Caribbean Club: Pantoja, W Connection earn Group A wins

Marcus Joseph (pictured) scored two goals in W Connection’s win over Arnett Gardens in the Caribbean Club Championship on February 2, 2018, in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: CA-Images) COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – Tier 1, first-round play in the 2018 CONCACAF Caribbean Cub Championship (CCC) continued Friday with Club Atletico Pantoja (Dominican Republic) and host W Connection posting Group A wins at Ato Boldon Stadium. By the end of the evening, Pantoja was on top of the table as the only side without a loss through two games. Real Hope Football Academy 0, Club Atletico Pantoja 3 In the opener, Club Atletico Pantoja topped Real Hope Football Academy (Haiti), 3-0, thanks to Luis Espinal’s brace.  The 23-year-old forward opened the scoring in the 35th minute, when he received a pass from Darly Batista in the box and took a separating touch, before finding the back of the net with his right foot from 13-yards out. Armando Maita headed home from a corner kick in the 41st minute to double lead, while Espinal completed the scoreline in the 59th minute by swooping in to finish from close range after Real Hope goalkeeper Luis Valendi Odelus spilled a cross from the right. W Connection 2, Arnett Gardens 1 In the nightcap, Marcus Joseph struck for both goals in W Connection’s 2-1 win over Arnett Gardens. He put the three-time champion ahead 1-0 in the second minute, slotting from close range off a left-sided cross by Gerard Williams. Eleven minutes later, Joseph fired a left-footed shot from an awkward angle at the left edge of the box past goalkeeper Damion Hyatt to double the advantage.

Fabian Reid converted a 62nd minute penalty kick for Arnett Gardens’ only goal. The top two teams from Group A and Group B will advance to the finals, with the champion gaining a place in the 2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, while the runner-up and third place finishers will qualify for the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League. The fourth-place side will face the winner of the Tier 2 tournament -- Caribbean Club Shield -- in a playoff to determine the third club that will represent the Caribbean in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League.  The Tier 2 champion, however, must comply with the minimum CONCACAF Club Licensing requirements to secure participation. 2018 CONCACAF CARIBBEAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP First Round GROUP A (Ato Boldon Stadium – Couva, Trinidad & Tobago) January 31, 2018 Club Atletico Pantoja 0, Arnett Gardens 0 W Connection 0, Real Hope Football Academy 1 Johnson Jeudy 3’ February 2, 2018 Real Hope Football Academy 0, Club Atletico Pantoja 3 Luis Espinal 35’, 59’; Armando Maita 41’ W Connection 2, Arnett Gardens 1 Marcus Joseph 2’, 13’ / Fabian Reid 62’ pen Table Group A