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Caribbean Cup loss devastates Thomas
December 11, 2023
Concacaf Caribbean Cup top scorer Shaneil Thomas is devastated that Cavalier lost the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final 3-0 on aggregate to Robinhood of Suriname after the second leg at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Thomas, who ended the competition with eight goals, was on the end of two yellow cards, resulting in a red and having Cavalier playing the last 29 minutes a man short to lose the match 2-0, after the first leg in Suriname 1-0.
The 22-year-old, who has won everything at the schoolboy level and is already a Jamaica Premier League (JPL) winner, admitted getting his hands on the coveted regional trophy was his main objective.
"This is the one I really wanted, because I have won the Premier League before, so this was the one I really wanted," he declared after the 2-0 defeat.
Cavalier were losing their third straight final, including the Lynk Cup KO, the JPL final and now the Caribbean Cup final, and the serial winner said he is tired of finishing second.
"I would love to get off the mark with a gold medal, because I am tired of seeing the silver medal. I want to start going back to winning trophies with the team," he continued.
"This (top scorer award) is a great accomplishment for me. I am happy about it. I have worked hard and I think I have deserved it, but I wanted to win the final."
The player thought he got all ball in his challenge on Carlos Da Silva in the 56th minute, which led to his second booking and red card, and opined that his absence affected the final outcome.
"I got the ball, and I was advancing with the ball as well, so I don't know how the card came into play. I don't think it is a card.
"I am the top marksman in the league and for the club, so my card must have impacted my team's ability; but the players have character, so I expected them to fight," he said.
Thomas, named in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup best 11, along with teammates Jalmaro Calvin and Jeovanni Laing, has now refocused his sights of the JPL and adding to the one goal he has already this season.
"We have been playing well, so to come and lose this final, as this is our third one back-to-back, to lose it is devastating, but it's going to be hard work non-stop from here, and every game we play from here, I want to capitalise on our chances," he added.
