Arian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

CUBA BECAME the first semi-finalists in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup yesterday when they spanked Antigua and Barbuda 3-0 in the first game of a Group B double-header at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.

The Cubans, who moved to a maximum six points - having beaten Guadeloupe 2-1 in their first round game - can only be overtaken by one team from the group, which is enough to earn them a place in the last four and qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Jamaica, who also have the maximum six points from two games will be seeking to join Cuba in the last four when they meet Caribbean arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago in the feature game of today's double-header, which will also be played in Trelawny.

The Jamaica team, which boasts 2-1 and 4-0 victories over Barbados and Grenada, respectively, just needs a draw to advance to the semi-finals and secure a Gold Cup place.

Should Grenada, who have three points, beat or draw with Barbados in today's second game, and T&T lose to Jamaica, they would advance to the semi-finals and Trinidad would be eliminated.

Back in contention

In yesterday's second game, Guadeloupe, who started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Cuba, bounced back into contention with a hard-fought 3-2 win over champions Haiti which lifted them to three points and second place behind Haiti.

The loss, which was sparked by goals from Livio Nabab in the 15 th minute, Mickael Nicoise in the 17th minute and Jean Luc Lamboude in stoppage time, has left Haiti virtually out of contention as they are on a mere one point.

The Haitians, who face a must-win situation against Cuba in their last game to give themselves any semblance of a chance of advancing, got their goals from Boucicaut Jean Michel (penalty) and Raymond Enderson.

In sealing their semi-final place yesterday, the Cuban team turned in a fabulous first-half performance, during which it got its three goals courtesy of Yenier Marquez, Roberto Linares and Jaine Colome (penalty). Cuba looked slick going forward in numbers and took the lead in the seventh minute.

Central defender Marquez, who came up for a corner, outjumped the Antigua/Barbuda defence and nodded in at the near post.

With Antigua/Barbuda having trouble moving forward, Cuba struck again in the 20th minute. Linares pounced on a loose ball before the goal, turned past a defender and fired into the roof of the net.

Cuba ended the contest in the 34th minute when goalkeeper Keita DeCastro was penalised for a challenge on Colome, which saw referee Courtney Campbell pointing to the penalty spot.

Colome made no mistake with his spot-kick, making the final score 3-0.