Barbados win Caribbean derby

Barbados defeated Jamaica 5-0 in the Caribbean derby, which opened the fourth round of the 8th Men's Pan-American Junior Championship being held at the Antonio Maceo stadium in Santiago de Las Vegas, 25 kilometres south of La Havana.

Barbados were slightly superior to Jamaica during the first half, producing the most advances and reaching their rivals' circle with danger. But, once again, Jamaica's goalie Donovan Shakespeare sparkled saving difficult shots.

Nevertheless, Jamaica took advantage of the counter-attacks to penetrate Barbados' defence, producing also some dangerous play were saved by their rivals back row and keeper.

One minute from half-time, Barbados' perseverance was awarded with a wonderful goal by Neil Franklin, who put his team 1-0 ahead from a powerful corner dragged shot.

Barbados increased their pressure after half-time, pushing Jamaica throughout their lines. Then, they got a 2-0 lead - in the 49th minute - through Paul Harding from a corner deflection.

Meanwhile, Jamaica continued counter-attacking with sporadic but dangerous attacks, well saved by Barbados' goalkeeper Lyndell Francis.

In the 54th minute, Barbados showed again their good penalty corner, netting their third goal, from this set play, from Franklin's lethal dragged shot.

Nicholas Griffith increased Barbados' lead, in the 59th minute, capitalizing on a cross, while Aaron Forde sealed the 5-0 victory, with two minutes to go, from a penalty corner.

Barbados will clash against Cuba on Monday, at 9am local time, while Jamaica will face the United States, two hours later.

Barbados: Francis; Small, Puckerin, Payne, Henry; Franklin, Forde, Jules; Harding, Davis and Clarke. Also played: Phillips, Hutson, Griffith and Rice. Coach: Peter Chase.

Jamaica: Shakespeare; Wheatley, Levy, McGlashen, Richards; Gardiner, Jones, Beach, R. Smith; K. Smith and Davis. Also played: Beckford, Kelly, Burke and Marshall. Coach: Michael Broadber.

Umpires: Germán Montes de Oca (Argentina) and Luis Villa (Cuba).

Booking - Yellow cards: 28m, Griffith (B); 52m, K. Smith (J); 60m, McGlashen (J). Green cards: 22m, K. Smith (J); 28m, Griffith (B).

Argentina beat Cuba, reach semifinals

With four goals by Tomás Argento, three from Pedro Ibarra, two through Tomás Alonso, and the rest scoring by Juan Manuel Saladino, Lucas Vila and Manuel Brunet, Argentina trounced Cuba 12-0 in the second and last match of the fourth day of the 8th Men's Junior Pan-American Championship at the Antonio Maceo stadium in Santiago de Las Vegas, 25 kilometres south of La Havana.

This tournament will qualify the top three for the World Championship to take place from June 29 to July 10 in Rotterdam, Holland.

With this result, Argentina are close to a World Cup berth as they reached this tournament semifinals.

In spite of Argentina opened the score early, two minutes from the start, through Tomás Argento from a corner deflection, Cuba opposed a tough resistance against the title holders, reaching also Argentina's circle with danger such as, in the 11th minute, when a rush by outstanding Alberto Díaz was saved with difficulty by the South Americans back row and keeper.

But the hosts were able to stop Argentina's furious attacks only until the 15th minute, when Alonso increased the lead alone in front of Cuba's goal. Only two more minutes were enough to allow Argentina to confirm their dominance, before a big Cuban attendance, as the defending champions took a 4-0 lead with two penalty corner goals by Ibarra, in the 16th and 18th minutes.

Two minutes before half-time, Juan Manuel Saladino put Argentina 5-0 ahead after an accurate combination with Rossi.

Argentina also kept the pace after half-time, increasing the lead to 7-0 through Ibarra, again, and Tomás Argento, in the 44th and 46th minutes, respectively.

Manuel Brunet scored the eighth, three minutes later, from a corner deflection.

In spite of Argentina's dominace, Cuba missed two excellent chances though their talented striker Alberto Díaz. With seven minutes to go, when one of his shot hit Argentina's right post, while the other was just wide.

The Argentine team netted four more to take the deserved 12-0 victory by Vila, in the 55th minute; Tomás Argento in the 58th and 67th, and Alonso, in the 63rd minute.

Cuba: Hernández; González, Caballero, Aguilera, Barzaga; Olivares, Risquet, Quirola, Dieguez; Alberto Díaz and Makenci. Also played: Arley Díaz, Reiner Díaz, Gutiérrez and Castillo. Coach: Yumai Oliva.

Argentina: Dell Agnolla; Brunet, Rey, López, Tisera; Vila, Ibarra, Rossi; Alonso, T. Argento and Callioni. Also played: Saladino, González, Ortega and Bergner. Coach: Pablo Lombi.

Umpires: Marc Knule (France) and Gus Soteriades (United States).

Booking - Green cards: 13m, Callioni (A); 20m y 54m, Dieguez (C).