We hope you had great holidays, but it's time to get back to business.
The Weekend Guide is here once again and this time we have a double header from the Caribbean with the Copa América Centenario playoffs and the league of Bermuda, as well a short visit to the Far East and the league of Hong Kong.
(All the hours are in CET)
Amateur (Like these guys)
What? Trinidad and Tobago – Haiti (Copa América Centenario playoffs)
When? Friday, 23:30
Where? Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City
Why? The centennial tournament of the Copa América will take place in the USA next summer and the last two CONCACAF spots are left to be decided. On Friday night Trinidad Tobago and Haiti will play for the qualification.
Key Players: Khaleem Hyland will be the top Soca Warrior for this match, with 8 years of experience in the Belgian league and 53 international caps. Meanwhile, Haiti’s leading player is the promising 21 years old attacker, Duckens Nazon, who plays for the French second tier club Laval and has scored 4 goals in the Gold Cup.
Panamanian Heritage: Until 1993, the stadium was named "Estadio Revolución". Now it is named after Rommel Fernández, a Panamanian footballer who died in car accident at the age of 27.
Professional (like this guy)
What? Eastern – South China (Hong Kong Premier League)
When? Sunday, 10:30
Where? Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong
Why? After both teams played 6 matches, just one point is the difference between the leaders Eastern and the second place South China. Eastern haven't lost yet and they wish to win their first title since 1995.
Key Players: Eastern's Australian Andrew Barisic is one of the league top scorers with 4 goals, and besides playing in Hong Kong he previously played in India, Indonesia and German amateur leagues. South China's main player is goalkeeper Cristian Mora, 36 years old Ecuadorian who played for the national team during their World Cup campaign in 2006.
The O Team: In the 1992/3 season, Eastern started the season with 9 wins in 9 matches, and had an impressive balance of 30 goals for and no goals conceded.
World Class (like this goal)
What? Dandy Town Hornets – Robin Hood (Bermuda Premier League)
When? Sunday, 20:00
Where? St. John's Field, Pembroke Parish
Why? Dandy Town is on first place with 25 points, while Robin Hood is 9 points behind in the second place. If Dandy Town will win it, they’ll get closer for their eighth title. If they lose, the race will open up.
Key Players: The two leading scorers of the league will be on the same field, so it's a showtime! Dandy Town’s Tomiko Goater is an 18 year older who scored 7 goals in his debut season. Robin Hood’s Lejuan Simmons scored 9 goals this season, after playing previously for Ilkeston, a non-league English club at the 8th division.
National Player: Former Bermudian footballer Kyle Lightbourne had 40 international caps and played for over a decade in England. Except from being international footballer, Lightbourne made 5 caps for Bermuda national cricket team in 1990.