Cibao and Cavalier played out a scoreless draw in the first Group Stage match of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship on Wednesday. The result leaves both sides level on points after the opening round.
There were no goals, but the game produced two bookings and a series of substitutions. A. G. Watson L. received a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute, and C. Ainsworth was cautioned two minutes later. The visitors had the cards, according to the official records.
Then came the changes. V. Minotta, R. Thomas, D. Allen, D. Ledesma, N. Hamilton and J. De La Cruz Mangas were all brought on during the second half. Cibao made three changes, Cavalier three more, and the teams arrived at the final whistle with fresh legs but no breakthrough.
The statistics tell a story of frustration. Cibao generated 90 attacks and 10 shots off target, but only one shot found the target. Their accuracy rate sat at seven per cent. Cavalier managed 62 attacks and two shots on target from six attempts, giving them a twenty-two per cent accuracy. It was not a night for either side to celebrate their finishing.
Both teams controlled exactly half the possession, a statistic that reflects the cautious nature of the encounter. There were no red cards, no offsides, and the throw-in count was identical at twenty-seven for each side. The game simply did not open up.
Cibao arrive with mixed recent form. They beat Salcedo 2-1 in their last match but lost 0-2 to the same side before that. Against Atletico Pantocha they drew 1-1 then won 1-0 and 1-0 in the two matches prior. Cavalier have been more consistent, with wins against Montego Bay United and Waterhouse, though they also dropped points in draws with Portmore United and Waterhouse.
By then, neither side had done enough to take control of the group. The 0-0 result keeps everything open for the next round.
