Arcia secures DirecTV W Connection SCCL return

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Hashim Arcia (white jersey) scored the game's only goal in DirecTV W Connection's win over Montego Bay Uited in the semifinals of the CFU Club Championship on May 22, 2015, in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: Allan Crane)

COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – A second-half goal by Hashim Arcia lifted DirecTV W Connection to a 1-0 win over Montego Bay United on Friday and a place in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship final against Central FC

The result at Ato Boldon Stadium also gave the Savonetta Boys a spot in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL), its fourth trip to the annual continental competition.

Montego Bay United can still secure a SCCL berth with a victory on Sunday over Haiti’s Don Bosco – which fell 3-1 on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw with Central earlier in the evening -- in the CFU’s third place match that will precede the all-Trinidad & Tobago tournament decider.

In a tightly-contested semifinal, Arcia struck in the 70th minute, completing an unusual sequence. The Montego Bay defense sent a backpass in the air for goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett, who was forced to scuff an awkward clearance off the bounce to his right. W Connection eventually gained possession with Jomal Williams finding Arcia in the left side of the box. The 26-year-old stroked the ball into the right side of the net for his competition-leading seventh goal.

The strike was a harsh punishment for the Jamaican champion after it began to enjoy some lengthy spells of enterprising football. The attack-minded duo of Allan Ottey and Dino Williams were doing particularly well, though their efforts did not yield a goal.

In the 53rd minute, Montego Bay’s Ronaldo Rodney ripped a right-footer high, when it appeared he had some time to do better.

Five minutes later, W Connection goalkeeper Julani Archibald blocked Ottey’s close-range attempt.

Magical play from Williams nearly produced an equalizer in the 79th minute. The four-time capped Jamaican did wonderfully to turn in a swift motion while receiving the ball with his back to the goal. As a result of that agility, he resourcefully snapped off an unexpected shot to which Archibald reacted quickly and somehow saved with his left hand.

W Connection had the brighter start in the encounter and was unlucky not to get a goal or two before the break.

A neat 15th minute combination inside the area between Jerrel Britto and Shahdon Winchester ended with Winchester shooting just wide.

Barrett came up huge in the 21st minute, making a block on Britto.

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