The Cayman Islands Football Association 2023-24 season officially kicked off on Sunday, 29 Oct., with its traditional opening women’s and men’s Charity Shield fixtures.
The season was scheduled to start at the end of September but had been postponed three times. Sunday’s games ended the hiatus, meaning league action is set to follow, beginning with the Men’s CIFA Second Division on 3 Nov.
The Charity Shield matches, held at the Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay, offered a glimpse into what to expect this season. Academy SC women’s team earned a monumental victory after a penalty shootout over defending champions Elite SC, who finished last season unbeaten. Scholars ISC men bested Academy SC.
Academy edged out a win against Elite after winning 6-5 on penalties. After fulltime, the game ended 1-1 with goals coming from Academy’s Jehnique Russell and Elite’s Marion Dasilva.
On the men’s side, Scholars came from behind to win 3-2 over Academy. Three minutes into the match, Academy’s Andres Ruiz put his team up 1-0 before Matthew Surberan equalised in the 15th minute. Five minutes later, Dominic Owens gave Academy the lead again.
In the second half, despite their efforts, Academy was unable to capitalise on their opportunities, but the same couldn’t be said for Scholars, whose top striker Raul Garcia brought the game to 2-2 in the 56th minute before teammate Brandon Ebanks’ goal put them ahead 24 minutes later.
With that, gameplay will now start in the Men’s CIFA Second Division, followed by the Men’s CIFA First Division, on 4 Nov., which will feature the return of Tigers FC.
Tigers will play their first match since the tragic passing of their coach Gonzalo McLaughlin in 2020, against Cayman Brac FC at the CIFA Centre For Excellence, starting at 8pm.
The CIFA Men’s and Women’s Premier Leagues will both kick off on 5 Nov.
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