Cavalier, Cibao look for advantage in Caribbean Cup Final first leg

MIAMI – Cavalier FC hosts Cibao FC in the first leg of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

The final pits the two winners from the group stage. Cavalier FC finished first in Group A with a 3-0-1 record, while Cibao FC finished atop Group B with a 3-1-0 record.

Cavalier FC finished runners-up in 2023, losing 0-3 on aggregate to SV Robinhood. The Jamaican side returns to the final for a second consecutive edition following a 7-nil win over Real Hope FA on aggregate.

Kaile Auvray scored twice, and Shaquille Stein struck a hat-trick in the 7-nil second-leg victory of the semifinals, where the Cavalier attack exploded to overturn a scoreless draw in the opening match. Dwayne Atkinson was also essential, with two assists.

Defenders Richard King, Jeovanni Laing, and Christopher Ainsworth stood out on the defensive end with two consecutive clean sheets and six combined steals. Ainsworth, Atkinson, Auvray, King, Laing, and Stein were all named to the semifinals Best XI.

Cibao FC reached the semifinals after a 4-2 win on aggregate against Real Hope FA. The Dominican Republic side is the last remaining unbeaten team in the tournament after winning both legs of its semifinal series.

Rivaldo Correa is the heartbeat of the Cibao attack, with five goals in the tournament. The Cibao forward scored three goals in the group stage, including a brace, and added two goals in the semifinals through consecutive match-winning efforts.

Jean López and Juan Díaz also scored in the semifinals to join Correa in the phase’s Best XI. The Cibao FC trio combined for six steals in the semis.

Both teams have secured their place in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. The series winner, on aggregate, will advance be the tournament champion and will receive a bye to the Round of 16 of the CCC.

The two clubs will meet for the second leg the following Tuesday at Cibao FC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Away goals serve as the first tiebreaker in case of a draw on aggregate, making it an added priority for Cavalier FC to concede as little as possible in the first encounter.