3 days ago
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MOUNT PLEASANT Football Academy laid claim to their first-ever regional title, defeating Dominican Republic outfit Universidad O&M 3-2 on aggregate in the final of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup yesterday at the National Stadium.
A 2-2 draw in the second leg was enough to see Mt Pleasant lift their maiden Caribbean Cup title following a 1-0 win in the first leg played in Santiago. The win marks the second time in a row that a Jamaican team was winning the Caribbean Cup, with Cavalier having won the last edition.
Herard Frantzety scored the opening goal on the stroke of half-time before Warner Brown pulled Mt Pleasant level in the 62nd minute.
Julen Olasagasti restored O&M’s lead in the 69th, but Mt Pleasant again pulled level through Tyreek Magee in the 87th.
The game started with end-to-end action as both teams looked to assert their influence in the early stages.
O&M were reduced to 10 men right before the half-hour mark as defender Junior Capellan was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Kimoni Bailey following a VAR review.
Mt Pleasant looked to press their one-man advantage and earned a prime opportunity when Raheem Edwards stripped a defender of the ball in a dangerous area.
Edwards was unable to capitalise on the chance, however, as O&M recovered quickly enough to force a corner.
Acrobatic effort
The visitors came close to an opener in the 45th minute when Jon Trincado pulled off an acrobatic effort in his box, but his shot was met by an equally stunning reaction save by goalkeeper Tafari Chambers.
O&M would not be denied a second time, however, as Frantzety made no mistake with his look in at goal.
Running through on a ball played behind the defence, Frantzety capitalised on a slip from Chambers to lob the ball into an empty net.
Mt Pleasant came into the second half with sheer attacking intent but found themselves stymied by a resolute O&M defence.
O&M’s blockade would not last long as second-half substitutes Shaqueil Bradford, Raphael Intervil, and Brown all combined for a goal.
O&M’s goalkeeper, Iraitz Gelbentzu, parried Bradford’s shot from an angle, allowing for Intervil to play in Brown, who tapped home from point-blank range.
Brown was initially flagged offside, but a review from VAR overturned the decision as Mt Pleasant pulled level on the night and ahead on aggregate.
O&M restored their one-goal lead on the night and capitalised on a second slip from goalkeeper Chambers as defender Olasagasti sent a looping header from a free-kick into an unguarded net.
With the away-goal rule still in effect for the Caribbean Cup, O&M held the advantage despite being level on aggregate.
Mt Pleasant went searching for the all-important goal and found it through another second-half substitute.
Intervil again provided the assist, finding Magee just inside the box, allowing the midfielder to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
Despite late pressure from O&M, Mt Pleasant’s defence held out for the result.
The St Ann-based club will now be seeded into the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
English (US) ·