COUVA, Trinidad (August 3, 2025)— Moca FC are the 2025 CFU Club Shield champions. The team from the Dominican Republic defeated Weymouth Wales from Barbados 3-2 in the final on Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Moca looked to get on the front foot early, and a hopeful ball over the top in the 3rd minute found Yohan Parra dangerously on the move, but a last-ditch tackle by Ricardo Morris denied the speedy winger. Moca continued to enjoy more possession early in the match, with Weymouth Wales content to get bodies behind the ball and play on the counterattack.

Valentin Sabella was soon in on the action and in the 18th minute got in behind the defence, but the goalkeeper, Kishmar Primus, read his first-time effort. It was a Gustavo Ascona item in the 24th minute that put Moca ahead.  Sabella found the burly forward unmarked inside the penalty area with a pinpoint cross, and Ascona made no mistake in powering his header past Primus.

Weymouth Wales, now chasing the game, looked to be more attacking with skipper Hadan Holligan and Shaquille Stewart looking to combine and unlock the Moca defense.  Long throw specialist Mario Williams tried to put Moca under pressure, but his deep balls into the penalty area were repelled at each turn.

The halftime whistle soon sounded, and Moca took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Weymouth Wales restarted the match with urgency, immediately putting the opponents under pressure.  Williams rose highest on a corner kick a few moments into the second half but couldn’t keep his header on frame.  Weymouth Wales were unrelenting in hunting the equalizer, and Jaheim Neblett had his 51st-minute shot deflected for a corner kick after some enterprising combination play.

The Barbadian outfit had two bites of the cherry to tie things up in the 57th minute. First, Stewart failed to get on the end of a delightful Andre Applewhaite cross, and Holligan skied the second ball.

With the Bajan outfit in the ascendancy, the pressure mounted on the Moca unit, resulting in some uncharacteristically nervy defending. 

Weymouth Wales failed to capitalize on possession and were made to pay in the 75th minute. Richard Dabas extended Moca’s lead when Parra spotted his late run into the box and the skipper tapped home from close range.

Stewart came close to pulling a goal back for Weymouth Wales in the 79th minute, but headed wide of the goal after beating Pascual Ramirez to a cross from the left side.   Substitute Sergio Ventura gave his team a three-goal lead in the 82^nd minute after being on the pitch for mere seconds.  Ventura rounded Primus and scored from an acute angle to seemingly put the game to bed.

Weymouth Wales converted in the 86th minute when Applewhaite hit a low, powerful free kick into the bottom corner. A minute later, a Nikoli Brathwaite header pulled the team within one. 

The Moca defense managed to see out the final Weymouth Wales onslaught to lift the trophy.

It was an eventful match, with the referee issuing a barrage of cards. Moca picked up six yellow cards (Kelvin Durand, Jose Francisco, Valentin Sabella, Guillermo De Pena, Yohan Parra, and Assistant Coach Juan Contreras). Weymouth Wales defender Ricardo Morris received a yellow in minute 88, and Nicoli Brathwaite was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute.

Academy Eagles FC 0-2 Club Franciscain

Contesting the third-place match, Club Franciscain of Martinique triumphed 2-0 over Academy Eagles FC from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Club Franciscain were forceful on attack and displayed excellent ball possession and movement through the midfield. They pushed the Eagles’ defense line past the 18-yard box several times. But the Eagles’ skipper, Anthony Stewart, was able in defence to thwart any goals.

An unfortunate own goal by Kyle Belazaire in the 13th minute of play due to a deflection gave Club Franciscain the lead.

Academy Eagles regrouped and found their spark on attack with several crosses from Junior Paul on the left. However, efforts to put the ball in the back of the net were extremely difficult for the forwards. By the end of the half, they were a goal down.

Eagles were more aggressive on the ball and more organized defensively. They were able to string more complete passes in the middle of the pitch, but struggled to secure an equalizer.

Mathis Priam, a competition favorite, stamped his name on the score sheet in the 85th minute, sealing the win for Club Franciscain.