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Misfiring Cavalier let chances slip
August 29, 2025
In a match that Cavalier head coach Rudolph Speid felt his team should have won, they were held to a 1-1 by Haitian outfit Juventus des Cayes at Sabina Park last night in Concacaf Caribbean Cup action.
Cavalier looked to have claimed all three points through a wonder strike by midfielder Shamar Watson in the 17th minute of the contest.
However, they saw their hopes dashed when Peterson Seide rescued a point for Juventus with a well-taken free kick in the 77th minute.
The result means Cavalier now sit fourth in Group B of the Caribbean Cup with one point, level with Juventus, who hold the advantage with a greater goal difference.
Cibao lead the group with a perfect record of two wins from as many games played, with Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago second with three points.
Speid, speaking in a post-match interview, said it was a game of two halves, but felt his team should have the left as victors based on the chances they created.
"I thought we should have been at least two or three goals up at half time and we didn't do that," he said. "I suppose in the second half when fatigue started to take its toll, we didn't play so well."
Cavalier, the reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) and Caribbean Cup champions, had started the brighter of the two teams and immediately stamped their influence on the game in the opening minutes.
They got their first real opportunity in the 10th minute when striker Shaquille Stein was found free at the near post, but his delicate finish was not enough to beat Emmanuel Victor between the sticks for Juventus.
MISSED PENALTY
Cavalier earned a penalty just two minutes later when Jerome McLeary was brought down in the box.
But Adrian Reid Jr failed to convert from the spot, handing Juventus a lifeline.
The local champions' persistence would pay off, however, as Watson, picking up a loose ball from outside the box, unleashed a rocket into the net and handed Cavalier a well-deserved lead.
They came close to doubling their lead three minutes later, this time through debutant Denzel McKenzie. An unmarked run at the back post handed McKenzie an opportunity at goal, but his first-time effort was charged down by the onrushing goalkeeper.
Cavalier thought they had their second goal when they put the ball in the back of the net off a McKenzie corner delivery, but the play was called back as the referee had whistled for a foul in the box.
CHANGE IN TEMPO
The second half would see a change in tempo, as Cavalier took their foot off the pedal and their chances in front of goal began to dwindle.
Their best effort in the second half came through Jamilhio Rigters just past the hour mark, as his free kick forced a save from goalkeeper Victor.
Cavalier would rue their missed opportunities soon after, as with just 13 minutes left on the clock, Juventus pulled level.
Seide capitalised on a foul just outside the box as he placed a well-struck free kick that clipped off the top of the crossbar and just out of reach of the diving goalkeeper Jeadine White.
