RYAN THOMPSON foresees a ‘bright future’ for the Reggae Boyz following recent performances at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Jamaicans made history by becoming the first Caribbean team to play in the final and registered another landmark on their way there, when they defeated the United States in the semi-final. Prior to the 2-1 win at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, no Jamaican football team had ever beaten the United States in America. In the final, the team lost 3-1 against Mexico. However, Thompson focused on the positives. “It’s just a building process for the future. It’s very bright for Jamaica’s football,” he said. On the way to the final, the Boyz won their group with seven of maximum nine points, then beat Haiti 1-0 in the quarter-final before advancing to the US game, then the final. After that defeat, their only one at the tournament, he said: “We’re happy with our performance and that’s all we can ask for. Everyone went out there, played to the best of their abilities. Everyone went out there and pretty much wore their hearts on their sleeves out there. We could not have asked for anything more than that.” The tournament itself represented a breakthrough for Thompson, who made the most of half a chance. The 30-year-old goalkeeper grasped the number-one position after starting out as third string. The former Ardenne High School Manning Cup representative got his chance in Jamaica’s last group game against El Salvador in Canada, when Dwayne Miller got injured early and his back-up, AndrÈ Blake, was short on match practice. “It started from last year when I got invited to camp, and ever since, Sch‰fer (Winfried) rang me, I’m there. I made certain that I’m going to be a face that he never forgets. I work hard every single day, I compete every single day. I haven’t missed a camp. I haven’t missed a single trip ever since coach Sch‰fer invited me and I’m thankful for that,” Thompson remarked. “He saw something in me as a player and I know I have a lot to give to the team and I want to build on these things going forward. Hopefully, Jamaica, and not just Jamaica, but the world, will recognise that we have quality players out there and give us the respect that we truly deserve. “I’m just happy with my performance and what I was able to do for my country. Every game, I went out there I gave of my best. I wore my heart on my sleeve out there,” he continued. The goalie made a blunder that caused the goal in the US match and central defender Michael Hector made two that led to goals in the final. However, Thompson said the team’s reaction to such situations reflects a spirit among the group that fosters growth. “It’s amazing. Everybody’s going to make mistakes. This is the beauty about this team, we don’t single out anybody, when one person makes a mistake, everybody makes a mistake, and it’s just amazing to be a part of a group like this, nobody is going to single you out and this is just positive going forward. It’s just pure positives going forward and again, I’m sure Jamaica’s football is going to be very, very bright,” Thompson emphasised. “It’s all a part of the game. You’re gonna make mistakes and stuff happens,” he added. “But I’m proud of my team. I’m proud of everybody. Nobody expected us to be here and we played in the final against Mexico, one of the best teams in the world.”
Thomas welcomes learning experience
BEIJING, China:Things didn’t exactly go to plan for Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas in the women’s shot put during yesterday’s opening day of the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.Already playing her role in history as Jamaica’s first female representative in the shot put at the World Championships, the former Edwin Allen student, now at Kent State University, says she that all she has gained from the experience has far outweighed her disappointment, after her 16.62m only gave her 12th place in Group A qualifying as she missed out on a spot in the final.”For the first time, I would say it was a great experience for me,” said Thomas. “It has boosted my confidence. “I’m the first female shot putter for Jamaica to ever compete at the World Championships, so it’s a privilege for me.””It has given me an eye-opener and it’s going to give me the motivation to train harder to ensure that I qualify for the Olympics next year,” she added.Thomas, who also competed at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, says she is hoping to continue flying the flag for Jamaica’s female throwers and is hoping that she can become an influence for youngsters who are looking to get involved with throwing events.”What I have taken away is even though you see a lot of these girls who are professionals, it’s what you go out there on the day and do that really matters. What they have done in the past sometimes it doesn’t always count, you as the individual have to go out there on the day and perform,” said Thomas.The 22 year-old only registered one legal mark after fouling on her first and third throws.
Defending champs win big in rural ISSA netball
DEFENDING RURAL area Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) netball champions Holmwood Technical and Denbigh High scored impressive wins in quarter-final action on Wednesday at Manchester High School.Senior champions Holmwood scored the biggest win of the day as they totally outclassed St Elizabeth Technical 60-14.Titchfield, Manchester High, and former champions Denbigh also scored victories. Manchester High defeated Edwin Allen High 42-21; Titchfield got by Frome Technical 43-15; and Denbigh completed the semi-final line-up with the closest winning margin of the day, clipping Knox College 27-24.In the junior competition, Denbigh easily got by Titchfield 41-14.Joining them in the semi-finals were Manchester, who had a 26-14 win over Central High; Knox, with a big 37-18 win over Glenmuir and Holmwood, who got by Anchovy High 26-18.The semi-finals are scheduled for Clarendon Park on Wednesday, December 2.In juniors action, defending champions Denbigh will face Holmwood while Manchester High will oppose Knox. Defending senior champions Holmwood will meet Manchester High, while Denbigh will battle Titchfield in the other semi-final.
Man U crash out of Champions League
WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP):Three-time winners Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League yesterday losing 3-2 to Wolfsburg who advanced to the round of 16 for the first time.Anthony Martial put United ahead in the 10th, but Naldo volleyed in the equaliser in the 14th. Vieirinha regained the lead for Wolfsburg in the 29th, before an own goal by Joshua Guilavogui in the 82nd tied the score. But two minutes later, Naldo scored his second with a header to seal Wolfsburg’s victory.The loss, coupled with PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 home victory over CSKA Moscow, dropped United to third place in Group B, meaning that they will now play in the Europa League.Wolfsburg won the group with 12 points and PSV also advanced with 10 points, two more than United.Manchester United’s neighbours, Manchester, advanced as winners of their group with a 4-2 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.Raheem Sterling netted in the 80th and 81st minutes and Wilfried Bony scored in the 85th to spark City’s turnaround after a listless first-half performance at Etihad Stadium, where ‘Gladbach recovered from conceding early to David Silva.To qualify in first place, City also needed Juventus to lose in Sevilla. The Italian champions obliged for City, losing 1-0 in Group D.8-0 BEATING FOR MALMOIn Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 10 goals or more in the group stage of the Champions League, claiming four. Real Madrid whipped Malmo 8-0.The Portuguese striker reached 11 goals in six games, surpassing nine scored by Luiz Adriano with Shakhtar Donetsk last season. Ronaldo also scored nine times in the 2013-14 season.Ronaldo also set up two goals by Karim Benzema, who scored a hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.The game meant little for Madrid because they had already secured first place in Group A.Other results: Benfica 1 Atletico Madrid 2; Paris Saint-Germain 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 0; Galatasaray 1 FC Astana 1; PSV Eindhoven 2 CSKA Moscow 1.
Points standing
Points standing P W D L GF GA GD PtsLeicester 36 22 11 3 64 34 30 77Tottenham 36 19 13 4 67 28 39 70Arsenal 36 19 10 7 59 34 25 67Man City 36 19 7 10 68 38 30 64Man U 35 17 9 9 43 31 12 60West Ham 35 15 14 6 60 43 17 59Shampton 36 16 9 11 53 39 14 57Liverpool 35 15 10 10 59 48 11 55Chelsea 35 12 12 11 55 48 7 48Stoke 36 13 9 14 38 52 -14 48 P W D L GF GA GD PtsEverton 35 10 14 11 55 49 6 44Watford 35 12 8 15 36 42 -6 44Swansea 36 11 10 15 37 50 -13 43West Brom 36 10 11 15 32 46 -14 41Bournemouth 36 11 8 17 43 63 -20 41Crystal P 36 10 9 17 36 46 -10 39Newcastle 36 8 9 19 39 64 -25 33Sunderland 35 7 11 17 40 58 -18 3219. Norwich 35 8 7 20 35 61 -26 31Aston Villa 36 3 7 26 27 72 -45 16
Aussie coach plans to scout for Big Bash talent on WI tour
BRISBANE, Australia (CMC):Stand-in Australia coach Justin Langer says he will be scouting for West Indian talent to recruit for the Big Bash League, during the upcoming Tri-Nation Series next month.The former Test batsman is the coach for the national side for the June 3-26 one-day series in place of regular head coach Darren Lehmann, who has been given a rest by Cricket Australia.”We’ve still got two positions [available]. David Willey was excellent last year, but he’s only available for a few games,” said Langer, who is also head coach of Perth Scorchers.”I’ve got my Scorchers hat on every day of the week, looking for the right people to bring across, whether it’s domestically or internationally. No doubt, I’ll have a look at a few of their players and see if they fit the bill back here.”Several West Indies players already campaign in the glitzy Twenty20 league Down Under, with the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell all having played in the competition before.Last January, Gayle found himself embroiled in a sexism scandal sparked by a controversial live interview with Channel TEN’s Mel McLaughlin when he appeared to openly flirt with the reporter.Melbourne Renegades announced this week they would not re-sign Gayle for the upcoming season, but in response to a reporter’s question yesterday, Langer seemed to leave that option open for Scorchers.”He [Gayle] won’t be playing this tournament (Tri-Nations), so I won’t get to see him in action, but you never know, we want to get the best combination for Scorchers cricket and for the club, so who knows?”The Tri-Nations will be played in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados and involves West Indies and South Africa.
Twitter tributes
Following his death on January 26, many people, both here and abroad, took to social media site Twitter to pay tribute to Lindy Delapenha.@AJLancaster17: RIP #Lindy Delapenha Boro legend, my grandad used to tell me how much of an amazing player he was.@MarcJWallace: Fitting that Wes Morgan scores today (January 27). Him and the late Lindy Delapenha, who died yesterday, the only Jamaicans to win the English top flight.@davidalanmagnus: #Lindy Delapenha so much respect goes out to this man. A true pioneer in Jamaican sports. RIP Lindbergh.@mansfieldtownfc: Lindy Delapenha, the first black player to play for Mansfield Town, has died, the club is saddened to announce. January 27.@DaveNAAAllan: Sad to hear of the passing of Boro great Lindy Delepenha, our 1st black player. Met him once when he visited from Jamaica. Lovely bloke. RIP.@TomThreadgill1: RIP Lindy Delapenha, boro goal machine ad legend of the 50s #Boro #LindyDelapenha. Well played #LindyDelapenha, good score, now time for a rest, walk good.@Crouch59: RIP Lindy Delapenha – one of the first players my grandad told me stories about after Cloughy and Peacock.@wolmersdotinfo: Lloyd Lindbergh Lindy Delapenha Wolmer’s Boys past student ’39-’40 & sport phenom (golf, football, cricket, track, tennis, boxing). RIP Lindy Delapenha, first Jamaican to play professional football in England, Boro hero, one time mentor to a young Brian Clough
PCCL launches national competition for collegiate basketball
The National Collegiate Championship answers the need for more competitive exposure extending beyond local mother league competitions.The aim of PCCL is to broaden the sports program of schools, particularly collegiate basketball, by providing more competitive activities that would benefit student-player development.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’From the initial six leagues, there are now 35 leagues sending their best team to participate in the PCCL games. PCCL was able to expand its coverage by continuously touching base with active leagues all over the country and assisting them in improving the basketball programs of their respective member schools. OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Incentive prizes are awarded to teams that qualify to play in the regional championships, and to teams that advance to compete in the National Championship games usually held in Manila. The team that wins the national title is engraved in the M. V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture, “Abutin ang Tagumpay”, symbol of collegiate basketball supremacy, and the school keeps the sculpture until the next national champion emerges. The following teams are listed in the perpetual bronze sculpture: Far Eastern University, San Beda College, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian College, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East.This 2017, PCCL is expanding collegiate basketball competitions to include 3 on 3 basketball in addition to the regular National Collegiate (5-man team) championship. This initiative supports the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program to promote and develop 3 on 3 basketball, the newly included game in the Olympics starting 2020.The 3 on 3 national championships will have five regional competitions involving a total of fifty (50) collegiate teams. The five regions are North/Central Luzon, South Luzon/Bicol, Visayas, Mindanao and National Capital Region. The regional champions shall advance to the Grand Finals and compete for the title of 3 on 3 national collegiate champion.Philippine Collegiate Champions League is a non-profit corporate entity and revenues PCCL realize from sponsorships are utilized to cover operational expenses involved in organizing and managing the nationwide tournaments. PCCL also assists deserving school teams by providing prizes in terms of transportation and accommodation subsidies, sports equipment and gift certificates for players and coaches. ADVTADVERTISEMENT Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ LATEST STORIES Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia dies For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. What’s in store for your animal sign this year Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite Search on for 5 Indonesians snatched anew in Lahad Datu Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees
The Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) organized the National Collegiate Championship, a nationwide multi-level collegiate basketball competition that recognizes regional champions and the overall national champion that emerge during the games.ADVERTISEMENT View comments National Historical team rescues Amorsolos, artifacts from Taal Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ Sparkling Liverpool back in Champions League Police seize P68-M worth of ‘shabu’ in Pasay Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles
Historic Ceres-Negros run ends
End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Pradera Verde crowds favorites for Pal Ladies crown LATEST STORIES Having played just 12 of the 28 matches so far with three months remaining in the season, the Busmen have plenty of catching up to do in the domestic league, which is expected to be finished in the third week of December.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Break new ground End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend A costly, catty dispute finally settled A 0-4 loss away in Dushanbe three weeks ago meant the Busmen fell 1-5 on aggregate and sent Istiklol to the inter-zone finals where it will face either Bengaluru of India or 4.25 of North Korea.Super Herrera gave Ceres a glimmer of hope with a header off a corner in the 34th minute. But Dimitri Barkov pulled a goal back for the visitors just before the break, leaving the Busmen with a deficit too difficult to rise from.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogCeres-Negros faces next a compressed domestic schedule that could see the Busmen play an average of two matches a week in the Philippines Football League.The Busmen’s run to the AFC Cup Asean zone crown has seen them postpone several matches in the PFL. BACOLOD CITY—Ceres-Negros’ historic AFC Cup run came to an end Tuesday night at the hands of a big, strong and organized side from Central Asia.Facing a deficit that even the strongest teams can’t overcome, the Busmen were knocked out of the competition after a 1-1 draw with Istiklol of Tajikistan in the second leg of the inter zone semifinals at Panaad Stadium here.ADVERTISEMENT
Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Learning about the ‘Ring of Fire’ Mayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’ OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Winning start MOST READ It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson View comments
PBA teams not obliged to lend players to PH squad for Champs Cup, says Reyes
Mos Burger to open in Manila; teases with a pop-up Reyes will call the shots for the PH team in the upcoming 2017 Fiba Asia Champions Cup in Chenzhou, China with the team largely made up of amateur standouts.“This tourney was not part of the discussion with the PBA. To be fair to the PBA, they have no obligations to this team,” he said.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogOf the 12-man roster, Carl Bryan Cruz, LA Revilla, Norbert Torres, and Alfrancis Tamsi are the only players who have existing contracts in the PBA, while Almond Vosotros, Jeric Teng, and Gab Banal are currently free agents.Reyes also understands why Alaska and GlobalPort are hesitant to lend players like Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo. It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Folayang to defend ONE title vs Nguyen at MOA Arena Explosive Gilas Pilipinas not yet at its best, says Tim Cone PLAY LIST 01:45Explosive Gilas Pilipinas not yet at its best, says Tim Cone06:27SEA Games 2019: No surprises as Gilas Pilipinas cruises to basketball gold00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award LATEST STORIES OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Comedy and Drama Collide “The agreement we had with the PBA is if their tournament is over, we can get them. Calvin and Terrence showed up in our first practice, but I told them that they shouldn’t be here and I was serious with that,” he said.“This is a club championship, not a national team competition.”The team leaves for Chenzhou on Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT DAY6 is for everybody Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene How to help the Taal evacuees Chot Reyes. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netBefore any criticism against the PBA is thrown, coach Chot Reyes is the first to absolve the league from lending its players to Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas.“When we put this together, this wasn’t even in the plan,” Reyes said Tuesday during the team’s sendoff at Discovery Suites Hotel in Mandaluyong.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ View comments