PARAMARIBO – 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield champions Robinhood of Suriname kept their hot streak going with a 1-0 triumph over Dominican Republic side Cibao FC in Group B of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup on Thursday night at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Shaquille Cairo, who had 10 goals during the Shield, opened his Caribbean Cup account in the second half to give his side the three points.
It was a fairly tame first half between the two teams, with just two shots on target for Robinhood and one for the visitors from the Dominican Republic, the best arguably coming in the 28’ for Robinhood’s Dimitrio Andro, while Jean Lopez had Cibao’s opportunity.
Things started to open up in the second half and Robinhood nearly broke the deadlock in the 52’ on a counterattack that ended with Jamilhio Rigters hitting the post.
Robinhood were clearly finding success in hitting Cibao on the break, and on their next foray forward the hosts would break through, as a pass into Cairo saw the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield top scorer fire home with a right-footed shot for a 1-0 Robinhood lead.
The onus was on Cibao to find a goal to equalize, but instead it was Robinhood who looked closer to a second goal with some piercing runs into the Cibao area and some shots that tested Cibao’s veteran goalkeeper, Miguel Lloyd.
Timely interventions from GK Jonathan Fonkel and compacting defending from the back line allowed Robinhood to reach the final whistle unscathed to earn the victory.
