Zealand, rallying from 15 points down to claim their third consecutive Fast5 title.

South Africa finished third after defeating Uganda 46-42.

 

 



 

Atlanta United stunned MLS Cup favourites Inter Miami, coming from behind to win 3-2 and setting up another trip to Florida to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Bartosz Slisz scored the all-important winner to ensure Atlanta overturned the deficit in the series, having lost their first trip to Chase Stadium.

The hosts started brightly, with Matias Rojas sharply turning in the rebound of Lionel Messi's saved shot moments after Jamal Thiare was denied by the post.

However, the Senegalese striker would soon turn things around with two goals in two minutes – he powered his first shot past Drake Callender after some chaos in the box and was left with a simple tap-in from close range for his second.

Diego Gomez was denied an equaliser by VAR shortly after, having drifted offside before receiving Luis Suarez's pass, while Brad Guzen made a string of fine saves to keep Atlanta's lead intact.

He could not keep them out forever though, with Messi peeling away at the back post to nod in an equaliser in the 65th minute.

It was Slisz who would have the last say though, leaping high to power a header past Callender against the run of play, with Atlanta causing the biggest upset of the playoffs so far.

Data Debrief: One for the books

Miami were classed as the favourites to win the MLS Cup this year, but their defeat to Atlanta maybe should not be too big of a surprise, with this their third loss against them this season.

The Five Stripes ended a six-match winless run on the road in the play-offs (D1 L5), but have still conceded multiple goals in each of their last six such games. 

Slisz is not known for his goalscoring, but he stepped up at the right time for Atlanta - it was just his second goal in MLS this season, and his first since May 18.

Orlando City booked their place in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout win over Charlotte FC.

The Lions had Facundo Torres to thank, as he scored a last-minute goal to force spot-kicks, where Charlotte were twice denied by Pedro Gallese.

Orlando had the better of a tight first half, with Torres hitting the base of the right post before sending a header against the crossbar within the first 21 minutes.

Patrick Agyemang thought he had given Charlotte the lead against the run of play just before the break, but his lob was ruled out for offside.

Charlotte eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, Karol Swiderski getting a stroke of luck as his shot deflected in off Rodrigo Schlegel.

It looked like Orlando's chance was gone when Torres saw his 102nd-minute penalty saved, but the Uruguayan kept his composure to slot in the rebound.

He scored one of the hosts' four penalties but Gallese proved the hero, denying both Pep Biel and Swiderski with fine saves to send them through and set up a meeting with Atlanta United.

Data Debrief: Leaving it late

If Orlando were going to find a way back into this game, it was always going to come through Torres, who proved a thorn in Charlotte's side from the first whistle. 

He had six shots in this game, though only hitting the target twice (his saved penalty and the follow-up goal), and netted his 16th goal in MLS this season when he finally hit the back of the net.

While Charlotte suffered late heartbreak, it was a deserved win from Orlando, who dominated from the off by creating 2.41 expected goals from their 20 shots.

New York City FC will face the New York Red Bulls for a place in the Eastern Conference final after a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over FC Cincinnati.

In a shootout during which five spot-kicks were missed, Mitja Ilenic kept his cool to slam home and get NYCFC over the line after a 0-0 draw in Ohio.

Cincinnati, last season's Supporters' Shield winners, had the better of the chances at TQL Stadium, though NYCFC did have a goal disallowed midway through the second half, with Alonso Martínez having been flagged offside.

But Nick Cushing, who this week insisted he wanted to stay at NYCFC amid reported interest from Arsenal Women, saw his team get the job done in dramatic fashion.

NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, who made a crucial save to deny Luca Orellano on the half-hour mark, looked set to be the hero until his counterpart Roman Celentano thwarted Thiago Martins.

Freese's save from Gerardo Valenzuela then sparked a remarkable streak of five straight missed penalties, with Kevin O'Toole denied by Celentano, Chidozie Awaziem and Andres Perea blazing over, and Teenage Hadebe kept out by NYCFC's shot-stopper, before Ilenic finally showed how it was done.

NYCFC will now go up against their city rivals next week, while Cincinnati must lick their wounds heading into the offseason.

Data Debrief: Away form a concern for Cushing

While New York can celebrate making the Conference semi-finals, they have now won only one of their last 15 away games in all competitions.

Indeed, NYCFC have won just five of their last 41 road matches in all competitions since the start of the 2023 season.

Their meagre 0.28 expected goals (xG), compared to Cincinnati's 1.13, across the 90 minutes showed they were largely outplayed, and Cushing will be glad next week's semi-final will take place on home turf - with NYCFC the sixth seed, whereas the Red Bulls are the seventh.

Glenmuir High overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Frome Technical 4-3 in a thrilling Group A quarterfinal clash that will be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup season.

It was an intense display of grit, determination, and skill by Glenmuir as they battled back from 3-1 down, with prolific scorer Orane Watson netting a hat-trick to see them to victory in May Pen, Clarendon, on Saturday.

Watson’s goals, which came in the 47th, 64th, and 79th, extended his remarkable tally to 27 goals so far this season, while Conroy Nicely (18th) got the other. Wayne Mullings (10th), Stevaughn Spence (22nd), and Clinton Beckford (43rd) got Frome Technical’s goals.

With the win, Glenmuir took charge of the group on three points, two points ahead of St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) and McGrath, who played out a 1-1 stalemate in the other fixture.

Glenmuir’s Andrew Peart praised his players’ fighting spirit.

“That is the key thing; you have to know how to win in multiple ways and being two goals down, I must say it was a job very well done by the boys overall.

“However, I thought the first half we allowed Spence too much freedom down our left channel because when they won the ball, they played direct and that was the biggest adjustments we made second half and then we secured possession of the ball a little more and those two things propelled us to the win,” Peart said in a post-game interview.

Frome Technical came into the match ready to prove their mettle and quickly displayed their attacking prowess and found the go-ahead goal when captain Mullings expertly converted a freekick from just outside the 18-yard box.

Glenmuir belatedly got into their stride and were back on leveled terms eight minutes later when O’neil Headly’s well-weighted corner kick was nicely headed home by an unmarked Nicely at the far post.

However, Glenmuir’s celebration was short-lived as the talented and classy Spence restored Frome Technical’s lead with a well-struck breathtaking freekick from well over 25 yards out that had custodian Justin Murray beaten all ends up.

After registering his 20th goal of the season, Spence played provider with a dazzling turn and pass off to Beckford, who finished with aplomb to add to Glenmuir’s woes, as Frome Technical went to the break 3-1 up.

However, Glenmuir’s squad refused to play dead and quickly cut the deficit two minutes into the resumption when Watson fired home.

The standout player, sporting the number nine jersey, ignited the comeback with a relentless drive and pulled Glenmuir level with a composed penalty conversion.

A heavy downpour then added to the drama, but rather than dampen the intensity, the rain only seemed to fuel Glenmuir’s resolve and Watson inevitably sealed his hat-trick and, by extension, the comeback when he lashed home from another weighted pass from Headly.

Spence almost made things interesting for Frome Technical at the end but Murray left his line well to deny the effort in time added.

Frome Technical’s Head coach, Cleighton Stephens, was disappointed with the loss, which he believes resulted from a lapse in concentration.

“I would say it came down to a lack of concentration because as you saw most of the goals that Glenmuir scored we basically didn’t use our head in the game so basically our mistakes cost us the game. We just didn’t adjust fast enough to the conditions when the rain came and we ended up paying for it,” Stephens said.

Saturday’s Results

Garvey Maceo 2, Central High 2

Glenmuir 4, Frome Technical 3

McGrath High 1, STETHS 1

Amir Jangoo’s red hot form in this season’s CG United Super50 Cup continued on Saturday with a maiden List A century to lead his team to a 45-run DLS method win over the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Queen’s Park Oval.

In a match reduced to 45 overs-per-side, Jangoo, coming off scores of 96 and 70*, led the way with 111 off 114 balls to help the defending champions post an imposing 288-3 in their 45 overs.

The left-hander’s innings included 10 fours and two sixes. Jyd Goolie and Kjorn Ottley also got half centuries with 68* off 51 balls and 66 off 86 balls, respectively.

The Harpy Eagles were then reduced to 201-7 off 39 overs when the game was called off for bad light with them 45 runs short of the DLS par score.

Kemol Savory was left stranded on 69* off 92 balls. Anderson Phillip took 2-37 from six overs while Bryan Charles took 2-40 off nine overs.

Full Scores:

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 288-3 off 45 overs (Amir Jangoo 111, Jyd Goolie 68, Kjorn Ottley 66)

Guyana Harpy Eagles 201-7 off 39 overs (Kemol Savory 69*, Kevlon Anderson 32, Anderson Phillip 2-37, Bryan Charles 2-37)

The win moves the Red Force back to the top of the points standings with 48 from five games, 10 points ahead of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and 14 ahead of the Barbados Pride in third.

The Harpy Eagles are four points ahead of the Jamaica Scorpions in fourth with 28.

Garvey Maceo appeared poised to claim all three points against Central High after racing to a brisk two-goal lead in their Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata Group B quarterfinal clash in May Pen.

However, a resilient Central High team clawed their way back, forcing Garvey Maceo to settle for a 2-2 stalemate and a share of the spoils in a dramatic Clarendon derby on Saturday.

Antwone Wright (36th) and Ean Noel (60th) were responsible for Central High’s comeback after Omarion O’Brian (1st) and Everald Swaby (8th) did the early damage for Garvey Maceo.

With the result, things remain evenly poised in the group as all four teams—Garvey Maceo, Central High, Ocho Rios, and Munro College—are on a point each in their hunt for the top two spots to the semi-finals.

Garvey Maceo’s Head coach Lester Hibbert, expressed disappointment with his team’s inability to hold onto their early lead but acknowledged Central’s resilience.

“It is just a few goals that resulted in the two goals that we conceded that cost us the three points. But apart from that, the boys played brilliantly; we just have to shake this off, regroup, and come again for our next game on Tuesday,” Hibbert said.

The match started with a bang, as poor defending from Central High allowed O’Brian to break the deadlock with a firm finish from just inside the 18-yard box with a mere 15 seconds on the clock.

Just seven minutes later, Swaby doubled the lead with a well-placed left-footed strike from Christopher Mundle’s cross, sending Garvey Maceo’s supporters into a frenzy. With such an explosive start, it looked as though the game might be a lopsided affair, with Garvey Maceo controlling possession and Central struggling to keep up.

But as the first half progressed, Central High settled into their rhythm and began pushing back, eager to avoid an early defeat in this critical quarterfinal contest.

Their persistence paid off in the 36th minute when Wright again got in behind Garvey Maceo’s high defensive line and finished a precision shot beyond custodian Garfield Tomlinson to reignite Central’s hopes.

That goal energized Central, who ended the half with renewed confidence and a more organized defence.

Central maintained their momentum on the resumption and eventually pulled level at the hour mark when Dellan Briscoe placed a pass on a platter for Noel, who finished a firm left-footer that left the Garvey Maceo fans stunned.

Garvey Maceo regained their rhythm and both teams pressed for the winning goal but were unable to make the most of their few half chances and had to settle for a point.

For Central High’s Jermaine Douglas, the draw felt like a victory after a difficult start.

“It was the worst possible start for us; the last thing you can do is concede in the first minute, and we managed to do that, and then we again conceded after that. But I think once we settled we made better decisions in the final third and we probably should have won this game,” Douglas noted.

Attackers Leon Bailey and Shamar Nicholson are back in the Reggae Boyz squad for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against defending champions the USA on November 14 and 18.

The Reggae Boyz will first host the Americans at the National Stadium in Kingston on the 14th before travelling to St. Louis for the return leg at Energizer Park four days later.

Bailey is returning after missing the last two Reggae Boyz squads through injury while Nicholson is back after asking to be left out of the last squad to work on his match sharpness with club Spartak Moscow.

“We’ve had several conversations and really formed a good bond between us,” Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said about Bailey.

“He was so unlucky to miss the first two camps through injuries but now he’s had two or three weeks after missing the last camp where he’s got his fitness back. He’s playing 90 minutes regularly now. He’s absolutely delighted and can’t wait to come over and be part of the squad,” he added.

McClaren also offered words on Nicholson’s return.

“We kept in touch wit Shamar since the last camp and we fully understood that he wanted to stay at his club and regain his fitness. He hired a personal trainer that’s been working hard with him, He’s been getting more minutes within his club and scoring goals,” he said.

“Speaking to him this week, he’s focused and fitter. He feels ready to contribute to our team so we’re delighted to have him,” he added.

Joining Bailey and Nicholson among the forwards in the squad are Michail Antonio, Kaheim Dixon, Romario Williams, Renaldo Cephas and Demarai Gray.

Queen’s Park Rangers holding midfielder Isaac Hayden is part of the squad for the first time since committing his international future to the Reggae Boyz.

“The JFF has been chasing him for quite some time. I’ve had about two or three calls with him since I took the job. He’s desperate to play and he’s at that stage in his career where he needs to kick on and this is one of the ways that he can,” McClaren said.

The former Arsenal and Newcastle United midfielder is expected to provide some stability in the middle of the park, something that the Reggae Boyz have been lacking for some time.

"He will be a welcome addition to our squad in terms of a genuine No.6 who's played at the highest level in that position," McClaren said.

Joining him in the midfield in the are Joel Latibeaudiere, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer and Tyreek Magee.

Regulars Damion Lowe and Ethan Pinnock lead a defensive unit including Richard King, Tayvon Gray, Dexter Lembikisa, Mason Holgate, Di’shon Bernard, Amari’i Bell and Greg Leigh.

Captain Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite and Shaquan Davis are the goalkeepers.

Players missing out on this trip include attacker Norman Campbell and midfielder Bobby Reid whose wife is expecting a child during the international break.

Amanda Pinkney’s pride in representing Jamaica is always clear, but for the goal-attack and her Sunshine Girls teammates, this Fast5 Netball World Series is especially meaningful.

For one, it is the first time many of the players are representing the island on the world stage, and while their chances of making the podium have evaporated after three opening defeats, Pinkney, who was a member of the team that placed fifth at last year’s tournament, believes they have enough quality to end on a high.

Pinkney’s team, which lost 19-39, 15-35, and 25-33 to New Zealand, England, and South Africa in that order on Friday’s opening day, will have Australia and Uganda to contend with in two more fast-paced encounters on Saturday that will demand every ounce of strength and strategy the team has cultivated.

“There’s nothing like the energy of representing Jamaica on a big stage, especially after the long international break. We’ve all worked hard individually to get here, and you can feel the chemistry building. So even though the results didn’t go our way on the first day, we gave it our best,” Pinkney told SportsMax.Tv from the team’s base in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“I always say that my biggest accomplishment is being able to represent Jamaica on the world stage because, in doing so, I can contribute to our team’s successes, like medaling at major tournaments. That is something I hold close to my heart, and I was hoping we could have medalled here; but again, things haven’t gone our way so far, and we will have to give it our all to overcome the challenge in the next two games,” she added.

Although the odds may seem daunting, the young and fairly inexperienced Jamaican side—fielding seven debutants—has shown flashes of their resilience and skill, particularly in their last contest against South Africa, a performance they will aim to build on in the last two games.

Australia are so far unbeaten, while England, South Africa, and New Zealand have won two matches each. Jamaica and Uganda are winless.

“Fast5 challenges us to be sharp, quick, and strategic, and going up against top teams really motivates us to give our best. We’re all driven to not only compete but to showcase our unique Sunshine Girls style,” Pinkney said.

“So now it’s just about executing better than we did in the first three games. That performance against South Africa is a good marker for us to work from, and so if we stay focused and play to our potential, I believe we have a great chance to at least finish with two wins,” she noted.

That said, the 24-year-old, who has tallied 28 goals in the tournament so far, has her sights set on a broader legacy in her career that she said has been shaped by both triumphs and trials.

However, these experiences, for Pinkney, have not only developed her skills but also instilled in her a deep resilience.

“Experiences, whether good or bad, have made me stronger because I view every situation as an opportunity to learn and grow, so I’m still in a good space mentally, and I know my teammates are too,” the bubbly player, who was a part of the historic CAC Games gold medal win last year, shared.

“I want to continue growing as a player and contributing to Jamaica’s success of being identified as a dominant force in netball and also, hopefully, to inspire the next generation of players. So I will take the lessons from this Fast5 tournament and keep pushing myself, improve my game, and aim to make my family and country proud in every tournament we play,” Pinkney ended.

The Bahamas have once again been selected to host the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, as they, along with Trinidad and Tobago, will be the Caribbean’s representatives in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles.

Scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16, at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, the competition will begin with an eight-team group stage—two groups of four teams each.

Alongside the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

After round-robin play, the two best teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage, which will be contested as a single-match direct elimination semifinals on March 15. This will be followed by a third-place match and final on March 16, where the region’s Beach Soccer Champion will be crowned.

Additionally, the two finalists will represent the confederation at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
 
The official draw for the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship is scheduled for November 26, 2024, with the match schedule to be announced shortly after.

In the previous edition of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, also played in The Bahamas, last year, the United States won its third Concacaf title (2006, 2013, 2023) after defeating Mexico 5-0 in the final. The two North American nations represented the region at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.